The Roscommon County Community Foundation is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant of $25,000.00 from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of health for children in the region.
RCCF grant dollars will support a partnership with the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center (NMCAC) to provide on-site, specialized, trauma-focused mental health services to children who are the victims of abuse. The mission of NMCAC is to “prevent and educate the public on child abuse and neglect, as well as to reduce the trauma…by providing a timely, comprehensive and multidisciplinary response to allegations in a safe, child focused setting.” Services offered by NMCAC include forensic interviews, victim advocate support, and assessment services.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to partner with the Children’s Assessment Center, and to help meet the need for trauma-focused mental health services for children in our community,” states RCCF Executive Director, Suzanne Luck. “This grant will help ensure that abuse victims receive the necessary mental health services to begin the healing process.”
More than 30 community foundations across the state applied for funding through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s fall 2015 grant application process. Grant requests focused on areas such as: prenatal care and infant mortality; health services to support adopted and fostered children; healthy food access; wellness and fitness programs; access to mental health services; technology enhancements; health related transportation needs; access to care/integrated care; and teen pregnancy prevention.
“The Michigan Health Endowment Fund board is proud to support a variety of very successful programs already positively impacting the health of Michigan’s children and seniors as a result of our first grant funding effort,” said Rob Fowler, board chairman. “We look forward to building additional relationships with Michigan’s community foundations and other non-profit organizations as they continue their focused work to improve the health of Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.”
Community foundations were eligible to apply for grants in support of programs to improve the health of minor children and seniors in their regions. Those foundations receiving funding, in turn, now have the ability to offer their affiliate foundations or smaller community organizations the opportunity to seek grants that support similar programs.
“We are excited to collaborate this year with community foundations on projects that seek to enhance the well-being of Michigan’s children and seniors in their local communities,” said Paul Hillegonds, executive director of Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
The mission of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund is to improve the health of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of health care, with special emphasis on the health and wellness of children and seniors. The fund was created as part of 2013 state legislation that allowed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to become a nonprofit mutual health insurer. Nearly $38 million in grants were awarded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund last year.
Additional information can be found at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund website at mhealthfund.com or on the RCCF website.