Ends on
Next to Spring 2023 RFP

Grant Initiatives
In keeping with the recommendations of its 2022 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), CHNA 6 is pleased to solicit proposals from eligible nonprofit and government organizations for the following three Priority Areas:

1. Mental Health and Substance Use

Priority Area Goal: All community members have equitable, inclusive access to community-based and person-centered mental health and substance use services that build and sustain resiliency and overall well-being.

Objective 1.1:  Expand and enhance the mental health and substance use workforce who are providing culturally informed and responsive services by 2025. 

Strategies

  • 1.1.1 Research and promote the development of incentive programs to increase the number of providers in our region who are providing culturally informed and responsive services. 
  • 1.1.2 Provide a broad range of training opportunities that educate existing workforce and community leaders around topics such as cultural humility, trauma-informed approaches, early and comprehensive assessment and awareness of the root causes of health. 
  • 1.1.3 Gather more information, as needed, about issues/barriers providers face in providing culturally relevant services.
  • 1.1.4 Assess the region’s jail diversion programs and possibilities for expansion of social worker ride-alongs with law enforcement (e.g., to other towns and hours beyond 9:00am-5:00pm)

Objective 1.2:  Increase the number of places all community members can access culturally informed and responsive mental health and substance use resources by 2025.

Strategies

  • 1.2.1 Establish a baseline of the number of places including where there are gaps in services – based on where and how people want to get services (e.g., telehealth, texting appointments, self-care, length of appointments).
  • 1.2.2 Educate and promote the use of existing resources (e.g., 988, 211, behavioral health access lines) through various channels (e.g., community forum, database, social media).
  • 1.2.3 Work to increase the number of providers who accept MassHealth.
  • 1.2.4 Advocate for MassHealth members to have expanded access to culturally relevant resources.

Objective 1.3:  Increase awareness of and understanding of mental health and substance use as health needs to reduce stigma in accessing services by 2025.

Strategies

  • 1.3.1 Foster community discussion and sharing of stories through community forums or other methods.
  • 1.3.2 Create opportunities for families supporting those with SUD/MH challenges to better advocate for their loved ones and find emotional support for themselves.
  • 1.3.3 Align messaging with the state’s new Behavioral Health Roadmap.
  • 1.3.4 Educate town leaders on the importance and urgency of mental health and substance use care; and the need for more services/resources.

  

2. Food Insecurity 

Priority Area Goal: All community members have equitable access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food resources in a way that promotes individual dignity.

Objective 2.1:  Increase the number of residents who access available resources by 20% by 2025.

Strategies

  • 2.1.1 Promote the food calendar through a wide variety of locations and organizations (e.g., faith-based organizations, daycares, hairdressers, urgent care, clinics, municipal buildings, libraries, schools, universities, grocery stores, senior centers)
  • 2.1.2 Promote partnerships between smaller communities to develop regional food calendars.
  • 2.1.3 Promote available resources, including programs such as SNAP WIC, through existing communication mediums (e.g., local cable access, social media, radio (highlight resources through series on food resources), local newspapers) 
  • 2.1.4 Develop informational sessions on available food resources and how to access them in multiple platforms and languages (e.g., Conduct Q&A sessions, develop YouTube video).
  • 2.1.5 Provide educational materials to local agencies and community partners (e.g., case managers, community health workers, first responders).

Objective 2.2:  Increase the number of healthy food access and delivery options by five by 2025.

Strategies

  • 2.2.1 Engage local farms and community stakeholders to collaborate on mobile farmer’s markets.
  • 2.2.2 Promote collaboration between food rescue organizations and community sites to establish a new delivery site(s).
  • 2.2.3 Confirm and promote enrollment in home grocery delivery services using SNAP benefits https://www.mass.gov/snap-online-purchasing-program 
  • 2.2.4 Advocate for the importance of public/community transportation related to food insecurity.

Objective 2.3: Assess and address the food security barriers of the three most underserved populations represented in our communities by 2025.

Strategies

  • 2.3.1 Identify the three most underserved cultures/populations represented in our communities.
  • 2.3.2 Identify community leaders who are part of and/or work with the cultures/populations to establish trust.
  • 2.3.3 Engage community representatives to identify food insecurity barriers for underserved populations.
  • 2.3.4 Share assessment findings with community food providers.
  • 2.3.5 Work collaboratively with community representatives and stakeholders to address food insecurity barriers identified. 

Objective 2.4:  Establish three new food resource partnerships by 2025.

Strategies

  • 2.4.1 Identify existing and facilitate new food resource partnerships.
  • 2.4.2 Conduct outreach to non-traditional food partners (e.g., tech schools, churches, CBO’s).
  • 2.4.3 Assess community interest in being part of a food resource partnership.
  • 2.4.4 Explore quarterly food collaborative and invite interested organizations.

Objective 2.5:  Promote sustainability of healthy food practices by increasing participation in food preparation and nutrition programs by 20% by 2025.

Strategies

  • 2.5.1 Assess existing resources/trainings and promote them (e.g., Milford Regional, MassHire, YMCA – Cooking Matters).
  • 2.5.2 Engage the community in assessment of knowledge, skills and resources needed to promote sustainability of nutritious food purchasing, preparation, and overall diet.
  • 2.5.3 Identify opportunities and mediums to share these resources.
  • 2.5.4 Explore incentives to engage community members in trainings (childcare, stipends, food preparation materials).
  • 2.5.5 Distribute information about skill building programs to food resource providers and stakeholders. 


3. Homelessness

Priority Area Goal: All community members can easily access or maintain safe, culturally competent and inclusive shelter/housing in a timely manner, and in a way that maintains and promotes their dignity and that is respectful of their various life experiences.

Objective 3.1: Establish a centralized online site where existing resources to address shelter and housing insecurity are easily accessible by 2025.

Strategies

  • 3.1.1 Outreach to community partners to gather information on similar efforts and to identify existing resources.
  • 3.1.2 Identify a host for the centralized, online site (e.g., explore potential corporate sponsor(s) or other financial backers).
  • 3.1.3 Establish expectations for developing and maintaining the centralized, online site, including instructions for use of existing tools (e.g., Google Translate) to translate site information into other languages. 
  • 3.1.4 Include information on accessibility of resources (e.g., languages, ADA accessibility).
  • 3.1.5 Make community partners and community members aware of the “new” resources.

Objective 3.2: Increase the utilization of skills programs that address the needs identified by individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness by 2025.

Strategies

  • 3.2.1 Determine what programs exist and accessibility of each (e.g., in what languages they are offered, translation/interpreter services offered, whether they are ADA compliant, culturally appropriate/competent (establish criteria), cost of program, financial assistance available, location, transportation (in-person/virtual)).
  • 3.2.2 Pull together the people who work on transition/life skills, and who engage the community, (e.g., summit) to share information, ideas, and ways to raise awareness, and define the scope of the homelessness/at risk of homelessness situation in each community. 
  • 3.2.3 Encourage service providers and organizations to offer new/expanded skills programs in areas where gaps in programming may exist. 
  • 3.2.4 Coordinate efforts between service providers and organizations offering skills programs to match people, including marginalized populations, with skills programs based on individual needs.

Objective 3.3: Identify and support legislation that spans the social determinants of health in regard to housing (e.g., livable wage, safe and healthy housing, shelters, and affordable housing) by 2025.

Strategies

  • 3.3.1 Develop a “short list” of action steps on what to do to when legislation is being considered and whether CHNA 6 will advocate for support of the legislation.
  • 3.3.2 Connect with partners in Massachusetts to learn about upcoming legislation to be considered.
  • 3.3.3 Communicate with CHNA 6 partners on ways that they can advocate for or against upcoming legislation.
  • 3.3.4 Offer education, including the impact on public health, to partners and local legislators on the pending legislation.

Objective 3.4: Increase the number of longer-term shelter placement options, including transitional housing, to enable people to secure safe and stable housing by 2025.

Strategies

  • 3.4.1 Identify the need by community for shelter/transitional housing needs. See also Strategy 3.2.2
  • 3.4.2 Share information on successful models and/or best practices from other communities (e.g., Fitchburg example of Catholic Charities). 
  • 3.4.3 Explore options for cooperating with shelters in communities that border the Greater Milford service area, including RI.
  • 3.4.4 Raise awareness of the need for increased capacity, where needed (e.g., community members, organizations who work with the homeless, local leaders).
  • 3.4.5 Promote programs that enable people to find long-term solutions to potential homelessness.

 

Application Information

The maximum grant amount is $75,000. Funding cannot be used to retroactively cover expenses already incurred. Projects must be in line with one or more strategies included in the CHIP.

CHNA 6 requires Letter(s) of Collaboration whenever the grantee’s proposal is dependent upon or requires the cooperation of another organization for the success or execution of the program. Letters should state explicitly how the organization plans to collaborate with the grantee on the requested project.  Letters are required from School Superintendents for projects that involve school districts.

 

All grant applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Form of Intent

2. Narrative (including cover sheet)

3. Project budget and budget narrative (using excel spreadsheet in Submittables)

4. Most recent audited financials or copy of Form 990 (not required for municipalities)

5. IRS 501(c)3 determination letter (not required for municipalities)

6. Letter(s) of collaboration (if applicable) 

 

Forms of intent and full proposals must be submitted via the online application portal by 4:00 p.m. on the respective due dates. Incomplete or late proposals will not be considered for review.


Important Dates 

  • March 10, 2023 Bidders Conference 
  • March 17, 2023  Required Form of Intent due
  • April 14, 2023  Grant proposals due
  • May 5, 2023 Grants announced

 

Communities Served by CHNA 6

Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. 

 

 

Greater Milford Community Health Network - CHNA6