Desert Healthcare Foundation invests $1 million in 5 Coachella Valley environmental health programs and services
The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board took a significant step Tuesday to support its commitment to environmental health in the Coachella Valley, approving nearly $1 million for local programs and services.
The Board unanimously voted to fund five grant applications that align with its strategic plan goal No. 6: Be responsive to and supportive of selected community initiatives that enhance the environment in the District's service area.
"Our Board and staff recognize that the environment is changing, and it impacts the health of many Coachella Valley residents," said Board President Carole Rogers. "It requires our attention as well as the collaborative support of our community partners, which is why we elevated environmental health to a high-priority goal."
In addition to its emphasis in the strategic plan, environmental health is one of the agency's key initiatives and was the focus of its inaugural Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit in September. More than 300 people attended the two-day summit, which featured two keynotes, multiple panel discussions and vendors aimed at raising awareness and exploring solutions to air-quality, water-quality, and land-use challenges.
On September 16, the District & Foundation launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) titled "Mitigating Air Quality-Related Health Conditions: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management," which generated the grant applications that were funded this week.
The grant awards, which total $997,353 and cover two years, are:
Grant #1477 DAP Health: $200,000. This project proposes to increase access to health services in the Coachella Valley to reduce the impact of poor air quality on health and to link Coachella Valley residents to healthcare services. Including a targeted media campaign, this initiative will take a comprehensive approach to improving care for conditions such as asthma, COPD, and other respiratory issues linked to poor air quality.
Grant #1479 Youth Leadership Institute: $200,000. The emphasis is on the health impacts of poor air quality on low-income, often marginalized Coachella Valley residents at risk for air quality-related conditions. The project aims to increase awareness, foster connections, and mitigate health impacts by engaging 15 teens and/or young adults (ages 14-24) in leadership development, research, and community outreach through workshops, content creation, and social media campaigns.
Grant #1480 Desert Recreation Foundation: $197,477. The Youth CARE (Clean Air and Recreation for Everyone) Project is a two-phase initiative designed to engage youth in eastern Coachella Valley in addressing air quality and its health effects. Phase one will provide education and community involvement through workshops. Phase two will form two cohorts, one for youth with respiratory issues and one for youth who don't have these issues.
Grant #1483 Visión y Compromiso: $200,000. The Asthma Preventive and Home Visiting Services Project aims to address asthma in the Coachella Valley by training promotoras (community health workers) as asthma specialists to work with Latino families affected by asthma. The project will involve community outreach, educational workshops, home-based assessments, and environmental trigger remediation.
Grant #1484 Asthma & Allergy Foundation: $199,876. This project focuses on sourcing and distributing metered dose inhalers and disposable spacers, collaborating with local physicians for standing orders, and training school nurses and staff. The nurses will complete a form after administering stock albuterol, which gathers data on symptoms, triggers, and outcomes without identifying students.
"These grant awards represent a diverse approach to mitigating environmental health challenges and preventing future health risks, by engaging students, families and other residents across the Coachella Valley," said Chris Christensen, Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO. "We couldn't be prouder to support our grantees in this essential work."
About the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation
The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare. Learn more.