Healthcare District Board approves more than $400K to support health programs through educational facilities
Two grants that aim to improve access to healthcare for Coachella Valley families through educational institutions were approved by the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board at its meeting on Sept. 30.
The grants total $428,737.
Grant #1465 awards $228,863 to the Regents of the University of California at Riverside. The grant will assist in improving access to primary care for Latinx and Indigenous patients in the eastern Coachella Valley. Funds will be used to support training healthcare professionals, hosting clinics, starting a patient referral system, and distributing public health educational materials.
Over two years, the project will involve medical, nursing, and undergraduate students, as well as promotoras (community healthcare workers), to provide care and referrals at the Coachella Valley Free Clinic in Mecca. It prioritizes primary and specialty care, which reflects the District & Foundation's strategic plan goal No. 2.
Grant #1472 provides $199,874 to the Riverside County Office of Alternative Education. It will fund the salary and fringe benefits of a licensed behavioral health therapist serving students enrolled at six alternative school sites in the valley.
Through in-person visits and telehealth services, the project supports increasing access to mental/behavioral healthcare and returning students to their home school districts. The grant, which covers a year, aligns with the District & Foundation's strategic plan goal No. 3.
"Improving access to primary care, specialty care and behavioral healthcare is a high priority for the District & Foundation in our five-year strategic plan," said Chris Christensen, District & Foundation CEO. "The organizations whose grant applications were recently approved are great examples of the work that's being done in our community to help ensure all residents' healthcare needs are met."
Learn more about our grants program.
About the Desert Healthcare District and 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.