News

New Funding Opportunities

March 21, 2019

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is pleased to announce a funding opportunity under Healthy Kids – IGNITE Initiative (March 26) and two under Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being – Think.Change Initiative and Projects informed by Behavioral Health Consortia (April 2).

Instructions for the Letters of Intent (LOI) will be posted on our website, located under the “Grant Center” section.

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Healthy Kids: To work with families, community organizations, and schools to increase protective factors for youth.

IGNITE Initiative: The goal is to improve a range of health outcomes by engaging disconnected youth in the Paso del Norte region in high quality programs during out of school hours. The Health Foundation refers to “disconnected youth” as people between the ages of 5-17 who are not involved in out-of-school activities or not working. Evidence indicates that youth who are involved in out-of-school programs are less likely to use drugs, alcohol, or be involved in criminal activity. Well-designed youth activities increase protective factors needed for youth to lead healthy and productive lives. Currently, program partnerships have been established throughout the region and a network of out-of-school providers meet quarterly to build capacity and improve the quality of programs.

Bianca DeLeon, Program Officer, bdeleon@pdnfoundation.org or 915-218-2623

Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: To reduce the stigma and negative bias associated with mental illness and increase coordination and communication among regional stakeholders to improve the behavioral health systems of care.

Note: The Health Foundation is releasing two separate LOI calls under the Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being Priority Area. One seeking programs to reduce stigma and negative bias under the Think.Change initiative, and one seeking programs informed by regional behavioral health consortia that address behavioral health system gaps not otherwise covered by government or reimbursed by health coverage.

Think.Change Initiative: The reduction of stigma and negative bias is vital to mental health and emotional well-being as public stereotypes and self-stigma limit individuals’ opportunities to access good jobs, safe housing, satisfactory health care, and social relationships. Research shows that reducing stigma and negative bias associated with mental illness requires: decreasing misinformation about mental illness; preventing social isolation; creating inclusive environments; showing that recovery from a mental illness is possible – “recovery is defined as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential”; and creating a culture of support and acceptance for individuals with a mental health condition. The Health Foundation seeks LOIs from organizations seeking to implement evidence-based programs that help to meet the Think.Change initiative goal.

Regional Behavioral Health Consortia Informed Programs: The Health Foundation defines a behavioral health system as inclusive of treatment, navigation, support and health promotion services for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), addiction and related substance use disorders, and other related disorders. The Health Foundation does not fund illness treatment services. The Health Foundation’s role, in conjunction with the Empower Change Backbone, is to serve as a neutral convener and facilitator on each of the community collaboratives and related work groups. In recent months, regional behavioral health consortia identified program goals that help address system gaps. The Health Foundation seeks LOIs from organizations seeking to implement programs that address one or more regional consortia informed goals. Programs will help improve gaps not otherwise covered by government funding or reimbursed by health coverage.

Enrique Mata, Senior Program Officer, emata@pdnfoundation.org or 915-218-2617