Maine Health Access Foundation

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Achieving Better Health in Communities: Healthy Community Grants Program, Learn more...

The promise of good health requires more than ensuring that people can go visit their doctor or go to the hospital when they're sick.  The everyday resources available to us where we live, work, and spend time significantly influence our health and the health of our communities.  Local recreational opportunities, the availability of fresh foods, school lunch quality, housing, economic conditions and public health policies all impact the health of Maine people.

MeHAF's 2011 strategic plan includes a new priority aimed at Achieving Better Health in Communities.  The goal of this work will be to support collaborative, community-lead efforts that help to transform communities into supportive environments that enable people to live healthier lives.  We hope to leverage local leadership and activities that can help create healthier communities.  To guide our efforts, MeHAF will reach out to participants from many sectors-business, nonprofit, social organizations, schools, health care, etc. - because no organization working alone can improve the health of a community.     

Currently we are conducting background research to learn more about existing local initiatives, community resources, and national and local models designed to improve community health.  This information will shape our anticipated long term, multi-year grantmaking and program support, which is planned to begin in 2013.  Other strategies and tools to complement grantmaking will be guided by public input as well as the engagement of clinicians, advocates, community leaders, policymakers and others.

• grant funding
• policy and advocacy
• public engagement
• leadership development
• publications

To learn more about MeHAF's approach to Achieving Better Health in Communities, please contact Len Bartel at lbartel@mehaf.org or (207) 620-8266 x107.