Southcoast Health has awarded 31 non-profit organizations through its Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program grants for fiscal year 2017. This annual competitive grant process focuses on addressing unmet health needs on the South Coast.

Through its second annual program, Southcoast Health awarded a total of $132,500, part of which went to the Dartmouth Board of Health. During its first two years, the Southcoast Health program awarded 53 community impact grants totaling more than $250,000.

Grant recipients’ goals are aligned with Southcoast Health’s community benefits priorities, which are based on a comprehensive health needs assessment. These identified priorities for our region include:

· Reduction of the high rate of chronic disease in our region, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer and other diseases.

· Reducing health disparities, including racial and ethnic disparities, income-based disparities, and education-based disparities.

· Reduction in the incidence of youth risk behaviors such as teen violence, high rates of teen pregnancy and substance abuse.

· Behavioral health issues that include substance abuse and mental health, with improved coordination of a regional behavioral health system.

· Development of healthy “system and environment” change, including healthy food options, increased access to free and low-cost opportunities for active living, such as public parks, bike trails etc., and reduction in the high rate of smoking in our communities.

· Maternal and children’s health, including fetal and infant health, abuse and neglect, hospitalizations, substance abuse, healthy weight and mortality.

The selected grantees for fiscal year 2017 represent a variety of programs that positively impact communities across the South Coast. These range from a program providing laundry services to homeless residents, to outreach and care coordination and support groups for residents impacted by the opioid crisis. Other projects promote wellness through programs that impact healthy eating and opportunities for physical activity.

Other organizations that were awarded include the Boys and Girls Club of Fall River (Fall River/New Bedford/Wareham); Fall River Public Schools; Child and Family Services (New Bedford); Healthy Tri-Town Coalition (Marion/Mattapoisett/Rochester); New Bedford Parks and Recreation; and YMCA Southcoast (regional).

The annual Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program is part of larger community benefits efforts which positively impacts hundreds of thousands of residents on the South Coast. In the most recently reported fiscal year 2015, Southcoast Health invested almost $20 million in community benefits initiatives, including charity care, hospital-based programs, collaboration with federally qualified community health centers, regional health and human service partnerships and support of community health programs.