Collaboration Initiatives

Health Funders Partnership for Orange County

The work of the Health Funders Partnership of Orange County (HFPOC) has grown tremendously since its incubation through the Foundation in 1999. The Partnership is a "collaboration of ten local non-profit funders, one hospital, one Los Angeles-based funder that makes grants in Orange County, three county/government health organizations, and one statewide health foundation." Its mission is to improve local health by enhancing the impact and efficiency of health philanthropy in Orange County through collaboration. The Partnership attains this mission through:

• The gathering, sharing and dissemination of information, thereby creating a learning community for health philanthropists.
• The identification of strategic issues for action and collaborative funding consistent with the mission and the management of these projects.
• Leverage their resources in the furtherance of stronger impacts in the community.

Safety Net

In 2004, the Health Funders Partnership sponsored a three-part learning series that focused on health care access and services to adults and children in Orange County. This resulted in the county-wide Safety Net Initiative currently involving 40 nonprofit, donor and county organizations. Their mission is to "shore up" gaps in health relating to access, cost, and sustainability. Four Committees were formed to address these needs: (1) AccessOC: specialist physician network; (2) Children's Health Initiative: insurance for children; (3) Revenue Enhancement: "maximize existing revenue; identify new sources of revenue; and motivate/engage local groups and organizations to involve themselves in the legislative process"; and (4) Advocacy. Community advocacy convenings are also held to address specific issues such as obesity and diabetes. To learn more about the excellent work of the Safety Net access information on the Health Funders Partnership website.

GrantPartners.net

GrantPartners.net is no longer active to donors and grant applicants, effective January 5, 2007. Former grant applicant users of GrantPartners.net are encouraged to contact donor agencies directly regarding their individualized grantmaking process and guidelines.

The HealthCare Foundation for Orange County will utilize its own input proposal application form for its grantmaking process, to be uploaded as a link at a later date.

OC Network of Care: Road Map to Health

The website was designed specifically as an online information source for Orange County individuals, families and agencies concerned with health care. Its service directories, easy-to-search health libraries, advocacy tools, and multiple language and ADA-compliant accessibility aided the community in bringing access to health care.

The project was initially funded by The HealthCare Foundation for Orange County in August 2004 to increase access to needed healthcare for low-income families in the County with additional funding partners added thereafter (The California Endowment Foundation, St. Joseph Hospital, Children and Families Commission and 211 Orange County (Info Link OC). Although the number of users continued to increase from the 8 visitors prior to the website launch in March 2006 to 2,685 visitors by September 2006, it was determined the technically advanced health website would be deactivated without shared sustainable funding.

Former users of www.ochealthcare.org are being referred to 211 Orange County www.211oc.org for assistance in obtaining health referral resources, and in finding other Network of Care library health information and health advocacy websites. The HealthCare Foundation for Orange County wishes to thank 211 Orange County (formerly Info Link OC) its funding partners and former users of the site.

Protecting Children's Health

The HealthCare Foundation for Orange County and the Orange County Community Foundation sponsored joint request for proposals, "Protecting Children's Health" for four years from April 2003 through March 2007. Previous years focus areas included the need to (a) reduce risks associated with child and adolescent mental health problems, and assisting parents and teens in prevention, early identification and access to needed services and (b) modifying children?s environments to encourage sound nutrition and increased physical activity. A total of $596,508 in joint grants was given between 2003 and 2007, with approximately $75,000 distributed each year by both HFOC and OCCF.

The HealthCare Foundation for Orange County?s grantmaking for Protecting Children?s Health has been postponed for the current 2007-2008 fiscal year. Available funds will be dispersed through the Healthy Orange County grants. Please check our website after July 1, 2007 for updated information.