The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation (BCBSMA Foundation) has announced more than $1 million in grants to 19 organizations statewide. The funding aims to address critical health care needs, including improving insurance access, tackling health disparities, and supporting perinatal health initiatives.
“These grant awards will support projects in a number of settings, ranging from public schools to higher education, fishing communities to urban neighborhoods, and all corners of the Commonwealth where we are working to improve equitable health care access,” said Audrey Shelto, president and CEO of the BCBSMA Foundation, in a press release. Since its establishment in 2001, the Foundation has awarded more $87 million in grants.
The Foundation’s Special Initiatives program, designed to pilot new projects that promote health equity, received $300,000 in funding this year. Six nonprofits were selected for one-time grants:
- Burlington Public Schools: Funding will enhance culturally competent mental health care for students and families.
- Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation: The organization will provide behavioral health support in fishing communities like Gloucester and New Bedford, addressing high rates of suicide and substance use disorder.
- Mandela Yoga Project: A trauma-responsive yoga program will target health disparities among diabetic and hypertensive patients in Dorchester and Brockton.
- Brookline Center for Community Mental Health: The Early Psychosis Outreach Initiative will focus on youth and young adults facing systemic inequities.
- Transformational Prison Project: This effort will provide trauma-informed care for youthful offenders reintegrating into communities.
- William James College: A Behavioral Health Service Corps for Men of Color will address mental health and substance use disparities while diversifying the psychology workforce.
Another significant allocation of $612,000 supports the second year of the Foundation’s two-year initiative to boost health insurance enrollment statewide. The funding strengthens the role of Certified Application Counselors (CACs), trained professionals who assist individuals in securing health insurance, including MassHealth.
The funding has supported the expansion of Certified Application Counselor (CAC) capacity in the Commonwealth. CACs are trained individuals who help consumers search for and secure health coverage options, including assistance with completion of eligibility and enrollment forms.
The following organizations received grants:
- Agencia ALPHA, an immigrant-led, grassroots organization in Boston focused on community organizing and services for immigrants.
- Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell, a nonprofit serving the Cambodian and other minority communities in the Lowell area.
- Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands, a nonprofit that provides a variety of services to low-income residents.
- Developmental Evaluation and Adjustment Facilities (DEAF Inc.), a Watertown-based nonprofit that supports the underserved deaf community.
- Ecu-Health Care, a nonprofit based in North Adams that provides access to affordable health care and coverage to the uninsured and underinsured.
- Enhance Asian Community on Health (EACH), a nonprofit organization committed to mitigating health disparities and facilitating wellness for Asian communities in Greater Boston.
- Hilltown Community Health Centers, a federally qualified health center serving individuals and families at four sites and a community center in Western Massachusetts.
- Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health, a program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester helping families navigate health insurance. This program received $61,200 in grant money.
- Massachusetts Senior Action Council, a statewide grassroots organization, based in Quincy and led by seniors committed to social justice.
- True Alliance Center, a faith-based charitable organization that seeks to promote advocacy and health education in the Haitian community in Greater Boston.
