Lack of access to primary and behavioral health care services among underserved populations continues to be a great and growing concern across the Aurora Health Care service area. The results of community health needs assessments performed by all Aurora hospitals demonstrate a historical and systemic lack of access to primary care and behavioral health care throughout eastern Wisconsin.
Limited access to both primary and behavioral health care impedes healthy communities, and ultimately raises health care costs for all. Partnerships and financial support of federally qualified health centers and free clinics has long been a mainstay of Aurora’s community benefit services. Primary services are to also include nutrition and dietary counseling services. Priority will be given to areas of greatest need, greatest impact, and ability to financially and operationally sustain the program.
Aurora also seeks to provide support to community-based agencies that provide direct behavioral health services for children and youth who have experienced sexual or physical abuse, date rape, human trafficking, or have witnessed domestic violence or sexual assault.
This year, 2016, Aurora is in a position to provide additional funding to build the service provision capacity of FQHCs and free clinics by offering a pool of grants totaling up to $5 million across eastern Wisconsin. For FQHCs and free clinics, funds will not be appropriated for costs to continue or operational expansion of programs funded in previous cycles.
The definition of “free clinic” includes 1) a not for profit organization not owned or operated by a health system, 2) one that provides free primary care services to certain patients and provides at least seventy percent of its services to uninsured or underinsured patients, and 3) provides primary care services, medication access and other wrap around services.
June 13, 2016 |
Letter of Inquiry/Intent (LOI) submission deadline |
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July 22, 2016 |
Invitation to Full Proposal for select applicants |
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Sept. 2, 2016 |
Full Proposal submission deadline |
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Oct. 31, 2016 |
Award notification |
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Nov. 2016 |
Grants awarded |
Agencies seeking funding for new or expanded primary care services, behavioral health care services and/or community-based advocacy agencies providing sexual assault and domestic violence programs will be required to participate in a competitive grant process to be considered for funding. The following are the basic steps to apply:
Complete a profile for your organization on Philanthropy Online (POL) - Only agencies with completed and visible profiles online are eligible to apply.
Submit a letter of inquiry (POL login required) - Separate LOIs can be accessed for primary care service and behavioral health service/sexual assault and domestic violence expansion programs. Two Letters of Inquiry (one for behavioral and one for primary care services) will be accepted by an organization but only one may receive funding if approved. The Aurora Health Care Better Together Fund Committee will determine if the project merits further consideration in light of available resources and current priorities.
Complete a full proposal (POL login required) - If encouraged to apply, you will receive an invitation to access the full proposal and complete the application.
Aurora Health Care Better Together Fund Committee Review - Committee members will review the proposals and approve certain projects for funding.
Notification - All applicants will receive notification of the Committee’s action via email.
All community-based advocacy agencies throughout the Aurora service area that provide training and service enhancements for established sexual assault and domestic violence programs and eastern Wisconsin FQHCs and free clinics are invited to submit a Letter of Inquiry.