Community Engagement
Strengthening our policies and practices of community giving and working with our community partners to advance systematic and meaningful solutions of health impacted by social influences, including racism, in our community.
- July 2020: Established COVID-19 Mini Grant focus area to include racial health equities and disparities and awarded $250,000 to support organizations working to combat the impact of COVID-19 in our community. In 2020, Health New England awarded $250,000 in COVID-19 grants to 74 organizations. In 2021, Health New England is dedicating $200,000 in COVID-19 mini grant.
- November 2020: As part of our overall Community Benefits strategy, Health New England established Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Mini Grants and awarded $71,535 to community organizations addressing racial health equity and disparities and focusing on at least one Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).
- June 2021: Health New England’s Public Health Program Manager, Katie Bruno, participated in a panel hosted by the Attorney General’s Office of Community Benefits to discuss Community Benefits and Equity-Driven Partnership Models designed to address Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).
- June 2021: Health New England is asked to share and present on its DEIB efforts to other organizations in the community and to share lessons and resources.
- June 2021: Vivian Williams, Health New England’s Manager of Care Management delivered the opening remarks at the Worcester Regional Chamber Game Changers Conference – Planning for an Equitable Future: Economy, Justice and Education.
- September 2021: DEIB Mini Grants to be awarded from a total of $64,000 in funds. Focus areas include food insecurity, gender identity and sexual orientation, funds for internships with emerging leaders. Priority populations include BIPOC, racial and ethnic minority groups, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrant and refugee populations, and justice-involved individuals. For more information about our community benefits awards, please click here.