| Descriptions and outcomes of
Wellmark Foundation grants closed between January 1, 2006,
and December 31, 2006, are listed below by state:
Iowa Awards by
Priority Area
The Wellmark Foundation closed 38 grants in Iowa totaling
$1,030,134. Descriptions
of the projects
and their outcomes are included below and arranged
by priority area of focus.
Asthma
Visiting Nurse Services
Des Moines, Iowa
$54,138 – Community Responsive
Grant
Taking Asthma Management Statewide for Childcare
Overview: The project focused on implementing
best practices in asthma management in childcare
settings and training
licensing consultants, childcare health consultants,
and childcare providers in the implementation
of asthma management practices.
Outcome: A train-the-trainer
program was developed and asthma training given to
childcare
providers in targeted
counties. A statewide evaluation examined data
of childcare providers at 138 facilities who participated
in the training.
Results showed 97 percent of providers improved
asthma management through policy and practice changes.
Implementation
of asthma action plans with emergency instructions
increased to 95 percent, and 100 percent of childcare
providers
improved their environment by reducing or controlling
asthma triggers. In addition, staff providing information
on hawk-i and Medicaid increased, resulting in
237 children obtaining insurance through referrals
generated by
this program.
Community Health Services of Marion County
Knoxville, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
South Central Iowa's Rural Children Asthma Education
Coalition
Overview: Community partners joined to form
a coalition in the south central counties of Iowa to
develop programs
to educate rural families about improving the health
of asthmatic children.
Outcome: The coalition worked effectively
to educate rural citizens and organizations on ways
to reduce
the number of asthma triggers within their communities.
School
nurses and day care providers are among those who
benefited from the materials and support provided
by the coalition. Additional training sessions offered
by the Iowa Asthma Coalition complemented
the project’s
work.
Cardiovascular Health
Healthy Linn Care Network
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$46,208 –Community Responsive Grant
The Power of Health
Overview: This grant enabled a social marketing
campaign aimed to empower Linn County residents with
the confidence
to make healthy lifestyle choices. The project
focused on promoting area resources, disseminating a
consistent
message to improve health through informed decision-making,
and collaborating in the community to create a
supportive environment that facilitates healthy development.
Outcome: The Prescription for Fitness
Campaign was implemented to encourage use of the
trail system. Prescription blanks
with trail information were provided to physicians
to share with their patients. The SWITCH Program
promoted
healthy lifestyle and fitness in local schools.
Advertisements aired on six different radio and
television media sources
on more than 25 dates. Additional activities included
conducting a health survey, distributing a services
coordination guide to more than 30 physicians,
and participating in eight community health events.
Consumer focus groups
helped determine ongoing needs.
Trinity Health Foundation
Fort Dodge, Iowa
$40,350 – Community Responsive
Grant
Fort Dodge on the Move
Overview: Fort Dodge on the Move is
a community-based initiative designed to promote cardiovascular
health
and disease prevention at the local level. The
initiative has educated individuals to make informed
choices regarding
healthy eating and active living, and developed
a community walking initiative.
Outcome: Social marketing included billboards,
monthly newsletter, and newspaper coverage including
a weekly
column, bi-weekly photo series of local citizens
exercising, daily health tips, four-page insert,
and front-page coverage.
In addition, 1,300 people participated in Lighten
Up Fort Dodge, 1,200 students participated in health
fairs
at area high schools, and 1,100 individuals participated
in two Foundation-hosted community walking and
biking events.
Webster County Health Department
Fort Dodge, Iowa
$26,457 – Community Responsive
Grant
Webster County Healthy Beats
Overview: The Webster County Health Department,
in cooperation with community partners — Trinity Regional
Medical Center,
Iowa Heart Center, and the Webster County Cardiovascular
Disease Coalition — implemented a unique home cardiovascular
management program with a focus on disease prevention
and health restoration at the local level.
Outcome: One hundred residents received
bi-monthly visits in their homes as well as education
on self-care management
topics, including risk reduction techniques, medication
compliance, and adherence to a long-term cardiovascular
regimen. The program has increased coordination
of care between organizations and made considerable
progress
with clients implementing healthy changes.
First Light Christian Fellowship
Marion, Iowa
$4,990 – Mini-Grant
Search Your Heart
Overview: Through a community partnership,
the American Heart Association and First Light Christian
Fellowship
worked together to implement the Search Your Heart
Program in the African-American churches of Linn County.
Outcome: The grant brought education,
awareness, and prevention of cardiovascular disease
and stroke to a
high-risk population. Program trainees were responsible
for education and empowerment within their segments
of the community. They interacted with partners
to use bulletin
boards, newsletters, mailings, church bulletins,
and announcements as sources of community sharing.
The grant
successfully facilitated an increase in African-American
participation with local organizations and agencies
working to increase health awareness.
Iowa State University Extension – Adair
County
Greenfield, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Project HEART (Health, Education, Activity, and Resource
Team)
Overview: The organization hosted a
forum to educate various community partners
on Adair
County's
cardiovascular
health
and engage them in developing and implementing
a long-term plan.
Outcome: A cross-section of the community
worked together on Project HEART to engage community
members in identifying
short and long-term goals to fight obesity and
overweight health problems. Efforts focused broadly
on increasing
physical activity level, increasing nutrition knowledge,
and changing food options available in public settings,
such as schools, faith settings, concession stands,
and workplace vending machines.
Webster County Health Department
Fort Dodge, Iowa
$4,945 – Mini-Grant
The Webster County Kid-Vascular Program
Overview: The Webster County Health Department
collaborated with the Head Start Program and five licensed
day care
facilities in Webster County to address cardiovascular
disease. The project implemented an educational
and skills development program and targeted physical
activity and
healthy eating for child care providers and children
who are currently underserved by traditional cardiovascular
prevention programs.
Outcome: Forty-two training visits were
completed in the Head Start Program and five day
care facilities,
reaching approximately 650 participants. Activities
included a pre- and post-party at each location,
monthly Head Start
field trip to the mall for education and walking
sessions, quarterly education programs for each
day care, quarterly
newsletter to providers and parents, and quarterly
coalition meetings.
Kirkwood Community College Foundation
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$25,000 – Dedicated Grant
Improving Warfarin Management in Competitive Health Care
Overview: The goal of this project was to create
a community model of care delivery and patient safety
using ISO 9001
principles as a framework for cooperation in establishing
a community anticoagulation therapy clinic. Employing
such key principles as auditing and a common document
control system will enable cooperation among numerous
community health care providers.
Outcome: The Cedar Rapids Health Care
Alliance was created to provide the needed infrastructure
within the local
health care environment to undertake patient safety
and quality improvement initiatives. Executive
and staff
training sessions in quality principles of ISO,
Lean, and Six Sigma were held for approximately
120 participants.
Project partners identified other patient safety
and health care improvement initiatives.
Depression Crawford County Home Health Hospice and Public Health
Carroll, Iowa
$31,360 – Community Responsive
Grant
Depression: From Awareness to Treatment
Overview: This project worked to improve the
evaluation and treatment of major depression in elderly,
Hispanic,
and child/adolescent populations in Crawford County.
Project activities included utilizing standardized
screening tools, providing affordable and effective mental
health
treatment, improving collaboration, and increasing
community awareness.
Outcome: Age appropriate and culturally
appropriate depression screening tools were used
by mental health staff, nursing
homes, and school personnel. Fifty persons received
mental health services from West Iowa Community
Mental Health
Center through this grant, with 61 percent showing
improved depressive symptoms. Best practices education
was provided
to local mental health therapists, and patient
education materials were distributed at many forums.
The project
Web site and the local radio station and newspaper
were used to increase community awareness. The
grant also
funded Spanish interpreters and translation of
materials as needed.
Higher Plain, Inc.
West Branch, Iowa
$75,723 – Community Responsive
Grant
Expansion in Iowa of Beyond Depression: Tools for Collaboration
Overview: The project focused on dissemination
of three information toolkits regarding best practice
treatment
of major depression among primary care providers,
consumers, family members, and community members in Iowa.
Outcome: Project toolkits were presented
at numerous conferences and are being accessed
by initiatives throughout
the state and country, including Iowa Coalition
for Older Iowa Mental Health Services, Des Moines
Area Community
College Nursing Program, National Task Force on
Mental Illness with the Presbyterian Church of
America, and
the National Agrisafe Nurses Network. Higher Plain
is also participating with the Iowa Foundation
for Medical
Care and their work group on depression in the
nursing home. Toolkits may be downloaded at www.higherplain.org or www.beyonddepression.info and offer an excellent
basis
for additional efforts in other communities.
Mercy Medical Center Foundation – North
Iowa
Mason City, Iowa
$48,390 – Community Responsive
Grant
Coordinating Primary Medical Care and Mental Health Services
to Improve the Recognition, Diagnoses, and Treatment
of Major Depressive Disorders
Overview: The goal of this collaborative project
was to improve the diagnoses and treatment of major depression.
The project provided education and resources for
providers,
patients, and families in two large Cerro Gordo
County primary care clinics; expanded coordination between
primary
care providers and mental health professionals;
and increased knowledge, understanding, and access to
services for
patients, families, and the community.
Outcome: A comprehensive team of health
and mental health community leaders led an assessment
of depression screening
and treatment processes in primary care sites.
A total of 255 patients were screened through
the initiative.
The project partnered with providers to offer cognitive
behavioral treatment groups for patients with depression
and to develop patient educational materials and
protocols for nurse care management services. Participants
reported
high satisfaction and a 40 percent reduction in
depression symptoms.
Howard Center, Inc.
Sac City, Iowa
$4,531 – Mini-Grant
Stall Notes
Overview: Stall Notes is a newsletter that
addresses issues of depression. The newsletter was created
for
students to read in less than two minutes in school restrooms.
Outcome: During the project period, six
issues of Howard Center Stall Notes were produced
and delivered to every
middle school and high school in Sac County. Each
publication included a facet of depression; where
to go for assistance;
and a cartoon, joke, or quote. The publications
quickly conveyed helpful information and key takeaways.
School
administrators and counselors throughout Sac County
have reported making more mental health referrals
since Stall
Notes was created.
Diabetes Greene County Medical Center Foundation
Jefferson, Iowa
$47,482 – Community Responsive
Grant
Greene County Medical Center Diabetes Education Center
Project
Overview: In response to Greene County’s 1999-2001
diabetes hospitalization rates being higher than
the state rate, local partners increased public knowledge
regarding diabetes prevalence and risk factors. Strategies
to prevent or delay onset and complications of diabetes
were implemented, including providing local access
to
quality service through a multidisciplinary approach.
Outcome: The county’s diabetes self-management
education (DSME) program received recognition as
an American Diabetes Association Education Recognized
Program and
a State of Iowa certified diabetes care provider.
Nearly 80 percent of patients who completed the DSME
program
reduced or maintained acceptable blood glucose levels.
The grant helped leverage $10,000 in additional grant
funds from the Iowa Department of Public Health Iowa
Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program.
Healthy Henry County Communities
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
$37,720 – Community Responsive
Grant
Team Lunchroom 2: Children's Meal Ticket to Good Nutrition
Overview: This project reduced the risk for
developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease by promoting
healthy
lifestyle changes through improved nutrition and
increased physical activity of students in Henry County
schools
and members of these communities.
Outcome: Schools implemented TEAM nutrition
guidelines in vending machines, concession stands,
and school
lunches, as well as including information as part
of their core
curriculum. Achievements included removal of soda
from all schools; 58 percent of students in grades
6-12
participated in the nutrition and physical activity
competition; and 91 percent of students in grades
3-5 tried at least
one new fruit or vegetable. Social marketing included
school newsletter promotions, Web site, monthly newspaper
features, and weekly radio advertisements. Team Lunchroom
received the Iowa Dietetic Association’s Gem
Award for significant contributions to the dietetic
profession
and the community.
Mercy Foundation – Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
$64,500 – Community Responsive
Grant
Improving Chronic Diabetes Care: Ensuring the Success
of a Disease Management System
Overview: The goal of this project was to enable
clinic patients to significantly improve the health status
of
its 8,000 patients with diabetes by incorporating
the role of a Population Health Manager into three clinic
locations.
Outcome: Population Health Managers utilized data from
a diabetes disease registry to track the diagnosis
and treatment of patients using the American Diabetes
Association's
standards of care. Diabetes quality outcome measures
were reported and analyzed monthly. Population
Health Coach positions were placed at four targeted
clinics
with an additional eight clinical settings tracking
their diabetes populations. Specific health literacy
training
was also provided.
University of Iowa Foundation
Iowa City, Iowa
$31,700 – Community Responsive
Grant
TeleDiagnosis of Retinal Diseases in Rural Iowa
Overview: The grant intended to make the early
diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy more accessible to
rural Iowa
residents to prevent needless visual loss
and blindness from diabetes. A digital camera installed
in
a family care clinic was used to photograph retinas.
The photographs were transmitted over a secure
internet connection to the retinal experts at the University
of
Iowa and their diagnoses were transmitted back
to the family care clinic.
Outcome: The camera was installed in 2005
at the Wolff Family Care Clinic in Akron, Iowa. During
the
project,
185 patients utilized this telemedicine program design
and all medical data, photographs, and diagnoses
have been transmitted without problems. The publicity
generated
by the grant led to numerous requests to implement
a similar approach in other rural settings in multiple
states. An article was developed for the American
Diabetes
Association’s national newsletter for family physicians.
Iowa Department for the Blind
Des Moines, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Diabetes Educational Materials for Blind and Handicapped
Iowans
Overview: The Iowa Department for the Blind
utilized this grant to purchase equipment for a recording
studio
in which diabetes educational materials will be
recorded for use by blind, visually impaired, physically
handicapped,
and reading-disabled Iowans.
Outcome: The recording studio was completed
and equipment operational in April 2006. A formal
volunteer
recruitment plan, resulting in 23 new volunteers,
was implemented
to increase volunteers to record materials for
distribution. During the project, 19 diabetes publications
were recorded
and seven others were in progress. The mini-grant
leveraged $18,450 in federal funding for the studio
that otherwise
would not have been available.
Iowa State Extension – Winnebago County
Thompson, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Got Health
Overview: The project targeted families of
second- and third-grade children to increase fruit and
vegetable
consumption to five servings a day and to increase
family physical activity, both of which will decrease
the onset
of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Outcome: The Got Health
Program was presented to 186 second- and third-grade
students in the Forest City Community School District.
Encouraged by staff and teacher support, 79 percent
of students reported an increase in the amount of fruits
and vegetables eaten, and more than 90 percent reported
an increase in physical activity during the project
period.
More than 40 percent of participants’ families
completed food bingo cards on a monthly basis throughout
the project.
Shenandoah Health Care Foundation
Shenandoah, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
Overview: The project implemented a model to
assist individuals in developing lifestyles to prevent
or delay the onset
of diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Outcome: This project emphasized a team approach
to healthy eating and exercise behaviors rather than
simply a weight-loss
competition. Seventy-five percent of participants
reported making significant improvements in their exercise
habits
during the program, and many reported that their
clothes fit much more loosely. Motivation of participants
through
team competition was found to be beneficial due
to support of team members and captains.
Siouxland Community Health Center
Sioux City, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Wellness on Wheels (WOW)
Overview: Free blood glucose diagnostic testing
for diabetes was provided to targeted Northwest Iowa
populations at
selected sites and events.
Outcome: The effort has been very instrumental
in distributing blood glucose testing supplies for patients
with diabetes
to improve their management of the condition. Approximately
120 individuals were assisted by this effort.
End-of-Life Care Buena Vista Regional Health Care Foundation
Storm Lake, Iowa
$56,000 – Community Responsive
Grant
End-of-Life Care and Pain Control: Developing a Palliative
Care Program in Northwest Iowa
Overview: This palliative care program utilized
a case management concept to meet the needs of individuals
and
families at the end stages of their lives. The
program was designed to improve the quality of life of
clients
from diverse backgrounds with advanced illnesses.
The program utilized a holistic approach, including education
of disease process, pain and symptom management,
support
to caregivers, and end-of-life planning.
Outcome: The organization served 25
patients and made more than 770 home visits to
clients
during
the course
of the grant period. It also provided numerous
community education presentations in English and Spanish
and offers a monthly caregiver support group
with a special
session for younger children. Comments from families
and clients
indicated those who utilized palliative care prior
to hospice felt the transition was easier by having the
same staff involved in both services to enhance
continuity
of care across the end-of-life continuum.
Mercy Medical Center Foundation – Sioux
City
Sioux City, Iowa
$47,699 – Community Responsive
Grant
Leaving a Legacy of Hope: Hereditary Cancer Prevention
Overview: Leaving a Legary of Hope builds on
a collaborative palliative care model to improve quality
of life for
cancer patients and their families through prevention
and relief of emotional suffering. The program
addresses barriers centered on immobilization due to
fear, lack
of education in regard to determining hereditary
cancer risk, and concern for cost.
Outcome: A total of 2,439 hereditary cancer
prevention surveys were completed and 417 individuals
were found
to be potentially at high risk for genetic mutations.
Genetic counseling was presented to 130 patients,
38 of whom were tested.
Mercy Medical Center Foundation – Sioux
City
Sioux City, Iowa
$50,407 – Community Responsive
Grant
A Growing Legacy of Hope: Hereditary Cancer Prevention
Overview: This initiative expanded a collaborative
palliative care model to improve quality of life for
cancer patients
and their families in northwest Iowa through prevention
and relief of emotional suffering. Through collaboration,
three regional health care organizations are actively
pursuing the integration of health promotion, disease
prevention, and end-of-life care.
Outcome: Twenty-eight onsite workshops were
presented on genetic cancers, survey methods, and the
process to
be followed for terminally and non-terminally ill
patients who present with high risk for genetic cancers.
Efforts
to expand into other northwest Iowa communities
were successful and included a survey of oncology outreach
clinics in the area. Of the 730 surveys returned,
304
patients were determined to be high risk and 104
patients received family risk counseling. Forty families
received
post-test counseling to prevent or reduce the risk
of occurrence in patients testing positive.
West Central Iowa Health Care Foundation
Manning, Iowa
$51,239 – Community Responsive
Grant
Breaking Down the Conspiracy of Silence
Overview: With an aging population and many
of those persons suffering from chronic disease, southern
Carroll
County needed a comprehensive end-of-life program
with emphasis on pain control. This project focused on
three
areas, including end-of-life education for medical
providers and health care staff at the local hospital
and nursing
home, implementation of new palliative standards
of care, and public awareness of new services available
to residents.
Outcome: The organization presented end-of-life
care seminars, including special sessions
targeting
medical
and allied
health
professionals. More than 100 people attended training
sessions on communication during death and bereavement
as well as pain control management. The grant also
prompted the formation of an interdisciplinary palliative
care
committee in the community.
Iowa Hospice Foundation
Des Moines, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Developing Consumer Demand for Pain Management
Overview: The grant enabled Iowa Hospice Organization
to hire a marketing firm to develop strategies
to educate the general public about pain management at
the end of
life. Outcome: The marketing plan was developed to educate
consumers about the right to be comfortable, free
of pain, and have the means to prevent suffering; to
empower
consumers and family caregivers to discuss pain
management; and to develop consumer demand for pain management.
A
public service announcement campaign will be implemented
based on this marketing plan.
Iowa State Extension – Cherokee County
Cherokee, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
End-of-Life Pain Management Program
Overview: A community coalition worked together
to develop an end-of-life pain management program to
educate staff
and support their implementation of the newly learned
practices with patients in need. The coalition
included representatives from Cherokee County Extension,
Sioux
Valley Memorial Hospital Hospice, local physicians,
area long-term care facilities, and Cherokee County Public
Health.
Outcome: This mini-grant focused on educating
local physicians as well as nursing home, hospital, public
health, and
hospice staff nurses on effective end-of-life pain
management practices and techniques. A total of six in-service
training
sessions were presented to more than 80 health
care professionals at long-term care facilities in the
area. The initiative
is leading to a broader, community-wide pain management
and palliative care coalition.
Health Literacy Iowa Health Foundation
Des Moines, Iowa
$25,000 – Dedicated Grant
Promoting Patient-Provider Communication Through Use
of AskMe3 in Health Care Systems and Community Settings
Overview: To improve outcomes, the Chronic
Care Model calls for an informed, activated patient and
a prepared,
proactive practice team. The Iowa Health System
implemented the AskMe3 program through its health literacy
teams
and promoted adoption and use of AskMe3 among consumers
through new and existing partnerships.
Outcome: Pilot
projects implementing AskMe3 demonstrated significant
improvement in patient satisfaction and communication
within Iowa Health System affiliates as well as
provided validating and eye-opening local data that will
help
support broader implementation. Sharing data that
supports the effectiveness of AskMe3 in the clinical
setting has
been very valuable in engaging providers in health
literacy initiatives through its alignment with quality
and patient
safety. This work has been the basis for other
initiatives that have been recognized nationally in health
literacy
circles.
Iowa Pharmacy Foundation
Des Moines, Iowa
$31,400 – Dedicated Grant
Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference on Health Literacy
Overview: This funding allowed the Iowa Pharmacy
Foundation to host a multi-disciplinary consensus conference
on
health literacy. The goal was to educate all health
professionals on the topic of health literacy in a multi-disciplinary
format and to assist them in developing action
plans
for their individual practice settings.
Outcome: Nearly 100 participants representing
more than 20 health care professions attended the
continuing
education
conference. Agenda items included defining the problem
of low health literacy, considering legal compliance
in balance with literacy issues, and exploring cultural
competence. Two panels were presented – one
with persons who struggle with low health literacy
and one
with health care providers who shared activities
to improve understanding.
Multiple Priorities Calhoun County Department of Health
Rockwell City, Iowa
$46,575 – Community
Responsive Grant
Calhoun Area Medical Home Partnership
Overview: An existing partnership between private
clinicians and public health services was expanded to
maximize
the number of children enrolled in a comprehensive "medical
home.” Lessons learned from treating children
0-2 years were applied to children 0-19 years of
age.
Outcome: This model project blended private
and public resources to expand services emphasizing early
and periodic
screening, disease detection, and health education
to families with children. Significant progress was achieved
in terms of collaboration around identifying and
serving
high-risk families.
Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, Iowa
$57,320 – Community Responsive
Grant
HCC Student Health Services Screening and Intervention
Project
Overview: In the fall of 2004, a collaborative
partnership of Hawkeye Community College (HCC) and eight
community
health and human service organizations established
a campus-based Student Health Center that provides limited
student health screening and intervention services.
This
grant provided additional funding to expand services,
focusing on priority health issues of depression,
cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Outcome: The organization developed screening
tools, processes, and procedures for the delivery of
services
as well as
tools
for measuring
and tracking progress indicators.
During
the project period, nearly 2,900 services were
provided to students in the health center. Seventy-eight
percent
of the students accessing services were underinsured.
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Innovative Model for Delivery of Medication Therapy Management
Services (MTMS) to Patients in the Community
Overview: This project involved the implementation
of a mobile pharmacist consultation practice model to
increase
access to medication therapy management services
for patients with chronic conditions, such as depression,
asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The
project
used technology to assist the pharmacist in providing
services in a variety of community locations.
Outcome: At project completion, 350 patients
had been served at an outpatient psychiatric clinic,
a pharmacy
setting, and two senior apartment complexes. The
project demonstrated that it is feasible to provide medication
therapy management services to individual patients
in
different settings within the community with the
use of mobile technologies.
Iowa Coalition for Housing and the Homeless
Des Moines, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Homeless Health Care – Capacity Building
Overview: The Homeless Health Care Capacity
Building Program was designed to increase the ability
of community
health centers in areas with a high occurence of
asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression
to work
effectively with individuals who are homeless.
Outcome: Funds were used to provide training
to Siouxland Community Health Center (SCHC) leaders at
the Health
Care for the Homeless Conference held in Washington,
D.C. The center now possesses the internal capacity
to pursue Health Care for the Homeless funding in future
competitions. Scholarship support was also targeted
for
community health centers throughout Iowa to attend
the Iowa Coalition for Housing and Homeless annual statewide
conference and complete similar training at a local level.
Iowa Health Foundation
Des Moines, Iowa
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Community-Wide Training in Health Realization
Overview: This funding supported training sessions
in Health Realization, an empowering change model. This
model is
being used internationally to support community
development, prevention, intervention, and treatment
within all areas
of health and human services, helping
professionals, managers, and youth. The Annie E. Casey
Foundation's
Making Connections neighborhoods of Des Moines
were the target population.
Outcome: Fifty registration scholarships were
provided to community residents to participate in the
Health
Realization training. Participants rated the training
sessions highly
and are actively utilizing Health Realization training
techniques. The project has leveraged additional
funds, including a $20,000 grant from the Annie E.
Casey Foundation – Making
Connections Des Moines.
Iowa Academy of Family Physicians
Des Moines, Iowa
$50,000 – Dedicated Grant
Practice Improvement Conference/Improving Health Outcomes
for the Chronically Ill Conference
Overview: This grant sponsored the Iowa Academy
of Family Physicians in its work to plan and implement
a statewide
learning opportunity. In this statewide collaboration,
the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians, Iowa Medical
Home Initiative Partnership Oversight Team, partnering
health
systems, and community organizations worked together
to improve the care of patients with chronic illness
through an organized conference and implementation
of office practice changes.
Outcome: The Iowa Chronic Care Improvement
Learning Collaborative involved approximately 30
practices working
together for more than a year. Participants worked
in three one-day learning sessions and maintained
contact
with each other and Collaborative faculty. Practice
improvement strategies included care coordination,
culturally effective
care, decision support systems and registries,
early screening and diagnosis, family-centered care,
patient
self-management, and leadership.
Other Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health
Mason City, Iowa
$10,000 – Dedicated Grant
Community Assessment Technical Specialists (CATS): Education
and Training of Community Health Planners in Iowa
Overview: Community Assessment Technical Specialists
(CATS) is a group whose
goals are to learn more about planning in Iowa
communities
and to provide technical support for counties with
no planner and limited expertise in the process.
Outcome: The funding allowed CATS to expand
the knowledge and application of the art and science
of community planning
in counties within the state of Iowa. CATS members
attended community planning learning opportunities, provided
summaries to the group, and developed a resource
library. The capacity-building tools this
project
created
for
novice and seasoned community health professionals
prompted The Wellmark Foundation to create a capacity-building
funding stream to spread this kind of learning
opportunity
to others.
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute
Omaha, NE
$10,000 – Dedicated Grant
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute Scholarship
Support
Overview: The Great Plains Public Health Leadership
Institute (GPPHLI) is a year-long program designed to
build and
enhance the leadership skills of senior and emerging
leaders in organizations whose primary mission
is to improve the health and well-being of populations
and
communities. It is a regional institute focusing
on public health leadership development in Iowa, South
Dakota,
and Nebraska.
Outcome: The Wellmark Foundation’s grant
support paid the tuition fee for four scholars selected
from
Iowa and South Dakota grantees. To learn more about
this exceptional educational offering, please visit
the program's
Web site.
Iowa Council of Foundations
Des Moines, Iowa
$1,000 – Dedicated Grant
Educational Program Support
Overview: This grant was designed to assist
the Iowa Council of Foundations (ICoF) in developing
an agenda
of educational speakers for its 2006 quarterly
meetings to help elevate the educational offerings and
capacity
of the organization.
Outcome: During 2006, ICoF promoted philanthropy
in the state of Iowa, facilitated effective grant
making, and
created a regular and open forum for the exchange
of information on issues and programs. ICoF hired
its first
full-time director and is becoming a strong voice
in shaping philanthropic issues in Iowa. The Wellmark
Foundation’s
support helped strengthen last year’s educational
agenda.
South Dakota
Awards by Priority Area
The Wellmark Foundation closed
16 grants in South Dakota totaling $351,308. Descriptions
of the projects
and their outcomes are included below and arranged
by priority area of focus.
Asthma
Depression
Diabetes
End-of-Life Care
Health Literacy
Multiple Priorities
Other
Asthma American Lung Association of South Dakota
Sioux Falls, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Counting on You: Responding to Kids with Asthma
Overview: The project provided training to
150 childcare providers statewide, empowering them to
reduce the presence
of environmental asthma triggers in childcare settings
and to partner with parents and the community to
improve asthma management.
Outcome: Community leaders were recruited
from key areas of the state to present the seven
training sessions. More than 150 day care providers from
78 day
care settings were trained in the Counting on You
Program. These training sessions impacted approximately
6,400
children.
Depression Christian Life Ministries
Rapid City, S.D.
$29,290 – Community Responsive
Grant
Project Nehemiah
Overview: Project Nehemiah is a joint effort
of the Give Hope Initiative and community partners to
help people
struggling with major depression in western South
Dakota through the Hope Connection Team (HCT). The project
sought
to improve self-sufficiency of individuals and
caregivers to address depression through access to information
and
collaborative community resources.
Outcome: More than 230 people attended two-hour
educational seminars about the signs and symptoms of
major depression.
The HCT also developed a training program and manual
focused on development of HCT depression teams
in faith settings and other organizations, education
on signs
and symptoms of major depression, treatment options,
and support resources. Six organizations will have
depression teams in place within six months and three
depression
support groups were developed.
Front Porch Coalition
Rapid City, S.D.
$80,000 – Community Responsive
Grant
Depression: See It In a New Light
Overview: This funding supported a public education
campaign about depression. Messages include the fact
that depression
is a serious but treatable medical condition, it
can be fatal through suicide, and people must know when
and
how to access assistance. Community stakeholders
designed the campaign to decrease the stigma related
to depression
and to increase the number of men from the ages
of 15–34 years who seek help for depression.
Outcome: The campaign was launched through
billboards, toll-free telephone number, Web site,
project brochures, and clinic posters. Television
and
radio public service announcements were also produced,
with much of the production donated.
Diabetes Black Hills Workshop Foundation
Rapid City, S.D.
$20,805 – Community Responsive
Grant
Successful Management of Diabetes for Persons with
Cognitive Impairment
Overview: Individuals with diabetes who have
cognitive impairment or mental retardation may have difficulty
understanding the significance of exercise, diet,
and blood sugar monitoring to their health.
Problems are often
compounded by limited reading skills and physical
disabilities. The Black Hills Workshop Foundation
developed supports
to help these individuals maintain proper diet
and exercise to successfully manage the disease
with as much independence
as possible.
Outcome: The Foundation created an interactive
interview process for each participant
to establish goals,
and all 26 participants made progress toward
at least one of their goals. Foundation staff also
participated
in exercise opportunities with program participants,
which proved to be very effective and motivational
for the participants. Relationships were developed
and strengthened
with other agencies serving the same population.
Eastside Neighborhood Center
Pierre, S.D.
$55,000 – Community Responsive
Grant
Eastside Neighborhood Center Diabetes Control Project
Overview: Eastside Neighborhood Center worked
with individuals with diabetes mellitus and those at
high-risk of developing
the condition to provide a school-based education/preventative
program that stressed family, peer group, and community
involvement to maximize individual healthy
lifestyle changes.
Outcome: The pilot weight loss program resulted
in 19 students losing weight, with two students losing
more
than 20 pounds. Additional program materials, including
pedometers and other equipment, were distributed
to schools for classrooms with at-risk children. The
walking program
was replicated at the Pierre YMCA with 95 student participants.
Youth & Family Services
Rapid City, S.D.
$67,713 – Community Responsive
Grant
For the Health of It
Overview: This grant implemented a comprehensive
program to promote healthy eating and exercise among
girls ages
5–17 through the Girls Incorporated Program.
The ultimate goal of the project was to reduce child
obesity and mitigate
associated risk factors leading to type 2 diabetes
and cardiovascular disease.
Outcome: Fifty-three girls participated in
the initial two sessions of The Power of Choice, which
focused
on healthy snack choices and increased exercise.
A total
of 712 girls in all age groups participated in the
Teaching Kitchen activities. Program evaluation showed
a more than 7 percent increase in girls who
eat fruit and more than 12 percent increase in girls
who
eat vegetables/salads. Encouraged by preliminary
results of the project, the Youth & Family Services
Board of Directors will implement a comprehensive
wellness
program for all children served by the agency.
Prairie Lakes Health Care Foundation
Watertown, S.D.
$3,500 – Mini-Grant
Watertown Area Diabetes Coalition (WADC)
Overview: This funding
allowed the Watertown Area Diabetes Coalition to promote
knowledge and understanding
of pre-diabetes, type 1, and type 2 diabetes. The coalition’s
goal is to equip citizens of the Watertown area to recognize
the symptoms of diabetes, easily access screening,
and
receive current education regarding diabetes care
and management.
Outcome: Taking Care of Kids with Diabetes
informational sessions were held at schools that have
students with
diabetes to ease the fears of families and caregivers.
Carbohydrate units and grams were printed on all
school lunch menus. Public outreach activities included
a community
diabetes fair, Web site launch, and three blood
glucose screening events at which 500 people were screened.
A monthly type 1 diabetes support group was initiated,
and resource and education kits were distributed
to 250
new diabetes patients through local clinics.
End-of-Life Care St. Mary’s Foundation
Pierre, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Reaching Out
Overview: The project provided funding to support
replication of an extensive end-of-life care program
previously
developed by St. Mary's Foundation through funding from
The Wellmark
Foundation. Area communities are seeking technical
assistance from St. Mary’s Foundation to bring
similar services to their communities.
Outcome: Twelve volunteers were trained to
meet the end-of-life care needs of communities in Jones
County. Replication
strategies related to addressing pain management
in rural areas were examined and explored.
Health Literacy Communication Services for the Deaf, Inc.
Sioux Falls, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Health Education and Advocacy
Initiative
Overview: Due to cultural and language barriers,
deaf and hard of hearing individuals are considered high-risk
for misunderstanding important medical information. The
primary goal of this initiative was
to develop culturally
competent diabetes educational materials in American
Sign Language (ASL).
Outcome: The project networked with various
entities at the community and state level to share information
and increase awareness among diabetes educators
about
the special needs of deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
A presentation on deaf culture, interpreters, and
communication considerations was made to a statewide
gathering of diabetes
educators. The project partnered with the Mount
Rushmore Chapter of Diabetes Educators to develop a 45-minute
pilot diabetes education video in ASL.
Multiple Priorities Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen’s Health
Board
Rapid City, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Northern Plains Smoke-Free Homes Campaign
Overview: This grant addressed second-hand
smoke exposure, a major risk factor for asthma and cardiovascular
disease
in American Indian communities. The campaign partnered
with South Dakota tribes to provide community-based
education and to reduce second-hand smoke exposure in
homes and
vehicles.
Outcome: More than 2,300 American Indians signed
pledges to maintain smoke-free homes and vehicles. Follow-up
evaluation showed that second-hand smoke exposure
decreased
from 35 percent to 15.5 percent in homes and from
35 percent to 21 percent in cars. More than 4,000 culturally
appropriate posters and resources, three radio
public
service announcements, quarterly newsletter, and
Web site were used to promote the campaign. Smoking cessation
training was provided to five tribes in South Dakota.
Avera Health Foundation
Sioux Falls, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Phase I: Assessing Community-Level Capacities for Improving
Health Outcomes Related to Cardiovascular Conditions,
Diabetes, and Asthma
Overview: This project completed the necessary
groundwork to develop a system to produce annual community
health
assessments focused on causes and conditions that
contribute to morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular
conditions, diabetes, and asthma.
Outcome: The project was successful in
building capacity of local communities and enhancing
rural health through
the facilitation of rural health strategic planning
and community assessment. The project focused
on helping
local communities address Healthy People 2010
goals and objectives.
Avera Health Foundation
Sioux Falls, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Phase II: Assessing Community-Level Capacities for
Improving Health Outcomes Related to Depression and
End-of-Life
Care with an Emphasis on Pain Control
Overview: The goals of this project were to
increase community awareness of the magnitude
of problems associated with cardiovascular
disease,
diabetes, asthma, depression, and end-of-life
care,
as well as the causes and conditions that contribute
to
these health conditions.
Outcome: The project
fostered the availability of an ongoing source of reliable
health data
to
be
used for planning, continuous quality improvement, policy
making, and grant writing. County-specific
reports analyzing demographics, prevalence, and key clinical
indicators were provided
for 50 South Dakota counties.
Healthy People 2010 goals and other clinical recommendations
were also included.
Dakota State University
Madison, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
KidsHealthEd.com: Designing the Framework for a Web-Based
Health Education Curriculum for South Dakota High
Schools
Overview: The purpose of the project was to
develop a comprehensive, standards-based, health education
curriculum
Web site focusing on health risks related to asthma,
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression
for
South Dakota high schools. The project also evaluated
the management of diverse partnerships and the efficacy
of delivering Web-based curriculum to South Dakota
high schools.
Outcome: The organization developed health
education grade level expectations and
placed them on
the HealthEdVenture
Web site.
Grade level expectations are cross-walked to The
Wellmark Foundation’s grant priority areas
of asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and
depression. This work enabled
the next phase of the project, which will involve
adding specific topics in each of the 10 content
areas for each
grade level and developing lesson plans.
Northern State University
Aberdeen, S.D.
$5,000 – Mini-Grant
Northeastern South Dakota Regional Aging Council
Overview: This grant sought to establish a
regional aging council to create a planning, coordination,
and advocacy
voice for older adults in the 14-county area. The
council worked to strengthen and expand depression screening
and treatment, diabetes education and care, end-of-life
care, and other older adult services in the region.
Outcome: A council of 26 members was created,
representing public officials, agency workers, and others
interested in services for the elderly population. The
council
identified issues to address including transportation,
senior center
programs, mental health services, and general
health services. The council will develop a strategic
plan for consideration by public and private
funding
groups to
support elderly and aging service program enhancements
and implementation.
South Dakota Department of Health
Pierre, S.D.
$50,000 – Dedicated Grant
Healthy South Dakota Project
Overview: The efforts of
this grant improved the health of South Dakotans by
increasing physical activity
and improving nutrition in order to decrease the incidence
of chronic disease. The Department of Health (DOH)
facilitated
the development of community pilot projects to
assist in assessing research-based strategies
throughout South Dakota.
Outcome: DOH provided
support and technical assistance to four South Dakota
communities and one worksite
project using the Strides to a Healthier Community
Tool Kit.
In Martin, three worksites strived to improve
the nutrition and physical activity of their employees.
The Lemmon
City Council added outdoor exercise equipment
and
promoted a walking path. Activities in Winner
included promoting
a walking trail and incorporating nutrition and
physical activity into its after-school program.
Marketing efforts
in Pierre included trail brochures, an awareness
campaign, and a worksite focus. Several workgroups
in Yankton promoted
health through a Web site, newspaper articles,
and program development.
Other
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute
Omaha, NE
$10,000 – Dedicated Grant
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute Scholarship
Support
Overview: The Great Plains Public Health Leadership
Institute (GPPHLI) is a year-long program designed to
build and
enhance the leadership skills of senior and emerging
leaders in organizations whose primary mission is
to improve the health and well-being of populations and
communities. It is a regional institute focusing
on public
health leadership development in Iowa, South Dakota,
and Nebraska.
Outcome: The Wellmark Foundation’s
grant support paid the tuition fee for four scholars
selected from
Iowa and South Dakota grantees. To learn more about
this exceptional educational offering, please visit
their
Web
site.
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