| The following previously approved
Wellmark Foundation grants closed between January 1, 2008,
and December 31, 2008. Brief summaries of the projects are
listed below and are arranged by state and priority area of
focus. Please note that different funding priority areas were
in place in previous years.
Iowa Awards by Priority
Area
Brief descriptions of the projects and their outcomes are
included below and arranged by priority area of focus. Please
note that different funding priority areas were in place in
previous years.
Cardiovascular Health
University of Iowa Foundation
Iowa City, IA
$50,000 – Community Responsive Grant
Internet-Based, Integrated Program for Global Cardiovascular
Risk Management
Overview: This grant supported the initial software
development for an internet-based program to improve cardiovascular
risk factor self-management. Important features include coronary
heart disease risk assessment, treatment goals identification,
evidence-based treatment recommendations, and adherence and
follow-up reminders. The system was beta-tested and prepared
for ongoing development.
Depression
AIDS Project of Central Iowa
Des Moines, IA
$26,500 – Community Responsive Grant
HIV/AIDS Mental Health Case Management and Therapeutic Counseling
(CMTC) Program
Overview: More than 40 persons living with HIV/AIDS
received mental health case management or supportive therapeutic
counseling, with almost 85 percent of participants showing
a reduction in their depressive symptoms. Due to these impressive
results, ongoing funding was obtained through the Ryan White
HIV/AIDS program. This work was presented at numerous state
and national conferences, including the Boston College Graduate
School of Social Work's 20th Annual National Conference on
Social Work and HIV/AIDS.
Learn
more »
Higher Plain, Inc.
West Branch, Iowa
$49,838 – Dedicated Grant
Higher Plain Organizational Growth and Development
Overview: Higher Plain, Inc. collaborated with many
stakeholder groups to promote best practice treatment of depression
throughout the state of Iowa. These stakeholders included
community health centers, area agencies on aging, public health
agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, clinics, residential
and assisted living centers, and the two Area Health Education
Centers in Iowa. More than 21,000 copies of the depression
tool kits and 800 copies of the geriatric depression tool
kits have been downloaded to date.
Learn
more »
National Catholic Rural Life Conference
Des Moines, Iowa
$28,660 – Community Responsive Grant
Iowa Rural Faith Care Connection on Depression
Overview: Information on depression was presented
to rural faith communities in six central Iowa counties, reaching
400 persons. Presentations were given to both English and
Spanish-speaking audiences. Knowledge about depression, attitudes
toward depression, and social comfort in the presence of a
person with depression were shown to improve in the majority
of participants. Train-the-trainer sessions were conducted
to sustain the program’s outreach.
Orchard Place Foundation
Des Moines, Iowa
$9,950 – Capacity-Building Grant
Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Effect
Measurement
Overview: The goal of this capacity-building project
was to incorporate performance measure methodologies into
outpatient mental health services for children and adolescents.
The Child and Adolescent Level of Care Utilization System
(CALOCUS) and Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Program
(DECA-C) tools were integrated into the day-to-day clinical
practices of outpatient clinical therapists. These tools are
used to facilitate treatment planning, service delivery decisions,
and resource allocation.
University of Iowa Foundation
Iowa City, IA
$88,410 – Community Responsive Grant
Depression Training to Promote Nurses as Advocates for Older
Adults
Overview: A depression training program, utilizing
a case-based virtual patient process was developed and distributed
to more than 550 health care sites via CD-ROM format. Participants
learned to identify depression in older adults; administer
and interpret the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9);
monitor outcomes; and apply interdisciplinary interventions.
Although nurses were the primary target audience, social workers,
activity therapists, and other professionals serving the elderly
were among the hundreds of persons completing the course during
the grant period.
Visiting Nurse Foundation
Des Moines, IA
$66,183 – Community Responsive Grant
Postpartum Depression Partnership
Overview: Training on postpartum depression was
provided to hospital and obstetric clinic staff, nursing students,
and community groups in central Iowa. To increase identification
and assessment, a postpartum depression referral system was
implemented which screened more than 430 women. Of those screened,
20 percent scored high enough to require further assessment.
Services offered included individualized treatment, group
therapy for both English and Spanish-speaking women, support
groups, problem-solving visits, and psychiatric evaluation.
Diabetes
Avera Health Foundation
Sioux Falls, SD
$7,400 – Mini-Grant
Family, Foods and Fitness
Overview: Floyd Valley Hospital collaborated with
seven elementary schools in LeMars and Remsen to provide information
on nutrition and exercise to more than 700 students in second
through fourth grades. To reinforce health messages during
mealtimes, a laminated, reusable place mat with age-appropriate
nutritional guidance was given to each student and their family
members. Each classroom was provided three games that emphasize
health information for students to use during health classes,
recesses, and at home.
Learn
more »
Burgess Foundation
Onawa, IA
$8,371 – Mini-Grant
"Faces of Diabetes" Project
Overview: Well-known community members who have diabetes,
or the “Faces of Diabetes,” were featured in local
media and social marketing materials to positively influence
the community vision of a person with diabetes. The “Faces”
gave eleven presentations at local libraries to share their
experiences with diabetes. Even two months after the presentations,
attendees reported healthier eating and increased exercise.
Diabetes resources were updated at thirteen libraries and
were checked out more than 300 times during the grant period.
Learn more
»
Elderbridge Agency on Aging
Mason City, IA
$8,304 – Mini-Grant
Healthy Aging Through Type 2 Diabetes Prevention and Self-Management
Overview: To promote healthy aging and prevent diabetes,
this program offered physical activity and nutrition education
at the Gowrie congregate meal site and a local assisted living
facility. Upon completion, participants found systolic blood
pressure decreased by 11 percent, glucose levels decreased
by 10 percent and total cholesterol decreased by 13 percent.
Participants reported eating more fruits (83 percent), more
vegetables (100 percent), and more fiber (63 percent). Flexibility
and mobility improved, and less medication use was required.
Learn
more » (see page 16)
Harrisdale Homestead Educational and Research Center
Atlantic, IA
$10,000 – Mini-Grant
Diabetes Prevention Awareness (Targeting Grades K-5) Using
Vegetable Gardens and a Walking School Bus
Overview: The Cass County Memorial Hospital worked
with the Atlantic School District to expand a diabetes prevention
curriculum for fifth grade students to all elementary schools
in Atlantic. A Walking School Bus program was implemented.
More than 100 students participated and 100 persons volunteered
to support the effort. To increase vegetable consumption,
vegetable gardens were planted and harvested by elementary
school students, high school special education students, and
residents of a local retirement facility.
Healthy Henry County Communities
Mt. Pleasant, IA
$32,133 – Community Responsive Grant
Team Lunchroom 3: Children's Meal Ticket to Good Nutrition
Overview: The third phase of this community-wide
effort to improve nutrition and physical activity choices
in youth documented a 5.2 percent decrease in kindergarten
through eighth grade students who had a body mass index indicating
overweight. Outreach to local 4-H clubs resulted in 89 percent
of 4-H members reporting better health behaviors. Other initiatives
implemented through this multi-faceted campaign included the
provision of at least three healthy items at all area concession
stands, poster contests, health fairs, and increased Pick
A Better Snack participation.
Learn
more » (see page 12)
Iowa Department of Public Health
Des Moines, IA
$44,789 – Dedicated Grant
Iowa Diabetes Network: Strategic Planning and Membership Enhancement
Overview: The Iowa Diabetes Network (IDN) was organized
to advance diabetes care in Iowa through professional networking
and educational opportunities. This capacity-building effort
resulted in an IDN membership increase of more than 200 percent.
This grant also supported the statewide annual meeting and
regional networking meetings. IDN member support was enhanced
through a Web site, listserv, and sharing of tools to improve
diabetes care.
Learn
more »
Iowa Department of Public Health
Des Moines, IA
$40,000 – Dedicated Grant
Iowa Diabetes Prevention and Control Program: Iowa Diabetes
Network
Overview: This grant supported organizational capacity
building to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of
the Iowa Diabetes Network (IDN). A membership increase of
15 percent and a five-fold increase in attendance at the annual
meeting documented strong growth. Organizational structure
was formalized with the creation of communications, finance,
nominating, and professional education committees. This planning
process led to IDN becoming a state chapter of the American
Association of Diabetes Educators.
Iowa Health Foundation
Des Moines, IA
$10,000 – Mini-Grant
Childhood Obesity Prevention Program: Planning Phase
Overview: Funding for this planning grant was used to pilot
a school-based program to reduce and prevent childhood obesity
and its co-morbidities, including diabetes. After extensive
research of curriculum options, the Coordinated Approach to
Child Health (CATCH) program was selected and piloted in two
after-school programs in Perry and West Des Moines. In response
to a successful pilot, a two-year expansion plan was created
and funded by The Wellmark Foundation.
Learn more
»
Primary Health Care, Inc.
Des Moines, IA
$65,233 – Community Responsive Grant
Diabetes Collaboration for the Uninsured and Underinsured
Overview: More than 1,500 blood glucose screenings
were provided at this community health center (CHC) and at
various community sites in cooperation the Polk County Health
Department. Approximately 40 percent of participants had abnormal
findings and were referred for further evaluation. Fourteen
Diabetes Days were held at the CHC to improve self-management
skills of persons with diabetes. Attendees demonstrated better
outcomes in blood glucose control, self-management goal setting,
diabetes knowledge, and nutrition knowledge.
Learn
more »
University of Iowa Foundation
Iowa City, IA
$29,500 – Community Responsive Grant
TeleDiagnosis of Retinal Diseases in Rural Iowa
Overview: To meet the needs of patients in rural
areas who are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, digital retinal
cameras were installed at clinics in Primghar and Maple Valley.
Images are transmitted over a secure internet connection to
the University of Iowa for evaluation, and diagnostic information
is transmitted back to the rural health care providers. Approximately
30 persons are served monthly through this methodology. Findings
show this process improves access while maintaining quality.
University of Northern Iowa Foundation
Cedar Falls, IA
$45,788 – Community Responsive Grant
Fitness Plus: A Community-Focused Program to Enhance Diabetes
Self-Management
Overview: The Fitness Plus program aims to improve
health-related behaviors and health status of persons with
diabetes. Working with health coaches, participants are encouraged
to achieve recommended levels of physical activity and nutritional
intake. This 16-session pilot resulted in more than 75 percent
of participants losing 5 percent or more of their body weight.
Significant positive changes in body mass index (BMI), waist
circumference, hip circumference, and diastolic blood pressure
were documented.
Van Buren County
Keosauqua, IA
$46,143 – Community Responsive Grant
Van Buren County Community Diabetes Program
Overview: As part of a county-wide effort to promote
diabetes care, more than 500 persons were screened for diabetes
during 17 screening days held through the county. More than
80 persons identified as having diabetes or metabolic syndrome
attended self-management classes, with more than 60 percent
of participants demonstrating improved blood glucose, blood
pressure, and/or weight. Other program activities included
monthly support groups, community and workplace presentations,
and health care provider education.
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
$35,300 – Community Responsive Grant
Trim Kids
Overview: Trim Kids is a multi-disciplinary 12-week
program for overweight children. This funding expanded the
service to 64 children and their families at the South Suburban
YMCA, where local demographics indicate increased diabetes
risk. Participating children lost a combined total of 134
pounds. After completing the program, 100 percent of participating
families reported exercising on a more regular basis and eating
more fresh fruits and vegetables.
End-of-Life Care
Iowa Hospice Organization
Des Moines, IA
$34,325 – Dedicated Grant
Iowa End-of-Life Care Partnership
Overview: To advance end-of-life care in Iowa, professional
development opportunities for hospice staff were offered.
Eighty-five participants attended three training sessions
on quality management, data collection and analysis, and pain
management outcome measures. After training, hospices participated
in individual telephone support and monthly group conference
calls for further assistance while implementing their quality
improvement initiatives. Forty hospice managers also attended
a two-day management skills development program.
Mercy Medical Center Foundation--North Iowa
Mason City, IA
$5,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
Strengthening Palliative Care Services Through Nationally
Recognized Training
Overview: This funding allowed the medical center’s
palliative care coordinator to attend the year-long Harvard
Medical School Program in Palliative Care Education and Practice.
The knowledge and skills gained have been disseminated to
others through presentations at departmental meetings, community
and civic forums, the local community college nursing school,
and the best practice conference of the medical center’s
parent company. The coordinator is now serving on the parent
company’s steering committee on palliative care.
Siouxland Human Investment Partnership Program
Sioux City, IA
$10,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
Community Engagement Campaign: Helping People Access End-of-Life
Care Sooner
Overview: Following this community outreach campaign
highlighting a National Medical Report Series documentary
on end-of-life issues, Hospice of Siouxland documented an
increase in hospice length of service. The campaign included
hosting nine community forums, distribution of 500 copies
of the documentary, and more than 500 airings of a 30-second
commercial on local television stations. Surveys showed forum
participants increased their understanding of hospice and
gained comfort talking about hospice with family members.
Health Literacy
Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Iowa City, IA
$10,000.00 – Mini-Grant
Preventing Low Health Literacy through Reach Out and Read:
Iowa's "Community Health Center Challenge"
Overview: The Reach Out and Read (ROR) program was
initiated at ten community health centers (CHC) throughout
Iowa to prevent low literacy and low health literacy. At well
child visits, health care providers distributed developmentally
appropriate books and parental guidance on the importance
of reading with children to 8,000 at-risk children. This implementation
process is serving as a model for ROR program replication
at CHCs in other states.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Des Moines, IA
$4,982 – Capacity-Building Grant
Health Literacy Capacity Building Project for Public Health
Overview: A health literacy training package was developed
for local public health agencies and bureaus of the Iowa Department
of Public Health. The training package includes a health literacy
DVD with footage from the American College of Physicians Foundation
and the Harvard School of Public Health, discussion materials,
facilitator notes, and the Southern Institute on Children
and Families Health Literacy Style Manual. Approximately
250 people attended three health literacy workshops during
the grant period.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Des Moines, IA
$4,980 – Mini-Grant
Health Literacy Internet Initiative
Overview: This grant supported the Iowa Department
of Public Health’s efforts to create the Plain
& Simple Web site. The Web site provides tools and
resources to improve communication about health. Information
categories on the site include News, Tools, Readability, Examples,
Stories, Resources, and Research. The project was a collaborative
effort with the Iowa Association of Local Public Health Agencies
and Iowa Public Health Association.
Learn
more »
Iowa Health Foundation
Des Moines, IA
$5,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
Health Literacy Mentorship and Leadership Training for Adult
Learners
Overview: In order to strengthen the voice of the
patient, 30 new readers attended the two-day New Readers Health
Leadership Training Conference in Des Moines. During the conference,
an updated Adult Learner Statement on Health Literacy was
drafted and posted on the National Institute for Literacy’s
health literacy listserv. Participants attended three follow-up
training sessions during the grant period and focused on increasing
the use of Ask Me 3 during patient care encounters.
Learn
more »
Iowa Partners: Action for Healthy Kids, Inc.
Ankeny, IA
$10,000 – Mini-Grant
YEAH! Youth Empowered Ambassadors for Health
Overview: The second annual statewide student wellness
summit themed YEAH! (Youth Empowered Ambassadors for Health)
was attended by more than150 participants, representing 25
school districts across Iowa. This funding supported 20 post-attendance
mini-grants to stimulate local implementation of wellness
initiatives. Examples of projects sponsored by these mini-grants
include fresh fruit and vegetable tastings, walking promotions,
gardening projects, and improved concession stand and a la
carte lunch line options.
Learn
more »
Mercy Medical Center Foundation
Sioux City, IA
$4,995 – Mini-Grant
Heart-to-Heart: A New Understanding of Transitional Care
Overview: To improve the transition from hospital
to home, a home visit process for discharged congestive heart
failure patients was implemented at Mercy Medical Center in
Sioux City. Eleven people participated in the pilot, resulting
in no readmissions. All participants reported better understanding
of how to manage their disease, and all would recommend the
program to others. The project also used LEAN principles to
create new discharge procedures throughout the medical center
by implementing the Ticket Home program.
Learn
more »
University of Northern Iowa Foundation
Cedar Falls, IA
$50,600 – Dedicated Grant
Iowa EXPORT Center of Excellence on Health Disparities: Prism
Training Series in Culturally Competent Health Care
Overview: This funding supported multi-faceted efforts
to reduce health disparities in Iowa. Multiple trainings on
cultural competency and minority health issues were provided
to approximately 4,500 persons. Additional consulting assistance
was given to 13 health and human service agencies so they
may better serve their minority clients. Bridging the Language
Divide: A Pocket Guide to Working Effectively with Interpreters
in Health Care Settings was developed and 2,000 copies were
distributed.
Learn more
»
Capacity Building
Calhoun County Department of Health
Rockwell City, IA
$10,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
Calhoun County Board of Health Strategic Plan
Overview: This grant enabled the Calhoun County local
public health agency to identify health service gaps that
exist when comparing proposed state public health standards
to current community health status. Through this strategic
planning process, health improvement priorities were established.
Resulting programmatic changes included expanding a child
medical home project to adults, and integrating county-wide
emergency medical services.
Community Health Center of Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, IA
$10,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
Area Wide Community Assessment
Overview: In preparation for a grant submission to
the 2009 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
service area competitive grant cycle, a community health needs
assessment was conducted. Interesting findings included a
lack of access to mental health services, a substantial increase
in persons receiving Medicaid, and a dramatic decrease in
area dentists. Due to the shortage of dentists, the Center
began providing oral health services to Medicaid-eligible
children who traditionally cannot access services.
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute
Omaha, NE
$5,000 – Dedicated Grant
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute 2007 Scholarships
Overview: The Great Plains Public Health Leadership
Institute 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. This grant paid program tuition
for two project leaders from The Wellmark Foundation’s
active grantees in Iowa.
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Des Moines, IA
$6,000 – Mini-Grant
Measuring the Effect of Recreational Trail Use on Physical
Fitness/Diabetes
Overview: A survey was conducted to determine ways
to increase physical activity on recreation trails in Iowa.
Responses indicated keys to increasing trail use include better
mapping and signage, improved lighting and security, and easy
access and connections. Respondents indicated they typically
would not travel more than five miles to use a trail. A steering
committee is using the survey findings to strategically plan
future enhancements on trails such as the Ankeny to Woodward
Trail, which has been supported by The Wellmark Foundation.
Learn
more »
Iowa Public Health Association
Des Moines, IA
$5,000 – Dedicated Grant
Iowa Public Health Association Capacity Building
Overview: This funding helped position the organization
to make a successful application to the American Public Health
Association (APHA) Affiliate Capacity Building Initiative.
Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, this APHA grant offering
supports infrastructure building of state affiliates. Enhancements
made in preparation for the three-year grant award of $87,270
included updated membership software, revised operations policies,
expanded Web presence, improved financial processes, and a
new meeting exhibit booth.
North Iowa Community Action Organization
Mason City, IA
$10,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
3-D Capacity Building Project
Overview: This regional technical assistance coalition
improved its support of area organizations by creating a Web-based
data bank and grant writing resource file cabinet to enhance
individual grant writing and community assessment activities.
Data tables, survey data, outcome measurement data, and evaluation
tools are categorized on the Web site for easy access. An
on-line survey service provides assistance with community
needs assessments, strategic planning, and program evaluation
purposes.
Pella Hospital Foundation
Pella, IA
$5,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
PACE Feasibility Study (Program of All-Inclusive Care for
the Elderly)
Overview: A comprehensive feasibility study was conducted
to investigate the potential for developing a Program of All-inclusive
Care for the Elderly (PACE) in this rural service area. After
analysis of factors such as area demographics, market share
requirements, and eligibility criteria, it was determined
that implementation of a PACE program in the Pella area was
not feasible at this time.
University of Northern Iowa Foundation
Cedar Falls, IA
$10,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
Promoting Health for All: The Iowa Center on Health Disparities
Overview: To increase its sustainability, the Iowa
Center on Health Disparities contracted a consulting firm
to develop a marketing plan. This plan called for the widening
of the Center’s market scope beyond Iowa and beyond
the non-profit sector. A joint operational plan with the Iowa
Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration was created
and named Cultural Connections. A new tagline of "Bringing
Worlds Together," logo, Web site, and business collateral
materials were developed.
Winneshiek County Community Foundation
Decorah, IA
$5,000 – Dedicated Grant
Iowa Grant Writing Workshop
Overview: This community foundation hosted an annual
grant writing workshop in cooperation with the Iowa Department
of Public Heath’s Office of Rural Health and The Wellmark
Foundation. More than 100 people participated in the workshop,
and all attendees received a program development and grant
writing manual.
South Dakota
Awards by Priority Area
Brief descriptions of the projects and their outcomes are
included below and arranged by priority area of focus. Please
note that different funding priority areas were in place in
previous years.
Depression
Diabetes
End-of-Life Care
Health Literacy
Capacity Building
Depression
Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services
Yankton, SD
$56,000 – Community Responsive Grant
Project HOPE (Healing Our People thru Education)
Overview: Theater served as the tool to increase
awareness and conversation around teenage depression and suicide.
Primarily Native American youth performed the play Survivors
at area school districts, which was followed by audience discussions.
Shorter suicide prevention skits were written and presented
by area youth, and placed on DVD. The DVD premiere event was
attended by more than 20 percent of all area residents. During
the grant period, an increased referral rate of high-risk
children and teenagers for mental health services was documented.
South Dakota Department of Human Services
Pierre, SD
$53,674 – Dedicated Grant
Depression Care Pilot Project with Community Mental Health
Centers
To improve integration of depression care in primary care
settings, health care providers at 10 Federally Qualified
Health Centers received training in depression care. After
the initial training, three Web casts wer Overview:e
conducted to discuss unique issues of depression care in children,
geriatric populations, and Native Americans. Processes to
use the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) for initial
depression screening were implemented. More than 3,000 screenings
were conducted, with 13 percent of patients screening positive
for depression.
Learn more
»
Diabetes
Indigenous Diabetes Education Alliance
Rapid City, SD
$8,850 – Mini-Grant
Native American After-School Diabetes Prevention
Overview: More than 150 Native American children
participated in activities conducted at local youth service
organizations to educate youth on the importance of nutrition,
exercise, and making healthy lifestyle choices. Talking circles
provided a culturally appropriate method to discuss health
and the impact of diabetes in the Native American population.
Traditional buffalo jerky snacks were shared, and an educational
newsletter on diabetes was shared with family members.
Sanford Health Foundation
Sioux Falls, SD
$48,310 – Community Responsive Grant
Stepping Into Good Health (SIGH) Project
Overview: More than 1,500 visits for foot care were
provided at community centers and churches in downtown Sioux
Falls, linking underserved individuals to diabetes and cardiovascular
disease screening and education. Trained SIGH volunteers from
area churches assisted patients as they received professional
foot care, new socks, and glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride
screenings. Parish nurses provided individualized patient
education as appropriate, and repeat visitors to the clinic
showed improved health indicators.
Learn
more » (see page 18)
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
Sioux Falls, SD
$9,920 – Mini-Grant
Growing Healthy Initiative's Phase 2 - Growing Healthy Toddlers
and
Phase 3 - Growing Healthy Preschool Children
Overview: Easy-to-understand guides on recommendations
for feeding toddlers and preschool children were created using
evidence-based professional guidelines. Information was provided
on grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meats and proteins
for children 1-2 years, 3-5 years, and 6 years of age. The
guides were printed on clings appropriate for display on refrigerators
to serve as handy, point-of-decision reminders. More than
20,000 clings were distributed to parents, child care providers,
and grandparents.
Learn
more » (see page 22)
South Dakota Department of Health
Pierre, SD
$35,000 – Dedicated Grant
South Dakota Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP)
- Phase II
Overview: Nineteen South Dakota Diabetes State Plan
strategies were advanced through this funding, including revising
South Dakota Diabetes Information Link enrollment cards; comparing
existing diabetes curriculum content at South Dakota’s
professional schools to American Diabetes Association standards;
defining geographically underserved areas; and establishing
a Web site. The South Dakota Diabetes Coalition advises the
DPCP program in four key areas of work, including patient
education, provider education, advocacy, and public awareness.
Learn
more »
End-of-Life Care
Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board
Rapid City, SD
$50,334 – Community Responsive Grant
Northern Plains Native Families Caregiving Project
Overview: To support Native American caregivers of
persons at the end of life, an end-of-life care curriculum
for caregivers was enhanced and updated with additional tools
and resources. The curriculum was reviewed by a workgroup
of tribal community health leaders to ensure cultural appropriateness.
Following a three-day train-the-trainer workshop, 24 tribal
community health leaders provided the training locally to
more than 500 persons. More than 90 percent of community participants
evaluated the training as very useful.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Arlington, VA
$30,000 – Dedicated Grant
Clinical Excellence Collaborative
Overview: In cooperation with LifeCircle SD, 11 teams
from across South Dakota and one team from Iowa participated
in this nine-month collaborative patterned after the Institute
for Healthcare Improvement model. Patients and families being
served by participating hospices documented higher satisfaction
with pain management; more confidence to know what to do;
better care during transfers; improved access to hospice care;
increased satisfaction with bereavement services; and more
volunteers.
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
$5,000 – Dedicated Grant
NHPCO Clinical Collaborative in South Dakota
Overview: Through a partnership with LifeCircle SD
and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
(NHPCO), South Dakota hospice teams prepared for new Medicare
Hospice Conditions of Participation through participation
in NHPCO’s Clinical Excellence Collaborative. The Collaborative
was provided at the state level, reducing travel expenses
and time away from practices. These funds supported local
coordination and logistical support for the Collaborative.
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
$39,000 – Dedicated Grant
LifeCircle South Dakota
Overview: This funding provided organizational support
for this statewide coalition of stakeholders focused on end-of-life
care issues. Quarterly conference calls, an annual conference,
and a summit were held to provide networking and educational
opportunities. A train-the-trainer strategy was implemented
to increase the capacity for professionals and laypersons
to provide information on end-of-life care and advance directives,
which reached every hospice and numerous community organizations
statewide.
Health Literacy
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD
$62,381 – Community Responsive Grant
Health Literacy Assessment and Improvement Among American
Indian People in South Dakota with Diabetes
Overview: Surveys, workshops, and focus groups were
conducted in cooperation with the South Dakota Urban Indian
Health Center to determine ways to improve health communication
between health care providers and American Indian persons
with diabetes. Diabetes education materials were assessed
and updated to meet literacy and cultural needs. A list of
easy-to-implement strategies was created and shared in a tool
kit of materials to support health literacy assessment in
other communities.
Sioux Falls School District
Sioux Falls, SD
$65,000 – Community Responsive Grant
Bright Futures Health Literacy Project
Overview: The Bright Futures program was implemented
at Hawthorne Elementary School, an at-risk, Title I school
in the Sioux Falls School District. More than 400 students
and their families participated in activities to improve their
health knowledge. Areas of emphasis were nutrition, physical
activity, safety, mental health, immunizations, and oral health.
The initiative catalyzed partnerships with the state Coordinated
School Health Program and with Falls Community Health Center
to provide a school-based health center.
Learn
more » (see page 18)
South Dakota Dental Foundation
Pierre, SD
$67,200 – Community Responsive Grant
South Dakota Great Faces. Great Smiles: An Ounce of Prevention
II
Overview: To improve health literacy on oral health
issues, the South Dakota Oral Health Coalition continued its
statewide oral health promotion campaign with a special focus
on at-risk populations. Approximately 500 Head Start staff
and 3,000 Head Start children received oral health education
during the grant period. Social marketing strategies included
television commercials, newspaper inserts, and newsletters.
Focus group findings indicated the project not only raised
awareness but also changed behavior related to oral health.
Learn more
»
South Dakota Department of Social Services
Pierre, SD
$45,860 – Dedicated Grant
South Dakota Reach Out and Read Book Support
Overview: Working through the five regional Early
Childhood Enrichment Programs, the South Dakota Reach Out
and Read (ROR) program distributed more than 16,000 children's
books across South Dakota. Private clinics, Indian health
service clinics, and community health nurses implemented the
ROR program by providing a developmentally appropriate book
at well child visits, while reinforcing the importance of
reading with children. Through this outreach, ROR reached
100 percent of Medicaid-eligible children in South Dakota.
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
$48,015 – Community Responsive Grant
Addressing Health Literacy Issues for Adults with Developmental
Disabilities
Overview: Nutrition education materials with appropriate
readability for people with developmental disabilities were
created and assembled in the Keeping it Simple tool kit. The
spiral bound kit includes suggested menus, easily prepared
recipes, shopping lists, and diabetes self-management tips.
The tool kit was piloted at three facilities providing assisted
living arrangements for developmentally disabled people. Knowledge
increases were documented in clients and facility staff.
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Capacity Building
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute
Omaha, NE
$5,000 – Dedicated Grant
Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute 2007 Scholarships
Overview: The Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute
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. This grant paid program tuition
for two project leaders from The Wellmark Foundation’s
active grantees in South Dakota.
HRMC Foundation, Inc.
Huron, SD
$10,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
Community Health Needs Assessment
Overview: The first-ever local community health needs
assessment was conducted and analyzed through these grant
funds. Direct input from the community was gained at nine
community listening sessions. In response, an improved communications
plan regarding health services available locally was implemented.
A process to increase recommended preventive screenings by
improving communication between patients and health care providers
was also created.
Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD
$5,000 – Capacity-Building Grant
In-Service Health Information Needs of Older Adults
Overview: To better understand and support the health
of older adults, staff from nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, and senior centers, as well as members of the
Regional Aging Council were surveyed on perceived needs related
to diabetes management, cardiovascular care, depression screening
and treatment, and spiritual wellness. Based on this input,
a set of four 30-minute video broadcasts and accompanying
discussion guides were created and distributed to public libraries
and local cable TV companies.
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
Sioux Falls, SD
$9,590 – Capacity-Building Grant
Growing Health Initiative Capacity Building of Information
Technology
Overview: This capacity-building grant enabled staff
to obtain equipment and skills to reduce the organization’s
budget and increase its efficiencies when creating social
marketing items. Software packages to improve the Foundation’s
design capabilities and enhance its Web presence were obtained,
along with appropriate training. These efforts resulted in
the ability for staff to make frequent Web site updates and
to create attractive banners, brochures, and reports without
relying on outside vendors.
South Dakota Public Health Association
Pierre, SD
$49,700 – Dedicated Grant
South Dakota Public Health Conference
Overview: This funding supported organizational efforts
resulting in the award of a three-year, $90,000 American Public
Health Association (APHA) Affiliate Capacity Building Initiative
grant. Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, this APHA grant
offering supports infrastructure building of state affiliates.
This Wellmark Foundation grant also sponsored the 2007 South
Dakota Public Health Conference held June 20-22, 2007, in
Pierre. Nearly 400 persons attended the event.
St. Mary's Foundation
Pierre, SD
$10,000 – Dedicated Grant
South Dakota Grant Writers Network 2007
Overview: St. Mary's Foundation served as the coordinating
agency for the South Dakota Grant Writers Network and its
developmental efforts. This evolving growth has led the Network
to become a statewide chapter of the Association of Grant
Writing Professionals. Educational and networking opportunities
were provided, including the Third Annual South Dakota Grant
Writers Conference held on August 24, 2007, which was attended
by more than 100 people.
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