TCWF Announces 2007 Sabbatical Program for Health Leaders
Applications are now available for The California Wellness Foundation Sabbatical Program. The program offers $30,000 grants to nonprofit health organizations in California, enabling their executive directors to take a paid leave of up to six months. Up to $5,000 will also be awarded to each organization for the professional development of managers and staff who will assume extra responsibilities during the absence of the sabbatical awardees. Deadline for applications is March 14. read more
Governor’s Health Care Reform Proposal May Need Adjustment for Middle Class
In a recent Los Angeles Times Op-Ed, E. Richard Brown says Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed plan mandating health insurance for all Californians “is likely to put some middle class families and individuals at substantial risk.” Brown is founder and director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, a TCWF grantee. He points out that, despite the plan’s broad coverage, middle-class people without job-based insurance would receive no subsidy and would not be able to buy coverage through a state-run purchasing pool. Brown proposes capping health insurance premiums, increasing employers’ contributions and allowing universal access to the purchasing pool. read more
Safety Net Proposed for Youth Leaving Foster Care
Each year, more than 4,000 California youth turn 18 and are “emancipated” from the foster care system. Studies of former foster youth have found that 65 percent have no place to live, fewer than 3 percent go to college and 51 percent are unemployed. A TCWF-funded study by the Children’s Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law documents the failure of state and federal programs to help emancipated foster youth attain self-sufficiency, and outlines the Transitional Guardian Plan, which would provide emancipated youth with support services and a monthly stipend. read more
California Voters’ Views on Health Care System Gauged in New Poll
A new Field Poll, funded by a grant from TCWF, examines California voters' views of the health care system. According to the poll, 81 percent of voters believe that the government should ensure access to affordable coverage for all Californians. Additionally, 86 percent of voters support increasing the number of community health clinics for uninsured residents-as opposed to the more costly care available at emergency rooms and trauma centers. California Voter Views of the Health Care System, part 1 of 2 (PDF) California Voter Views of the Health Care System, part 2 of 2 (PDF)
Community Group Leaders and Funders Tour South Los Angeles
Two dozen leaders of community groups and funders from around the U.S. toured violence-torn South Los Angeles neighborhoods on February 4, as part of the Hispanics in Philanthropy Leadership conference. Marqueece Harris-Dawson, executive director of the Community Coalition, a TCWF grantee, was featured in a Los Angeles Times article about the tour. At Jefferson High, a flash point for fights between Latino and African American students in 2005, he said the school then had 4,000 students on a campus designed for 1,000. The tour focused on the need to establish better living conditions and educational and job opportunities. read more
California Cities Tackle Tough Gang Issues at Oakland Meeting
As incidents of gang violence surge statewide, representatives from 13 California cities met in Oakland, Calif., Jan. 24 - 25, 2007, to share information during the inaugural meeting of the California Cities Gang Prevention Network. The newly formed network brought together teams of city and law enforcement officials, and community partners from each of the participating cities to collaborate on identifying viable ways of preventing gang violence. The National League of Cities and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency sponsored the event, with partial funding provided by TCWF. read more
Report Proposes Plan for Curbing Gang Activity and Violence in Los Angeles
The final report of the Advancement Project, commissioned by the Los Angeles City Council, recommends a comprehensive citywide gang reduction plan for Los Angeles. Authored by Connie Rice, a civil rights attorney and 2003 TCWF California Peace Prize honoree, the plan calls for neighborhood-based, schools-centered prevention and intervention strategies overseen by a powerful new, results-oriented city entity. Recommendations include a reference to the 2004 voter survey on state spending for violence prevention and youth safety programs that was part of TCWF’s “Keeping Youth Safe” statewide videoconference. read more
Report Offers Foundation and Grantee Perspectives on Operating Support
A report from The Center for Effective Philanthropy offers new data about the types of support offered by foundations, attitudes underlying chosen forms of support and the impact of these choices on grantees. Nearly half of the 79 foundation CEOs who responded preferred to provide program support, rather than operating support. Grantees surveyed are primarily interested in larger and longer-term grants (of either type) than are typically provided, even by larger foundations. One of the 163 foundations surveyed for the report was TCWF, an advocate of core operating support. read more
Winter 2006/07 Portfolio Spotlights Approaches to Health Care in the Inland Empire
The cover story in the latest issue of Portfolio outlines the challenges and accomplishments of TCWF grantees providing health services for underserved populations in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties). This issue also spotlights the work of grantees in three of our funding priorities: environmental health, mental health, and work and health. read more
The Center for Health Improvement to Host California Health Policy Forum
On February 15, 2007, the Center for Health Improvement will hold its annual health policy forum at the Sacramento Legislative Office Building. Highlights of this year's forum include: health insurance coverage expansion; proposed changes in Medi-Cal and other public sector health insurance programs; efforts to improve transparency in the health care system; and ways to make health care more affordable. The Forum educates policymakers and their respective staff about key health issues facing the state. For more information, visit www.cahpf.org, or call Sue Gutierrez at 916-930-9200. read more
