Advance Community
Decreasing Diabetes and Improving Wellness for Latinos
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Under-resourced Latino adults and seniors who have diabetes (type 1 or type 2) or prediabetes

Project: Provide the evidence-based Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEPTM) to more Latino adults who receive care at Federally Qualified Health Centers. Facilitated by certified bilingual and bicultural community health educators, DEEP teaches people how to self-manage their diabetes/prediabetes and overall health. Project participants will also receive diabetic-friendly food boxes so they can implement the healthy cooking and eating practices they learn. Advance Community also will train Latino community members as promotoras de salud to become DEEP-certified, which will expand project reach and support more people.

First Place AZ
First Place AZ Translational Research Consortium
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Individuals with autism and/or other intellectual and developmental disabilities (A/I/DD)

Project: Develop foundational tools for advancing applied research for integrated housing solutions for Arizona adults diagnosed with A/I/DD. Through data collection and analysis, First Place will develop an actionable report that describes the individual, family, and community economic and quality-of-life impact of housing and community developments designed to increase the independence of individuals with A/I/DD.

Justa Center
Chronic Healthcare Services for Homeless Seniors
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Seniors with chronic health issues who are experiencing homelessness

Project: Reduce the impacts of chronic health issues by meeting people where they are, establishing care objectives, and empowering them to manage their condition(s). Justa Center, a day center serving homeless seniors, will provide complex care management to 150 of its clients. Using the Camden Coalition C.O.A.C.H. model, center staff will support members in understanding and following doctor instructions, taking medication as prescribed, and making lifestyle changes. The team will integrate complex care coordination with housing and social case management to improve health and quality of life, while helping clients secure permanent housing.

Maricopa Community Health Center
Su Corazón, Su Vida (Your Heart, Your Life)
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Santa Cruz

Population: Spanish-speaking Hispanic/Latino adult patients who have hypertension

Project: Empower patients served by Mariposa Community Center, a federally qualified health center, to manage their hypertension through lifestyle changes. The program complements a monitoring pilot underway where pharmacists assist patients who have hypertension track their blood pressure using either Bluetooth or cellular devices. Patients in the pilot will have access to “Su Corazón, Su Vida,” an evidence-based heart health lifestyle education program developed by the National Institute of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Community health workers will teach healthy eating and cooking habits and provide opportunities to engage in physical activity—changes that help prevent serious complications due to hypertension.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Supporting and Expanding the MS Movement through MS Navigator Program Support
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Statewide

Population: Arizonans living with or affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Project: Continue the MS Navigator program to help people affected by MS solve daily challenges. A team of compassionate and experienced professionals work one-on-one with people via phone, chat, or online, providing emotional support and helping people access MS healthcare specialists, navigate health insurance, explore accessible housing and employment resources, and address isolation, anxiety, and caregiver fatigue. Specialized case management services are available for those without adequate support services. Navigator services are provided at no charge to recipients, which creates equitable access to all who need support.

Northern Arizona University Foundation
Enhancing Outcomes in Arizona: Applied Research Study on Parkinson's Community Exercise Class
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Coconino, Maricopa, Yavapai

Population: People living with Parkinson’s Disease

Project: Conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of the community-based exercise class in improving health outcomes for Persons with Parkinson’s (PWP). This applied research project is a collaboration between Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Northern Arizona Healthcare to provide insights into the impact of exercise on symptom management, motor function, balance, and overall well-being. The project fills a gap in Northern Arizona where community-based exercise programs for PWP are lacking but in high demand. Study results will generate knowledge and evidence that can be applied in healthcare settings to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Pima Council on Aging
Dementia Capable Southern Arizona
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Pima

Population: Older adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)

Project: Increase early detection of ADRD by providing comprehensive memory screenings to older adults. Individuals identified with — or at risk for — cognitive decline and their family/caregivers will receive a comprehensive intake, assessment, and care plan tailored to their goals, strengths, challenges, and interests. Healthy Brain Kits are provided at intake to assist with managing agitation, promoting relaxation, and stimulating mental engagement. Early access to treatment options and clinical trials along with caregiver training and support groups are other core program elements.

St. Vincent de Paul
Diabetes Management & Education with Increased Health Equity for High-Risk Arizonans
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Patients with diabetes who are high-risk, low-income, and food-insecure.

Project: Reduce chronic illness and increase quality of life and health equity via St. Vincent de Paul’s (SVdP) best-practice, patient-centered, and culturally grounded program.

A no-cost clinic, SVdP’s accredited program achieves measurable results by giving patients who are disproportionately affected by pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension the knowledge and skills to self-manage their disease. Program participants learn to alter their social and physical environments while being supported with comprehensive, team-based care to achieve better health outcomes. With Foundation funding, SVdP will improve health access and equity for approximately 150 patients who will receive individualized care management and education resources.

Activate Food Arizona
Farm Express Outreach Expansion to Seniors
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Seniors with low incomes who are experiencing food insecurity

Project: Increase the purchase and consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables among seniors and older adults who are food insecure. Through senior-focused incentive programs, including the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program and Senior Mobile Market Loyalty Program, Farm Express extends the purchasing power for older adults so they can take home more fresh produce each week. This project is expected to serve 800 people and, through an increase in produce consumption, have a positive impact on both health inequity and chronic health conditions.

Be a Leader Foundation
Pipeline of Postsecondary Access and Success Programs
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Students from underrepresented and underserved populations

Project: Increase the number of students who are prepared for and succeed in higher education by providing the resources that overcome socio-economic disadvantages and education barriers. Funding will serve 600 students—including recipients of the Empowering Diversity Scholarship. Be A Leader will deliver Senior Boot Camp, monthly college-going sessions at Title 1 schools, and 1:1 post-secondary education advising and mentoring. Another 2,000 will benefit from 36 Be A Leader Clubs at high schools. Be A Leader’s multi-layered support is helping to break the cycle of generational poverty and create a more equitable future.

Education Forward Arizona
Empowering Diversity Scholarship Mentoring Program
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma

Population: Students from low-income backgrounds, most of whom are the first in their family to attend college

Project: Equip recipients of the Empowering Diversity Scholarship to achieve their academic goals. Students are paired with a Success Advisor for 1:1 guidance and support. Services include mentoring, enrollment counseling, academic tracking, financial aid advice, networking, and professional development opportunities. Funding will provide full wraparound services for 100 scholarship recipients (current or past) who are pursuing a postsecondary degree to increase their chances of graduation and long-term success.

Elaine
Transportation Assistance Program
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Vulnerable people in need of transportation to locations essential to social drivers of health (SDOH)

Project: Provide free, safe, and reliable transportation for people experiencing homelessness, the elderly, disabled, low income, and others who lack the means to reach services critical to their health. Through Transportation Assistance Program (TAP), clients have access to physical and mental health appointments, grocery stores/food pantries, employment opportunities, housing/shelter, and community centers.

TAP combines rides with one-to-one relationship-building in an empathetic and culturally sensitive manner. These relationships help build client confidence in their ability to navigate the SDOH support systems available to them, promoting self-sufficiency.

El Rio Health Center Foundation
Colorectal Cancer Screening Program for Uninsured Patients
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Pima

Population: Uninsured adult patients including seniors and those who are unsheltered

Project: Increase education, outreach, and access to Colorectal Cancer Screening (CRCS) for up to 1,912 uninsured patients between the ages of 45-75. El Rio Health Center Foundation (El Rio), a federally qualified health center, provides healthcare on a sliding fee scale to those who are uninsured and low income. Through the CRCS program, El Rio's integrated health teams will provide targeted outreach to close care gaps, answer questions, and promote shared decision-making, while also working to reduce barriers to care (e.g., transportation and language). Funding covers 1,000 Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) CRCS test kits and 45 diagnostic colonoscopies for those with positive FIT screening results.

Flagstaff Family Food Center
Bridging the Meal Gap
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Coconino, Navajo

Population: Children and adults who are food insecure in Northern Arizona

Project: Flagstaff Family Food Center (FFFC) strengthens hunger relief services via a community-based model that meets people where they are — whether in Flagstaff or remote areas of neighboring tribal lands. Employing both a pop-up drive-through and walk-up model allows FFFC to close gaps rooted in socioeconomic barriers in neighborhoods and communities. FFFC also provides meals to Flagstaff Shelter Services clients, sack lunches to charter school students in need, and food boxes to home-bound residents. Grant funding will enable FFFC to deliver 200,000 meals to those in most need.

Flagstaff Shelter Services
Housing as Healthcare Program
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Coconino

Population: People who are experiencing homelessness

Project: Address the physical and behavioral health needs of people in a housing crisis with a housing-first, multi-disciplinary care approach. Care teams include a Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) Housing Case Manager, a primary care provider from North Country HealthCare and/or Native Americans for Community Action, and a behavioral health provider from The Guidance Center, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services, and/or Native Americans for Community Action. The Care teams, co-located at FSS’s emergency shelter locations, facilitate comprehensive, coordinated care, help participants secure permanent housing, and increase adherence to behavioral health treatment, thereby improving mental well-being and reducing emergency, police, and other costly crisis services.

Fundamental Needs
The Oasis Project
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Apache

Population: Tribal members of the Navajo Nation living on the reservation in the Rock Point, Sweetwater, Red Mesa, and Mexican Water regions

Project: Address the lack of running water in homes and provide vocational training to local youth. The first of this two-track project will supply 10 homes with off-grid water systems that include water tanks, solar-powered water pumps, water heaters, and greywater gardens. The system’s solar power also provides access to light and refrigeration. The second track gives local youth hands-on experience and the opportunity to earn a stipend by apprenticing with Fundamental Needs — practical knowledge that paves the path to future employment.

Haven Family Resource Center
Food 4 Kidz Program
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Mohave

Population: Students in the Lake Havasu School District who qualify for the free/reduced breakfast and lunch program

Project: Bridge the weekend meal/food gap for students experiencing childhood hunger. When school is out of session, students who depend on free/reduced meals may have little access to food. Each Friday, the Food 4 Kidz weekend program provides a backpack of nutritious, kid-friendly food items that do not require refrigeration or a can opener. Extra food is given to students with younger siblings. Several times a year, hygiene kits are provided with a new toothbrush and toothpaste, school supplies, and other basic-need items. Foundation funding will equip HAVEN to serve 500 children.

Human Services Campus, Inc.
Street Outreach
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Unsheltered people living in the area around the Human Services Campus

Project: Expand street outreach to address the rising need for services among people experiencing homelessness and the social drivers of health that have contributed to their homelessness. The Street Outreach team uses a multi-disciplinary approach to reach, assess, and engage people in the services they need and to help ensure their safety. Transport to the Campus, hospitals, substance use recovery programs, and/or other locations overcomes access barriers. While focused on closing health disparity gaps, this project also impacts substance use, mental health, and chronic health conditions.

Junior Achievement of Arizona - Southern District
Southern Arizona K-12 Financial Literacy and Work Readiness
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Pima

Population: Students in kindergarten through 12th grade

Project: Teach students grade-appropriate, experiential lessons designed to prepare them for the real world. Junior Achievement of Arizona partners with over 40 Southern Arizona schools to support low-income students in underserved communities.

Curriculum is taught by community volunteers who also serve as mentors and role models. Financial literacy and skills such as budgeting, saving, and the responsible use of credit are a key focus as is workforce readiness. Students learn skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to be successful in both work and life — a key predictor of health.

Local First Arizona Foundation
Arizona Economic Recovery Center
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Statewide

Population: Organizations that serve all Arizona populations, primarily those in rural and Tribal communities

Project: Build organization capacity to secure grant funding so that they have the resources to serve their communities. Local First Arizona’s Arizona Economic Recovery Center tracks Federal stimulus opportunities and braids them with state and local dollars. Organizations receive expert guidance and support at no charge for grant writing, formulation of project objectives and budget, and project management support to ensure successful implementation and grant requirement compliance.

Foundation funding will be directed to support an estimated 5-6 organizations in applying for and securing healthcare-focused funding. To date, the Arizona Economic Recovery Center has worked with 780 entities and secured $32.9M in grant funding.

Phoenix Public Library Foundation
Providing Wraparound Care to Ensure Success
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Underserved, low-income students and adults

Project: Connect an additional 120 students—including recipients of the Empowering Diversity Scholarship—to College Depot’s free, full-service college planning center. College Depot supports students in earning their high school diploma (or equivalent) and navigating the postsecondary education process. Services include 1:1 assistance, family consultation, and workshops on all aspects of the college planning process—from financial aid to career exploration.

Each student has an advisor who offers ongoing guidance, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with resources to remove barriers and ensure success.

Sister José Women’s Center
Impact Project for Equitable Access
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Pima

Population: Women of all backgrounds and gender identities who are experiencing homelessness and poverty

Project: Provide safe, low-barrier access to healthcare and housing to women who are often excluded and unwelcome in traditional or institutional settings. The program offers trauma-informed care; cultural safety for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) women who are disproportionately homeless; supportive services for complex care needs of women with multiple disabilities, co-morbidities, and age-related issues; and an inclusive and affirmative environment that supports gay, non-binary, and transgender women who have been stigmatized, harassed, and have difficulty in finding support services and housing. Wraparound services ensure clients receive access to healthcare, reduce barriers like transportation issues, and assist in finding employment and housing stability.

UMOM New Day Centers, Inc.
Emergency Family Shelter and Services
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Families experiencing homelessness

Project: Work to break the cycle of homelessness for families and future generations by responding to the immediate need for shelter, food, and healthcare while providing the support to prevent recurrent homelessness. UMOM empowers families to build on their strengths with 1:1 case management; employment services; advocacy with property management companies, landlords, and courts; connection to community resources; and supportive services for children and youth.

UMOM partners with organizations to connect residents to training and job opportunities, and with Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Circle the City to ensure that children and adult clients have access to healthcare.

Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels
Comfycozys for Children with Cancer and Life-Threatening Illnesses
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Statewide

Population: Children, youth, and families

Project: Reduce stress and anxiety for children experiencing cancer and other life-threatening diseases by providing adaptive chemo treatment apparel and mindfulness kits. The Comfycozy shirts are constructed for easy access to ports and have openings to hold tubes in place, so that children/teens have privacy and stay warm during treatment. Each of the 500 children served by the project also will receive items to boost their mental health and provide emotional relief including a stuffed animal, breathing and body scan exercises, gratitude journal, and art-focused mindful jar. The majority of kids and families served by Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels fall below the poverty line.

Arizona State University Foundation for A New American University
Growing Positive Childhood Experiences with Arizona PBS
Discretionary Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Statewide

Population: Children, youth, and families

Project: Reinforce positive childhood experiences (PCEs) in direct response to rising rates of youth mental health challenges. Arizona PBS will deploy three dimensions of support: 1) Positive Parenting Program speaker series and family workshops; 2) PBSKIDS Learn and Grow Together in-person workshop series for parents and young children (0-5) in an inner-city Phoenix housing complex for multigenerational families transitioning out of homelessness, domestic violence, or incarceration; and 3) broad public service announcement series (on-air, social, online) promoting mental health first aid and resilience.

Arizona State University Foundation for A New American University
Behavioral Health Integration ECHO
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Statewide

Population: Primary care providers (PCPs) across Arizona and, by extension, all the patients they serve

Project: Increase PCP capacity to identify and treat patients with behavioral health needs. Among patients with behavioral health needs, 60% are treated solely in primary care; 80% of antidepressant medications are prescribed by PCPs.

Project ECHO (extension for community healthcare outcomes) democratizes medical knowledge by bringing together an interdisciplinary team of experts and providing the opportunity for case consultation. The Behavioral Health Integration ECHO will host 24 one-hour sessions on a wide range of behavioral health topics including suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, long COVID and mental health, clinician wellness, etc.

Arizona State University Foundation for A New American University
Preventative Intervention to Support the Behavioral Health of Families Affected by Incarceration
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, Yavapai

Population: Caregivers of children of incarcerated parents (CIP)

Project: Prevent negative mental health outcomes for children and families affected by incarceration. As an applied research project, ASU will design a scalable, evidence-based preventive intervention program that supports CIP caregivers.

Through interviews and a community-led steering committee, ASU will develop online modules and facilitate group sessions (in-person and virtual) to build rapport, develop social supports, share resources, and reinforce skills. The intervention will be piloted in Maricopa and Pima counties, and then refined in preparation for a large-scale randomized trial. The project has the potential to impact health equity and future evidence-based programs for parenting and families.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America
BCBS-BGCA National Youth Mental Health Partnership
Discretionary Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Statewide

Population: Children and teens served by Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)

Project: Build capacity to offer a continuum of trauma-informed prevention and intervention methodologies at BGCA sites that strengthen youth emotional and mental wellness. BGCA will partner with external researchers to design a rigorous evaluation study on the effectiveness of a social-emotional development (SED) model in equipping clubs to create a trauma-informed environment, advance staff youth development practices, and develop youth SED skills. Funding will support BGCA’s ability to scale a trauma-informed approach to all 5,000+ clubs nationwide by 2026.

Cartwright School District No. 83
Behavioral Health Coping Skills and Suicide Awareness
Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: 14,000 students, K-8, across 20 schools in the Maryvale Village area of Phoenix where 87% of students qualify as low-income and 100% receive free lunch

Project: Build on the district’s multi-tiered system of support and positive behavioral interventions to bolster mental health for this high-need student population. Maryvale is a medically underserved and health professional shortage area where poverty and homeless encampments are prevalent.

Cartwright will address the prevalence of substance use, stress, and behavioral incidents (fights, aggression, sexual offenses, arson, school threats) by providing students in grades 7 and 8 with coping skills and suicide awareness education. Interactive assemblies will be a key component of the support, giving students the opportunity to learn together and talk openly about mental health. The district will also train all teachers and staff in suicide prevention, going beyond the Mitch Warnock Act (SB 1468) requirement by training those working with students younger than 6th grade.

Central Arizona Shelter Services
Health and Wellness for Homeless Individuals Ages 55+ and Those with a Disabling Condition
Discretionary Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Seniors aged 55+ and adults with a disabling condition who are experiencing homelessness

Project: Improve health equity and quality of life for vulnerable adults through a comprehensive health and wellness initiative that will be overseen by a new Wellness Navigator (WN). To help clients identify and manage health risks, the WN will deliver wellness education as part of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) day programming and provide 1:1 navigation and coaching to those who need more intensive support. The WN will collaborate with healthcare staff to incorporate health and wellness objectives in individualized case management plans.

Child Crisis Arizona
Supporting Mental Health in Foster Children and Youth
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Children and youth, ages 2-24

Project: Build staff capacity to provide behavioral healthcare services for foster children and youth in Child Crisis Arizona’s (CCA’s) emergency children’s shelter, group homes, and independent living program.

Hands-on behavioral health training for direct care staff will enable them to leverage evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing and trauma-informed cognitive behavioral health therapy. CCA will also hire a staff Behavioral Health Liaison who will serve as an education resource and healthy therapeutic outlet for children and youth who are resistant to or no longer responding to current modes of therapy due to their history of trauma and abuse.

Childhelp, Inc.
Trauma-based Therapy Services for Child Victims of Abuse/Neglect
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Children and youth

Project: Enable Childhelp Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC) of Arizona to fill a funding gap and continue providing free trauma therapy for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or crime. Funding will support the provision of approximately 100 mental health sessions a month to 32 children at no cost to the family (all non-Medicaid clients).

Services include individual, family, and group sessions, case planning, and coordination with schools, community agencies, child welfare, etc. The project also includes occupational therapy sensory integration, when indicated, to help the child’s nervous system better adapt to difficulties they have in receiving incoming sensory input.

Circle the City
Mental Health Street Outreach
Discretionary Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Men, women, and children facing homelessness

Project: Broaden street outreach healthcare with psychiatric nurse practitioner services. Circle the City’s outreach teams deliver primary, preventive, and mental healthcare services to individuals facing homelessness, resistant to healthcare, and living in uninhabitable places. The psychiatric nurse practitioner will lead the mental health team, which offers mental health assessments and services, community resource referrals, and screenings for intimate partner violence and substance use. The psychiatric nurse practitioner can also prescribe medication and recommend other treatment modalities and referrals as clinically indicated.

Differently Abled Mothers Empowerment Society
Mental Health Support for Caregivers
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Coconino, Maricopa, Pima

Population: Parents raising children with disabilities

Project: Teach caregivers skills to reduce stress, depression, anxiety, manage PTSD-like symptoms, and decrease the risk of child abuse that toxic stress can create.

The program will provide comprehensive support for caregivers including 52 counselor-led support groups, 26 yoga nidra classes, two self-care day seminars, and 12 community events. With a team of counselors, teachers, and trainers who have a direct connection to the disability community, Differently Abled Mothers Empowerment Society creates a safe space for caregivers to discuss challenges, equips them with effective techniques to increase their mental well-being and resilience, and provides opportunities for meaningful connections within their community.

Everybody Matters
Providing Social and Emotional Support for Under Resourced Arizona Schools
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Coconino, Maricopa

Population: Elementary, middle, and high school students

Project: Provide trauma-informed mental health services to students in underserved communities. Funding allows Everybody Matters to continue providing services to at-risk students at Killip Elementary in Flagstaff and expand to Madison #1 Middle School and South Pointe High School in Phoenix. The ratio of students to counseling staff at these schools is nearly double the ASCA-recommended 1:250. Three social work interns will work with students individually and in small groups, helping them develop skills to cope with their life circumstances, develop healthy and appropriate social skills, and to thrive emotionally. Everybody Matters also serves as a bridge to other care options when necessary.

Flagstaff Birth Support Fund
Postpartum Support to Improve the Mental Health of Underserved Families
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Coconino

Population: Infants and families in Flagstaff

Project: Increase access to postpartum doula support for underserved families in Flagstaff, providing supportive in-home practices that promote both maternal and infant mental health.

Flagstaff Birth Support Fund will offer 18 hours of postpartum doula support for 15 mothers/families — approximately 1.5 hours twice a week for the six weeks immediately after the birth of their infant. Doulas tailor support to the needs of mothers, newborns, and the family. Examples: helping mothers process postpartum emotions, teaching ways to respond to infant distress, and showing partners how they can support the birthing person. All moms will be screened for depression and referred to community resources for additional support.

Friends of Navajo County Anti-Drug Coalition, Inc., dba Nexus Coalition for Drug Prevention
Not All Wounds Are Visible – Educating on Mental Health and Suicide
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Navajo

Population: Children, youth, and adults

Project: Launch a resilience and suicide prevention project in southern Navajo County where suicide deaths are 35.3 per 100,000 as compared to Arizona’s overall 21.8 per 100,000.

Expecting to reach over 20,000 people, the coalition will partner with schools and agencies to increase well-being and deliver suicide prevention education. Workshops, youth mental health first aid training, family support groups, youth peer support-safe spaces training, and class presentations on stress reduction and coping skills are among the project activities. Given the county’s rural nature, education options through podcasts, YouTube, and Zoom will be available for those unable to attend in person.

Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc.
Mental Well-being at Girl Scout Summer Camp
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Apache, Coconino, Gila, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai

Population: Girls in grades K-12 attending summer camp and the young women who serve as camp counselors

Project: Respond to the increased levels of stress and anxiety observed in campers and counselors that have resulted from COVID-19 by hiring a Mental Health Specialist for the 2023 Girl Scout summer camp season. The specialist will serve all four camp properties for the seven weeks of camp, providing an additional layer of care and support for both campers and staff who are experiencing mental health challenges.

In addition, 25 camp staff will be trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid to further support the 2,000 girls and 125 counselors at summer camp.

HealthCorps, Inc.
Arizona Teens Make Health Happen
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa, Pima, Pinal

Population: Students in middle school and high school

Project: Deploy college-aged mentors to deliver the Teens Make Health Happen (TMHH) program at schools and school adjacent programs (such as Boys and Girls Clubs). Weekly, 1.5-hour sessions teach students mental well-being skills such as mindfulness, gratitude, meditation, healthy relationships, stress management, and social-media literacy.

TMHH participants pass these skills to their peers by hosting monthly activities on their campuses and in their communities. Events include interactive lunchtime demonstrations, wellness challenges, communication campaigns, service projects, and a health fair. For TMHH mentors, serving teens in their community equips them to bolster their own health and build leadership skills.

Kid in the Corner
Penny Pledge Youth Suicide Prevention Program
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Children and youth across eight school districts

Project: Provide youth suicide prevention and mental health awareness education to 4,000 students in grades 4-12.

The Penny Pledge program, developed in 2017 after the loss of 16-year-old Zach to suicide, normalizes mental health to break down stigma, talks about risk factors, shows kids how to reach out to others who seem sad and when to turn to an adult, and covers self-care. All students receive a penny in remembrance of Zach who was a coin collector, and they take the Penny Pledge to care for their mental health and to reach out to kids in need.

Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health
Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Mental health professionals and their patients, and the broader community

Project: Increase access to mental health and OUD/SUD services by expanding provider capacity to deliver a range of evidence-based treatment strategies. A federally qualified health center that serves people regardless of ability to pay, Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health will organize and conduct training for the mental health professionals on staff. Training will include MI (Motivational Interviewing), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) modalities, which are effective in treating trauma and addiction. The program also includes proactive engagement with the community to raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage early intervention and treatment.

notMYkid
Hispanic & Latine Youth Mental Health
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Mohave, Pima, Pinal

Population: Youth ages 10-17, parents, and caregivers

Project: Reduce youth mental health challenges and substance use disorder among the Hispanic & Latine community by reducing stigma and increasing access to care and skills that build resiliency.

notMYkid’s program breaks down access to care barriers through a 4-prong approach: 1) community education events (Cafécitos) for Spanish-speaking parents; 2) early intervention for families with youth experimenting with substances; 3) peer support for youth struggling with mental health; 4) help for parents in navigating the behavioral health system.

All services are delivered by bilingual staff with years of professional and personal experience in working with families.

Postpartum Support International – AZ Chapter
Building Perinatal Mental Health Network Adequacy Across Arizona
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Statewide

Population: Mental health providers and healthcare professionals

Project: Convert Arizona’s perinatal mental health (PMH) desert into an adequate, equitable statewide network that promotes awareness, reduces stigma, and ensures appropriate care. Minimal, if any, PMH training is included in mental health coursework even though PMH disorders are a leading side effect of giving birth. This capacity-building project solves that gap with a series of trainings that equip providers to identify early PMH signs, screen appropriately, and successfully refer patients to informed care. The organization has extensive collaborations in place to reach providers including AZ Rural Health Network, AZ Birthworkers of Color, Navajo Maternal Child Health Committee, AHCCCS, and others.

Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children
Rosie’s House Mental Health Support Initiative
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Underserved youth ages 4-18

Project: Build capacity to deepen meaningful mental health support for students and their families.

Rosie’s House provides free after-school musical programming for youth. The majority of students live in the top four Phoenix ZIP codes for socioeconomic disparity.

Proactively responding to the youth mental health crisis, Rosie’s House faculty and staff will be trained in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care. The project will employ bilingual surveys and focus groups to identify stressors and needs, and open conversations with youth and parents. Collaborating with the Arizona ACEs Consortium, Rosie’s House will build a mental health provider referral program.

Soldier’s Best Friend
Service/Therapeutic Companion Dog Training Program
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Cochise, Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, Yavapai

Population: Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Project: Pair a vetted rescue dog with a veteran living with PTSD or TBI, training the veteran/dog team together until the dog qualifies for service or therapeutic companion dog status.

There is no cost to the veteran and the program serves as a parallel support to psychiatric medical treatment. Veterans select tasks to teach their dog that will help lessen their symptoms (e.g., providing tactile distraction during a flashback, or bracing for a veteran who has balance challenges).

Improving PTSD/TBI symptoms translates to increased mental well-being, helps reduce risk for substance use disorder and suicide, and elevates quality of life.

Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired (SAAVI)
Behavioral Health Counselors for People in Arizona Who Are Blind
Competitive MH RFP, 2023
Counties: Maricopa, Pima

Population: People who are visually impaired and blind

Project: Provide free mental health services to help people cope with depression, isolation, and grief common to adjusting to and living with blindness. Services are provided by behavioral health counselors (BHCs) who are people with blindness and trained in working with the blind.

Adjustment to blindness counseling is not covered by insurance, and most of the population SAAVI serves are either uninsured or under-insured. This project closes the accessibility gap with services that include cognitive behavioral therapy, grief counseling, and support groups. BHCs also work with family members and provide resources or referrals to meet each client's needs.

The Joy Bus
Meal Delivery Program
Discretionary Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Meal insecure homebound cancer patients in the Phoenix area

Project: Deliver healthful meals, made with fresh, organic, non-GMO produce in eco-friendly and chemical-free packaging each week to at least 335 homebound cancer patients within the community. Meals utilize medically tailored conscious recipes to support individuals living with cancer, as well as provide opportunities for engagement and connection with others through the delivery programs.

Translational Genomics Research Institute
MindCrowd Project
Discretionary Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Pima, Yuma

Population: Adults of all ages and backgrounds

Project: Address disparities in health research and better understand brain health and STEM educational needs in underserved communities. Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is building on its MindCrowd brain health study with MindCrowd Mobile. This multifunctional mobile laboratory will reach all areas of Arizona, engaging a demographically representative cohort of individuals to participate in TGen’s Arizona-wide study of how a healthy brain works and when it doesn’t. The mobile labs will also conduct interactive STEM demonstrations and hands-on experiments to further interest in STEM.

Arizona Youth Partnership
Family Retention and Engagement in Substance Use Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Programs
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Mohave, Pima, Santa Cruz

Population: Youth ages 10-14 and their families

Project: Prevent and reduce the impact of substance use through a dual-program approach that increases protective factors against high-risk behaviors. A Foundation grant will bridge a funding gap to boost youth and family engagement in the Stronger Families Program facilitated by Arizona Youth Partnership (AZYP) by supporting family dinners, which are key to dialog, cohesion, and curriculum fidelity. Grant funding will also reduce financial barriers to youth participation in community or school-based hobbies (e.g., supplies, uniforms, sports equipment, etc.) that increase positive mental health.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America - Flagstaff
Empowering Native American Teens: SMART Moves Substance Prevention Program
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Coconino, Navajo

Population: Native American teenagers attending high school far from home and family

Project: Deliver SMART Moves, a comprehensive substance prevention program of Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), to Native American teens at three BCGA Flagstaff sites located in high school dormitories. SMART Moves empowers young people by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to make healthy choices, resist substance use, and improve self-confidence. Tailored to the unique strengths and needs of Native young people, this 16-week program reinforces cultural identity and pride as protective factors and fosters positive relationships with peers and mentors.

Cochise Harm Reduction
Strengthening Harm Reduction Access in Cochise County
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Cochise

Population: People who use drugs and have limited access to harm reduction and basic safety services

Project: Expand harm reduction and access to social services for people who use drugs (PWUD) through street outreach and peer support. Cochise Harm Reduction’s street outreach team meets people where they are, prioritizing unhoused individuals and those living with/at risk for HIV and HCV. The team offers naloxone, fentanyl test strips, hygiene kits, food, and more. Rapid HIV and HCV testing in the field and safe syringe exchange helps decrease rates of infectious disease. The peer support serves to both engage with people and provide part-time, de-stigmatizing employment for PWUD.

Easterseals Blake Foundation
Inspiring Sobriety
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Cochise, Graham, Pima, Yuma

Population: Adults including veterans, seniors, and those who are unsheltered

Project: Pilot the Contingency Management (CM) evidence-based intervention with 300 clients who are seeking intensive outpatient services for substance use disorder. CM, also referred to as motivational incentives, effectively treats all types of substance use and supports long-term abstinence.

Clients receive at least nine hours of Easterseals Blake Foundation (EBF) services, have weekly therapist visits, meet with their healthcare provider weekly (especially if they are receiving medication assisted treatment), and participate in a minimum of one community-based service such as Narcotics Anonymous. Funding will allow EBF to scale the CM model and implement it with clients in the Tucson area.

Jacob's Hope
Health and Social Service Liaison
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa, Pinal

Population: Expectant moms with substance use disorder and postpartum moms of babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Project: Promote recovery and mental health for underserved women and children by adding a Health and Social Services Liaison to the Jacob’s Hope team. The Liaison will focus on four areas of support: 1) education about rights as a pregnant patient and person who uses substances; 2) trauma-informed case management; 3) comprehensive care plans by facilitating coordination among healthcare providers, substance use treatment centers, and child welfare agencies; and 4) supportive services including therapy, parenting classes, and peer support. The Liaison will also be a bridge between DCS and parents with the goal to reduce the number of infants requiring foster care placement.

The Haven
Substance Use Disorder Recovery Program for Women
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Pima

Population: Women seeking or in treatment for substance use disorder and their children/families

Project: Increase recovery success for women in the Haven’s residential and intensive outpatient programs by expanding clinical staff expertise in evidence-based treatment modalities. The Haven serves women, the majority of whom are experiencing poverty or homelessness. This SUD x health equity project will train Haven staff who will immediately implement the practices with their clients. Training includes motivational interviewing and three programs addressing a range of needs: relapse triggers, anger and violence management, and moral development support for treatment-resistant clients. A fourth program engages every member of the patient’s family in a community meal followed by group activities (by age).

Neighborhood Ministries
It Takes a Village: A Substance Use Prevention Program
Discretionary Grant Cycle 1, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Underserved Latino youth and families in inner-city Phoenix

Project: Equip Neighborhood Ministries to deliver its culturally competent, trauma-informed prevention and response program with in-house staff. Funding will eliminate the need for contracted services to conduct the organization’s Kids Life Program (serving K-7th graders), Sueños Youth Empowerment Center (serving young people in 8th grade-college), and Parenting por Vida Program (serving parents of young children). Through the programs, Neighborhood Ministries delivers evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral Botvin LifeSkills Training, Narcan training, trauma-informed care for teens designed to improve mental health, and therapeutic arts programming. Training in trauma-informed, psychosocial arts-based interventions for frontline workers, volunteers, and community leaders is also provided.

Valley Leadership
Opioid Stigma Reduction Impact Team
Discretionary Grant Cycle 2, 2023
Counties: Maricopa

Population: Arizona-based businesses and organizations

Project: Increase understanding among Arizona company leaders about the unrelenting impact of the opioid crisis and the affect opioid use disorder (OUD) has on their business and the community. Two events will bring together leaders from Valley Leadership’s (VL) Opioid Stigma Reduction Impact Team, insurance experts, employee resource group leaders, healthcare leaders, and local organizations including Community Medical Services. Through education, VL expects to motivate leaders to adopt its OUD toolkit to reduce stigma and create a more supportive workplace culture.

AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, Inc.

1N10, Inc. dba one-n-ten

Advance Community

Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels

Arizona Informant Newspaper

Arizona Science Center

Assistance League of East Valley

Assistance League of Phoenix

Arizona State University (ASU) Gammage

Arizona State University (ASU) Foundation for A New University

Aunt Rita’s Foundation

Autism Life and Living

Beatitudes Campus

Best Buddies International

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, Inc.

Birthing the Magic Collaborative

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arizona

Children’s Museum Tucson

Chinle Planting Hope

Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.

Copper Queen Community Hospital Foundation

Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona

FIBCO Family Services

Foothills Community Foundation

Gamma Mu Educational Services

Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona

Helping Hands for Single Moms

Homeward Bound

HonorHealth Foundation

Hushabye Nursery

Jessie Rees Foundation

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

Manzanita Outreach

Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation

Meals of Joy

Mental Health America of Arizona

Mesa Arts Center

Military Assistance Mission

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH)

Nourish Phoenix

One Community Foundation

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones

Parker Community Senior Center

Persevere

Phoenix Indian Center

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona

Solari Crisis and Human Services

Sounds of Autism

Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation, Inc.

The Centers for Habilitation

The Pete C. Garcia Victoria Foundation

The Skin Cancer Institute

Town of Springerville Community Services and Senior Center

Translational Genomics Research Institute

Tu Nidito Children and Family Services

United Food Bank

Yuma Community Food Bank

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