History

Founded in 1999, the Health Funders Partnership of Orange County has grown to a group of fifteen foundation, corporate, private non-profit, and public sector funders. The Partnership initially convened to review the findings of the Orange County Health Needs Assessment (OCHNA) and explore the feasibility of collaborative grant making.

Diabetes Initiative

Recognizing the need for better access to health care services (including prevention and education), the Partnership members agreed that a focus on a chronic disease could be used to model a systemic approach to care. Based on the findings of the 1999 Orange County Health Needs Assessment, Type II Diabetes rose prominently as an urgent need to be addressed. Systemic change does not happen overnight and the Partnership is committed to a long-term solution. Two three-year grant projects have been completed and ground-work is being laid for the next phase.

Healthy Smiles

The lack of dental care for children was another urgent need identified in the 1999 OCHNA report. The Partnership "incubated" the idea of children's oral health programs and retained consultants to develop a community pediatric dental program focusing on prevention, education, and treatment. The result was Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, a non-profit organization, founded in 2003.

Health Care Safety Net

In September 2004, the Health Funders Partnership was approached to head a county-wide effort around strengthening the healthcare safety net in Orange County. Over forty organizations came to the table and have participated in this collaborative effort since inception. This resulted in the establishment of the AccessOC, the Children's Health Initiative of Orange County and a $51 million federal grant to the County of Orange Health Care Agency Medical Services Initiative to enhance and expand care to the county's most vulnerable population.

In July 2008, the Health Funders Partnership of Orange County, in association with the County of Orange Health Care Agency and the Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics, launched the Primary Care Initiative. The focus is to provide a strong and effective, financially stable primary care system that supports the health care needs of low income residents.

The Future

This is just the beginning. Every day more children have medical insurance. Every week more uninsured adults receive primary and preventative care. Every month more surgeries are performed and more health care professionals work to expand access to specialty care. Every year the quality of life is improved for thousands of people living in Orange County.

The Health Funders Partnership of Orange County is currently chaired by Richard Chambers, CEO, CalOptima. The Partnership meets bi-monthly, and a Management Committee of six, meets as needed to conduct the business of the Partnership.

The Volunteer Center Orange County

The Volunteer Center Orange County serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Health Funders Partnership. To learn more about the programs and services offered by the Volunteer Center Orange County please visit www.volunteercenter.org.