Partnership Projects

Preventing Type II Diabetes

The Health Funders Partnership was formed in 1999 to provide funders an opportunity to leverage their resources around specific health issues and create systemic change. Initially, the Partnership directed its efforts toward the treatment and ultimate prevention of Type II Diabetes. To date, more than $3.3 million in grants have been awarded to 10 organizations and the accomplishments are impressive. The Preventing Type II Diabetes Project has been a model for systems change and health philanthropy in Orange County and the work is continuing.

Orange County Health Care Safety Net

In 2004, the Partnership was asked to address the lack of a strong health care safety net in Orange County and the Safety Net Coalition was formed. Over 40 organizations are collaborating in the development of strategic interventions to create and sustain a comprehensive health care safety net for the most vulnerable members of our community. As a result, the Children's Health Initiative was formed with the goal of reducing the number of uninsured children in the county; AccessOC was established to addresses the chronic shortage of specialist physicians available to treat uninsured patients; and financial support resulted in a $51 million federal grant to enhance the Orange County Health Care Agency Medical Services Initiative program. 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 Health Funders Partnership is making a significant – and lasting – impact on the uninsured and under-insured's ability to access healthcare.