DW Admin – Page 38 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Sí Texas Project to boost healthcare in Rio Grande Valley

DW Admin on November 6, 2014

By Rebecca "Becca" Brune, Vice President of Strategic Planning & Growth

When Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) approved a funding alternatives strategic initiative last April, we shifted our operational model quite dramatically. Prior to that time, MHM's single revenue source came from its one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System (MHS) – the largest health care system in South Texas. This ownership seat provided the organization a pool of money to dedicate to its own owned and operated programs, and to serve as a source of funding to like-minded nonprofits with a similarly-focused mission of providing quality health care to the uninsured or underinsured.

The ability to seek funding beyond what our ownership of MHS provides us meant that MHM could now seek out alternate sources of funding to address the severe lack of health care services to a large population of South Texans and have a stronger impact on population health outcomes. Now over a year since the organization's board of directors first approved the initiative, we're pleased to see our grant-seeking efforts being realized.

On Sep. 17, at the Social Innovation Fund Convening in Washington, DC, the Corporation for National and Community Service named MHM among one of seven new grant awards. The Social Innovation Fund (SIF), a key White House initiative and program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) was created in 2009. MHM is counted in the fund's fifth class of grantees and is the only faith-based organization in the nation to receive an award.

Through SIF, MHM was awarded $10 million to serve as an intermediary. The project, being referred to a Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas, will support integrated behavioral health models to stimulate improvements in behavioral health and chronic disease in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, Kenedy, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Zapata, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg and Webb counties.

In accordance with SIF's model, MHM will match every federal dollar 1-to-1 in cash and then select nonprofit organizations, or subgrantees, through an open process for awards which will range from $250,000 to $2 million per year for up to five years. These grant awards are intended to leverage additional cash match 1:1 from nonfederal funding sources.

The request for proposals is available at MHM.org/SíTexas. On Nov. 11, MHM will host a press conference in McAllen to officially announce the project.

Federal Program Marks Fifth Anniversary; Announces $51.8 Million in Investments to Grow Community Solutions That Work

DW Admin on October 31, 2014

September 17, 2014

Key Obama Administration Initiative Makes Investments in Seven Organizations Focused on Innovative Solutions, Expanding Economic Opportunity for Youth, and Leveraging Collective Impact Approaches

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced an investment of $33.7 million in seven of the nation’s leading grantmakers. The investments, which were announced at the live-streamed opening plenary of the SIF’s Annual Grantee Convening, will help grow innovative, evidence-based organizations that work on youth development, economic opportunity, and healthy futures. $18.1 million in continuation funding was also announced for existing grantees to sustain program growth.

By the end of this year SIF and its non-federal partners will have provided more than $700 million in funding to groups and organizations that are committed to finding the best solutions for their communities’ challenges. In partnership with more than 30 intermediaries, who in turn have invested in more than 200 nonprofits in 37 states and Washington, DC , the SIF portfolio now represents a $243.4 million federal investment. This investment is expected to leverage more than $540 million in non-federal match commitments.

The 2014 class of grantees includes two community foundations, a first for the SIF. All seven new grantees will also be leveraging, and testing, a Collective Impact model through which communities work collaboratively across sectors to identify challenges, set goals, and track progress together.

“We are excited about this new class of Social Innovation Fund grantees because they are among the most cutting edge grant-makers in social innovation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “The investment in these organizations will not only bolster local programs’ capacity to serve more individuals in need, but also provide communities with programs that work.”

In the next several months, these intermediary organizations will host their own competitions to select innovative, effective nonprofits. Successful applicants will receive grants of $100,000 or more for periods of three to five years. Each organization must show at least preliminary evidence of impact. Nonprofits will work with the SIF and the intermediary organizations to design rigorous evaluation plans that will increase levels of evidence. The evaluation plans will also lead to replicable models and meaningful lessons for the broader social sector.

“Five years ago the Social Innovation Fund was created to find solutions that work, and make them work for more people – signaling a shift in the way the government and philanthropy invest in community solutions,” said Michael Smith, director of the Social Innovation Fund. “Five years later, we’ve become a national solutions accelerator and amplifier, investing hundreds of millions of dollars, along with our private sector partners to prove, improve and scale solutions that work. This newest class of grantees will take our work to new heights and deeper depths, with a greater emphasis on collective impact and data-driven mobilization, and an urgent focus on big bets to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our communities.”

The grantees include:

AARP Foundation, The Women’s Economic Stability Initiative
An investment of $3 million will allow the AARP Foundation to expand its Women’s Economic Stability Initiative (WESI) to low-income women ages 50 to 64 in Alabama, Florida, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas. WESI provides support at the individual and community levels to help women find employment in growth industries and increase their financial capability.
Boston Foundation, Boston Coaching for Completion
A grant of $2.7 million for one year will allow the Boston Foundation to implement Boston Coaching for Completion, an effort designed to raise post-secondary completion rates, especially for the most vulnerable youth populations in the Boston area.
Jobs for the Future, Inc., Opportunity Youth Innovation Fund
Through a $6 million investment, Jobs for the Future and its partner, the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions, seeks to improve education and career outcomes for youth disconnected from school or work, also known as Opportunity Youth, in 12 communities across the country. The expectation is that participating youth will earn a diploma or its equivalent and enter postsecondary education at twice the rate of peers who do not receive these services.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy Texas
A $10 million grant will allow Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas to implement a program designed to improve rates of depression and diabetes in high-poverty communities in the Rio Grande Valley.
Share Our Strength, The No Kid Hungry Campaign: Ending Childhood Hunger in America
With $1.5 million in funding from the SIF, Share Our Strength will accelerate the growth of its No Kid Hungry campaign. With a bold goal to end childhood hunger in the U.S., Share Our Strength plans to complete the first ever assessment of the impact of childhood hunger of a comprehensive strategy that engages all five federal nutrition programs.
Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Big Lift Social Innovation Fund
$7.5 million will allow the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to implement The Big Lift, a collective impact collaborative of more than 100 organizations that will provide funds to preschool and other organizations involved in the academic and social education of preschool students and is designed to increase the number of third graders who read proficiently in 11 high need school districts in San Mateo County, California.
United Way of Greenville County, Middle Grades Success Initiative
Through a $3 million grant, United Way of Greenville County will design a dropout prevention program for middle grade students. The program will use an Early Warning Response System, real-time data to identify students who begin to disengage from school. A team will then match students with appropriate interventions and resources

$18.1 million in continuation funding was also announced today for existing grantees to sustain program growth.

The SIF provides grant funding to experienced grantmaking intermediaries that identify the most promising programs and guide them towards greater impact and stronger evidence of success. These grants range from $1 to$10 million annually for up to five years. The intermediaries then match the federal funds dollar-for-dollar and hold open competitions to identify high-performing nonprofit organizations that help low-income communities and have innovative solutions with evidence of compelling results. Once selected, these nonprofits must also match the funds they receive, and participate in rigorous evaluations of the impact of their programs. The nonprofits share data, lessons learned and results – helping to build the capacity of the social sector and lift up solutions that can transform lives and communities.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

View original article at http://www.nationalservice.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/federal-program-marks-fifth-anniversary-announces-518-million.

2nd Annual Diaper Drive in Smithville: A community effort

DW Admin on October 30, 2014

By Sharlene Scheler, Wesley Nurse, Smithville

Over 15,000 diapers collected

SharleneScheler

I have always enjoyed helping people. My responsibility as a Wesley Nurse is to be aware of the needs within my community and then finda way to help. One Smithville need that I quickly identified was the high demand for children and adult diapers.

Diapers are very expensive so I determined holding a diaper drive was one way that I could help. Believe it or not, there are many families in the area struggling to provide very basic needs including affording something as basic as diapers. Last year was our inaugural event. We collected 4,000 diapers. That was wonderful. This year was amazing! I promoted this year's event by distributing flyers to local businesses. The local Chamber advertised the diaper drive in their newsletter and the local newspaper promoted it as well. The church's Health Committee helped me make signs for the church too. It was really a group effort, even my husband helped. We collected over 15,000 diapers.

All the diapers collected will be sent to the Smithville Food Pantry for distribution. In addition, some of the children's diapers will be distributed to local organizations helping those in need through the My Baby and Me Maternity Home. It is great to see the wide reach and positive impact our drive was able to make within the community. I'm very proud of our success.

Seeing the relief on the mothers and grandmothers faces when they get that big box of diapers for their little ones proves how important this drive is. God is good. I've witnessed his work through the coming together of people to support this event.

MHM treats team members to daylong “skip day”

DW Admin on October 29, 2014

MHM treats team members to daylong “skip day”

I’ve got spirit, yes, I do… I’ve got spirit, how about you? Methodist Healthcare Ministries was full of spirit at the 2014 MHM Retreat also known as #MHMSkipDay.

Last Friday, team members were granted a “skip day” from work gathering together at the Main Event entertainment center for the annual MHM Retreat. The retreat provides an opportunity for the executive management team to share information about the current state of the business and offer insight into upcoming events. Tenured team members celebrating 5, 10 or 15 years with the organization were also honored for their service during an award ceremony. The main purpose of the retreat is to show gratitude for the dedication of each MHM team member and provide a time for fellowship.

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There were a wide variety of activities to choose from, including laser tag, ropes course, arcade games, bingo, photo booth, bowling and billiards tournaments. “We wanted to show our appreciation for the staff and all they do in support of our mission throughout the year. The MHM Retreat is one way we recognize their contributions while also having a lot fun,” explained Oanh Maroney-Omitade, vice president of community health programs and organizational learning. The retreat was organized by MHM’s Ambassador Academy, a select group of team members participating in a one-year program that focuses on skill development and leadership opportunities.

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A highlight of the day was the announcement of the executive management team awards. With titles such as “Miss Congeniality” and “Too Cool for School” these endearing awards had everyone guessing until the recipients’ names were read.

“I really enjoyed visiting with team members I don’t see on a daily basis. I’m thankful to work for an organization that cares deeply about our clients and also takes time to recognize its team members.” shared Susan Garcia, administrative assistant.

National Night Out attracts families to Wesley Health & Wellness Center

DW Admin on October 29, 2014

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ (MHM) Wesley Health & Wellness Center (WHWC) joined millions of people worldwide on Aug. 5 in observation of National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. MHM clients, team members, neighbors and the San Antonio Police Department joined together to show support for the San Antonio Southside community where WHWC is positioned.

WHWC NNO-5

Balloon characters, face painting, a bounce house, basketball, ping-pong and many more family-friendly games entertained the masses. Music kept the motivation high as an outdoor Zumba class showed that fitness could be fun. When the WHWC line dancing group performed, they proved to all in attendance that you can keep moving at any age—they were all seniors, but very young at heart. Los Mariachitos de Wesley, a cultural arts program based at WHWC, graced the crowd with the gift of music. The Wesley Café provided a warm meal and tables sprinkled throughout the campus shared information with guests about the medical, dental, nursing, behavioral health, counseling and family wellness programs offered at WHWC.

WHWC NNO-20

In the end, the National Night Out event increased awareness of crime and drug prevention programs within local neighborhoods. The annual celebration seeks to strengthen neighborhood spirit and community law enforcement partnerships, which enables improved communication and promotes safer communities.

MHM recognized for commitment to wellness

DW Admin on October 29, 2014

On Sep. 18, MHM was recognized as a finalist for the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2014 Healthiest Employer’s Awards. This honor applauds the organization’s commitment to creating and maintaining a healthy workplace.

Several team members represented MHM at an awards breakfast held at the Pearl Stables to help celebrate corporate wellness programs. The second annual awards event began with a one mile walk along the San Antonio River Walk and included free health screenings. Team members met with local finalists and award winners who are dedicated to leading the way in creating the best workplace wellness programs in San Antonio.

“We have access to many helpful benefits through MHM’s employee wellness program, MHM Be Well. It reminds me of how much MHM cares about the team’s wellbeing. That also makes me proud to work at MHM,” shared Regina Garcia, benefits administrator. For more information about MHM’s benefits package, visit www.mhm.org/contact/careers.

What is your favorite part of the MHM Be Well program? Please share your comments below.

There’s a New Wesley Nurse in Town

DW Admin on October 20, 2014

By Bonnita Bale, RN

There is a new addition to the First United Methodist Church family in Robert Lee and Bronte. My name is Bonnita Bale, and I am a Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Nurse. What is a Wesley Nurse you ask? I am a Registered Nurse, but instead of working in a hospital or clinic setting, I work in the community in partnership with the church to offer holistic health education and services, while practicing the values of the faith community.

I can provide blood pressure and glucose screenings and education on various conditions and diseases at no cost. Likewise, I may also be a resource to those who are uninsured and in need of supplies to manage their health, such as glucose testing supplies or referring to other agencies for additional programs or services. I focus on caring for the whole person—body, mind and spirit. Everyone is welcome and all classes are free. Our ministry is to help prevent illness and disease by educating the public, while helping the underserved in our community.

The Wesley Nurse office is located behind the Methodist Church in Bronte and Robert Lee. I’m in Bronte on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings; and, in Robert Lee I am in the office on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon. Please stop by my office anytime with any questions you might have, or call 325-473-2069.

MHM Raises more than $30,000 for the National MS Society

DW Admin on October 14, 2014

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling, disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Millions of people are affected by MS and the challenges of living with its unpredictable symptoms, which range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

In partnership with the Methodist Healthcare System, we have formed a team to participate in the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River on October 11 & 12.

Bike MS is a weekend-lone and life-long opportunity to make a difference. It’s a group effort that transcends personal accomplishment and touches the lives of thousands of people affected by MS in our community.

Our 2014 fundraising goal is $72,500. To date, we have recruited 70 members to the team and raised over $30,000 to support cutting-edge research and programs and services for everyone impacted by MS.

To donate to MHvsMS or join the team, visit our team page at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?team_id=388727&pg=team&fr_id=22999.

MHM Joins EnrollSA

DW Admin on October 13, 2014

Latinos are the uninsured at the highest rate of any ethnic group in the United States (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). 52% of women report delaying medical needs because of cost (Commonwealth Fund, 2009).

That’s why, in part, EnrollSA, a coalition of grassroots nonprofit, health care and government leaders to empower individuals to take advantage of the affordable care act to increase health care coverage in Bexar county, was founded.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has a long history of partnering with like-minded organizations to increase health care coverage for South Texans. Joining EnrollSA helps us move closer to ensuring all residents receive the care they deserve.

Connect with EnrollSA at www.enrollsa.com or join the conversation by using the hashtag #EnrollSA or #GetBexarCovered.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Advocacy Campaign Awarded Notable Honorable Mention

DW Admin on September 29, 2014

Methodist Healthcare Ministries joins a prestigious list of nonprofit public relations professionals who have been recognized for their creativity and inspiration by world-renowned industry leader, Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc. MHM's What If: A Texas Solution to Medicaid campaign has been selected as an honorable mention in the best advocacy/awareness campaign category of Ragan Communication's PR Daily 2014 Nonprofit PR Awards. Of 150 submissions, MHM was selected as one of five honorable mentions. Other notable honorable mentions include the Avon Foundation for Women, Carnegie Corporate of New York and Steege Thomson for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

To view a full list of the 2014 Nonprofit PR Awards winners, visit: http://www.prdaily.com/Awards/NPA2014.aspx. Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc. publishes leading communication newsletters that are read by public relations and corporate communicators across the country. After more than 30 years, Ragan has become a trusted resource for timely, practical and relevant information that professionals use to help support and improve their communication skills and strategies. In addition to the 16 newsletters published by Ragan, they also offer conferences, workshops and senior-level forums for further skill development.

MHM-funded scholarship helps address the professional shortage in South Texas

DW Admin on September 28, 2014

Erica is the proud recipient of the George Wray & Col. Vane Hugo Scholarship funded by MHM. As a first-generation college student, Erica believes without the financial support the scholarship provided her she wouldn’t have been able to put in the hours necessary to succeed. “I certainly wouldn’t have been able to finish graduate school…,” explains Erica.

The scholarship, honoring George Wray and Col. Vane Hugo, has helped pay for seven years of Erica’s education.

Erica has since graduated with her Master of Science in nursing degree and is working as a nurse practitioner providing mental health care to the underserved in rural areas of South Texas.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Receives $10 Million Federal Investment to Enhance Health Outcomes in South Texas

DW Admin on September 17, 2014

Sept. 17, 2014

Award is the first of its kind in Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) Social Innovation Fund (SIF) today announced that Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) received $10 million in investments, the results of a highly competitive open grant competition. The investment, announced at the SIF’s Annual Grantee Convening, in Washington D.C., will help expand innovative, evidence-based solutions to challenges facing low-income communities across the country in the areas of youth development, economic opportunity and healthy futures.

Five years into the program launched by President Obama in 2009, the Social Innovation Fund and its non-federal partners have committed to invest more than $700 million in effective community solutions. Including the grants announced today, the SIF portfolio now represents a $229.3 million federal investment in partnership with 27 intermediaries co-investing in 217 nonprofits in 37 states and Washington, DC. This modest federal investment is expected to leverage more than $540 million in non-federal match commitments.

Since its inception, MHM has invested over $550 million in healthcare services through its clinics and programs, as well as through its partnerships, and has the unique distinction of being the largest private funding source for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

This year alone, MHM has provided $22.3 million in grants to 75 non-profit agencies that are also providing primary medical and dental care, behavioral health and social services to low-income families and the uninsured in their respective communities. The funds received through the Social Innovation Fund will be used to provide additional funding to organizations through a competitive application process, ranging from $250,000 to $2 million, and will include rigorous measurement and evaluation procedures to build sub-grantees’ capacity to increase the level of evidence supporting the efficacy of their programs.

“We are excited about this new class of Social Innovation Fund grantees because they are among the most cutting edge grantmakers in social innovation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “The investment in these organizations will not only bolster local programs capacity to serve more individuals in need, but also provide communities with programs that work.”

“Funding from the Social Innovation Fund will complement MHM’s current investments in South Texas, while at the same time, as part of its Board of Directors’ strategic direction, allow the organization to engage in regional collaborative strategies,” explained Kevin C. Moriarty, MHM president and CEO. “Most importantly, it will allow us to leverage critical resources for agencies that are providing much-needed services in areas of tremendous need.”

This new class of grantees represents several firsts for the SIF, and addresses the major funding priorities of this competition to reemphasize innovation, expand opportunity for those in greatest need and collective impact over incremental programmatic gains. The 2014 cohort includes the SIF’s first two community foundation grantees, expansion to high-needs populations in the South East, South West and Northern California, and programs focused on older women facing economic hardship, childhood hunger and Opportunity Youth (youth 16-24 disconnected from school and work). And, in an overwhelming response to a new funding priority, all seven grantees will be leveraging and testing, a Collective Impact model, where communities work collaboratively across sectors to identify challenges, set goals and track progress together.

“Five years ago the Social Innovation Fund was created to find solutions that work, and make them work for more people – signaling a shift in the way the government and philanthropy invests in community solutions. Five years later, we’ve become a national solutions accelerator and amplifier, investing hundreds of millions of dollars, along with our private sector partners to prove, improve and scale solutions that work. This newest class of grantees will take our work to new heights and deeper depths, with a greater emphasis on collective impact and data-driven mobilization, and an urgent focus on big bets to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our communities,” said Michael Smith, Director of the Social Innovation Fund.

In the next several months Methodist Healthcare Ministries will hold an open competition to select innovative, effective nonprofits to receive grants. These solutions must have at least preliminary evidence of impact, and nonprofits will work the SIF and the intermediary organizations to design rigorous evaluation plans that will increase levels of evidence and lead to replicable models and meaningful lessons for the broader social sector.