The number of uninsured Virginians is growing at an alarming pace. Fewer employers are offering health insurance benefits to their employees and health insurance premiums are increasingly unaffordable.
Compounding the problem is the fact that many Virginians live in communities with a shortage of doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, hygienists, and other providers. There are too few providers to care for all the people who need help — insured or not.
Health Access Grants-Most VHCF grants work to increase access to healthcare for uninsured Virginians and those who live in areas with limited access to care. Barriers to healthcare access take many forms and can be caused by a variety of factors. Grant applicants are encouraged to develop initiatives in the following areas based on their local needs.
- Developing or Expanding Capacity – This includes initiatives that establish new outlets of care for uninsured or medically underserved Virginians, as well as those that enable existing programs to serve a greater number of patients. Examples include proposals to add new primary care providers (medical, mental health, dental, pharmacists); undertake a strategic expansion of physical infrastructure; utilize technology to expand access (e.g., telemedicine); or seek to implement an innovative model of service delivery.
- Establishing a Broader Scope of Services – Some organizations are interested in adding new services to those they currently offer. Proposals to add key primary care services (e.g. mental health, dental); institute programs to enhance care of uninsured, chronically ill patients; or utilize technology (e.g. telehealth or tele-mental health) to enhance and expand access to primary care in underserved areas fall within the parameters of this funding track.
- Accelerating Licensure of Behavioral Health Professionals – There is a compelling shortage of behavioral health professionals throughout the state, particularly in the 77 localities that are federally designated as mental health professional shortage areas. There are many masters-prepared social workers and counselors who require oversight for a defined period of time by a licensed professional in their field, before they can become licensed. VHCF will consider proposals for funding to pay the salary and benefits of these masters-prepared therapists from local organizations that will provide the required oversight from a trained behavioral health professional.
- Creating Local Coordinated Systems of Care – VHCF is interested in stimulating and supporting local initiatives that will result in a community-wide coordinated network of care for the uninsured and the medically underserved, and invites proposals designed to achieve this. This funding track is appropriate for communities where there are several organizations that have a vision of working more closely together to achieve greater synergies and efficiencies both for their patients/clients and for their operations by creating or enhancing interoperability among providers.
It's important to note that VHCF does not fund projects that are just good ideas. It funds projects that are great ideas backed by well thought-out plans of action. Applications are scrutinized thoroughly to ensure strong project leadership, a well-articulated vision, a solid operating plan, community support, and long-term financial viability.