Florida Blue Foundation Awards $2.5 Million in Grants for Health Solutions to Aid Underserved Populations and Improve Consumer Health

Innovative programs such as using Uber to transport people to follow-up doctor appointments and programs that help consumers take control of their health have earned 10 Florida community-based health nonprofits a share of $2.5 million in funding from the Florida Blue Foundation. The grants will enable the nonprofits to deliver creative and effective ways to improve health care for underserved, underinsured and low-income individuals across the state. 

The mission of the Florida Blue Foundation is to help people and communities achieve better health. The Foundation funds programs and initiatives that are closely aligned to its mission, investment strategies and four focus areas. The announced grants are strategically allocated toward philanthropic, community-based solutions in two of the four focus areas:  

Advance Innovation and Promote Solutions in the Health Care System:

• BayCare Health System – Pinellas County and Pasco County, $300,000

A partnership with Uber Technologies to develop, introduce and operate a non-emergency transportation solution for 1,000 low income, post-acute Pinellas and Pasco County patients to access follow-up health services.

• Community Hospice of Northeast Florida – St. Johns County, $300,000

In collaboration with Flagler Hospital, Community Hospice will provide care management services for 400 underserved, end-of-life patients who are not yet eligible for hospice.

• Florida Keys Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program – Monroe County, $270,000

Keys AHEC will work with the Monroe County School District and the school health program to deploy full-time primary care medical services in six school-based clinics.

• Grace Medical Home – Orange County, $274,200

This grant will focus on prevention and patient engagement to improve health behaviors through the robust use of technology. The program will promote health equity by closing existing health care gaps.

• Health Council of East Central Florida – Seminole County, $260,224

This program will bring health care via paramedics to approximately 662 uninsured and underinsured Seminole County residents who need regular medical visits but have mobility or transportation restrictions.

• St. Vincent’s HealthCare Foundation – Putnam County, $89,983

The grant expands St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Senior HUD Housing program to a retirement community in Putnam County serving 76 residents who are struggling to remain independent. 

Improve Consumer Health:

• Florida Department of Health in Duval County—Duval County, $289,000

The grant supports a project to educate and increase awareness among children and their parents about the link between mental health, nutrition and wellness.

• Hispanic Services Council--Hillsborough County, $239,000

Viva! will promote healthy living and mental well-being using Promotoras (Community Health Workers) who will work with Latino families in southern Hillsborough County.

• Jessie Trice Community Health Center—Miami-Dade County, $250,000

The Get in CONTRL! Project will use a mobile unit and trained certified Community Health Workers to conduct outreach and education focused on health literacy and access to services.

• IMPOWER, Inc.—Osceola County, $222,000

Health Advocacy Services will be added to empower vulnerable clients to better manage their own care and improve their overall wellness.

About Florida Blue Foundation

Florida Blue Foundation enables healthy communities by making grants, building coalitions and rewarding best practices. More than three million people in Florida have received direct health services as a result of grants made to nonprofit organizations since its founding in 2001. Florida Blue Foundation is a trade name of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.floridabluefoundation.com.