Significant Funding Secured for OCHNA

By Jon Gilwee, VP Healthcare Assoc. of So. Calif.,

Last year’s preparations to conduct the Orange County Health Needs Assessment have effectively produced available project funding in the amount of $363,000. The Healthcare Association of Southern California and the Orange County Health Care Agency, with the Orange County Community Foundation acting as fiscal agent, approached the California Endowment regarding funding for the project and were successful in securing a $213,000 grant from the Endowment. The Orange County Health Care Agency has funded a $100,000 administrative services agreement with HASC for provision of dedicated staff and services to manage the project. In addition, HASC Orange County member hospitals have contributed over $60,000 to the project. Supplementing these financial contributions are additional contributions of in-kind support and services being provided by the Orange County Health Care Agency, HASC, participating Orange County hospitals, and other participating organizations.

As originally conceived, the project budget was estimated at $328,000. It is already evident that some aspects, including expenses for the community survey component, will exceed initial budgeted amounts. The OCHNA Executive Steering Committee has also expressed its desire to community health needs assessment evolve into a continuous process, rather than an effort completed every several years. In order to provide funding to support additional and necessary project expenses and to provide funding to look toward the future when this specific project is completed, other entities that are stakeholders in the health of Orange County are being asked to contribute. Those entities include health plans and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), large employers, and large medical groups. This project represents a significant community based undertaking that, when completed, should produce model results.

OCHNA Contact: Pamela Austin, MSW, Director
Site provided by: Joshua Wallingford - County of Orange
Copyright 1998, OCHNA, Joshua Wallingford