The combined impact of the funding is expected to reach and improve health for thousands of residents.

MIAMI, FL- Health Foundation of South Florida’s Board of Directors approved $1,282,700 for grants focused on increasing access to quality, primary health care; healthy eating active communities; preventive health-measures; oral health, as well as other community health needs. The grants, which range from $25,000 to $200,000, were awarded to 18 nonprofit health-related organizations in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

According to Health Foundation of South Florida Chairwoman Divina Grossman, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, “Supporting the essential efforts of nonprofits that are making an impact on improving the health of underserved individuals and families is at the core our mission.” She added, “Through our working relationships and collaborative efforts, we strive to ensure that South Florida residents have access to quality health care.”

In Miami-Dade County, grants were awarded to: Borinquen Health Care Center, $160,000 to implement an outreach and counseling program for hard-to-reach substance abusers in Overtown; Collins Center for Public Policy, $50,000 to establish a large garden on the campus of a public senior housing facility in Coconut Grove, where garden produce is shared with residents and the excess is sold at local farmers’ markets; Florida International University Foundation, $65,000 to establish a mobile primary care unit staffed by medical students and staff to serve medically underserved and uninsured adults; Health Council of South Florida,$40,000 to administer a survey of health behaviors and health care access in Miami-Dade County that will allow neighborhood-level analysis; Jessie Trice Community Health Centers, $50,000 to conduct hypertension screening and provide education in underserved neighborhoods in Miami-Dade.

In addition, grants were added to: Miami Dade College Foundation, $120,000 to replace seven dental chairs and related equipment at the College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic; The Sundari Foundation, $55,000 to support an integrated health and wellness program for homeless women and children at the Lotus House Women’s Shelter; University of Miami, $25,000 to pilot an evidence- based wellness program (Active Living Every Day) in southwest Miami-Dade County; University of Miami, $200,000 to assist child care centers in establishing healthier center environments that promote nutrition and physical activity; Youth L.E.A.D., $40,000 to create a unified vision and policy for a local food system in Miami-Dade and YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, $60,000 to support a multi-component breast and cervical cancer control program.

In Broward County, grants were awarded to: Broward Education Foundation, $32,000 to implement an integrated, school garden nutrition program in five public schools; Family Central, $58,000 to promote healthier eating habits in families through gardens at child care centers and parent education workshops; Health Choice Network of Florida, $60,200 to assist nine federally qualified health centers in attaining NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home recognition; Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies, $50,000 for provision of oral health education for high risk pregnant women and program participants of childbearing age; Kids In Distress, $102,500 to support a dental care facility for underserved children in Broward County; South Florida Hospital Research and Education Foundation, $75,000 to assist five hospitals in adopting baby-friendly best practices to increase breastfeeding and Women’s Breast Health Initiative, Florida Affiliate, $40,000 to conduct door-to-door outreach in underserved neighborhoods and free mammograms to eligible women.

Health Foundation of South Florida, a nonprofit grantmaking organization, is dedicated to improving health in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. By advancing health solutions, the Foundation makes a measurable and sustainable impact in ensuring access to affordable, quality health services for all residents, especially the underserved. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $95 million in grants and program support. For more information, please call 305.374.7200 or visit the Web site, www.hfsf.org. Also visit www.healthyagingsf.org for information on the Foundation’s Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative of South Florida.