WILLIAMSBURG — On Monday, June 7, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) approved 22 grants worth nearly $3.5 million.
Under the foundation’s strategic goal to, “Target behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals throughout the life span,” WHF invested more than $1.5 million into this initiative.
Partnering with Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) Public Schools, WHF utilizes its School Health Initiative Program (SHIP) to connect teachers, students, parents and other community partners with information to build life-long, healthy habits throughout the system. The program has been in effect since 2005 and has served as a model for other systems throughout the Commonwealth to adopt.
A focus of SHIP is to encourage healthy eating and active living. Examples of these include after school programs like “challenge clubs” for running, cooking, and playing soccer. Additionally, the initiative holds “try days” in cafeterias where students can sample local farm produce. Students also receive education regarding nutrition and encouragement to get up and move while in the classroom setting.
“While we greatly value our partnership with the schools to reach the majority of students in WJCC [Public] Schools during their time in school, we know that home is the most critical place for child development and early childhood is the most critical moment in that development,” said WHF President and CEO Carol L. Sale.
WHF also focuses on “Two Generation Services,” which promotes family well-being by working side-by-side with both adults and children. Grants for Two Generation Services include unrestricted support for Child Development Resources and program-specific funding for child health initiatives in the City of Williamsburg and James City County.
The foundation also has made strides in supporting healthy aging. Grants that fall under this category will provide to support medical transportation for older residents and funding to Williamsburg’s Aging and Disability Resource Center.
The largest amount of funding through this wave of grants goes towards WHF’s goal to, “Strengthen healthcare safety-net for uninsured and underinsured individuals.” This would include advanced primary care, behavioral health services, and medication access.
“We made grants in each of these areas,” said Sale. “Problems like accessing prescription medication continue to challenge individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The third strategic goal is to, “Advance organizations, systems, and public policy crucial to community health and well-being.” Greater Williamsburg HEARTSafe Alliance was the recipient of a grant that fell under this category.
Below is a list of the organizations and agencies who received grants from WHF:
| Bacon Street Youth and Family Services | The Bridges Project | $18,000.00 |
| Center for Child and Family Services, Inc. | Multicultural Counseling and Outreach Program | $70,000.00 |
| Child Development Resources | Basic Operating Support | $200,000.00 |
| City of Williamsburg | Child Health Initiative | $265,000.00 |
| Colonial Behavioral Health | Chronic Care Collaborative | $170,000.00 |
| Colonial Behavioral Health | Greater Williamsburg Child Assessment Center | $271,000.00 |
| Colonial Behavioral Health | Intensive Outpatient Program | $50,000.00 |
| Colonial Behavioral Health | Greater Williamsburg Network of Care (NOC) | $30,000.00 |
| Community Housing Partners | Mobile Food Pantry | $5,000.00 |
| F.R.E.E. Foundation For Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment | F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg | $26,000.00 |
| Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic | Chronic Care Collaborative | $300,000.00 |
| Greater Williamsburg Heartsafe Alliance | Greater Williamsburg HEARTSafe Alliance | $10,000.00 |
| Honoring Choices Virginia | Educating Advocates for Advance Care Planning | $15,000.00 |
| James City County | Child Health Initiative | $265,000.00 |
| Lackey Clinic | Chronic Care Collaborative | $520,000.00 |
| Literacy for Life at the Rita Welsh Adult Learning Center | HEAL Program in Williamsburg | $40,000.00 |
| Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center | Chronic Care Collaborative | $355,000.00 |
| Peninsula Agency on Aging | Greater Williamsburg Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) | $80,000.00 |
| Rx Partnership | Basic Operating Support | $60,000.00 |
| Virginia Health Care Foundation | Greater Williamsburg Medication Access Program | $47,000.00 |
| Williamsburg Area Faith in Action | Medical Transportation | $25,000.00 |
| Williamsburg-James City County Public School Division | SHIP – School Health Initiative Program | $670,000.00 |
| Total | $3,492,000.00 |