CHEFA Commits More Than $1 Million to Breaking Down Barriers to Health Equity
Monday, February 20, 2023 – Connecticut’s efforts to eliminate healthcare disparities received a major commitment of $1 million by the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA). With grant awards supporting initiatives aimed at providing increased access to mental health services for children, increased access to care for traditionally marginalized communities, and targeted long-term care interventions for high need/vulnerable communities, thousands of Connecticut residents will benefit from the programming being supported by CHEFA’s grant awards.
Jeanette W. Weldon, Executive Director of CHEFA, stated “CHEFA is proud to make this significant commitment to address healthcare disparities throughout Connecticut. Each of our six grants will provide the recipients with between $118,000-$250,000 to support important programing that will make great strides towards ensuring all CT residents have access to the care they need and deserve.”
The grants were made to:
- The Community Health Center Association of Connecticut to address healthcare disparities at federally qualified health centers throughout CT;
- The Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition to provide lactation training and support by and for historically marginalized people in CT;
- The CT Children’s Medical Center to support the “Equitable Start to Nutritional and Developmental Health Program” to improve outcomes for Black and Latino children, who may be at-risk for developmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD);
- The Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, Inc. to deliver lifespan behavioral health, and family support services to over 100,000 families annually from 100 sites throughout CT;
- The CT Junior Republic to support the expansion of behavioral services for children and youth,
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center to support the expansion of their “Community Health Worker Support Program” into Emergency Departments.
Former Manager of Grant Programs and Philanthropic Outreach for CHEFA, remarked, “These awards represent CHEFA’s overall commitment to enhancing the welfare of all CT residents by helping to ensure equitable access to healthcare. I commend our Board of Directors for their focus on addressing the healthcare disparities that exist in our state.”
