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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023.04.17 Blue Cross Impact Report 2022FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES Blue Cross of Idaho established the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health in 2001 to give back to Idaho. The Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to giving back to Idaho and addressing the root causes that impact health. One of our goals at the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is to help create transformational change that leads to a healthier Idaho. We know our partnerships, programs, projects, and funding lead to change that will last for generations. Transformational change doesn't happen quickly, and in most cases, it can take years to occur. In an era where instant gratification and getting things we want ASAP are the norm; we don't lose sight that our strategy is a more like a marathon than a sprint. We remain steadfast in our approach of how we give back to Idaho and address the root causes that impact health. A testament to our strategy and work came in November when national philanthropist MacKenzie Scott provided the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health a one-time, unsolicited, and unrestricted gift of $6 million. Visit our website to learn more about our strategy for using those funds to maximize our impact across Idaho. We are committed to being in Idaho, for Idaho. We continually listen to our valued partners, review data, consult with experts to identify trends and learn how we can best give back and serve the needs of our state. This impact report celebrates both our current work, as well as past and ongoing work where we are seeing transformational change occur in our focus areas of community, education and healthcare. If you're holding a printed copy of this report, it includes QR codes that you can scan with your smartphone to watch videos and access links that help bring these stories to life. These links are embedded in the digital version of this report that can be found on our website at bcidahofoundation. org. You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay informed about our work and funding opportunities. In good health, Mike Reynoldson President and Board Chair, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health Kendra Witt -Doyle, PhD, MPH Executive Director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health We are dedicated to giving back to Idaho and addressing the root causes that impact health. Ct MMUNITY Build healthy communities 1 00 and address root causes that impact health by engaging with local elected officials and organizations COMMUNITY HEALTH ACADEMY Local elected officials play a vital role in promoting health Community Health Academy fosters learning and skill -building among mayors and city staff on how they can create a healthy community. How It Works: Mayors and city staff members participate in presentations and demonstrations on topics that impact community health. Topics Include: Childcare & Early Education Civility Communications & Branding Designing Healthy Communities Food Systems Housing Leadership 24 Idaho cities have attended Community Health Academy since 2017 SUMESS STORY: MMMUNITY HEANTH ASADEMY Payette Payette Mayor Craig Jensen reads a civility pledge at the start of every City Council meeting or public hearing. It's one of the takeaways he implemented after attending the Community Health Academy in 2022. Jensen took a civility pledge template given to participants of the academy and modified it to fit his community needs. Civility has become a critical issue in Idaho and our country, especially during public meetings.Numerous public officials have shared with us that they are seeing a rise in uncivil discourse in their communities. "I adopted this because I felt it was something we need to put out front," Jensen said. "That's what we expect in our meetings — for people to have respect and the decency to listen to others. You can disagree, but you can disagree without arguing." Not only does it address what we need to do for the public, but what we expect out of the public. We remind them to listen, to pay attention, not to argue and wait for their turn to speak. I thought it was a brilliant thing to start in our city. Craig Jensen Payette Mayor Programs and Projects Funded By Community Health Academy Grants: Park improvements Outdoor exercise equipment Supports for additional dwelling units Walkability improvements Trail connectivity and improvements Pathway projects Senior Citizen center kitchen updates Comprehensive plan supports Local food system supports Community garden Safe Routes to School programming Economic development supports for business incubator Watch a short video about Community Health Academy VQV Nine Community Transformation Grants have been awarded to Idaho cities since 2013, and the impact on these communities will last for generations through the partnerships, policies, programs and projects that resulted from the multiyear grants. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION GRANT EVALUATION The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health wanted to learn ways it could improve the Community Transformation Grant to make it more impactful. We commissioned a developmental evaluation that retrospectively looked at past recipients and the most recent grants with Orofino and Twin Falls. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION GRANT Evaluation Findings of respondents said relationships 900,/ o with others improved of grant participants said this grant 10ir/O increased their knowledge of health issues CTG funding had a catalytic effect, helping communities attract other private and public resources CTG spurred innovation by providing funding for pilot programs that were later taken on and supported by city governments * Bonners Ferry Sandpoint Orofino „ * Lapwai Middleton Nampa ** Kuna id Twin Falls Rexburg Now everything we're doing — paving streets, looking at parks — is geared toward "what's the healthy aspect?" Anonymous Survey Response Next Steps The Foundation will examine the evaluation data and make improvements to its Community Transformation Grant program. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates. The City of Rexburg committed to learning and community health by participating in three Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health programs. Mayor's Walking Challenge 2017-2021 These programs gave city leaders data, tools, skills and resources to implement a variety of health -focused programs, projects, policies and plans to improve the health of the community. This planning helped the city attract more than $200,000 in additional grant funding from other sources. Rexburg Success Projects Transforms the city -owned Teton Lakes Golf Course into a winter sports park each year with a sledding hill, Nordic skiing and equipment rentals Farmer's Market supports Updated city comprehensive plan to include a health focus in 2021 Launched a business incubator to help local entrepreneurs build their home businesses Park improvements and development Paths and trails to improve connectivity Launched Kidsburg, an indoor discovery center targeting young children All of this has really helped us think that there is a holistic way to think about health in our community. Jerry Merrill Mayor Watch a short video showing the transformational change in Rexburg EDUCAT Remove barriers to education and address root causes that impact health by collaborating with schools, communities and organizations 49 34 23 SCHOOLS SCHOOL COUNTIES DISTRICTS SCHOLARSHIPS funded by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health THE COLLEGE (y IDAHO These scholarships are awarded to second -year students who have demonstrated a financial need, outstanding academic performance, and community service. UniversityofIdaho WWAMI Medical Education These scholarships reduce medical education expenses and encourage students to pursue their passion in practicing medicine in rural Idaho. Idaho State University These scholarships support students from Idaho seeking behavioral health degrees that incentivize student clinical placement in rural areas to improve healthcare access in Idaho. UniversityofIdaho These scholarships remove the barrier of unmet financial need for Idaho students. 1.1 LEWIS j1CLARK STATE COLLEGE These renewable scholarships support students from Idaho majoring in the healthcare -related fields. The Primary Care Initiative More doctors for our communities Supports student doctors who demonstrate outstanding character, academic excellence, financial need and a sincere interest in practicing primary care in rural Idaho. SUCCESS STORY: EDUCATION Scholarship Spotlights Adolfo Andazola-Carmona Idaho WWAMI Elana King Nakaoka Idaho WWAMI Jarrod Hansen Lewis and Clark State College Peyton Badger College of Idaho Demsie Butler Idaho WWAMI Rhegan McGregor Idaho WWAMI Timmer Verhaegh College of Idaho Learn more about these and other scholarship recipients EDUCATLN There is a youth behavioral health crisis happening in Idaho. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MIL We cannot ignore this crisis. We are failing Idaho's youth if we don't address this issue. We need to meet students and families where kids spend most of their of time when not at home — schools — and make sure they have access to skills and resources to combat this crisis. We recognize things can be done in schools to help parents, families, and school staff address the behavioral health crisis. With every county in Idaho facing a shortage in behavioral health providers, schools can be part of the solution to help Idaho youth. T e Watch a short video about the impact of behavioral health services in schools What We're Doing The Healthy Minds Partnership helps schools offer onsite clinic behavioral health services We support evidence - based programs that support students in the classroom We provide essential district -approved training to teachers and administrators to put them in a better position to help their students succeed SUCCESS STORY: EDUCATION Lincoln County Youth Center Education and health go hand in hand as education is an important predictor of overall health outcomes. Data shows that children who attend preschool are better prepared for elementary school. We made an investment in the Lincoln County Youth Center, which serves three communities (Dietrich, Richfield and Shoshone) in the county. Our involvement has helped the nonprofit Lincoln County Youth Commission attract additional funding sources to help expand its services. Programming Example' Life skills: Children learn skills such as food preparation and budgeting, sewing, painting Business basics and entrepreneurship: The business incubator program helps teach skills, pairs the participant with a business mentor and provides $500 in startup support Next Steps Room: A place where children can learn about different options for them after high school, including college, trade schools or military servcice 120 21 KIDS SERVED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES CREATED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OFFERED DOUBLED PRESCHOOL CAPACITY if What we are doing at the center is helping kids and having a huge impact on families. We have a long way to go and a lot of work to do, but we are providing a place where kids feel like they belong. Karma Metzler Fitzgerald President, Lincoln County Youth Commission HE. LTHCARE Connect existing healthcare and community services to address workforce needs and skills in rural Idaho �-- Th in the nation FOR THE NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS PER 100,000 RESIDENTS 1,327 total in the nation NUMBER OF ACTIVE PHYSICIANS AND RESIDENT PHYSICIANS PER 100,000 RESIDENTS Only 3,504 active physicians in Idaho THE PRIMARY CARE INITIATIVE The Primary Care Initiative More doctors for our communities. Idaho and its rural communities face a chronic shortage of primary care physicians. The Primary Care Initiative is dedicated to helping improve access to healthcare for Idahoans. The Primary Care Initiative encourages new doctors to practice in rural Idaho by: • Paying down tuition debt for medical graduates who commit to practicing primary care in rural Idaho • Funds scholarships for medical students planning to go into primary care Learn more about The Primary Care Initiative Family medicine physician Logan Jones, DO, is the first physician to receive assistance from the Primary Care Initiative's medical education debt repayment award. Jones practices at the North Canyon Medical Center in Jerome, one of 27 critical access hospitals in Idaho. SUCCESS STORY: HEALTHCARE Project ECHO ECHO Idaho is a free, virtual, jointly -accredited continuing education opportunity for Idaho's healthcare workforce ECHO Idaho trains primary care clinicians to provide specialty care services. Since its launch in 2018, ECHO Idaho has offered 15 unique series to Idaho healthcare workforce and administrators. The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health supported ECHO Idaho to conduct outreach in rural areas that increased its reach. A Foundation grant helped establish the ECHO Idaho Behavioral Health Endowment. Clinicians reached Counties reached Number of CME hours Number of ECHO sessions 2018 21 8 112 9 2022 884 35 6,083 160 ECHO Benefits Idaho Healthcare Providers When Nurse Practitioner Katelin Arnold moved from Texas back to her native Idaho to work for Panhandle Health District, she found the healthcare system was tougher to navigate. "There were lots of challenges for me, like finding somebody to ask questions to, especially specialists," she said. ECHO Idaho has been her go -to resource. One series Arnold followed was on Hepatitis C and Liver Care. It allowed her to learn from specialists and gave her confidence and knowledge to treat a patient with Hepatitis C for the first time. She previously would have referred the patient to a specialist. "I was able to treat my first patient until they had zero viral load for Hepatitis C, and I definitely would not have done that without this program," she said. The topics and the categories they have are so important and really focused on what we're seeing now. They really apply to my patient population. Katelin Arnold Nurse Practitioner Current ECHO Idaho Programming Behavioral Health in Primary Care Counseling Techniques for Substance Use Disorder COVID-19 and Other Current Infections Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Opioids, Pain and Substance Use Disorder Pediatric Autism Viral Hepatitis and Liver Care X -Waiver Training ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED IN 2022 Idaho Cities Albion American Falls Ammon Arimo Bancroft Blackfoot Boise Bovill Buhl Caldwell Carey Cascade Chubbuck Clark Fork Cottonwood Crouch Dalton Gardens Dayton Deary Dietrich Dover Downey Driggs East Hope Emmett Fairfield Ferdinand Firth Franklin Garden City Glenns Ferry Grace Hayden Hayden Lake Hazelton Heyburn Hollister Homedale Idaho City Idaho Falls lona Jerome Juliaetta Kamiah Kendrick Ketchum Lapwai Lewiston Malad McCall Meridian Montpelier Moscow Mountain Home Moyie Springs Mud Lake Murtaugh Nampa New Meadows Nezperce Onaway Orofino Parma Payette Peck Placerville Pocatello Ponderay Post Falls Potlatch Preston Rexburg Richfield Rigby Roberts Sandpoint Shelley Smelterville Spirit Lake St. Anthony St. Charles Stanley Star Tensed Tetonia Twin Falls Victor Weiser Wendell Weston Winchester Worley Idaho Nonprofit Organizations Elk City Area Alliance Home Partnership Foundation Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children Idaho Association of School Administrators Idaho Community Foundation Idaho Community Health Workers Association Idaho Counseling Association Idaho School Boards Association League of Idaho Cities, Inc. LEAP Charities, Inc. Pocatello Free Clinic Primary Care Initiative Rotary District 5080 Charitable Fund Schools and School Districts American Falls School District Amity Elementary Black Canyon Elementary Blackfoot Heritage Sixth Grade Bliss Joint School District Caldwell School District Camas County School District Cascade School District Castleford Joint School District Centennial High Challis Elementary Clark County Schools Classical Christian Academy Clover Christian Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy Coeur d'Alene School District County of Shoshone Joint School District Eagle Rock Middle Emmett School District Ernest Hemingway Steam Farmin Stidwell Elementary Fernan Elementary Filer Elementary Filer School District Fremont County Joint School District Frontier Elementary Hansen Elementary Heritage Christian Academy Hillcrest Elementary Hillside Junior High Homedale School District Horizon Elementary Horseshoe Bend School District Idaho Falls High Idaho Falls School District Idaho Home Learning Academy Jefferson Elementary Jefferson County School District Jerome School District Juliaetta Elementary Kellogg School District Kendrick Joint School District Kootenai Technical Education Campus Kuna School District Lake Pend Oreille School District Lakeland School District Lava Hot Springs Elementary Lewiston School District Liberty Elementary Madison Middle Madison School District Marsing Joint School District Mary McPherson Elementary Maxine Johnson Elementary Minidoka School District Mountain Home School District Mullan School District Nampa School District Nezperce Joint School District North Gem School District North Idaho STEM Charter Academy North Star Charter Notus School District Ola Elementary Parma School District Pocatello/Chubbuck School District Preston School District Prospect Elementary Richfield School District Riggins Elementary Roosevelt Elementary Shelley School District Shoshone Elementary South Fork Elementary South Hills Middle Taylorview Middle Thomas Jefferson Charter Twin Falls School District Valley View Elementary Venture High Wallace School District White Pine Elementary Wilder School District West Ada School District Government Organizations Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs Idaho Head Start Collaboration Office Central District Health State of Idaho Department of Education Colleges and Universities The College of Idaho Idaho State University Foundation Lewis Clark State College Foundation University of Idaho Foundation Our Board of Directors Jenny Robertson Vice Chair Boise Elva (Cookie) Allan Coeur d'Alene Marybeth Flachbart Boise Luke Malek Coeur d'Alene Mike Reynoldson President and Board Chair Boise Stephanie Wright Nampa Pam McNamara Boise ABOUT THE BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc., is a nonprofit private foundation established by Blue Cross of Idaho in 2001. The Foundation is dedicated to giving back to Idaho and addressing the root causes that impact health. The Foundation is a catalytic organization dedicated to transformational approaches that will impact Idaho today and for future generations. Audited financial statements of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc., are available, once issued, by emailing nfo@bcidahofoundation.org. bcidahofoundation.orq 350 N. 9th Street Suite 301-A Gt,,.ee in se17n7 Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc.