ORANGE, Calif. (May 22, 2024) — The CalOptima Health Board of Directors continues to boost Orange County community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide health care services, mental health services, homelessness and housing services, and other community services through funding CalOptima Health’s new Nonprofit Health Care Academy. The Academy was created in 2023 to support diverse CBOs in learning about funding opportunities and building capacity in serving populations experiencing health disparities.
The CalOptima Health funding initiative includes equity grants prioritized toward smaller, grassroots CBOs. Nineteen Orange County-based CBOs participated in the first session of the Academy, and up to 20 will be selected to participate in the second session. Participating organizations that complete all Academy sessions receive a stipend of $5,000 for their time and effort.
“We felt it was important to dispel the belief that small nonprofits can’t contract with a large organization like CalOptima Health,” said Danielle Cameron, MPH, Director of Program Development, Medi-Cal and CalAIM. “The first Nonprofit Health Care Academy program was so beneficial for the attending CBOs that we are now accepting applications for the second round later this summer.”
CalOptima Health supports these community organizations by providing technical assistance that promotes partnership with other health care entities. CalOptima Health is positioning these organizations as potential providers by helping them craft effective proposals conveying these concepts. The Academy includes a series of learning experiences, skill-building sessions and the opportunity to receive technical assistance to prepare the CBOs for contracted partnerships with CalOptima Health and the health care sector.
“The Nonprofit Health Care Academy was an invaluable experience,” said Hai Hoang, CEO of Fountain Valley-based Illumination Institute. “This education will translate to more funding opportunities and better services for our clients.”
CalOptima Health provides health insurance benefits to nearly one in three Orange County residents. It serves more than 932,000 low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities through a managed care delivery system that includes health network partners, hospitals, physician groups, community health centers, home care, behavioral health providers and other ancillary service providers. Together, they comprise the health care safety net of the entire community.