Grant Program: Community Impact Grant

The project, Accelerating Birth Equity in Wisconsin Through a Community-based Doula Workforce, led by the Foundation of Black Women’s Wellness, seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes for Black mothers and babies through a strategy that expands and sustains a community-based doula workforce. By providing culturally aligned perinatal care and collaborating with health system teams and community health workers, the initiative seeks to improve birth outcomes, reduce complications and promote equitable access to trusted, high-quality care. Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor, Department of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics & Gynecology, UW–Madison, serves as the academic partner.

The project, Reducing the Harms of Incarceration on Individual and Community Health, led by the Nehemiah Community Development Corporation, is launching Justice for a New Day, a community-informed educational initiative designed to reduce the harmful impacts of incarceration on individual and community health. Developed with leadership from people who have experienced incarceration, the course will educate health care professionals, social workers, educators, policymakers and advocates on how incarceration contributes to poor health outcomes and equip them to respond with empathy and systemic change. Building on Nehemiah’s successful Black History for a New Day model, this project aims to inspire cross-sector collaboration and create a blueprint for more equitable, just and healthy communities. Dan Grupe, PhD, research assistant professor, Center for Healthy Minds, UW–Madison, serves as the academic partner.

The project, Achieving Health Equity for Unhoused Parents and Children in Need of Medical Respite Shelter, led by JustDane, expands the services of Healing House, the nation’s only 24/7 medical respite shelter designed for families experiencing homelessness. By adding health care education, employment support and home visiting by community health workers, the initiative aims to improve access to medical care, enhance health outcomes and promote housing and economic stability for parents and children. The program will also evaluate the impact of medical respite care for families with minor children. Pajarita Charles, PhD, MPA, associate professor, UW–Madison School of Social Work, serves as the academic partner.

This initiative advances health equity for Hmong and Hispanic communities in central Wisconsin by providing bilingual case management through trusted community health workers (CHWs). CHWs will connect individuals to essential health and social services, addressing barriers like language, transportation and access.

The goal of this project is to provide crisis intervention services for young adults participating in Workforce Resource Inc.’s Independent Living for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care and Anti-Human Trafficking programs by utilizing crisis navigators. In doing so, the project aims to reduce the negative effects of stress caused by crisis, enhance resilience and promote recovery, and achieve a sense of economic stability and security for program participants. Tamara Kincaid, UW-River Falls, serves as the academic partner.

The initiative’s goal is to address the disproportionate health challenges faced by tribal communities by increasing their communities’ capacity to identify, design, implement and evaluate culturally relevant solutions to mental health challenges. The project is adapting the existing Community Powered community resilience training program for use in tribal contexts to address health challenges including depression, isolation and drug and alcohol abuse. Arijit Sen, PhD, UW-Milwaukee, serves as the academic partner.

This project aims to address equitable access to programs, resources and services for Indigenous children with autism. Conducted with collaborators at the UW Waisman Center, the project’s goal is to implement evidence-based strategies to promote early detection, intervention, and improved autonomy of underserved Native American children with autism and ensure equal development. Liliana Wagner, PhD, UW–Madison, LEND Program, Waisman Center, serves as the academic partner.

This initiative will introduce a novel peer-led, evidence-based approach to improve access to culturally appropriate mental health services for immigrant and refugee communities in South Central Wisconsin. By addressing the significant barriers these populations face, the program aims to fill existing service gaps through a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy. Matthew Wolfgram, PhD, UW–Madison, College of Letters & Science, serves as the academic partner.

This initiative addresses the impact of safe, adequate housing on health and health equity and seeks to improve health outcomes in Marquette, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood counties by improving the timeliness and accessibility of housing rehabilitation services provided to low-to-moderate income households through its Housing Repairs program. CAP will test select interventions to determine their impact on health outcomes and engage other community action agencies to inform and share best practices. Katie Livernash, Extension Portage County, UW–Madison, serves as the academic partner.

The From Seeds to Table project aims to address food insecurity and health disparities in the Oneida community by reclaiming traditional Haudenosaunee culinary practices. This initiative will provide nutritious, culturally appropriate meals, offer educational courses on traditional meal preparation, and build a sustainable framework for food sovereignty, while addressing both immediate nutritional needs and long-term health and cultural sustainability.