We seek to improve the quality of life and mental wellness for every youth through education, training, and school mental health system building. Our ultimate goal is that every student and staff feels safe, happy, and excited to be at school.
About The Organization(s)
Please Pass the Love
PLEASE PASS THE LOVE empowers school communities to embrace and sustain mental health and wellness supports for their students.
To foster sustainable growth for Iowa ACEs 360, advancing the ACEs movement through advocacy, knowledge, and innovation for childhood trauma. Learn More
To enhance youth engagement by expanding expanding the Discovering Connections tool to create a more comprehensive, healing-centered approach. Learn More
To partner with northside Des Moines schools to enhance graduation and postsecondary readiness while also addressing social determinants of health. Learn More
IDPH Title V Community-Based Doula Project for African American/Black Women
To reduce maternal health disparities through a culturally congruent doula program for African American/Black birthing people at selected Title V agencies in Iowa. Learn More
To leverage the Iowa Produce Prescription Program to improve health via fresh produce access, education, financial incentives, and transportation solutions at Broadlawns. Learn More
To prevent youth violence through a establishing a comprehensive community plan, addressing short-term needs, and providing promoting mentorship for youth facing significant barriers. Learn More
Through advocacy, tackling systemic issues in health, housing, education, employment, and finance. The Director's Council collaborates for equitable change, focusing on root cause analysis, data, and implementation. Learn More
To empower central Iowa high school students to address youth health issues annually by participating in the uVoice Youth Philanthropy Board. Learn More
To test a new on-demand service that will expand access to opportunities and supportive resources that can help individuals and families in the 50314 zip code thrive. Learn More
To leverage the results of the Nuestro Iowa report and dashboard to raise awareness of Latinx contributions and create an advocacy agenda and action steps to address systemic barriers for Latinx success Learn More
Enhance Culturally, Socially Responsive Health Care
To expand current educational offerings related to providing culturally responsive care and to understanding the impacts of social determinants of health and racism on patients' health Learn More
To support scholarly research and productive community dialogue about how to achieve Greater Des Moines' progress toward equitable housing outcomes for all people and families living in the community Learn More
IDPH Title V Community-Based Doula Project for African American/Black Women
To support the enhancement of Iowa's Maternal Child Health Title V service delivery system by including a community-based, culturally congruent doula program Learn More
Change Leadership: Engaging Thought Leaders and Leadership Teams to Prepare for Family First
To continue to advance the work of the Vision Council focused on building alignment and strategy around improving systems for children and families. Learn More
To expand current educational offerings related to providing culturally responsive care and to understanding the impacts of social determinants of health and racism on patients' health Learn More
IDPH Title V Community-Based Doula Project for African American/Black Women
To support the enhancement of Iowa's Maternal Child Health Title V service delivery system by including a community-based, culturally congruent doula program Learn More
To support a relational organizing process that engages central Iowans in advocating for accessible and robust children's mental health resources for families in Polk County Learn More
To support the Polk County Produce Prescription program, a partnership between Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and Broadlawns, designed to provide reliable access to nutritious food and quality patient care Learn More
To support the merger of Youth Emergency Shelter & Services and Youth Homes of Mid-America to streamline and enhance services for children and families Learn More
Change Leadership: Engaging Thought Leaders and Leadership Teams to Prepare for Family First
Building upon Year 1 funding, the Change Leadership project will engage the public and private sectors to collaborate and be solution focused to create a child welfare system that is responsive and meet the needs of Iowa's children and families. Learn More
A group of concerned community members and youth that have experienced homelessness came together in 2017 and following a year of collaboration and work, the Polk County Continuum of Care and the Youth Advisory Board released a plan to end youth homelessness. Learn More
To understand and counteract cultural and racial inequities inside the YWRC through research on expanded ACEs, internal data collection on trauma and resiliency, improved representation, and updated policies and practices. Learn More
Holistic Parental Engagement in Central Iowa African Community Create an Empowerment Ecosystem
Our goal is to create holistic parental engagement in Central Iowa African Community with cross-collaboration among African centric nonprofits and faith-based organizations to create an empowerment ecosystem. Learn More
Grant to support several projects including the Trauma Informed Supervision Planning and Development Initiative, ACEs Prenatal Project Development and Collaboration, Social Emotional Learning Activities Organizational Capacity Expansion, Technical Assistance for Trauma Informed Child Welfare and Juvenile Detention and the Iowa ACEs Data Report. Learn More
With major funding support provided by the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Iowa Public Radio will hire a full-time reporter to cover a health beat. Learn More
This project will be conducted at MercyOne Central Pediatric Clinic and includes employing a community health worker, implementing a social determinant of health needs screening tool, and collaborating with community partners to address children’s identified social determinant of health needs. Learn More
Planned Parenthood will conduct a Community Input Project to build awareness of the sex education needs and experiences of young people in Central Iowa, particularly those in populations vulnerable to sexual health disparity. Our findings will guide our development of an innovative peer education program in Polk County. Learn More
To engage youth in philanthropy and leadership development efforts, provide opportunities for youth to learn about the inner workings of grant-making and management, complete assessments of community health needs, create strategies to address those needs, and connect with community leaders to influence change. Learn More
Decreasing toxic stress by linking stillbirth prevention efforts and protective efforts
Our goal is to determine if our Count the Kicks app can be linked to not only lower stillbirths but also if we can reduce adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress utilizing and expanding on resources we already have. Learn More
A group of concerned community members and youth that have experienced homelessness came together in 2017 and following a year of collaboration and work, the Polk County Continuum of Care and the Youth Advisory Board released a plan to end youth homelessness. Learn More
To understand and counteract cultural and racial inequities inside the YWRC through research on expanded ACEs, internal data collection on trauma and resiliency, improved representation, and updated policies and practices. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship Award: Children's mental health in Iowa will be improved through a coordinated, collaborative effort to address the social determinants of health to prevent, treat and mitigate early indicators of disruptions in a child's social emotional development. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship Award will focus fellowship efforts on improving access to and the quality of care available to low-income children by promoting improvements to Iowa's Medicaid and CHIP (Hawki) program. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on leveraging Medicaid to support a key social determinant of health, children's asthma, by funding home assessment and housing remediation. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on building a coalition of providers who are committed to improving access and quality for the most at-risk pregnant and parenting families. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on improving the lives of Latino youth through curriculum development and advocating for youth mental health taskforce recommendations. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on: Homelessness and School Systems - Working to better connect resources to homeless children/youth as well as improve educator interactions with youth to identify needs, risks, and resolutions. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on increasing physical activity and safer streets through built environment changes that not just support, but encourage walking, biking, and rolling as part of daily life. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on a comprehensive, sustainable structure and framework for obesity prevention and promotion of healthy habits for ALL kids and families in Iowa. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on ensuring youth have solid connections to people they can count on for support and nurturing as a strategy to prevent youth from aging out of foster care and to prevent homelessness. Learn More
HealthConnect Fellowship award will focus on The Impact of the Climate of School and Out of School Programs on Chronic Absenteeism and Engagement. This project promotes social emotional learning and fosters connection by collaborative work between school districts and service providers. Learn More
This grant supported several initiatives including the Social Emotional Learning Activities Organizational Capacity Expansion, Technical Assistance for Trauma Informed Child Welfare and Juvenile Detention and Iowa ACEs Data Report. Learn More
With major funding support provided by the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Iowa Public Radio will hire a full-time reporter to cover a health beat. Learn More
This project will be conducted at MercyOne Central Pediatric Clinic and includes employing a community health worker, implementing a social determinant of health needs screening tool, and collaborating with community partners to address children’s identified social determinant of health needs. Learn More
Planned Parenthood will conduct a Community Input Project to build awareness of the sex education needs and experiences of young people in Central Iowa, particularly those in populations vulnerable to sexual health disparity. Learn More
Support Implementation of Iowa Children's Behavioral Health System Universal Screening
The Department of Human Services (Department) is requesting assistance to support the State Board’s recommendation to effectively and efficiently provide Iowa children and their families’ access to screenings. Learn More
WellCome: A Platform to Promote Health Equity for New Iowan Children
WellCome reduces health disparities and increases access to culturally and linguistically appropriate pediatric healthcare for New Iowan children. Learn More
ACEs Prenatal Project Development and Collaboration
The ACEs Prenatal Collaboration seeks to support the planning and development of coordinated prenatal strategies in central Iowa. The project will engage key research and implementation partners to establish content, design and evaluation for the primary strategies of childbirth education and community support coordination. Learn More
Healthy Birth Day, Inc. will contribute to the reduction of stillbirth among women of color in central Iowa and lead the effort to eliminate racial disparities in stillbirth through the Count the Kicks public health campaign. Learn More
Creating a Culture of Support for Pregnant and Parenting Young Women
The goal of EyesOpenIowa’s project is to work with seven Des Moines metro schools to reduce the social stigma directed toward pregnant and parenting teens and assist schools in creating a more culturally sensitive and empowering environment to help young parents stay in school, graduate, and move toward self-sufficiency. Learn More
The work to end youth homelessness in Polk County will serve youth and young adults under age 25 who are unaccompanied or parenting (and their children) and meet any federal definition of homelessness. Learn More
Identifying the Assets, Risks, and Experiences of Vulnerable Central Iowans
Implement a nationally-recognized tool that assesses specific high-risk patient populations, including central Iowa adolescents and pregnant women, assets, risks, and experiences around social determinants of health within an FQHC in central Iowa. Learn More
Invest Relationships, Invest Communities, Invest Health
Using time-tested relational organizing practices, AMOS will build and strengthen relationships among neighborhood institutions and residents working together to identify solutions and act to improve the health of children and families in Des Moines. Learn More
With major funding support provided by the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Iowa Public Radio will hire a full-time reporter to cover a health beat. Learn More
We seek to improve the quality of life and mental wellness for every youth through education, training, and school mental health system building. Our ultimate goal is that every student and staff feels safe, happy, and excited to be at school. Learn More
The Des Moines Public Schools Trauma-Sensitive and Culturally-Responsive School District Initiative
DMPS is embracing a whole-child approach. Goals include: 1. to increase social emotional skill instruction and assessment; and 2. to gain access to resources and support through the National Council’s TraumaSensitive Schools Learning Community Learn More
The uVoice Youth Philanthropy Board mobilizes young people to actively influence the health and well-being of their community. High school students are provided with an avenue to directly impact health-related issues through service, leadership development, and the administration of a grant making process. Learn More
Creating Stability for Children of High-Conflict Divorce
Advocacy for children of high-conflict divorce (1) lessens children’s exposure to toxic parental conflict, (2) strengthens family relationships, (3) connects families to needed resources and (4) makes children’s voices heard. Learn More
This collaborative project will bring together up to 40 partners, led by Iowa Homeless Youth Centers and the Continuum of Care Board, to develop a comprehensive plan to solve the community-level challenge of ending youth homelessness in Polk County. Learn More
Fuel Up First seeks to transform the lives of students at East High School through a Monday morning hot breakfast program that reduces hunger and builds positive, supportive relationships between students, local police, and community members. Learn More
The goal of this project is to create a dynamic, multi-lateral Health Education Collaboration to explore and address social determinants of health that impact STI rates and sexual health issues in Polk County youth. Learn More
Children’s mental health and well being in Iowa will be improved through a coordinated, collaborative effort to address the social determinants of health and prevent and treat early indicators of disruptions in a child’s social emotional development. Learn More
Make sure that children in Iowa have access to high-quality healthcare that provides them with the necessary resources and supports to grow up to be healthy adults. Learn More
Advocate for more inclusive and specific policies and practices in our school districts to address the mental health needs of Latino students whose chronic stress is affecting their ability to be academically successful. Learn More
Implementing Sexual Health Policies and Programs in Schools to Improve Student Health Outcomes
The goal of EyesOpenIowa’s program is to help 14 school districts and communities in central Iowa fully support their young people to make healthy, empowered, and knowledgeable decisions about their sexual health and relationships Learn More
The goal is to provide a comprehensive and sustainable mental health educational opportunity to the third-year students of Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. It is designed to transform the ways psychiatric care is delivered. Learn More
Invest Relationships, Invest Communities, Invest Health
Using time-tested relational organizing practices, AMOS will build and strengthen relationships among neighborhood institutions and residents working together to identify solutions and act to improve the health of children and families in Des Moines. Learn More
Scavo Full Service High School- Trauma Informed Care
Scavo aims to support the unique health needs of students, through the development of a trauma sensitive environment. We take into consideration traumatic experiences of students and the importance a supportive environment plays in their learning. Learn More
It is the goal of the YWRC to have a profound impact on the lives of girls and young women locally through incorporation of resiliency skills and protective resource building in program curriculum, development of data systems to track long-term impact, and recording of lessons learned to share with the community. Learn More
To engage youth in philanthropy and leadership development efforts, provide opportunities for youth to learn about the inner workings of grant-making and management, complete assessments of community health needs, create strategies to address those needs, and connect with community leaders to influence change. Learn More
Children and teens in foster care should be seen early and more often to assess for signs of abuse and neglect, illnesses, and mental health problems; to monitor adjustment to foster care; to ensure access to medical drugs and equipment; and to support parents, both foster and biological. Learn More
Building Systems and Communities Responsive to Childhood Trauma
Prevent Child Abuse Iowa’s project will identify and implement effective strategies to engage a wide range of audiences in responding to the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study. Learn More
The Central Iowa ACEs 360 Learning Expansion project seeks to expand and enhance learning events in response to Adverse Childhood Experiences data, accelerating efforts to advance knowledge and inspire collaborative response in central Iowa. Learn More
Community Outreach Program/Spanish-Language Counseling
The project offers high quality, culturally-competent and affordable mental health counseling services to the most vulnerable (uninsured, low-income) Latino immigrant residents of Polk and Dallas Counties by providing access to mental health services regardless of their financial situation (sliding fee scale based on income and number supported in family). Learn More
The rapid rise of obesity—especially among populations without adequate access to healthy food—is a public health epidemic. Among those affected, children are perhaps the most vulnerable. Learn More
Facilitative leadership around child health and well-being in Iowa.
Grant to support several projects including Facilitative leadership around child health and well-being in Iowa and Kids Action Agenda Planning and Facilitation. Learn More
Hispanic/Latino Health Education and Community Outreach Program
When it comes to healthcare, many Hispanics/Latinos experience disparities due to language barriers, medicine costs or cultural beliefs tied to superstition or home remedies. Learn More
This grant addresses the five social determinants of health. Eyerly Ball can treat a client’s mental health, but quality of life goes beyond medication and treatment. Learn More
Mental Health Crisis Services for Youth Planning Grant
We seek to bring together a broad coalition of service providers to develop a comprehensive plan to identify existing services, gaps in service, and a full range of children’s mental health crisis services needed to address children’s mental health crisis in Polk, Warren and Dallas Counties. Learn More
Mouth Care Matters: Oral Health Specialty for Direct Care Workers
The goal of the MCM oral health specialty training pilot project is to improve access to and quality of oral health for older Iowans who are homebound or live in nursing homes. Learn More
The Des Moines Health Center will continue partnership with the Des Moines Public Schools to provide dental care as part of a Full Service Community School initiative on-site at Scavo High School. Learn More
Primary Health Care, Inc. (PHC) has provided health care services at CISS since 1988 and is proposing to add a nurse care management program to improve the quality of care delivered to this vulnerable population. Learn More
The Wellness Program ensures access to culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare services for refugees who experience difficulty navigating healthcare systems. Learn More
WesleyLife (dba Wesley Community Services) Public Health Nursing Program
Provide appropriate, timely and affordable high quality skilled nursing services, health care information, referrals to mental and dental providers, and social service system navigation assistance to clients Learn More
The YWRC proposes to drive the next steps of incorporating TIC into agency programming, and in the local community, by researching and developing an inclusive and youth tailored tool that could measure change in resiliency over time. Learn More
The uVoice Youth Philanthropy Board mobilizes young people to actively influence the health and well-being of their community, combating feelings of disengagement or powerlessness. Learn More
Broadlawns Mental Health and Oral Medicine Initiative
Broadlawns Medical Center is going to build a new clinic facility that will house Outpatient Behavioral Health, Oral Medicine and the Family Health Center. Learn More
It is the goal of the Young Women’s Resource Center to improve resiliency and optimism in young mothers and their children whom have been impacted by adverse childhood experiences and/or trauma. Learn More
The goal of Centralized Intake, operated by Primary Health Care, Inc. (PHC), is to directly help individuals and families experiencing homelessness or who are near homelessness, by connecting them to the right resources in the most timely and efficient way. Centralized Intake has become a permanent piece of the homeless service fabric in the community Learn More
Community Outreach Program/Spanish-Language Counseling
To make high quality, culturally-competent and affordable mental health counseling services available to the most vulnerable (uninsured, low-income) Latino immigrant residents of Polk and Dallas Counties by providing access to mental health services regardless of their financial situation (insurance or sliding fee scale based on income and number supported in family) and by providing outreach through community contacts/presentations reaching consumers about our services and in providing information about mental health/wellbeing. Learn More
To increase refugees’ access to health care and to improve health and wellness by empowering, engaging and training refugees as “Health Navigators” to provide education, resources and support to their fellow community members. Learn More
Engaging Iowa’s Public Health System in Medicaid Modernization
The Iowa Department of Human Services (IDHS) contracted with managed care organizations (MCOs) for Medicaid Modernization, moving Iowa toward risk-based managed care. Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) aims to improve quality and access, promote accountability for outcomes, create a more predictable and sustainable Medicaid budget. Learn More
Facilitative leadership around child health and well-being in Iowa.
The Child and Policy Center will continue to educate and inform with the goal to build a knowledge and action base improving the health of Iowa children and families and others in need and preventing and mitigating childhood adversity. CFPC will engage coalitions and influence decision-making and planning related to child health and wellbeing. Learn More
Healthy Families America (HFA) Refugee expansion project
The purpose of the Healthy Families America (HFA) Refugee expansion project is to administer intensive in-home visitation services to provide parental awareness of child health, development and facilitation of family self-sufficiency and stability to access resources for Refugee & over burdened families in order to improve child outcomes by improving parental involvement. Learn More
The goal of Healthy Homes East Bank is to improve children’s respiratory health using a collaborative, two-pronged approach that emphasizes housing modifications to promote indoor air quality, and health education for asthma self management and behavior change. Learn More
Integrated care for at-risk youth and young adults.
To decrease teen and unintended pregnancy, STI and HIV rates among at-risk and homeless youth and to increase access to health services for youth who are homeless, or at-risk. Learn More
Central Iowa ACEs 360 has led the promotion and dissemination of knowledge on the impact of adverse childhood experiences in the greater central Iowa region. Learn More
Iowa ALICE ( Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Project
ALICE, a United Way acronym which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, represents the growing number of individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation. Learn More
Goal: Visiting Nurse Services will develop a partnership with providers, community-based organizations, Polk County Health Services and Iowa Medicaid Enterprise to address the needs of the community’s most vulnerable populations through the transition to Medicaid Modernization. Learn More
Iowa Legal Aid Health and Law Response Team Project
This project aims to more deeply integrate legal aid resources into the workflow of health center staff by focusing on Certified Application Counselors, who are the first responders and possess a significant and detailed understanding of patient financial and social conditions due to their role within the health center. By doing so, the goal will be to improve health care outcomes by removing legal barriers to health, safety and stability. Learn More
NAMI of Greater Des Moines Program and Operating Support
Our goals are to continue to increase public awareness of the resources available for mental health, offer educational opportunities and support for persons with mental illness, family members, providers and the community, advocate with other stakeholders to address the lack of parity, workforce capacity, multiple levels of services, and children’s mental health system and facilitate community forums (with partners like AMOS) where the wider community can become aware of the issues and become involved. Learn More
Scavo (Des Moines Public School) - Full Service Dental
The Des Moines Health Center will be partnering with the Des Moines Public Schools to provide dental care as part of a Full Service Community School Initiative on-site at Scavo High School. Learn More
Children and Families of Iowa (CFI) will continue to partner with Mid-Iowa Health Foundation to assist teens dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues through outpatient, preventative, and clinical treatment services at CFI’s Cornerstone Recovery Center. Learn More
The EFR Counseling Program aims to provide easily accessible and high quality counseling services to individuals (youth and adult) and families in a safe and confidential setting to address issues of depression, anxiety, addiction, family or marital conflict, and/or other concerns that impact daily functioning and quality of life for all members of our community Learn More
The Health Advocate will provide cultural and linguistic support to refugees served by the USCRI - Des Moines Refugee Wellness Program and increase access to holistic healthcare and resources. Learn More
The uVoice Youth Philanthropy Board exists to engage metro area youth in philanthropy and leadership development efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the community. Learn More
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