Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation Community Grants Program

Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation (LOHF) Community Grants Program

Funder: Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation (LOHF), operating as Touchstone Foundation

Geographic Scope: Lancaster County, PA only

Program Overview:
LOHF's Community Grants Program encourages collaboration and partnerships to address behavioral and mental health needs of Lancaster County children, families, and caregivers. The program is based on comprehensive needs assessment data.

Vision & Mission:

• Vision: All children and youth in Lancaster County experience mental well-being
• Mission: Advance mental wellness of children and youth in Lancaster County by facilitating access, education, and coordination of resources

Funding Available:

• $279,000 total funds available in 2015
• $41,070 in additional grant funds available for Fall 2016

Core Values & Approach:

• Honor and celebrate the foundation's osteopathic values and legacy while advancing the entire medical professional community
• Prioritize investment to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations lacking access to care
• Focus on care coordination within children's behavioral healthcare
• Leverage financial resources through partnerships
• Work collaboratively to connect with field leaders
• Actively participate in advocacy for improved children's behavioral health services
• Include diverse stakeholders in planning, design, and service provision
• Evaluate and improve programs for continuous learning

Target Population:

• Children and young adults (0-25) with mental/behavioral health issues
• Their parents/caregivers
• Living in Lancaster County
• Stakeholders include teachers and providers (physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers)

Impact Area 1: Care Coordination

Goal: Improve delivery of children's behavioral health services
Outcomes:

• Increase access to mental/behavioral health services
• Seamless transition of services for young adults
• Coordinate resources to support families in navigating and accessing care

Impact Area 2: Parent/Caregiver Education

Goal: Enhance capacity of parents, families, and caregivers through training and support
Outcomes:

• Increase competency in addressing children's mental/behavioral needs
• Increase understanding and confidence in parents using strength-based techniques
• Decrease need for care coordination

Impact Area 3: Access to Providers

Goal: Improve capacity of providers to support and treat children
Outcomes:

• Reduce wait times for behavioral healthcare
• Increase number of children who have and utilize health insurance
• Encourage well-child visits and preventative care
• Expand number and frequency of behavioral/mental health screenings in primary care

Recent Grant Awards (Example from 2016):

• CASA of Lancaster County: $25,000 for Children's Behavioral Health Coordinator (serves 140 children)
• COBY's Family Services: $9,800 for Incredible Years Series Parent Intervention Program (serves 8 children, 14 families)
• Lancaster Public Library: $3,500 for Autism Resource Center (serves 6,000 family members, 2,000 children, 500 community members)
• Samaritan Counseling Center: $20,000 for TeenHope (serves 6,000 family members, 1,500 children, 125 community members)
• Compass Mark: Grant for parenting program expansion (serves 300 parents, 200 children, 50 community members)

Foundation Support Provided:

• Research to support initiatives
• Grantmaking guidelines and processes
• Advocacy efforts
• Technical assistance and consultation

Contact Information:

• Phone: 717-397-8722
• Email: info@lohfoundation.org or info@touchstonefound.org
• Website: lohf.org/grants
• Address: 128 East Grant Street Suite 104, Lancaster, PA 17602-2854
• Note: Staff welcome pre-application consultation to discuss programs

Application Process

Grant Funding Cycles:

Two annual cycles:

Fall 2015 Cycle (Calendar Year 2016)

• Special information session: Friday, June 19, 8:00 a.m., Cap and Cork Restaurant
• Letters of Intent/Inquiry: Now through July 15, 2015
• Grant Applications due: September 1, 2015
• Funding period: January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016

Spring 2016 Cycle (Fiscal Year 2016-2017)

• Special information session: Announced at later date
• Letters of Intent/Inquiry: July 16, 2015 – January 15, 2016
• Grant Applications due: March 1, 2016
• Funding period: July 1, 2016 – July 30, 2017

Application Steps:

1. Attend Information Session (optional but recommended)
   • Dates provided for each cycle
   • Location: Cap and Cork Restaurant (Fall cycle)
2. Submit Letter of Intent/Inquiry
   • Submit online
   • Due dates vary by cycle (see timelines above)
   • Signals interest and initial project information
3. Submit Full Grant Application
   • Online submission preferred
   • Due dates vary by cycle
   • Deadline examples: September 1, 2015 (Fall cycle) or March 1, 2016 (Spring cycle)

Required Application Materials:

• Project description aligned with one or more impact areas (Care Coordination, Parent/Caregiver Education, or Access to Providers)
• Evidence of partnership and collaboration
• Outcomes and evaluation plan
• Budget information
• Organizational information

Pre-Application Support:

• LOHF staff available to discuss programs and answer questions before applying
• Strongly encouraged to contact staff prior to submission
• Technical assistance available

Submission:

• Online portal: lohf.org/grants
• Contact for submission link or questions: info@lohfoundation.org or 717-397-8722

Selection & Notification:

• Applications reviewed by foundation staff and selection committee
• Funding decisions made based on alignment with impact areas and foundation priorities
• Award notification provided in writing