Sierra Health's Partnerships brings you bimonthly news, opportunities, tools and resources.


	IN THIS ISSUE:
Nonprofit leaders encouraged to apply for Health Leadership Program REACH grants available to improve youth programs Grants offered to help strengthen nonprofits Organizational Assessment consultants needed in outlying areas New CFO joins Sierra Health Resources: nonprofit leadership study; children's oral health; improving children's access to health services

Nonprofit leaders encouraged to apply for Health Leadership Program

Applications for the Leadership Program are available now and due to Sierra Health by 5 p.m., June 30. The sixth Health Leadership class begins Oct. 10, with a four-day retreat at Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola, Plumas County. Thirteen days of instruction are scheduled from October through March. The program is designed to reward and develop experienced nonprofit leaders, and to expand their growth and impact within the communities they serve.

The most competitive candidates will:

Work as an executive manager of a nonprofit or public entity within the foundation's 26-county funding region
Supervise a team of employees during the course of the program
Show commitment to charitable community service
Wish to expand their impact beyond their organization
Demonstrate passion about the social service sector

Learn more about the Health Leadership Program and download an application and past newsletters here.

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REACH grants available to improve youth programs

Proposals are due to Sierra Health Foundation by 5 p.m., Sept. 15 for the third round of REACH Program Improvement grants. The foundation will award grants of up to $10,000 each to improve quality and participation in youth programs in the California Capital Region. These grants are part of Sierra Health's newest grant program, REACH: Connecting Communities and Youth for a Healthy Future. Grants will be awarded three times a year to public agencies, nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups that serve youth ages 10-15. See a list of recent Program Improvement grantees on Sierra Health's Web site.

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Grants offered to help strengthen nonprofits

Are you interested in improving your nonprofit organization's effectiveness and long-term viability? Is your organization located in Sierra Health's 26-county funding region? Does your nonprofit organization provide health-related services; have 501(c)(3) status; and an annual operating budget of more than $500,000? If you answered yes to these questions your organization may be a good candidate for the foundation's Organizational Assessment grants. Applications will be available in early June on the foundation's Web site and are due to Sierra Health Aug. 15.

Organizational Assessment grantees, guided by a consultant, identify their organization's strengths and weaknesses, and areas that need improving. An action plan is then developed to set priorities and create benchmarks that, when achieved, will improve the organization's long-term success.

Interested applicants will want to participate in a teleconference July 11 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Reserve a line for the teleconference and learn more about the Organizational Assessment grant opportunity on Sierra Health's Web site.

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Organizational Assessment consultants needed in outlying areas

Consultants experienced in organizational development who'd like to be part of the consultant pool should send their resume to Pat Kelsaw, Sierra Health Foundation program consultant, pkelsaw@sierrahealth.org. Consultants who will work with organizations outside of the Capital Region are strongly encouraged. Those interested should specify in which counties they'd like to work.

Currently, Sierra Health is searching for consultants for these counties: Alpine, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, Solano (eastern portion), San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Tehama, Trinity, and Tuolumne.

To be eligible for selection by the grantee organizations, selected consultants must attend, on their own time, a two-day training Aug. 17 and 18, 2006.

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New CFO joins Sierra Health

Gil Alvarado joined Sierra Health Foundation as chief financial officer May 1.
"We are pleased to welcome Gil to our executive team," says President and CEO Len McCandliss. "His depth of experience in the health industry and in private foundations will provide the strong financial leadership we need. He brings exceptional talent and skills in finance operations and strategy."

Most recently, Gil served as chief financial and information officer for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation in El Paso, Texas. In that position he developed and implemented investment and spending policies, and oversaw reporting and accounting systems.

Gil enjoys mountain biking and the great outdoors. He and his family are excited about their move to Sacramento and look forward to being part of our community.

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Thanks for your feedback on our publications survey. Your input will help ensure our newsletters provide value to you and your organization. Congratulations to Michele McGee of Northern California InAlliance who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate.

	RESOURCES
	Daring to Lead 2006 is a comprehensive national study of executive leadership at community nonprofits. Based on nearly 2,000 surveys from eight metropolitan areas, the report provides current data on executive turnover, compensation, career plans, and retirement. The report concludes with recommendations to executives, boards, funders, and capacity builders. Oral Health: Successes and Opportunities for Children's Health Initiatives by Joel Diringer, JD, MPH. This report was funded by The California Endowment. Grantmakers in Health Issue Brief -- More Coverage, Better Care: Improving Children's Access to Health Services. This report examines options available to grantmakers related to children's health coverage and access. Both an executive summary and full report are available. Adobe Software Donation Program. Eligible schools and nonprofits can apply for free Adobe software, including Illustrator, In Design, Pagemaker, and Photoshop.