History of Sierra Health Foundation
Since 1985, Sierra Health Foundation has promoted improved health and quality of life for the people of Northern California. Although funding began in just the five counties of the Greater Sacramento area, in 1987 we expanded the funding region to include 26 counties in the northeast section of the state, which had few private funding sources.
Early grant programs addressed AIDS, access to prenatal care, children’s oral health and managed care. Community Partnerships for Healthy Children was a 10-year initiative that supported the healthy development of young children in 30 communities from 1994 to 2003.
In 2006, we launched the REACH Youth Program, which supports healthy development of young people for their successful transition to adulthood. In June 2008, we launched the Responsive Grants Program, and in 2009 we opened the Nonprofit Innovation Center on Garden Highway in Sacramento.
Our Health Leadership Program focuses on strengthening nonprofits by training managers to become effective leaders. We also operate the Conference and Convening Program, and support Grizzly Creek Ranch, a camp and conference center in Plumas County with a focus on outdoor education.
In 2011, we launched the Healthy Sacramento Coalition to develop and implement a chronic disease prevention plan for Sacramento County, funded by a Community Transformation Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response to the promise of health care reform, we launched the Sacramento Region Health Care Partnership, with a goal of strengthening the health care safety net in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties.
In 2012, we became the administrator for the Respite Partnership Collaborative, a public-private partnership with the County of Sacramento, Division of Behavioral Health Services, with a goal to increase local mental health respite service options. Also in 2012, we launched the Positive Youth Justice Initiative to improve the outcomes of young people involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.