Welcome to Merced's BHC Announcement page. Below is a chronological listing of all Merced BHC's posts, with the most recent at the top. If you would like to contribute to Building Healthy Communities - Merced announcements, please contact your Hub Communications Specialist Staff Mark Chalico at: bhcmerced@gmail.com |
Merced Announcements
Community Circle In Planada - Join Us!
Building Healthy Communities Merced Position Opening
Available Grants Opportunity Through Dignity Health
Dignity Health in conjunction with Merced Medical Center are accepting applications for their 2014 Community Grants Program. An objective of Dignity Health's Community Grants Program is to award grants to organizations that partners together and whose proposals respond to the priorities identified in the health assessment and the community benefit plans of Merced Medical Center. The grant funds are to be used to provide services to underserved populations within Merced County. The deadline to submit an application is on Friday July 18th, 2014. All applications are to be submitted to Janice Wilkerson at Janice.Wilkerson@DignityHealth.org. Since 1990, Dignity Health has awarded nearly $47 million through grants to local nonprofit organizations. Dignity Health’s community grants program is funded through donations from its member hospitals, which contribute a percentage equal to the previous year’s audited expenses. ![]() |
2014 Community Grants Available
We are pleased to announce that we are opening up our summer cycle of community grants. The community grant will directly fund projects in the four communities identified within the BHC area: Planada, Le Grand, South Merced, Franklin/Beachwood areas of Merced County, or projects that involve community members from the four identified areas that make up our BHC site. Community grants should improve youth leadership, community involvement, and behaviors related to developing healthy and safe communities. Examples of potential programs or projects include, but are not limited to: health related activities, educational trips, cultural arts, music or video projects that focus on the prioritized BHC outcomes for Southwest Merced/East Merced County. You can find them and apply between April 7th and May 16th at the following locations:
Or see the attached file and bring in the completed form before close of business on May 16th. |
Local Control Funding Formula
On Thursday, October 24th, The California Endowment, in conjunction with BHC and a number of other community groups, will be hosting a forum regarding the Local Control Funding Formula.
Thanks to voter-approved Proposition 30 and an improving economy, California has started to reverse years of budget cuts and teacher layoffs. State education spending is expected to increase $18 billion over the next eight years. The Fair School Funding law – formally called the Local Control Funding Formula - determines how dollars will be distributed and how they can be used. Fair School Funding makes these important changes: 1. More Money for Schools with the Greatest Needs. Fair School Funding increases dollars to specifically support the needs of students who are low-income, learning to speak English and living in foster homes. 2. A New Definition of School Success. Fair School Funding means schools won’t be judged by test scores alone. Schools now also must develop plans to improve parent involvement, student engagement, and positive learning environments. 3. More Local Control. Fair School Funding gives parents and local school leaders more control over spending. Under the new law, they will work together to create achievement plans and budgets to meet the unique needs of students in their communities. The Fair School Funding Law was signed into law on July 1st, 2013. It was approved quickly and many details are still to be defined by the California Board of Education. This fall, the Board is considering two important decisions: (1) regulations that will define how new dollars can be spent; and (2) a template for an achievement plan (the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP) that every school district will complete to show goals and progress under the new law. The Board has asked for public input in advance of their final decisions in early 2014. That’s why the School Success Express Tour is happening now. After the Board makes its decisions, school districts will craft three-year student achievement plans and supporting budgets that will take effect starting July 1. However, given the scope of the changes and new requirements for community input, the state encourages school districts to not wait until the spring to engage parents and students in this new process. Please See the attached FAQ and Flyer for more information. If you have questions regarding the forum on October 24th, please contact Isai Palma at 209-777-9898. |
2013-14 Community Grants
Building Healthy Communities, Merced is now accepting applications for mini community grants! See attached document for application. |