Priorities and Strategies
Priorities
Throughout the spring and fall of 2022, the Community Advisory Board (CAB) reviewed MGH community engagement and Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) data and met with experts in the field. In the winter and spring of 2023, the CAB selected four priorities and strategies for funding and determined how much Community Health Impact Funds would be allocated to each area. The pie chart (left) outlines the amounts that will be allocated to each priority overall. See below for a more detailed description of the strategies selected with a draft timeline of when dollars will be released over the next 8 years.
Strategies
Economic/Financial Stability and Mobility
- Innovative Workforce Development: Adopt innovative workforce development strategies to train low- and moderate-income residents, as well as returning citizens (e.g., through apprenticeships, as well as promotion and training for new careers such as Community Health Workers (CHWs) and community liaisons, childcare specialists, etc.). $6M
- Invest in Multilingual Workforce: Provide opportunities for bilingual/multilingual individuals so they may be recruited in healthcare, education, and other industries. This strategy also includes proper training for translators and interpreters. Increase the workforce with specialized training (e.g., mental health/substance use training allows for an increase in CHWs & recovery coaches) who represent low-income, immigrant, LGBTQ, seniors, and/or communities of color. $6M
- Training on Wealth Building and Business Loans: Provide entrepreneurs within the community with training on financial management and sustainability, how to establish wealth, and financing for new businesses (e.g., new childcare businesses, etc.). $3M
Housing
- Production of Affordable Housing: Advocate for and support public and private funding to support the production of affordable housing (e.g., fund affordable housing trust funds and community land trusts, support fair housing and local zoning reform, and transitional housing, etc.). $8M
- Eviction Prevention: Support policies that prevent evictions and create resources for residents at risk of displacement. $4M
- Support CDCs & Other Non-Profit Development Corps: Increase CDCs’ ability to buy, construct, preserve, and manage affordable housing (e.g., provide no- or low-cost capital [that can be revolving] to help nonprofits afford multi-family buildings when they go on the market to avoid displacement and secure long-term affordability). $6M
Mental/Behavioral Health
- Expand Behavioral Health Services: Increase community-based behavioral health centers and other similar initiatives (e.g., restorative justice and community-led behavioral health initiatives, group work) for substance use disorder (SUD) and trauma-informed care for Black, Hispanic, and non-English speaking individuals. $7M
- Innovative Youth Well-Being Interventions: Engage schools in health and wellness programs, exercise education, SUD and mental health prevention and interventions. $8M
Food and Nutrition Insecurity
- Policy & System Change: Support policy, systems, and environmental changes to increase access to affordable, healthy foods and physical activity in communities and school environments. $6M
- Capital Investment for Incubation Centers: Support new food incubation centers. $3M
- Create New Innovative Systems for Food Growth: Create and support hydroponic and new green technologies for growing, rooftop gardens, vertical food farming, etc. $3M
Funding Distribution Timeline
The CAB has recommended a timeline for distribution of the funds over the next eight years. This initial timeline is subject to change based on capacity restraints, community opportunities/changes, and allocation committee decisions.