HealthForward.org
COMMUNIT Y ADVISORY COMMITTEE @HealthForwardKC
R E V I E W O F H E A LT H FO R WA R D FO U N DAT I O N
COMMUNIT Y ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2020 REVIEW OF HEALTH FORWARD FOUNDATION
COMMUNIT Y ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Each year the Community Advisory Committee assesses Health Forward Foundation’s body of work. As part of this year’s assessment, members reviewed minutes from board and committee meetings and interviewed committee chairs and staff leadership. Assessments and conclusions from committee members are outlined in this letter. 2020 challenged our health, mental health, and livelihood. Amidst a global pandemic, political and racial unrest, and glaring health injustices, this committee commends Health Forward for responding to these challenges with swift action, strong advocacy, and a keen awareness of community needs.
RE VIEW COM MIT TEE M EM B ERS Carey Spain, Chair Aaron Crossley Alan Flory Lana McKinney Cynthia Riker
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2020 Review of Health Forward Foundation
NEW CEO After a national search, Kansas City native Qiana Thomason joined Health Forward in January 2020 as its new president/CEO. We commend the board of directors for conducting a thorough search, and for the selection of Qiana. Her personal background and professional expertise in health care policy, delivery, and payment, combined with her value of equity uniquely positions her to lead Health Forward into our next chapter.
PANDEMIC RESPONSE Health Forward responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing emergency funding to core partners, supporting regional contact tracing and testing, and contributing to a response and recovery fund to help meet the needs of our communities. Health Forward also relaxed grantmaking procedures, which made fund allocation a smooth and efficient process. Health Forward’s response was rapid and insightful. In a matter of weeks, Health Forward had implemented the following changes to help organizations and communities weather the pandemic:
•R eleased a total of $6 million in advance payments to active grant recipients
•C onverted all active grants to general operating dollars
•R elaxed interim reporting requirements for active grants
•P re-approved six-month extensions for all active grants
These adjustments provided grantees with financial flexibility and reduced grant administration and paperwork so organizations could focus on serving the community.
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COMMUNIT Y ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REVIEW PROCESS In an effort to continue to evolve their grantmaking process, Health Forward changed its Foundation Defined Grant review process so that program officers and leadership assume final responsibility for informing and determining the final slate of grant recommendations to the board. Formerly, external reviewers determined the slate. With the new process, external reviewers will continue to provide information, advice, and expertise to inform the review of proposals and expand Health Forward’s knowledge. These changes honor and build upon the historical role of external reviewers and the valuable input they provide, while also leveraging internal expertise and deep knowledge of organizations and the community.
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2020 Review of Health Forward Foundation
EQUITY Health Forward has long advocated that to create health in our communities, we must look upstream to the social factors that are impeding health as well as how these barriers show up inequitably. In September 2020 Qiana Thomason shared with partners a new path forward to address health equity through economic inclusion.
These organizations recommended:
An ad-hoc equity committee of the board was launched this year, a new culture and inclusion officer role was created, and a new culture and inclusion advisory group was formed that represents a cross-section of associates. Health Forward staff and board participated in Racial Equity Institute workshops and engaged Delphi Consultants, Inc. and Spitfire Strategies to perform a comprehensive diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging assessment of all policies and practices.
Specific feedback from this session and other planned listening sessions will be used in Health Forward’s purpose alignment process.
Health Forward also convened small, multi-sector organizations led by and serving people of color to discuss their challenges in accessing and growing philanthropic funding.
• adapting application requirements and processes • evolving evaluation practices to be more inclusive •p roviding support for leaders of color • taking more risks • holding more listening sessions
Throughout the year, Qiana and other Health Forward leaders educated the public and key stakeholders about the new commitment to equity through newsletters, email, and public forums. Although there is more to be done on the long road to advancing racial and health equity, the board and staff have made great strides internally over a relatively short time. This committee encourages continued progress.
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COMMUNIT Y ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEDICAID EXPANSION Recognizing that a lack of insurance is a critical barrier to health, Health Forward has doggedly advocated for Medicaid expansion for seven years. When lawmakers refused to expand Medicaid, Health Forward and community partners organized the Healthcare for Missouri campaign to put the question directly to voters as a ballot initiative. The campaign collected the required number of signatures to ensure Medicaid expansion was included on the August ballot. On Aug. 4, we all celebrated as voters elected to expand Medicaid, showing their support for bringing tax dollars back to Missouri to benefit our economy and to take care of those who fell within the Medicaid gap. Advocacy to expand Medicaid in Missouri and Kansas have long been a priority the CAC has encouraged. We are pleased with the results of the August election and commend Health Forward for their leadership role and work with the campaign and over 300 cross-sector partners across the state to ensure the constitutional amendment passed. We encourage Health Forward and partners to continue advocating for Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
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2020 Review of Health Forward Foundation
FINANCE AND INVESTMENT From a financial perspective, Health Forward increased assets by an estimated $ 48 million in 2020. Administrative spending was under budget. Health Forward also started exploring impact investing. Impact investments refer to the investments made with the intent to yield both financial and social returns to meet the needs of communities. Social outcomes could include quality job creation, workforce training initiatives, poverty reduction, increased homeownership rates, and affordable rate housing. Net, double bottom-line results are desired (social and financial). These conversations were encouraging to the CAC.
POLICY AGENDA In December, Health Forward adopted its policy agenda for 2021 and 2022. Health Forward’s advocacy and policy work will center on the goals of:
• Equitable access to high-quality health care
• I ncrease funding for, and improve administration of, public health infrastructure and resources
•A ddress the social and political influencers of health that contribute to health injustices
We applaud Health Forward for the continued focus on advocacy for systems-level changes for our communities.
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COMMUNIT Y ADVISORY COMMITTEE
PERMANENT HOME Health Forward continued to identify appropriate properties and opportunities for a permanent home. The pandemic demonstrated that many can work from home. As a result, Health Forward has adjusted its needs as they continue to search for a permanent home.
CONCLUSION As the foundation celebrated 15 years of moving health forward, its work is more important than ever. The Review Committee recognizes an opportunity for Health Forward to provide opportunities to work with partners on building and maintaining infrastructure to help balance the dual burdens of grant operations and daily operations. Looking ahead, Health Forward will spend the next year on a purpose alignment process to develop a new guiding strategy that centers its purpose, refines its focus, and deepens its impact. The Community Advisory Committee is eager to participate in this process to help ensure partners will have a voice in, and help inform Health Forward’s work moving forward.
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2020 Review of Health Forward Foundation
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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HEALTH FORWARD FOUNDATION @HealthForwardKC
2020 AN NUAL REPORT