Tag: Grants

Kalispel Tribe receives $130,000 Arcora Foundation grant

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Investments will help fund dental clinic expansion, address unmet needs.

Cusick, WA–Kalispel Tribal members and Pend Oreille County residents will have more options for dental care. The Kalispel Tribe received a $130,000 grant from Arcora Foundation to help expand dental capacity at their Camas Center Medical and Dental Clinic (Camas Center).

Camas Center, in Cusick, provides comprehensive medical, dental and behavioral health care for all of Pend Oreille County in northeast Washington. The grant money will go toward equipment for 2 additional dental treatment areas for a total of 6. The dental clinic also will feature a quiet room for elders, children, neurodivergent patients and people who wish to wait in a calm, peaceful space before their appointments.

“The Camas Center Medical and Dental Clinic reflects the Kalispel Tribe’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Kalispel Tribe people and the Pend Oreille County community,” said Kalispel Tribal Council Vice Chair Curt Holmes. “Arcora Foundation’s funding and partnership mean more people can get the care they need and live healthier lives.”

Once the $15 million expansion is completed, Camas Center expects the number of dental patients they can serve to increase from 500 to 874 annually. They anticipate most of the new patients (75-80%) will be lower-income and have Apple Health (Medicaid).

“Beyond expansions to the dental clinic, this grant is a meaningful commitment to expand access to care for more people in Pend Oreille County, so no one is left behind,” said Arcora Foundation President and CEO Vanetta Abdellatif. “Arcora is proud to partner with the Kalispel Tribe to ensure more people—especially those who have been historically underinvested in—can access the care they need when, where and how they need it.” 

The Camas Center dental clinic expansion is scheduled for completion in summer 2025.

Pend Oreille County has dental professional shortages according to federal data. Tribal clinics like Camas Center provide essential oral and overall health services to address historical dental health disparities, which disproportionately persist among American Indians/Alaska Natives and lower-income households.

Rendering of expanded Camas Center dental clinic.
Rendering of expanded Camas Center dental clinic.

The capital grant to Camas Center is among 3 that Arcora Foundation awarded totaling $340,000. Quileute Health Center, another Native health center, received a $140,000 grant. The other went to One Community Health ($70,000), a community health center.

About Camas Center Medical and Dental Clinic

Located inside the Camas Center for Community Wellness, the Camas Center Medical and Dental Clinic exemplifies the Kalispel Tribe’s commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Pend Oreille County. The Clinic provides comprehensive health care for both tribal and non-tribal community members, offering the highest level of medical, dental, behavioral health and chiropractic care.

About Arcora Foundation

Arcora Foundation advances oral health across Washington state. We are the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, and the state’s largest foundation dedicated to this cause. We lead with equity in our work to achieve good oral health for all. Through partnerships, we focus our prevention and access priorities on racial and ethnic communities—specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—where disparities in oral disease and access to care are significant. Our mission is in our name: bending the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more at ArcoraFoundation.org.

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We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

Quileute Tribal Health Center announces $140,000 grant from Arcora Foundation

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Expands dental access for American Indians/Alaska Natives in rural Olympic Peninsula.

La Push, WA–American Indians/Alaska Natives and children from lower-income families on the Olympic Peninsula will have more options for dental care. The Quileute Tribal Council received a $140,000 grant from Arcora Foundation to update dental capacity at their health center.

Quileute Health Center (QHC) will use the funds to replace decades old equipment, including 3 dental treatment areas and a sterilization station. Currently, just 2 of the 3 areas are operational, limiting the clinic’s ability to treat patients. The new equipment will allow the QHC dental clinic to serve an additional 287 patients a year.

“Our health center plays a vital role in addressing critical oral health care needs in our community,” said Quileute Tribal Council Chairman Douglas Woodruff Jr. “Arcora Foundation’s support and partnership mean even more people will have a chance to live healthier and fuller lives through improved oral health.”

People who receive care at the QHC dental clinic include all enrolled Quileute members, members from the other 573 federally recognized tribes and the descendants of enrolled tribal members. The clinic also serves children with Apple Health (Medicaid) in La Push and surrounding communities to help address unmet oral health needs.

“Beyond the updates to the dental clinic, this grant is a meaningful commitment to expand access to care for people the Quileute Health Center serves, so no one is left behind,” said Arcora Foundation President and CEO Vanetta Abdellatif. “Arcora is proud to partner with the Quileute Nation to ensure more people—especially those who have been historically underinvested in—can access the care they need when, where and how they need it.” 

The QHC dental clinic is scheduled to have fully expanded capacity by early 2025.

In Clallam County, parts of the Olympic Peninsula have pockets of dental professional shortages according to federal data. Tribal clinics like QHC provide essential oral and overall health services to address historical dental health disparities, which disproportionately persist among American Indians/Alaska Natives and lower-income households.

The capital grant to QHC is among 3 that Arcora Foundation awarded totaling $340,000. Kalispel Tribe of Indians’ Camas Center Medical and Dental Clinic, another Native health center, received a $130,000 grant. The other went to One Community Health ($70,000), a community health center.

About the Quileute Tribe

Quileute Nation is a federally recognized tribe on the western coast of Clallam County at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula in remote La Push. Applying a collaborative patient care approach, the Quileute Health Center (QHC) provides comprehensive primary medical, dental, behavioral health, substance use services and specialty care for people all ages. Its dental clinic focuses in caring for tribal members and lower-income neighbors.

About Arcora Foundation

Arcora Foundation advances oral health across Washington state. We are the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, and the state’s largest foundation dedicated to this cause. We lead with equity in our work to achieve good oral health for all. Through partnerships, we focus our prevention and access priorities on racial and ethnic communities—specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—where disparities in oral disease and access to care are significant. Our mission is in our name: bending the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more at ArcoraFoundation.org.

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We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

One Community Health announces $70,000 grant from Arcora Foundation

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Investment expands dental care access for Klickitat, Skamania county residents.

White Salmon, WA–Southwest Washington residents in need of affordable dental care will soon have more options. One Community Health (OCH) received a $70,000 grant from Arcora Foundation for a new dental clinic in White Salmon.

The funding will go toward construction of a $2.6 million, 2,000-square-foot dental clinic in White Salmon. The dental clinic—which will primarily serve people from Klickitat and Skamania counties—will include 13 dental treatment areas. It will provide access to an estimated 8,500 new dental patients, providing 17,000 appointments annually.

“Our mission is to advance health and social justice for all members of our community,” said One Community Health CEO Jennifer Griffith. “Arcora Foundation’s support helps us fulfill our mission for all so that even more people will have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of good oral health.”

The grant announcement coincides with National Health Center Week—an annual national observance that endeavors to highlight the important role community health centers play in creating a healthier and a more equitable society. Community health centers care for more than 1.1 million people throughout Washington state. Nationwide, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) like One Community Health serve more than 30.5 million people each year. Once fully staffed, the White Salmon clinic will have 20 dental care professionals and will be the only FQHC providing integrated medical, dental and behavioral health care in Klickitat County.

“Beyond funding construction of the new clinic, this grant is a meaningful commitment to expand access to care for Southwest Washington residents, so no one is left behind,” said Arcora Foundation President and CEO Vanetta Abdellatif. “Arcora is proud to partner with One Community Health to ensure more people—especially those who have been historically underinvested in—can access the care they need when, where and how they need it.” 

Currently, OCH’s dental clinics in Oregon serve patients from Oregon and Washington with those from Washington having to travel further for care. The new White Salmon clinic will be closer to patients and residents of Skamania and Klickitat counties, counties with few dental resources for the medically underserved. In providing easier access to preventive oral health care and timely dental treatments, this new clinic will make a timely impact on the oral health care needs of these communities.

The new dental clinic is expected to begin serving patients in December 2025.

The capital grant to OCH is among 3 that Arcora Foundation awarded totaling $340,000. The others went to tribal health centers: Kalispel Tribe of Indians’ Camas Center Medical and Dental Clinic ($130,000), and Quileute Health Center ($140,000).

About One Community Health

One Community Health (OCH) is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center serving patients in the Mid-Columbia River Gorge region, which includes Wasco and Hood River counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington. In addition to its seven physical locations, OCH has two mobile medical units dedicated to serving the small, rural communities that dot the landscape of the Gorge, as well as Native American communities living along the Columbia. Formerly known as La Clínica del Cariño Family Health Care Center, OCH was founded in 1986 and today has evolved into a 5-Star Patient-Centered Primary Care Home providing medical, dental, and behavioral health care to more than 38,000 patients. OCH also excels in providing specialized care that promotes the well being and health of all, including farmworker outreach, addiction support services, LGBTQ+ community care, and a specialized diabetes support team.

About Arcora Foundation

Arcora Foundation advances oral health across Washington state. We are the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, and the state’s largest foundation dedicated to this cause. We lead with equity in our work to achieve good oral health for all. Through partnerships, we focus our prevention and access priorities on racial and ethnic communities—specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—where disparities in oral disease and access to care are significant. Our mission is in our name: bending the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more at ArcoraFoundation.org.

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We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

Bridging the gap: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the vitality of oral health

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By Carmen Mendez

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, it is a time for reflection on the cultural values and experiences that have shaped our lives. For me, the significance of this month is deeply intertwined with my journey to understand the importance of oral health, a lesson that was often overlooked during my upbringing in rural Mexico.

Growing up, oral health was not a priority in my family or community. We lacked access to proper dental care, and the consequences of this neglect soon became evident. I, like many others, found myself plagued by cavities and dental issues at a young age. The discomfort and pain were a constant reminder of the importance of good oral hygiene, but the means to address these issues were scarce.

These early experiences shaped my perception of dentists. Visits to the dentist were filled with fear and anxiety, as the memory of painful treatments lingered. When I eventually moved to the United States, I brought this apprehension with me. My relationship with dental care remained strained, as the trust I needed to place in my new dentist was hard to come by.

It was only after years of living in the United States that I began to understand that oral health is an integral part of overall health. The connection between oral health and one’s well-being is undeniable. It affects not only our ability to eat, speak, and smile but also our self-esteem and confidence. This realization was a turning point in my life.

Today, as an Arcora Foundation trustee, I have the privilege of being part of an organization that is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals like me, who have faced challenges in accessing dental care. Our goal is to break down the barriers that prevent people from achieving good oral health. We collaborate with partners to reach communities that face barriers to care, provide education on oral hygiene, and advocate for policies and systems changes that promote oral health equity.

Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures that make up this country. It is also a time to recognize the disparities that persist in various aspects of life, including health care. Oral health, often overlooked, is a critical component of overall well-being. It is a reminder that there is much work to be done in bridging the gap and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, can enjoy good oral health.

In celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, let us also celebrate the progress being made in advancing oral health equity. My journey from a childhood marked by dental neglect to becoming an Arcora Foundation trustee is a testament to the transformative power of understanding and prioritizing oral health. Together, we can bend the arc of oral health toward equity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to smile confidently and live a healthier life.

Carmen Mendez

Carmen Mendez is an Arcora Foundation trustee and director of food access network and allocation at Northwest Harvest.

We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

$120,000 in funding supports continued access to care for Washingtonians in need

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Grants to community health centers will help efforts to maintain coverage for people with Apple Health (Medicaid).

People with limited income and resources may face barriers to access health care. That’s where Apple Health (Medicaid) comes in. According to the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), more than 2 million Washingtonians have access to dental, medical, and other services because of Apple Health.

Funding from Arcora Foundation will help people with Apple Health keep their coverage. Arcora awarded $120,000 in grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) across the state to conduct Apple Health outreach and enrollment activities. FQHCs are federally funded nonprofit health centers or clinics where people who are underserved can get care.

Arcora provided this funding  because of a big change to Apple Health eligibility requirements—known as the Medicaid Unwind. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Apple Health maintained continuous coverage for people, waiving the requirement that clients re-confirm their eligibility status. As a result of this temporary rule change—as well as the pandemic’s effects on the economy—many Washingtonians signed up for Apple Health who never had it before. Enrollees received continuous Apple Health coverage throughout the public health emergency.

When the public health emergency ended in the spring of 2023, Apple Health reverted to the pre-pandemic requirements that people with Apple Health verify they’re still eligible for coverage. If they don’t, they may lose it. Because so many Washingtonians signed up for Apple Health during the pandemic and never had to re-verify their eligibility, thousands are at risk of losing coverage. The HCA, Health Benefit Exchange, managed care organizations, providers, community-based organizations, and others are reaching out to families and individuals affected by this change. Here’s more information from the HCA on the Medicaid Unwind and what clients can expect.

These 6 FQHCs received $20,000 each. The funds will support activities to maintain Apple Health coverage for people in their communities:

Apple Health is critical to helping people connect to care who might not otherwise have access. When more people access care, they are better able to  reach their full health potential. Thank you to FQHCs across the state that share Arcora’s  vision that all people enjoy good oral and overall health with no one left behind, and that work tirelessly to achieve it.

We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.