NCHF Social Impact Program Awards Funding to Five Organizations

Raleigh, NC — July 25, 2024 —The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF) is pleased to announce the awarding of grant funding to several entities across Robeson County dedicated to advancing health equity and social impact by addressing transportation barriers to good health. These grants, totaling $250,000, represent the first allocation of a three-year, $900,000 investment in Robeson County as part of NCHF’s Social Impact Program funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. 

Creating stable rural health services that meet the changing needs of North Carolina’s rural communities is an organizational priority for NCHF, which is done in part, through their Social Impact Program. The Social Impact Program creates partnerships to improve health outcomes through community-led, systems-level solutions and sustainable collaborative investments. 

“Exploring transportation as a key social driver of health in Robeson County will serve as a model for other North Carolina rural communities vested in multi-sector, community-based partnerships to improve community health outcomes,” said Shakeerah McCoy, Director of Rural Health Innovation. “This will have a long-standing impact on community health in Robeson County.  We are grateful to the members of the Robeson County Community Development Team and Mini-Grant recipients for participation in the co-design and implementation of the Social Impact Program model.” 

The grant recipients include: 

  1. BRAVES Behavioral Health Workforce Transportation Program, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke – Addressing workforce challenges impacting access to health and behavioral health resources by reducing student transportation barriers. 
  2. Robeson Behavioral Health Transportation Network, PAWSS, Inc. - Providing reliable, stigma-free transportation and a standardized, systematic approach for individuals seeking recovery from mental health or substance use disorders.  
  3. Robeson Fresh Moves Initiative, Southern Carolina Housing – Addressing transportation-related food insecurity by bringing fresh affordable food to marginalized and food desert communities and residents using a mobile market  
  4. Scotland@Home: Community Health Transportation Program, Scotland Memorial Foundation – Addressing transportation barriers for patients by leveraging community health workers, community paramedics, and private third-party transportation to ensure equitable access to healthcare services that can improve patient outcomes.  
  5. RHCC Mobile Unit Impact Project, Robeson Health Care Corporation – Improving access to integrated health services and promoting healthier lifestyles across rural service areas through mobile health center unit. 

Each of these organizations will work collaboratively to find new solutions to long-standing practices and systems influencing health in the community. The funding provided by NCHF will enable these entities to serve as statewide leaders in improving health outcomes through innovation, cross-sector collaboration, building trust, and addressing racial disparities. Outcomes will be shared with organizations leading similar work across the state and leveraged to attract and develop financial support for sustaining these solutions. 

“As a historically impoverished, rural community one of the most significant impediments to improving long-term health outcomes in Robeson County is the absence of an effective public transportation system. Reliable and affordable transportation is critical to connecting our most at-risk citizens to vital services such as health care and day-to-day necessities such as food and employment. Funding a transportation model that is strategic, sustainable, and most importantly, developed in a collaborative manner–will be critical to improving the quality of life for the residents of our county,” said Dr. Asa Revels, Executive Director of PAWSS. 

Applications for the second round of funding will open in Q2 of 2025. Learn more about the Social Impact Program and this year’s grant winners on our website. 

XXX

About NCHA 

Founded in 1918, North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support and education to expand access to high quality, efficient, affordable and integrated health care for all North Carolinians. 

About North Carolina Healthcare Foundation 

Established in 1964, the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation is the charitable non-profit, innovative and programmatic arm of the North Carolina Healthcare Association. The Foundation brings together diverse voices and perspectives to support community-based innovation and develop leading-edge programming to drive lasting change. Its goal is to power system-wide solutions, redefine the healthcare delivery system and improve the health and well-being of people in North Carolina and beyond. The Foundation works in concert with the Association to shape policy, inform the public and drive change. 

Media Contact