Stanford Medicine goes beyond clinic to support community health

Explore how Stanford Medicine gave back to its community:

• Providing economic stability
• Mental and behavioral health support
• Expanding health care access
• Financial assistance and charity care

Providing economic stability

Building healthy communities goes beyond providing medical care, appreciating that there are many other factors that influence our health, particularly economic stability. Food insecurity and housing instability — a significant problem in the Bay Area — negatively affect quality of life. Stanford Medicine financially supported programs that address these needs:

• Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley supported Meals on Wheels by providing meal preparation assistance for a program supporting 800 seniors living in Alameda County. Funding support was also provided to Meals on Wheels Contra Costa, which focuses on providing nutritious meals and supportive services to seniors living on their own. Additionally, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley supported the Community Association for Preschool Education (CAPE) Head Start program by preparing nutritious meals for preschool-aged children living in Eastern Alameda County.
• Housing instability, such as trouble paying rent, moving frequently or overcrowding, has been widely documented as a factor that contributes to negative health outcomes. Stanford Health Care invested $500,000 in a stable housing program led by Destination: Home. This nonprofit organization connects individuals and families to stable housing options and develops innovative strategies to address housing insecurity in the Silicon Valley. With Stanford Health Care’s support, the program has served nearly 6,000 households.
• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is a food bank that serves communities through grocery programs, fresh produce giveaways and school meals. With Stanford Medicine Children’s Health support, Second Harvest provided healthy foods to nearly 139,000 individuals in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

Mental and behavioral health support

Based on a community needs assessment, interventions addressing behavioral health —  which include mental health and substance use services and treatment —  were identified as a major need within local communities. Stanford Medicine addressed this need through various efforts:

• Stanford Health Care invested in the expansion of Roots’ Behavioral Health Connections program, which connects clients to a team of social workers, counselors, and health navigators focused on improving mental and emotional well-being. Over 500 clients were served through this program expansion.
• Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley funded a grant to support the establishment of a full-time therapist at Axis Community Health, providing uninsured patients with counseling services for their mental health needs. Through this grant, over 1,000 mental health visits have been completed.
• Adolescents in the San Francisco Bay Area can receive a wide range of health services, including testing for sexually transmitted diseases, immunizations and counseling, through mobile services provided by the Stanford Medicine Children’s Teen Van. Stanford Medicine Children's Health invested over $1 million to provide reliable primary and mental health care for young people ages 12 to 25 years, serving over 1,800 patients during the past year. Staffed with providers including a nurse practitioner, social worker and nutritionist, the Teen Van visits high schools, community colleges and non-profit organizations.

Expanding health care access

Stanford Health Care, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, and Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley made significant contributions to local social service agencies focused on improving health and expanding access to care:

• Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children's Health supported the expansion of Sonrisas Dental Health’s oral health access program, which provides a range of dental services for low-income families in San Mateo County. Among other services, Sonrisas visits schools, where it offers dental screenings and teaches children how to care for their teeth. With an investment of approximately $150,000 from Stanford Medicine, 663 children were served through this program.
• Stanford Health Care also donated over $250,000 to help expand Alameda County Care Alliance’s Advance Illness Care Program into Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. This faith-based, care navigation program serves adults with advanced illness and their caregivers, bridging the gap between health delivery systems, community organizations and faith-based communities. Through this expansion, nearly 1,200 individuals were able to participate in the program.
• In support of the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley contributed sponsorship funds to this community-based non-profit that provides post-surgical products and services to individuals recovering from breast cancer, regardless of financial status. With Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley’s support, HERS put on its annual community expo event, which showcases local businesses and service organizations focused on health and well-being. Nearly 600 individuals attended the event.
• Stanford Medicine Children’s Health invested nearly $230,000 in supporting Care-a-Van for Kids, a free transportation service for low-income children and families receiving medical treatment at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. The service also provides access to families traveling from long distances and out of state. With this support, 550 individuals were served through the service.
• With a focus on supporting community hospitals in the Bay Area, Stanford Health Care pledged to donate $1 million annually for three years to St. Rose Hospital, an Alameda Health System affiliate located in Hayward. St. Rose Hospital is one of the largest employers in Hayward and has been serving the local community for over 55 years.

Financial assistance and charity care

• Stanford Medicine also invested more than $726 million to cover uncompensated costs of medical services for patients enrolled in Medi-Cal, out-of-state Medicaid, and other government programs. Additionally, the organization donated over $30 million in charity care, free or discounted medical services provided to patients who are unable to afford paying for their care.