Author: Kaleigh Miller

January 25, 2023

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is partnering with the Fort Bragg Police Department and local psychologist, Dr. Kianna Zielesch, to implement Public Safety Mind Health, a new Trauma Counseling Program for all police department employees.

This program, funded by a grant from MCHFoundation, is a giant step forward in helping to eliminate the stigma around mental health, which is especially prevalent in the public safety profession. The funding will connect each police department staff member with Dr. Zielesch, who specializes in first responder trauma, for two private Mind Health Checkups per year—one every six months.

“The checkup just makes sure everything is going well and provides the opportunity for staff to see a therapist without requiring them to call, which can be difficult,” said Neil Cervenka, Fort Bragg Chief of Police. “A key component of this program is confidentiality as a way of defeating the stigma of mental health in my profession.”

The program is the first of its kind on the Mendocino Coast. The goal is to increase career longevity, and—most importantly—reduce police suicide. At the end of the year, participants will be asked to fill out a brief, anonymous survey, giving them an opportunity to reflect on the impact of their checkups.

MCHFoundation is proud to step up in support of this important initiative. “Our work revolves around the goal of creating a healthier Mendocino Coast, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by taking care of the dedicated men and women keeping us safe,” said Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, MCHFoundation Executive Director. “Our generous donors help make grants like this possible. It is their ongoing support of our Immediate Needs Fund that enables MCHFoundation to act quickly and offer resources where needed most.”

Employees will begin their Mind Health Checkups early this year. Should it be determined that a staff member requires additional sessions beyond the two that are covered, his or her insurance will take effect. If the pilot program proves successful, it could be rolled out on a broader scale for other city staff and public safety roles.

To learn more or discuss partnership opportunities, please reach out to Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

December 8, 2022

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is pleased to announce a $150,000 charitable contribution from a local family foundation—with $50,000 directed to helping recruit and retain coastal caregivers through All In For Nurses, and $100,000 for advanced MRI technology.

MCHFoundation and its donors are committed to improving health care on the Mendocino Coast, and transformational major gifts are critical to help solve urgent, multi-faceted issues like the local nursing shortage. While annual donors help MCHFoundation respond to urgent community needs, major gift investments catalyze programs and resources that support the long-term success of coastal caregivers and students.

“MCHFoundation and our Board of Directors wants to extend our deepest gratitude to this local family foundation,” says Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director of MCHFoundation. “Gifts like these are not only transformative financially to the Mendocino Coast, but also a powerful invitation and inspiration to other supporters.”

This generous donation will help All In For Nurses provide diverse funding for scholarship awards, recurring financial support for students, appreciation events for existing caregivers, educational partnerships like the CNA Collaborative with Adventist Health Mendocino Coast and other organizations, and more. As this movement gains momentum, our community has successfully graduated 15 new nurses, enrolled more than 25 in CNA training, and provided financial support to countless aspiring caregivers and dedicated nurses.

The gift will also help address the significant need for an advanced MRI machine at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast. In recent years, donors have helped the hospital to invest in local imaging, including 3D mammography and new ultrasound machines.

To learn more about All In For Nurses, the Advanced Imaging Initiative or to discuss partnership possibilities through major and planned giving, please reach out to Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

October 19, 2022

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is celebrating our community’s success, thanks to its resourceful new initiative to invest in federal funding for coastal health and wellness greatest needs. A total of $1,440,060 was awarded in USDA grant funding to benefit Comptche Volunteer Fire Department, Fort Bragg High School, Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center, Parents and Friends, Inc., The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County, and Adventist Health Mendocino Coast. An additional $199,500 was awarded directly to MCHFoundation.

Last year, MCHFoundation learned of the USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program, which provides up to $500 million nationwide to community-based nonprofits that primarily serve rural areas. This time-sensitive opportunity specifically offered funding to expand and support COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and telehealth capacity—all substantial needs for organizations serving the Mendocino Coast.

Based on community listening sessions, MCHFoundation prepared to apply for nearly $1 million in funding on behalf of community organizations with important needs identified. However, further research revealed that independent grant applications from each nonprofit could yield substantially more USDA funding.

MCHFoundation quickly pivoted and stepped forward to craft grant narratives and budgets, and ultimately facilitated submissions that helped each of the following organizations secure funding:

• Comptche Volunteer Fire Department received a USDA Community Facilities Grant award of $49,900 to enhance critical infrastructure and equipment.
• Fort Bragg High School received an award of $51,800 to expand its Pay it Forward Food Pantry.
• Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center received an award of $140,960 for telehealth services, food distribution, and COVID-19 testing.
• Parents and Friends, Inc. received an award of $450,100 to expand COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for staff, as well as for community members with developmental disabilities.
• The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County received an award of $25,000 to support COVID-19 treatment and testing for high-risk cancer patients.

MCHFoundation also connected Adventist Health Mendocino Coast with grant representatives and resources to help initiate their submission process. As a result, Adventist Health was awarded $722,300 to support staff wages and equipment needed to treat COVID-19 patients. The award will also help with the operation of a mobile health clinic that will improve access to care in underserved areas within the community.

Each recipient is required to invest more in its project than just what was funded by the USDA grant—through fundraising efforts, additional grant submissions, etc.—yielding an even greater impact on the communities being served.

This initiative provided MCHFoundation with a unique, powerful opportunity to strategically support health and wellness above and beyond the scope of its own annual grant awards.

“We learned that many of these organizations struggle to respond to federal funding opportunities due to immediacy of client needs and capacity challenges,” shared Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director of MCHFoundation. “We’re proud to expand our mission by offering staff time and expertise to our coastal nonprofit partners to enhance and support the essential care they deliver to our community.”

MCHFoundation donors gave $50,000 in gifts to cover the cost of staff hours required for the grant submission process—an incredible show of support for the team’s responsive solution to leverage staff time for a significant return on investment. The health and wellness partners were thrilled to have additional resources to help.

As well, MCHFoundation provided over $45,455 in matching funds for these grant submissions.

“We would not have been able to avail ourselves of this opportunity without MCHFoundation’s extreme assistance,” said Karen Oslund, Executive Director of The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County.

With the grant award, CRC will be able to launch a telehealth program and purchase a vehicle to ensure transportation barriers don’t prevent cancer patients from receiving care. In addition, the funding will assist patients who do not have their own computer or internet to connect with their doctors via CRC technology.

The USDA grant award of $199,500 to MCHFoundation will be used to support salaries for staff distributing COVID-19 test kits, as well as for equipment and software needed to input community data more efficiently.

To support MCHFoundation, please make a gift online or call 707-961-4671.

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437