Connecticut Community Care is proud to announce that we have been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation. The grant is part of $1 million in funding the Tufts Health Plan Foundation is donating to area non-profits that are focused on health equity and the social determinants of health in honor of Tufts Health Plan’s 40th anniversary and its longstanding tradition of giving back to the community. CCC will use this Angel Award to support two of its major health and wellness initiatives, including emerging priorities of the Age Well Community Council related to food security and older adults, and for the CT Healthy Living Collective's falls prevention work.

“We are honored to be part of this impactful group of nonprofit organization grantees all dedicated to improving our communities,” said Molly Rees Gavin, President of Connecticut Community Care. “CCC’s commitment to healthy aging and strong communities is tremendously strengthened thanks to Tufts Health Plan Foundation and their vision for moving communities forward.” 

The $25,000 grants—10 in each of the states where Tufts Health Plan serves members—support a range of nonprofit organizations doing exemplary work to promote community health and wellness. 

“We recognize that non-profit organizations are on the frontlines of service and play a crucial role in building stronger and healthier communities for all of us,” said Tom Croswell, president and CEO of Tufts Health Plan. “These angel grants are a way of saying ‘thank you’ to Connecticut Community Care and other organizations addressing the economic and social conditions that influence the health of our diverse communities and helping them to keep up the great work they do.” 

The Tufts Health Plan Foundation has given more than $35 million to community organizations since 2008 and will give nearly $5 million in community grants this year. CCC will use this Angel Award to support emerging priorities of the Age Well Community Council related to food security and older adults and for the CT Healthy Living Collective's falls prevention work. 

Specifically, a portion of the grant will be used to support the recommendations of the Age Well Community Council food security and older adult initiative in Danbury CT. The report recommendations are a culmination of broad community planning with over 130 committed stakeholders. Recommendations include a peer-to-peer ambassador program, awareness/communications campaign to address stigma and myths, and to address structural barriers that get in the way of food getting to people and people accessing nutrient rich food. 

The award also will be used to advance the falls prevention collaboration of the CT Healthy Living Collective, including the co-design and launch of an innovative internship program with a State University. Students will be trained as a coach to lead the evidence-based Matter of Balance program and will gain valuable group facilitation and gerontology experience while co-located/supervised in a senior center setting. This model aims to build capacity of local CT Healthy Living Collective network sites through academic institution partnership.