EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

The Welborn Foundation believes that early childhood development is critical to a child’s academic success as he/she prepares to enter the school environment. Because school readiness is influenced by many factors, the foundation encourages programs that invest not only at the level of the child, but also support the families, schools, and neighborhoods. The foundation is awarding grants that address specific goals, which have been defined through the key finding that increasing numbers of children in preschools are being identified with disabilities. The strategies focus on enhancing cognitive, emotional and social development of preschool children, both with quality early childhood education and the involvement of the parents.

Central United Methodist Church
Shalom Children's Center
$5,000
Funding to create an indoor recreation area which would be used by children of the Jacobsville Area, those attending Central Child Care, the children who live at Lucas Place and all children who have contact with Central United Methodist Church. This is a part of the church’s strategy to become a focal point within the Jacobsville community. The church has been designated a “Shalom Zone” by the United Methodist Church in recognition of Central’s commitment to be a catalyst for change and improvement in the neighborhood. It has also been designated a “Safe Haven” by Project Weed and Seed. As such, it is playing a key role in the community surrounding it.

Evansville ARC
Resource Center for Child Life Center
$128,382
Funding for the second year of a three-year project to create a resource center, directed toward increasing the quality of early childhood education in the Evansville area. This will serve parents of children ages 0-5, with or without development disabilities or delays. A key goal is to develop the center into a model program and community resource for best practices in early intervention, special education services, and early childhood development.

Joshua Academy
Closing the Gap Program
$150,000 ($100,000 direct grant, plus a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $50,000)
Continued support for faith-based elementary and pre-school, serving children who are disadvantaged academically, financially, socially and spiritually. The school provides a year-round academic program, based on the successful Chicago Prep model, which was developed specifically for this target population by Marva Collins. Emphasis is on breaking the cycle of underachievement by poorer-performing students. The school also teaches the value of good choices, the consequences of bad choices, and ownership of decisions. Parental involvement is mandatory.

The Rehabilitation Center
Children's Psychiatric Services
$46,500
Funding for year 2 of a 3-year program to establish psychiatric services for children and youth with disabilities, addressing a critical shortage of adequate, timely, accessible psychiatric care for these young people. The Rehab Center has partnered with the Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center to bring a psychiatrist onto its staff.

HEALTHY ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

Adolescence is the time when young people are at highest risk for engaging in behaviors that can result in poor health outcomes. [According to] the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six categories of behavior are responsible for 70 percent of adolescent mortality and morbidity: unintentional and intentional injuries, drug and alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted disease and unintended pregnancies, diseases associated with tobacco use, illness resulted from inadequate physical activity, and health problems due to inadequate dietary patterns. The grants awarded address teen pregnancy prevention, adolescent substance abuse prevention, and healthy life styles for at risk youth.

Tri-Cap – Jasper, Indiana
Teen suicide prevention program
$34,378
A planning grant for the Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools and Tri-Cap (Dubois-Pike- Warrick Economic Opportunity Committee, Inc,) to develop a school-specific and county-general suicide prevention program. Planning activities will be conducted by an advisory group that includes representatives from Dubois, Pike, Warrick and Orange county school systems, Memorial and Deaconess-St. Joseph Hospitals, Southern Hills Counseling Center, Tri-Cap and other community groups. The planning and evaluation portion will require 18 months with implementation of the program an additional 18 months.

Young Women's Christian Association
Live Y'ers
$75,000 ($50,000 direct grant, plus a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $25,000)
Funding for the expansion of this pregnancy prevention program for teens. Program is currently operating at 3 schools. The expansion will add after-school programs for younger students at all 3 schools and add an additional elementary school. Secondary goals of the program include prevention of substance abuse and increased likelihood of education past high school. Funds will be used to support expansion of the staff to accommodate the additional students in the program.

Youth First Foundation, Inc.
Substance Abuse Intervention Program
$350,000 ($2 for $1 matching grant up to $350,000)
Funding for year 2 of a 3-year request. The mission of the program is to reduce substance abuse by coordinating community resources to provide prevention and early intervention for youth and their families. This includes using proven programs that seek to reach the root causes most associated with substance abuse among young people, including poor decision-making skills, peer pressure, lack of family support/supervision and inappropriate role models. First year funds are expected to reach more than 3,300 young people. Year 2 funds are expected to reach an additional 4,363 young people.

WNIN
Under-Age Drinking Project
$32,500
This grant matches a $67,500 grant from Sound Partners in Community Health, directed by the Benton Foundation and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the purpose of conducting a public awareness campaign to reduce under-age drinking in the tri-state. The campaign will employ the resources of public television and radio, Youth First Foundation services, a website, brochures and other printed materials, related stories leading to forums by the Evansville Courier & Press, WEHT ABC-25, and WNIN 88.3 FM. Youth First will collaborate with the media partners to develop the content of additional outreach to teens and adults, and efforts will also encourage people to contact Youth First directly for programs offered in the area.

Warrick County School Corporation
Substance Abuse Prevention
Funding for the implementation of a substance abuse prevention program for two elementary schools and two junior high schools. This would be an extension of the existing Life Skills program, but will be enhanced to include the family unit as a whole. The extension will be the addition of the Strengthening Families Program, in collaboration with the current Life Skills program, which is coordinated by the Youth First Foundation. Youth First will provide trained facilitators to conduct all the SFP sessions. (Note: No new funding has been authorized for this project. It will be funded from $48,500 in funds remaining from the organization’s 2001 Welborn Foundation planning grant.)

IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH STATUS

Studies that identify community-level characteristics associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of residents could help guide local health planning. Key findings demonstrate that the infant mortality and morbidity rate, although improving, still needs to be addressed; that the morbidity and mortality rate of breast and cervical cancer among the African-American population is higher than average; and access to specialty health care for children is needed. The grants awarded address these goals.

Tri-State Multiple Sclerosis Association, Inc.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic
$75,555
Until this year, there has been no comprehensive MS Center in the tri-state region, where more than 3,000 individuals suffer from MS. MS is a chronic, disabling disease of the central nervous system that is difficult to diagnose. The progress, severity and symptoms are unpredictable, but early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to helping people retain physical and cognitive abilities. Funds will be used for clinic implementation.

University of Southern Indiana
Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Program
$50,000
Funding for second year of 3-year project. Focus is the reduction of breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality among African-American women, using the 'Witness Project', a culturally sensitive program involving African-American women who have survived these cancers. According to state health department records, breast cancer deaths among African-American women are higher than any other group. Lack of early detection is cited as the cause of the higher mortality rates. The funds will be used to provide the project coordinator, clerical support, educational materials, advisor honorariums, clinical screening for 75 women per year, and project evaluation.

Marsha's Place Pregnancy Resource Center – Henderson, Kentucky
Infant and Child Safety Program
$10,000 (requires cash or in-kind match up to the amount of the grant)
Program to prevent unintentional death and injuries among babies and small children, ages 0-4. This age group is more likely than any other to sustain accidental injuries that result in death and disability.

Funds will be used to purchase infant and child restraint seats and cribs/mattresses. This equipment will be refurbished and re-used when families have finished with it. The Kentucky State Police will also work with Marsha’s Place to conduct child safety seat clinics.

St. Mary's Foundation
Child Health Center - Year 2
$319,941
The CHC brings pediatric sub-specialists to the area on a regular schedule to supplement existing services or to provide services currently unavailable. Pediatric nurses and other pediatric ancillary personnel support the specialists. In the first four months, 7 clinics were opened with 24 sub-specialists serving 395 children. In year two, specialists can be added for hematology/oncology, diabetes, endocrinology, obesity, craniofacial, epilepsy and a pediatric hand clinic.

This is the second year of funding for the 2001 project known as the Children's Health Group project. 2001 funding was $442,000.

Southwestern Indiana Regional Perinatal Advisory Board
Regional Perinatal Advisory Board Coordinator
$62,278
RPAB proposes to employ an R.N. as full-time coordinator of efforts to improve perinatal outcomes in the tri-state region. The Vanderburgh County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Team (FIMR) has reviewed fetal and infant deaths over the past 4 years and found that 30% were due to prematurity and 14% were due to placental abruption, both factors proven to be linked to smoking. The second leading cause of death (17%) is asphyxiation due to bed sharing and bedding, which is 100% preventable.

PROMOTION OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Every year, chronic diseases claim the lives of more than one and a half million Americans. Much of the chronic disease burden is preventable. To a large degree, the major chronic disease killers, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes – are results of what people do, or what they do not do, as they go about the business of daily living. The key findings show that our region is at above average risk for the development of these diseases, because of prevalent habits of physical inactivity and unhealthy eating. These habits lead to overweight and obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and some cancers. The grants seek to promote healthier habits by targeting prevention and reduction of smoking, management of chronic disease, and modification of life style.

South Spencer Middle School – Spencer County, Indiana
Fitness Program
$70,000
Funding of a fitness program for adolescents and adults. This program proposes to: 1. Implement a wellness curriculum in the existing middle school physical education program; 2. Provide students with training and access to fitness equipment; 3. Make the fitness facility available to community members after school hours; 4. Include basic health screenings for individuals involved in the wellness program, to be provided by the school nurse, local physicians, and local health department officials.

This program will shift the overall focus from competitive sports toward greater emphasis on increasing overall fitness.

Smokefree Communities
Smoking Cessation Services
$75,000
Continued support of the 'I Can Quit' program, which provides free smoking cessation classes, counseling and incentives for smokers who complete the series of 4 classes. New developments include a program for physicians to refer smokers; a partnership with the Vanderburgh County Medical Society to lobby pharmaceutical companies for free patches and other medical aides, and training of additional cessation facilitators.

St. John The Apostle Catholic Church
SOUL Empowerment
$60,000
Continued support for weight management and exercise program at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. The program is targeted to minority men and women and emphasizes proper nutrition, exercise as the way to a healthier life and the best way to combat obesity, management of diabetes and hypertension, all of which disproportionately affect the minority population. The funding will be used to support salaries of the key staff members for the program.

SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE CENTERS

This target was driven by our Leading Community Health Indicators report key findings – only West Virginia has lower education attainment than Indiana and an estimated 24 percent of adults in Vanderburgh County have less than a high school education.

A model of the full service school has been developed at Cedar Hall Elementary School and has demonstrated significant improvement in achievement by the students. This model integrates health, social services and improving education through family-neighborhood-school partnerships. The Foundation has encouraged planning grants to improve the capacity of schools and the communities to address families’ and students’ barriers to success and subsequently help them to attain higher educational achievement.

Henderson County Schools – Henderson, Kentucky
School-Based Health and Social Service Center Implementation
$127,826
This funding follows the planning phase begun during 2002. The project, to be titled CLC Family Connection, proposes to implement a school-based health and social service center at the alternative learning center for the county's most disadvantaged children. The Center will offer health screenings, medical exams, health education, medication checks, dental and vision services, individual, group, and family therapy, parent support services, parent education, family outreach, and case management.

Anticipated outcomes: 1) increase parental involvement in students’ education and treatment programs, 2) improve physical and mental health of students, 3) raise parents’ levels of education, knowledge, and parenting skills, and 4) improve students’ skills to facilitate successful return to regular education settings.

Wabash Community Schools – Mt. Carmel, Illinois
Full-Service School Planning Grant
$36,000
Planning grant for full-service school model that proposes to include health and wellness programs, dental services, family life classes, safety/mental health programs, and after-school programs for latchkey children.

Program will service the schools in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, a rural community with high rate of poverty, divorce, child abuse and neglect that exceeds state average, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy. Data indicate that 45% of intermediate grade students are home alone 3-5 hours or more at least one day each week. A key goal of this program is analysis and early intervention with appropriate strategies to meet the needs of these latchkey children and their families, in order to break the cycle.

Chrisney Elementary School – Chrisney, Indiana
School-Based Health and Social Service Center
$45,085
Planning and implementation of a full-service resource facility to the students, families, and community in the three Chrisney townships that would provide medical and mental health care, family literacy opportunities, and technology instruction to 272 elementary school children and their families.

Spencer County has a high poverty rate compared to other counties in Indiana, and the three townships in the Chrisney community have the highest poverty rates in Spencer County. The school lies in an area of cultural poverty as well as financial poverty. The level of educational attainment by adults in these three townships lags behind that of the U.S., Indiana, and Spencer County. Children and their families lack transportation to public libraries and medical services. They often rely on the school to provide for the children’s health needs, although the school lacks financial resources to provide medical services.

Ivy Tech State College
Wellness Fitness Center (WFWF Center)
$142,908
This funding is for continued support for the 2^nd year of implementation of the Welborn Foundation Wellness Fitness Center.

This program addresses students' barriers to completion of their degrees and future self-sufficiency.  The barriers include health concerns, mental and social problems, and financial concerns. Program will provide counseling and assistance, referrals to appropriate agencies, and follow-up services, as well as a facility to improve students’ physical fitness and wellness. The first year of funding has supported the renovation of fitness center space and the purchase and installation of the equipment. This is the first such student support center in the Ivy Tech system.

Gallatin County Community Unit School District No. 7 - Gallatin County, Illinois
School-Based Health Center
$233,100
This grant is for implementation funds, following a planning and pre-implementation phase throughout 2002. Plans are for the center to begin providing primary care and health education services at the school in October 2002.  Funding will provide initial staffing, program development, DHS certification requirements, equipment, and set-up of the facility. Long-term funding will be pursued from state and federal sources.

Perry Central Elementary – Perry County, Indiana
Full-Service School
$87,000
Year 2 of full-service school development to provide 'one-stop shopping' for health, education, and social service needs. Perry County is an area that has low educational attainment, high unemployment, low income, and a high need for social and health services. This school is located in a very rural area, far from Tell City, where most of the county's services are located.

Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation
Collaborative Table Process
$130,000
Continuation of funding for collaborative table process, whereby the school district is developing the 'community-school' model and expanding it into additional schools.  This model connects schools and families with resources for health care, mental health and social services, educational needs, etc. in a timely and accessible manner through the schools. An additional $250,000 is allocated for the project from funds not expended in the first year grant, for a total of $380,000 in funding for next year.

GENERAL OPPORTUNITY

While the majority of the available funds are directed to the specific targets, the Foundation did consider and award grants in the domains of health, social services, and education that address community needs.

Buffalo Trace Council
Capital funding for new Scout Center
$100,000
Capital funding for a portion of the new proposed 11,500 square foot Boy Scout Center. The total amount granted to this project is $500,000, to be paid over five years or less. The facility will provide strategic accessibility for youth and families, a new training and Conference Center, new Outdoor Program Center, an expanded Scout Shop as well as a larger Resource Room and Library.

The new center is part of a collaboration between the Boy Scouts, the Southwest Indiana chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Tri-State Carousel Association to develop the former Evansville State Hospital grounds as 'Preservation Park'.