to tackle children’s health care disparities through their innovative mobile programs

SAGINAW, Mich. — Great Lakes Bay Health Centers received a $2,500 grant from the Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) during the Saginaw County Changing Lives Fundraising Luncheon at the Horizons Center.

This funding is being made available as part of the MAHP’s Tackling Health Care Disparities in Michigan Grant, which encourages community-based organizations to collaborate and deploy local initiatives aimed at creating better health outcomes and improving health equity.

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers plays an important role in this effort by providing accessible and comprehensive health care services, particularly through their innovative mobile programs, and the grant will be used to support mobile units for eye care and dental care. 

“Expanding our mobile unit care is critical to eliminating barriers and reaching underserved communities,” said Jill Armentrout, fund development coordinator at Great Lakes Bay Health Centers. “In order to better serve children during school visits, we need another mobile unit for dental and eye care, so adding one eye care chair to the unit will allow staff to see 10-15 children during each school visit for a comprehensive eye exam and glasses fitting if needed.”

The target population for the new mobile unit is children at school visits for routine exams and glasses. In Saginaw County, approximately 1,500 students have substantial vision reduction and only 331 of those students received follow up care according to Saginaw County Health Department.

“MAHP recognizes the important role local health care organizations play in improving the health outcomes of Michigan citizens, especially our children,” said Dominick Pallone, executive director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans. “Organizations like the Great Lakes Bay Health Centers are instrumental in addressing health equity and providing their community with access to health care throughout Saginaw County.”

Michigan State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet was instrumental in connecting Great Lakes Bay Health Centers to the MAHP grant program.

“Every kid should be able to get routine eye exams and glasses fittings if needed,” said State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet. “This grant toward expanding their mobile health services will help Great Lakes Bay Health Centers to reach children who might otherwise go without basic eye care.”

Those interested in supporting Great Lakes Health Care Centers can visit their website to learn more.

Photos from the check presentation are available for download here. 

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The Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) is an industry voice for 11 health care plans, covering more than 3.5 million Michigan residents, and 50 businesses affiliated with the health care industry. MAHP facilitates communication among members, government, and the industry regarding health care issues of common concern. The mission of the Michigan Association of Health Plans is to provide leadership for the promotion and advocacy of high quality, affordable, accessible health care for the citizens of Michigan.