1602-11941

Michigan: Support to Health Net of West Michigan to act as a lead convener, in partnership with the Kent County Oral Health Coalition, in the Kent County (Grand Rapids) community as part of the Grassroots Engagement Strategy. Health Net of West Michigan works to increase the depth and breadth of community dialogue on a range of issues related to the oral health systems that impact Kent County residents. During the grassroots year one work, Health Net of West Michigan: 1) created a well-developed picture of the community’s understanding of and challenged to achieving oral health, informed by extensive engagement with community members through a diverse set of outreach activities, 2) established a well-developed network of community stakeholders that are aligned around the promotion of greater equity and committed to continuous engagement with the community as well as taking action to address identified community priorities, and 3) laid the groundwork for an engagement process to refine the community’s priorities into actionable items in year three. Oral Health 2020 investment of $100,000 will be used to deepen community partnerships and resident involvement in Health Net of West Michigan’s year two activities. These include: 1) Diversifying the Kent County Oral Health Coalition representation, specifically identifying several community representatives to participate with the Kent County Oral Health Coalition and provide feedback and grassroots leadership to their work. For example, community representatives/ambassadors will be pivotal in educating the community and providers on the need and successes of the Healthy Kids Dental program in Kent County (recently expanded in 2015), advocating for the expansion of Healthy Kids Dental to 13-20 year olds, and informing community messaging that educates and reinforces positive, permanent oral health systems changes. 2) Increase the knowledge and awareness of oral health and health equity among Kent County residents and key stakeholders, this will frame oral health as a social justice issue. 3) Continue ongoing grassroots data collection. 4) Develop grassroots leaders from within the community to participate in and lead a local oral health movement. This investment aligns with the Oral Health 2020 focus of improving the public perception of the value of oral health.