1802-13886

The purpose of this grant is to continue to build the capacity of healthcare consumers in Arizona to meaningfully engage in policy and systems change; to improve the public perception of the value of oral health to overall health; to enhance collaborative, cross-blade infrastructure processes, shared power, and decision-making; and to elevate health equity and social justice approaches within the Oral Health 2020 Network that are fully informed by, and reflective of, community voices. The work in this proposal builds on key successes from last year including expanding the implementation of the Advocacy Curriculum and Community Organizing Toolkit to deepen relationships with 'Unlimited Potential' and Black Nurses Association of the Greater Phoenix Area, chairing the Member Recruitment Committee of, and supporting, the AZOHC, activating local networks in support of preventing changes to federal healthcare policies such as the ACA and Medicaid, supporting and researching new workforce models in oral health care for the state, and supporting legislative policy that would increase dental benefits for pregnant women on Medicaid. The work in this proposal more specifically will increase the number of, and participation of, community advocates through training and activation, raise the profile of health equity through legislative advocacy and hosting media campaigns, developing a Health Dialogue media campaign and Speakers Bureau, setting up a story-banking project with other Arizona partner organizations, and continuing to build and strengthen the infrastructure of the AZOHC. This aligns with the OH2020 goal of shifting the public perception of oral health with a target of increasing oral health in overall health dialogue and in public policy. The budget for this proposal is $100,800 and is primarily to support staff time, travel and resources necessary to deepen community connections. As well, there are about $30k of mini-grants to Core Partners that are essential to the success of this work.