1802-13890

This investment supports Health Net of West Michigan to continue in their role of lead convener of the Kent County Oral Health Coalition (KCOHC) 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. The KCOHC has expanded to comprise medical and dental providers, community based organizations, community members, and other stakeholders, resulting in a strong, diverse consumer voice. Health Net’s Year 3 work included progress on three objectives: improving the adult dental Medicaid benefit in Michigan; increasing knowledge and awareness of oral health issues in the community through an equity lens; and diversifying the membership of the KCOHC to include more underrepresented voices through mini grants and outreach. $100,800 will support Health Net of West Michigan’s personnel time to oversee network development, travel and meeting expenses, in-person and remote convenings, contracted services for meeting facilitation, and sub-grants to community grassroots organizations. This proposal aligns with the Oral Health 2020 goal improving the public perception of the value of oral health to overall health and the target that oral health is increasingly included in health dialogue and public policy.