G-2403-20293

UHPP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advancing sustainable health care solutions for underserved Utahns through better access, education, and public policy. Since 2006, UHPP has worked to develop solutions to create a health system that provides better access to higher quality health care at a lower cost. UHPP is an open resource for the public, community leaders, the media, businesses, health care providers, and policymakers. UHPP houses Take Care Utah (TCU), a network of 27 Health Access Assisters and sub grantees that directly assist individuals and families acquire health care coverage and navigate the health care system. Through the TCU, UHPP is working to accomplish oral health equity through awareness and advocacy for better oral health outcomes.

Utilizing CareQuest Institute funds in 2022, UHPP made key improvements in oral health outreach and engagement, hired an oral health fellow, created an oral health consumer coalition, and had a UHPP staff person appointed to the Utah Oral Health Coalition steering committee.

Building on this work, UHPP seeks funding through the Community Capacity and Voice Subprogram to expand, sustain, and learn from the newly established Oral Health Consumer Coalition, ensure Utah’s adult dental Medicaid benefit is implemented properly and to create broad program eligibility awareness and adequate access to services and to fully execute and deepen UHPP’s commitment to delivering oral health coverage and access education to UHPP clients receiving direct health care insurance enrollment assistance. A comprehensive needs assessment will identify the specific oral health needs and challenges faced by communities which involve surveys, interviews with community members, healthcare providers, and stakeholders to gather insights into barriers to oral health access and areas for intervention. Building on the insights gained from the needs assessment, UHPP will empower community members to become active participants in shaping oral health policies and initiatives that directly impact their lives. Additionally, UHPP will advocate for policy changes at the local and state levels, along with the Utah Oral Health Coalition.

UHPP was highly engaged with CareQuest Institute in the latest grant cycle. Examples include connecting to the CareQuest Institute Marketing & Communications team, engaging in OPEN, and an invitation to the CareQuest Institute Senior Leadership Retreat.

This request is for $150,000, which is 5% of the organization’s overall budget. The grant funds will support staff, stipends for consumer coalition participants, consultants, and office supplies.