2011 Funding Priorities

Data and findings from throughout the 2011Community Profile process allowed the Affiliate to identify key areas of need:

·         Eliminating Barriers: the need to reduce systemic and individual barriers to breast health services for targeted populations in our service area, including African American, low income and un-/underinsured women in Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha Counties.

·         Collaboration: the need to strengthen existing and create new partnerships for providing women with access to breast cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment care, in order to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure that women are connected with resources.

·         Financial Assistance: the need to maintain and expand the financial assistance programs available for screening, diagnostic and treatment care in the service area.

·         Education/Awareness: the need for increased breast health awareness and education, with a focus on screening, for women in our target communities.

An action plan was developed, with consideration given to overall Affiliate resources, existing community partnerships and resources, Affiliate grant-funded programs, and existing and planned Affiliate education, public policy and awareness efforts. After the final analysis of the data had been reviewed and discussed, the Community Profile team developed a list of four priorities that reflected the findings of the data analysis. While many of these priorities apply to the service area as a whole, priority target communities for this action plan were selected: Milwaukee County, Racine County and Waukesha County, with emphasis on African American and underserved White women.

Priority One: Reduce barriers for accessing breast health screenings for targeted populations in our service area, including African American, low income and un-/underinsured White women in Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha Counties.

·         Objective 1: In FY 2011-12, recruit a minimum of two new community organizations or health care providers with expertise working with target populations to apply for funding.

·         Objective 2: In FY 2011-12 and FY2012-13, provide grant funding for a minimum of one project related to screening in our target communities (Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha).

·         Objective 3: In FY 2011-12 and FY2012-13, continue implementing the evidence-based Kohl’s Conversations for the Cure program in Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha counties, empowering leaders from the local community to raise awareness about breast health screenings and available community resources.

Priority Two: Strengthen existing and new partnerships for providing women with access to breast cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment care in priority communities, including Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha Counties.

·         Objective 1: In FY2011-12, create a Request for Applications that encourages and incentivizes collaboration to reduce duplication of efforts and ensure that women in target communities can access available programs for breast health care.

·         Objective 2: In FY 2011-12, host a community gathering to showcase Community Profile findings and Affiliate grant-funded programs.

·         Objective 3: In FY 2011-12 and 2012-13, host a minimum of two round tables for Affiliate grantees to collaborate, share lessons learned, highlight successful strategies and develop partnerships.

Priority Three: Maintain the public and private programs that provide financial assistance for breast health screening, diagnostic and treatment care for underserved individuals in our service area.

·         Objective 1: By the end of FY 2011-12, establish a Public Policy committee to monitor legislative activity impacting funding for breast health care in our service area.

·         Objective 2: In FY 2011-12 and 2012-13, provide grant funding for safety net financial assistance for breast health care.

·         Objective 3: In FY 2012-13, create a plan for involving Komen supporters in grassroots advocacy around funding for and access to breast health care.

Priority Four: Increase community knowledge of breast health screening recommendations and breast health resources.

·         Objective 1: In FY 2011-12 and FY 2012-13, conduct an awareness campaign to promote consistent messages about breast cancer and Komen screening recommendations.

·         Objective 2: In FY 2011-12, conduct a training session on Komen screening recommendations for grantees, potential grantees and community partners.

·         Objective 3: In FY2011-12 and FY2012-13, implement the evidence-based Kohl’s Conversations for the Cure program in the service area to raise awareness about breast health screening recommendations and available community resources.