The five hospitals affiliated with Samaritan Health Services (SHS)  have awarded a total of $244,690 in Social Accountability grants to nearly 40 local service organizations, to be distributed over the next 12 months.

Social Accountability grants are awarded within Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties.  Funding decisions are made by committees consisting of employees and board members at each SHS-affiliated hospital. Funded programs typically address unmet needs of underserved populations and improve overall community health.

Social Accountability grants are part of the larger SHS Community Health Promotion/Community Benefit program, which encompasses the organization’s efforts to build healthier communities by providing direct and in-kind support for health-related services such as health screenings, health professions education, health research and community health activities.

Community Benefit also encompasses the charity care that SHS provides to low-income patients. In 2010, SHS invested more than $110 million in Community Benefit activities and services.

Social Accountability Grants Awarded:

Benton County

• Old Mill Center - $43,750 for the Rally Around Families Together Relief Nursery
• Alsea Clinic - $15,000 for rural health care support
• Benton County Oral Health Coalition - $11,040 for oral health support
• Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence - $35,000 for transitional housing services for domestic violence survivors
• Corvallis Drop-In Center - $9,100 for The Communicable Disease Prevention Project
• Dial-A-Bus - $5,800 for its subsidy program

Linn County

• United Way of Linn County - $12,000 for dental services for low-income residents in the Albany area
• FISH of Albany - $10,000 to support its guest house
• ABC House - $7,250 for counseling and advocacy programs
• Pastoral Counseling Services - $5,000 for counseling services for at-risk families
• Family Tree Relief Nursery - $5,000 for the Early Childhood Therapeutic Preschool Program
• Sweet Home Emergency Ministries - $4,050 to provide milk and hot meals
• FISH of Lebanon - $4,000 for emergency basic needs for Lebanon families
• Lebanon Basic Services - $2,500 to purchase and distribute hygiene items and basic household supplies
• Mighty Oaks Children’s Therapy - $2,500 for the Let Us Hear Your Voice Too Program
• St. Vincent de Paul of Lebanon - $2,000 to support its food pantry
• Court Appointed Special Advocate Association satellite at the Lebanon Boys & Girls Club - $1,900 to increase representation in east Linn County
• Lebanon Soup Kitchen - $1,800 for mobile dental clinics
• Central Linn School District - $1,500 for the Baby Think it Over Program
• Pregnancy Alternatives Center - $1,500 for the Healthy Moms and Safe Babies Program
• Sweet Home Pregnancy Care Center - $1,500 for its baby safety program Lincoln County

Lincoln County

• Joint Transportation Committee and Lincoln County Transit - $9,000 for the Lincoln County Medical Access Partnership
• Lincoln City Meals on Wheels - $8,500 for the Senior Meals on Wheels Program   
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program - $7,250 for the Healthy Living for Seniors Program
• My Sister’s Place - $5,000 to support its shelter and advocacy safety plans
• Neighbors for Kids - $5,000 for the My Health, My Life Program
• Rotary Club - $4,250 for dental van visits
• Backpack Food Program - $4,000 for the Nourishing the Body that Nourishes the Mind Program
• Centro de Ayuda - $4,000 for the Community Health Education and Medical Interpreters Program
• Food Share of Lincoln County - $4,000 for the Local Growing, Growing Healthy Program
• Lions Club of Lincoln County - $4,000 for the Community Sight and Hearing Assistance Program
• Altrusa - $3,000 to provide dental care for women
• Angels Anonymous - $2,500 to provide basic needs for low-income individuals
• Bright Horizons - $2,000 to provide a wheelchair ramp and lift 

Learn more about Social Accountability grants and other Community Health Promotion/Community Benefit efforts at SHS.