Community health project gets $500,000 grants: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County has arranged for two grants totaling $500,000 for Santa Cruz Community Health Centers and Dientes Community Dental Care to construct two new buildings in the Live Oak area at 1500 Capitola Road. The two 2-story buildings will total 29,000 square feet and enhance access for those uninsured and underinsured in need of health and dental care.

Kaiser Permanente was among the first to support the project, and the $500,000 is the largest granting from Kaiser Permanente since opening in Santa Cruz County in January 2017. In that time, KP has provided dozens of smaller grants to organizations providing access to care, mental health, safety and nutrition services.

“Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County has found Santa Cruz Community Health Centers and Dientes Community Dental Care to be excellent partners,” said Dr. William MacLean, physician in charge for Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County Area. “They ensure our residents are protected with a strong safety net by delivering quality medical, behavioral health, dental care, and more. This in turn promotes overall community wellness.”

The project will be built in the heart of Live Oak at 1500 Capitola Road, near the intersection of 17th Avenue and Capitola, on a 3.7-acre site. The clinics will open in 2021.

With a $200,000 KP grant, Dientes will work to build a new, 11 chair dental clinic that will serve 6,000 patients a year, half of whom are children. Dientes mission is to create lasting oral health for low-income children, adults, and seniors.

With a $300,000 Kaiser Permanente grant, Santa Cruz Community Health Centers (SCCHC) will work to build a 19,000 square foot facility that will serve 10,000 patients, most from the Live Oak area where the project will be built. It will provide primary medical care, behavioral health treatment, optometry, pharmacy, enrollment services and certain specialty services with a focus on pediatrics.

“Kaiser Permanente is thrilled to support this healthcare project at 1500 Capitola Road and expand access to health care across Santa Cruz county” said Irene Chavez, Senior Vice President and Area Manager of the Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County area. “For years, Dientes and SCCHC have been consistent, thoughtful catalysts for community change and shown a steadfast commitment to serving all ages, ethnicities, and income levels.”

“We’re so grateful to partner with Kaiser Permanente on this important health project for the Santa Cruz community,” said Dientes CEO Laura Marcus. Echoing that enthusiasm, SCCHC CEO Leslie Conner added, “Kaiser Permanente’s leadership-level grant will inspire further investment in our project. We thank them for joining us to create lasting impact for the residents of Live Oak and Santa Cruz.”

A community center and playground will be part of an affordable housing project that’s also being built at the site by MidPen Housing.