G-1901-14731

This investment supports Health Net of West Michigan to act as a lead community convener through the Grassroots Engagement Strategy. Their work, through the Kent County Oral Health Coalition, will continue to build the capacity of healthcare consumers in Michigan to meaningfully engage in policy and systems change; to improve the public perception of the value of oral health to overall health; to enhance collaborative, cross-blade infrastructure processes, shared power, and decision-making; and to elevate health equity and social justice approaches within the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network that are fully informed by, and reflective of, community voices. This aligns with the Oral Health 2020 goal of shifting the public perception of oral health with a target of increasing oral health in overall health dialogue and in public policy. The budget for this proposal is $58.050 and is primarily to support staff and consultant time, mini grants, and administrative costs to support the work.