CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system, has launched a request for proposals (RFP) to fund projects and partner with organizations that are working to address systemic barriers to oral health for people with disabilities. Proposals can be submitted now through August 31.
CareQuest Institute will select proposals that reflect the applicant’s authentic commitment to meaningfully and consistently engage members of the disability community throughout their proposed project. They will fund 10 projects at $125,000 each through the Disability Inclusion and Justice in Oral Health RFP.
“We know systemic barriers to oral health care exist for many marginalized populations, including those with disabilities. That’s why it is important for us to collaborate as oral health providers, advocates, researchers, and community members to find effective ways to eliminate those barriers,” said Trenae Simpson, director of grants and programs at CareQuest Institute. “This RFP is an opportunity to work together to create a health care system that works for all of us. We’re excited to see what innovative approaches we receive to increase access – in its broadest definition – for people with disabilities. This includes addressing issues of provider availability, the delivery of evidence-based care, and amplifying the voices of the community, enabling us all to come together as we work towards a more just oral health system.”
CareQuest Institute’s philanthropic approach is centered on the belief that oral health care solutions are not as effective without the individuals and communities that have been most negatively impacted by oral health disparities driving their design, development, and implementation. This RFP is an opportunity to support new partners to reshape, disrupt, and transform the oral health system.
Examples of projects that fall within the Disability Inclusion and Justice in Oral Health Care RFP include, but are not limited to:
- A national organization developing a disability-focused oral health policy agenda in collaboration with disability advocates.
- A state-based organization hosting community listening sessions and advocacy trainings to strengthen the capacity of community members to advocate for expanding access to Medicaid oral health services.
- A clinical organization piloting innovative clinical, workforce, and workflow solutions to inform and/or validate creative payment models that support oral health care for people with disabilities.
Specific details related to eligibility, proposal requirements, and evaluation criteria can be found on our disability inclusion and justice in oral health request for proposals page.
