by KHI News Service

MERRIAM — The REACH Healthcare Foundation this week announced grants to 17 health care and advocacy organizations and rural health coalitions to support their general operations in 2015.

The foundation approved $1,075,000 in core operating grants to nonprofit organizations considered to be essential contributors to the region’s health care safety net system. The grants can be used for personnel, equipment, technology and other business expenses, and vary based on the organization’s operating budget.

Organizations receiving $55,000 grants are: Cass County Community Health Foundation, The Missouri Budget Project, Missouri Coalition for Oral Health, Missouri Health Advocacy Alliance, Oral Health Kansas Inc., and Thrive Allen County Inc.

Organizations receiving $65,000 grants are: Duchesne Clinic, Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County, Health Partnership Clinic of Johnson County, Kansas Action for Children, Silver City Health Center, Turner House Children’s Clinic, Communities Creating Opportunity and Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved.

Organizations receiving $75,000 grants are: Comprehensive Mental Health Services Inc., Kansas City CARE Clinic and Wyandot Center for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

Based in Merriam, REACH is a charitable organization that provides grants and other support to improve health care access and quality. It serves six counties in Missouri and Kansas