Partner Impact on SDOH
Otto Schoitz Foundation funds local nonprofit organizations providing transformative services across the social determinants of health (SDOH)*.
Social determinants are root causes in an individual’s health and wellbeing and include conditions in which we are born, live, learn, work, play, and age.
By taking a comprehensive view of the Cedar Valley, the Foundation prioritizes efforts that support both the needs of individuals as well as the community as a whole. Our most recent grant awards fuel projects to support newcomer communities, create opportunities & reduce barriers for those seeking employment, and provide services for those in crisis. Organizations that support individuals in achieving a re-imagined future of self sustainability and opportunity are highlighted.
Read on to learn the SDOH impact of a few of our latest grant partners.
*SDOH framework including domains, goals and conditions as defined by US Department of Health and Human Services. More can be found at https://health.gov/healthypeople.
Education
Goal: Increase educational opportunities and the proportion of children who are developmentally on track and ready for school.
This domain includes conditions such as educational attainment in general, high school graduation, enrollment in higher education, language and literacy, early childhood education & development.
Many students face significant challenges on their path to success, often with limited resources. SparkWheel is here to change that. For over 25 years, SparkWheel has been a trusted partner to schools and families, dedicated to breaking down barriers, bridging gaps, and championing student achievement.
Through Student Support Coordinators (SSCs), SparkWheel offers broad support for entire student bodies while delivering targeted, intensive services for students struggling with academics, behavior, or attendance - all free of charge to students and their families. Beyond academics, SSCs nurture students' confidence and self-advocacy, addressing issues from personal safety to self-respect and hunger. Working hand-in-hand with families, school staff, and the community, they empower students to navigate challenges and grow.
Funding from the Otto Schoitz Foundation supports SparkWheel’s work at Central Middle School and Carver Academy where they serve 920 students.
Economic Stability
Goal: Help people access resources essential to one's life and wellbeing.
This domain includes conditions such as poverty, housing stability, food security, and employment.
Inclusion Connection is an advocacy organization focused on supporting individuals with diverse abilities, working to create communities where everyone can live, learn, work, and play together. In the Cedar Valley, Inclusion Connection recognizes the potential for individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives by achieving their career goals locally.
Through its Employment Services, Inclusion Connection supports job seekers with diverse abilities in job development, training, and long-term retention. They use customized career assessments to help individuals identify strengths, accommodation needs, and ideal workplace environments. The organization collaborates with local employers to create inclusive job opportunities, offering coaching until employees can perform independently and meet employer expectations. Ongoing support includes regular check-ins to ensure job satisfaction, address any training needs, and assist with adjustments. The organization’s programs are clearly making a difference with 76% of people with disabilities active in the Black Hawk County labor force and 21% employed, marking an increase since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Otto Schoitz Foundation funds offer operational support as Inclusion Connection empowers individuals of all abilities to live fulfilling, self-sufficient lives.
Social and Community Context
Goal: Increase social and community support.
This domain includes conditions such as cohesion within community, workplace conditions, civic participation and other supportive environments.
Reach Out and Read supports families with young children by guiding them on building strong relationships through shared reading. Safe, Stable, and Nurturing Relationships (SSNRs) are essential for healthy childhood development, helping children build resilience and respond positively to challenges. Shared reading is a hallmark of SSNRs, yet only 41% of Iowa’s infants and toddlers are read to daily. Reach out and Read seeks to reduce this gap.
Partnering with local pediatric clinics, Reach Out and Read clinicians guide caregivers on reading aloud at least 20 minutes daily, beginning in infancy. They demonstrate accessible practices suitable for caregivers of all reading levels, including those with low literacy or limited English skills. At each of 10 well-child visits between 6 months and 5 years, children receive a new book designed to be developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate, helping build a home library. Clinicians also use the books to assess a child’s development through shared reading activities.
Otto Schoitz funding supports the delivery of Reach Out and Read at 2,500 well-child visits in Black Hawk County at Peoples Community Health Clinic and two MercyOne sites.
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Goal: Create neighborhoods and environments that promote health & safety and create opportunities for connection & interaction.
This domain includes conditions such as quality of housing, parks & other amenities, availability of healthy foods, access to transportation, and the creation of safe, supportive communities.
Since 2013, Waypoint has been Waterloo’s leading provider of domestic violence services, helping victims and survivors rebuild their lives. The Waterloo Region Record states that in 2022, there were 6,196 domestic violence calls in the area, leading to 3,835 charges and an increase in repeat offenses. Waypont addresses this urgent need by providing survivors a path to safety and resilience.
Waypoint offers accessible, comprehensive support, including a 24/7 Resource & Support Line, safety planning, advocacy, and support groups for those escaping violence. In fiscal year 2023 alone, 727 individuals in Black Hawk County received help, with nearly 90% gaining skills for stability and 87% achieving permanent housing after working with Waypoint.
Funding from Otto Schoitz goes directly to housing assistance (deposits, emergency motels) and to supporting Victim Advocates who provide vital services —answering crisis calls, facilitating support groups, and offering peer counseling.
Health And Health Care
Goal: Increase access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services.
This domain includes conditions such as availability of health care including primary and mental health services, health insurance coverage, and health literacy.
The Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens seeks to enrich life by nourishing and sharing the beauty of nature, the joy of gardening, knowledge of plants, and the diversity of our world. Recent plans focus on addressing growing mental health needs in Black Hawk County, particularly among caregivers, through the beauty of the natural world.
Partnering with Cedar Valley Hospice, the Arboretum will offer meeting space for caregiver or grief support sessions facilitated by hospice grief counselors and support group facilitators. Research has shown that experiencing nature and gardening can offer therapeutic benefits such as enhancing the ability to regulate emotions, alleviating mild depression, and decreasing anxiety and stress.
Funding from Otto Schoitz supports the costs of these efforts including program materials, staffing costs, and caregiver admission fees.
