The Innovation Fund provides financial support to local pediatric and primary health and mental health care initiatives that have implications for statewide implementation and long term improvement of direct practice, service systems and policy.  Innovation Fund grants range from $25,000 - $100,000 per year and are awarded in two-year funding cycles.  The next round of funding is scheduled for 2007.

During funding years, the application process begins with the submission of a letter of intent in the spring.  The Children’s Fund then issues invitations for full proposals to those applicants meeting the Innovation Fund selection criteria.  Proposals are accepted by invitation only.  Invitations are issued in June and awards are made in late September.

Initiatives are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Does it enhance the quality of primary and preventive care?
• Is it rooted in sound theoretical and/or scientific principles?
• Is it likely to be effective in Connecticut?
• Will it have a significant, measurable impact?
• Will it serve as a basis for system and/or policy change?
• Is there potential for continued support to sustain the change?

In addition, proposed initiatives should address one of the Children’s Fund’s four priority issue areas (below), or make a compelling case for enhancing knowledge in another area that will lead to improved primary and preventive pediatric health care practice.

Priority Issue Areas

1. Ensure medical homes for all children.
2. Improve outreach and care coordination to link children and families to a Medical Home.
3. Strengthen the capacity of pediatric primary care settings to address behavioral health concerns.
4. Increase the availability of health and mental health consultation in settings where children receive care (e.g. early care and education sites).

For a listing of previous grants awarded, click here.