Center for Child & Community Health

The Center for Child and Community Health (CCCH) is the bridge between UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and the broader community. CCCH strengthens the hospital's focus on community needs, health equity, disease prevention and promotion of healthy kids in today's rapidly changing environment.

The hospital has served as a pillar of the community for over 100 years, and continues to care for children from all walks of life. CCCH is responsible for community and government relations, the incubation and management of innovative patient-centered programs, research related to social determinants of health, and the meeting of the hospital's "community benefits" obligations.

To achieve those objectives, CCCH promotes collaboration among other departments and UCSF campuses, and develops and strengthens partnerships with community organizations, agencies, educational institutions, and local and state governmental bodies. CCCH is a step that's both practical and symbolic, ensuring that UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland maintains and grows its commitment to the ideals of health promotion, prevention, equity, cultural humility and community.

To explore collaborative opportunities, please contact us. CCCH is also available for consultation and interviews.

6 primary functions of the CCCH

Community benefits

• Provide support to and highlight the work of Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland's existing community benefits programs, meet state and federal community benefits reporting requirements, and assist with grant development.

Community relations

• Engage in collaborative efforts and communication strategies between the hospital and surrounding communities.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships between the hospital and other community organizations, agencies and educational institutions.
• Participate in government boards, commissions and steering committees that promote the well-being of children and families.

Health equity programs

• Incubate new and innovative programs, facilitate cross-division and cross-campus initiatives to support sustainability, and disseminate best practices.
• Serve as a local and national thought leader on social factors that affect health in children.

Policy, advocacy and government relations

• Advance the hospital's advocacy efforts through personal visits with local, state and federal elected officials and facilitate on-site hospital tours to create greater awareness of the patient-centered environment.
• Evaluate legislation and advocate for pediatric healthcare policies that align with the needs of our medical center and the community, and support engagement of hospital experts.

Workforce development

• Provide training and learning opportunities for individuals early in their school and professional careers. CCCH’s workforce development programs include the Community Health & Adolescent Mentoring Program for Success (CHAMPS) and the Community, Advocacy and Primary Care (CAP) Rotation for physician residents.
• Increase awareness of multicultural approaches in patient care and promote diversity in the healthcare workforce.

Research to address the needs of children locally

• Conduct original research on local health issues, including those that deal with health inequity.
• Encourage collaboration on internal and external research opportunities.
• Original research led by CCCH includes the Brilliant Babies study on asset-building in families to interrupt generational poverty; the Pediatric ACEs Screening and Resiliency Study (PEARLS) (the first randomized control trial of early childhood adversity in a pediatric safety net clinic); and the Food As Medicine study, which examines how reliable access to fresh foods can support children's health and prevent chronic illness.