March 14, 2012: Oregon's Douglas County, a largely rural area, has a shortage of healthcare providers, and this status is compounded by a large number of residents who are unemployed, uninsured or lack transportation to get to established health care. Medical Teams International has received a grant of $3,000 from the Avista Foundation to help fund the Mobile Dental Program to increase dental care accessibility in Douglas County, Oregon.

"The Mobile Dental Program, based in Roseburg, is staffed by volunteer dental professionals, allowing us to provide care at no cost to the recipients. It provides urgently needed services, including restorative care, extractions and x-rays at sites where we partner with other service providers, such as schools, homeless shelters and churches," said Matt Stiller, Mobile Dental Program manager, Medical Teams International

"With fewer public resources available to help those who are homeless or low income, programs like the Mobile Dental Program bring private resources together in ways that strengthen the safety net of services that homeless and low income people need to lead healthy lives," said Steve Vincent, Avista regional business manager for Oregon. "Working together with other community organizations, we are bridging the gaps left by funding cut-backs during these difficult economic times."

For the first quarter of 2012, the Avista Foundation made grants totaling $144,700 to human care services, educational and community vitality organizations in our service territory in Washington, Idaho and Oregon, including $62,000 for scholarships at area universities and colleges through the Avista Scholars program.

About the Avista Foundation

The Avista Foundation, established in 2002, focuses its giving on grants that strengthen communities and enhance the quality of life for people served by Avista Utilities in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, southern Oregon and Sanders County, Montana. The foundation focuses its giving in the areas of:

· education - K-12 education particularly in the fields of science, math and technology; and higher education including scholarships,

· vulnerable and limited income populations - providing assistance to those on limited incomes and support for initiatives to reduce poverty,

· economic and cultural vitality - supporting projects that help communities and citizens to grow and prosper.

Information on the Avista Foundation is available at www.avistafoundation.org . The Avista Foundation is a separate, non-profit organization established by Avista Corp. The foundation does not receive funding from Avista Utilities customers through rates.