The City of Manchester Health Department RECEIVES $787,000 NATIONAL PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP AWARD PROGRAM GRANT TO STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH
Health Director Tim Soucy
Manchester, New Hampshire (October 16, 2014) The City of Manchester Health Department (MHD) has been awarded a Mobilization for Health: National Prevention Partnership Award (NPPA) Program Grant of $787,287 over two years by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. This Federal Grant, one of approximately 15 awarded nationally, will strengthen the City’s linkages between the school, home and medical environments and systematically address barriers to accessing preventive health services; with the goal of ensuring a healthy start for all children and their families.
Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the NPPA Program is designed to promote and accelerate partnerships, catalyzing collaborations in improving health through access to, and use of, preventive services across the United States. Manchester’s NPPA Grant Strategies include the establishment of a formal system for community care coordination to link families more efficiently with local resources and health care through a Community Health Worker Model in the elementary schools; no-cost health education and fitness programming offered directly within the neighborhoods to support healthy behaviors; increased workforce development, diversity and cultural competency within the healthcare and public health delivery systems; and proactive healthy homes visits for pregnant women. These strategies were identified as recommendations within the Manchester Neighborhood Health Improvement Strategy that was developed with funding from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (http://www.manchesternh.gov/health/NEIGHBORHOODHEALTHIMPROVEMENTSTRATEGY.pdf).
According to Timothy Soucy, MPH, REHS, Public Health Director, “These funds signify the official launching of the Neighborhood Health Improvement Strategy, which was borne out of true community collaboration. The City is very fortunate to have strong community partnerships, local funders, and neighborhood leaders who are willing to work together for collective impact.”
The Manchester NPPA Grant will build on the Manchester Community Schools Project (MCSP), which is currently funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with 100% match support from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Endowment for Health, Granite United Way, and Cogswell Benevolent Trust. The MCSP is working closely with Beech Street, Gossler Park, and Bakersville Elementary Schools, and will expand its connections with all Title One Elementary Schools through this funding award.
“We are tremendously proud to be selected for this highly competitive award that will improve the health of children and their families within the City,” said Ted Gatsas, Mayor of the City Manchester.
For more information regarding this award, please contact the City of Manchester Health Department at 603-624-6466.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Anna Thomas, MPH
Date: October 16, 2014 Deputy Public Health Director
603-624-6466; athomas@manchesternh.gov
