Home >> Working For Iowa
IOWANS CAN NOW APPLY FOR HARKIN WELLNESS GRANTS
5/31/2005
WASHINGTON, DC -– Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced
that the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) will begin accepting
applications for Harkin Wellness Grants. The grants are the latest
Harkin initiative to promote healthier lifestyles by helping dozens of
local governments, community organizations, and non-profits develop
creative approaches to promoting healthier lifestyles. Harkin, the
senior Democrat on the panel that funds health care initiatives,
secured $3 million in the FY 2005 omnibus appropriations for the grant
program.
“Promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing chronic disease
will not be accomplished quickly or simply,” said Harkin. “Achieving
these goals will require a comprehensive approach that, rather than
focusing on sickness, encourages wellness and integrates healthy
choices into individual’s daily lives. I am pleased that communities
across the state will have an opportunity to be proactive and focus on
prevention and wellness.”
Eligible applicants include
community organizations such as counties, townships, cities or
subdivisions; licensed child care facilities, educational agencies,
health care providers, community-based nonprofit organizations
including faith-based groups and agricultural associations.
“Communities across Iowa have unique ideas to promote healthy
lifestyles among their citizens,” Harkin said. “I am excited to
kick-off this grant program, so that these communities are given the
tools needed in order to reach their goals.”
Harkin Wellness
Grant funds can be used for projects such as building bike paths,
purchasing fitness equipment, or expanding existing programs and must
focus on one or more of four priorities in the HeLP America Act:
nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and smoking cessation.
“While healthy behaviors are ultimately a personal choice, a
supportive community that provides healthy options can make lifestyle
changes easier,” said Dr. Mary Mincer Hansen, Director of the Iowa
Department of Public Health. “The Harkin Wellness Grant program is an
innovative approach using a federal-state-local partnership as a model
for creating healthy and vibrant communities in Iowa.”
Proposals for the Harkin Wellness Grants Applications are due
by July 15, 2005 and grant awards will be announced in August 2005.
Grantees will be eligible for up to $250,000 in funding, depending on
the size and scope of the community’s project. At least 36 grants plan
to be awarded. For more information on how to qualify and apply for a
Harkin Wellness Grant, visit www.idph.state.ia.us or call IDPH at
515-281-7689.
In addition to the Harkin Wellness Grants,
Harkin also introduced the 2005 Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention
(HeLP) America Act. This comprehensive legislation seeks to prevent
obesity and other preventable chronic conditions. The 2005 HeLP America
Act recognizes the challenges of chronic disease and health promotion
and provides all sectors – child care centers, schools, workplaces, and
communities -with the tools that they need to reach the goal of making
America a healthier place.