University of Wisconsin: Partnership program funds community health improvement projects

CONTACT: Lisa Hildebrand

(608) 890-8490

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health recently awarded grants to five county health departments and six nonprofit organizations totaling nearly $540,000. On June 10, the Partnership Program’s Oversight and Advisory Committee approved funding for the 11 projects through the Community Opportunity Grants Program.

The projects focus on improving the health of state residents of all ages and address a wide range of topics, including obesity, alcohol and other drug abuse, child abuse and mental health. Each grant provides up to $50,000 in funding over two years.

The Community Opportunity Grants Program supports implementation and evaluation strategies in Community Health Needs Assessment plans and Community Health Improvement Plans as required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and state law. It also seeks to enhance collaboration among public health departments, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, clinics, health care systems, schools, businesses and government leaders on local health priorities.

“This new program takes advantage of local public health improvement planning efforts and provides support to implement projects that work toward building healthier communities,” said OAC Chair Dr. Patrick Remington.

Details about each of the following grantees and their projects are on the attached document.

*Central Racine County Health Department, Understanding the Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences to Improve Prevention Services
*GSAFE, School District Implementation of Gender-Inclusive Policies to Improve Outcomes for Transgender Youth
*Jackson County Health Department, Jackson County Drug Free Communities Initiative
*Kenosha County Division of Health, Improving Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems
*LIFE Foundation, LIFE Foundation Cross Plains, an obesity-reduction project
*Lincoln County Health Department, Healthy People Lincoln County: “Problems can be solved in the Garden”
*Meriter UnityPoint Health, 5210 Across Dane County, an obesity-reduction project
*Pierce County Health Department, Healthier Together Pierce & St Croix County Enhancing School Physical Activity
*La Farge Medical Clinic, Vernon Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Improving the Health Status for Amish and Mennonites in Western Wisconsin
*Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, Providers and Teens Communicating for Health (PATCH) Program – Milwaukee
*Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, Perinatal Smoking Cessation Services – NorthWest Wisconsin

About the Wisconsin Partnership Program

The Wisconsin Partnership Program represents a far-reaching commitment by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health to improve the health and well-being of Wisconsin residents through investments in research, education and community-academic partnerships. The Partnership Program was created with funds from the conversion of Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin to a stock insurance corporation. Since 2004, it has awarded 389 community, education and research grants totaling more than $162 million.