September 25, 2007
Contact: Bev Pfeifer-Harms
Director of Communications
314.345.5500 office

Health Departments Can Apply For Share Of $13 Million

Missouri Foundation For Health Offers Grants To Overcoming Funding Challenges

St. Louis - Eighty-four local health departments in Missouri will share about $13 million, thanks to a special funding effort announced today by Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). The health departments within the MFH service region are being notified this week that they can apply immediately for a one-time grant in order to improve the departments' abilities to meet health needs in their respective communities.

The $13 million represents MFH's largest single funding effort to date. MFH, which is the largest non-governmental funder of community health activities in Missouri, provides $60 million in grants each year to nonprofit and governmental health organizations that serve the uninsured, underinsured and underserved in 84 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis. MFH's service region includes about 75% of Missouri's area, excluding only the west-central and northwest areas of the state.

While the individual grant amounts available are still being determined, MFH has announced that each health department is eligible for a base grant of $50,000 plus at least $2 per area resident based on 2005 population data. The individual department grants are anticipated to range from about $58,000 to more than $2 million.

The grants must be used for infrastructure improvements to enhance the local health department's delivery of services. This can include the purchase of equipment supporting information technology, communication services, transportation improvements, health-related educational programs, or renovations related to improving client services. Grants cannot be used for operational, staffing or travel expenses, or other overhead costs.

"We are excited about the opportunity to provide a much-needed infusion of funding to enhance Missouri's local health departments and believe it will have a significant, positive impact on the health of Missouri's uninsured, underinsured and underserved residents," said Dr. James R. Kimmey, president and CEO of MFH.

"At a time when Missouri's health departments are struggling with reduced funding, their annual budgets often barely cover the cost of meeting the agencies' critical community health responsibilities. A health department can quickly find itself with outdated computers, telephones and diagnostic equipment, worn-out transportation vehicles, and offices and examination rooms in disrepair, and with no way to address those problems except to redirect funds from health care services," said Kimmey. "With MFH's one-time grant, health departments can address infrastructure problems so that available government funding can continue to be spent where it is needed most - providing services to area residents."

Most funding to local health departments is linked to specific public health activities and does not address basic equipment needs. MFH funds provide a unique opportunity for departments to enhance their services through acquisition of up-to-date equipment.

Health departments within the MFH service region must apply for the grant by October 10, 2007, and indicate which infrastructure needs will be addressed with the funding. Once MFH has approved the applications, the first grant disbursement will be made to the health departments before the end of 2007. Depending on the size of the individual department grant, disbursements will be made over one, two or three years.

Established in 2000, MFH is in its sixth year of grantmaking, having issued more than $230 million in grants and awards to date.

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Editor's Note: The following county health departments and two city health departments are eligible to apply for this special MFH funding.

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