NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A new grant program will infuse $90,000 into the community to support the health and well-being of Reno County residents over the next three years.Community Health Improvement Grants are funded through a partnership between Hutchinson Community Foundation, Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation and United Way of Reno County to help Reno County communities and partners make progress on the goals outlined in the 2023 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
"These grants are for the purpose of implementing the Community Health Improvement Plan, which the community has to do every three years," said Kari Mailloux with the Hutchinson Community Foundation. "The health department and the hospital have to do it for accreditation. It's never had funding behind it before. The top four priorities are substance use, mental health, access to care and child care."
Since this is new funding, the hope is to be able to try some innovative ideas that just need a little push to get started.
"Some of the ideas on the table in the CHIP are adding a therapist in every school in Reno County to help address mental health," Mailloux said. "Experimenting with satellite clinics along the access to care line. Meeting people where they are, rather than expecting them to come to clinics. The child care strategy is really partnering with the Reno County Childcare Task Force in the strategies they are taking to help change the system and create more access to care."
Awards are expected to typically range from $1,000 to $10,000 for single-year or multi-year funding. Proposals will be reviewed and awarded by a joint selection committee of board members from the three funding partners.
"Hutchinson Community Foundation is hosting the grant applications on our website," Mailloux said. "If people would go to hutchcf.org, there is a link to all the grant guidelines and the grant application. Those grants are due Dec. 1."
Any 501(c)(3) organization or special purpose unit of government may apply.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.