Health Foundation Provides $1 Million in Grants
December 29, 2011
The MetroWest Health Foundation today announced 15 grants totaling $1 million including two new grants to the Natick and Framingham Public Schools to coordinate care for students with mental health needs.
The two-year grants to Natick and Framingham High Schools are in direct response to the Foundation’s request for proposals that reduce high-risk behaviors among youth as reported in the 2010 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey. The survey of more than 20,000 high schools students in 24 area high schools found stress, depression, self-injury and thoughts of suicide have remained steady since the survey began in 2006.
“These grants will directly impact mental health services, stress and bullying in two of the largest high schools in the region,” said Martin Cohen, president of the Foundation.
Framingham Public Schools received a $150,000 grant to coordinate clinical care for students who have been hospitalized or have psychological needs. The Natick Public Schools received a grant for $75,000 to establish a transition program for students who are returning to school after a mental health hospitalization.
The remaining grants address the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to expand elder care services in MetroWest and provide support for caregivers, prevent bullying, reduce obesity and improve access to health care.
Grants to promote healthy aging in MetroWest:
Advocates Inc. received $49,999 to establish the BRITE Program at Marlborough Hospital to reduce substance abuse, including prescription medication misuse, among hospital patients age 60 and older.
Justice Resource Institute received $50,000 to establish the Healthy Aging with HIV program for people 45 and older who are living with HIV/AIDS. The program will help older adults and their caregivers prevent and manage multiple chronic health conditions that are part of aging with HIV.
Medfield Council on Aging received $32,676 to establish the Adult Respite Care Program which is a two-day a week support program for caregivers who provide at least 12 hours of weekly care to a loved one.
Natick Service Council Inc. received $25,000 to screen and treat older adults living in Natick for mental health and substance abuse issues.
Natick Visiting Nurse Association received $279,484 in continued funding for the MetroWest Meds prescription drug assistance program serving uninsured and underinsured MetroWest residents.
Grants to address adolescent health and prevent bullying:
Pelham Apartments Recreation and Computer Networks Center received $5,000 to support a pregnancy prevention program for youth.
Natick Public Schools received $31,000 to continue its peer leadership training program designed to empower students and reduce bullying by improving the school culture.
Grants to reduce obesity:
Share Our Strength received $60,000 in funding to continue its Cooking Matters nutrition program which teaches low-income families how to prepare healthy, inexpensive meals.
Natick Recreation and Parks Department received $84,698 to provide and promote health and wellness through exercise, education seminars and health care clinics at the new Community/Senior Center in Natick.
Grants to improve access to care:
Community Legal Aid received $18,000 to continue the Milford Health Advocacy Project which assists Milford residents with obtaining health insurance.
MetroWest Free Medical Program received $40,020 to continue providing health screening, education and referral services to improve treatment of chronic diseases to low-income residents at a walk-in clinic.
South Middlesex Opportunity Council Inc. received $50,000 to provide a nurse care coordinator to link clients to primary care and insurance.
Wayside Youth and Family Support Network Inc. received $28,584 for the Tempo Young Adult Resource Center to improve the health of vulnerable youth ages 17 to 24 who have serious health conditions. The program connects young adults with medical care and health insurance.