NANTUCKET – Nantucket Cottage Hospital has awarded $1.1 million in grant funding to 14 non-profit organizations through its Community Health Initiative.
The five-year grant program in conjunction with the capital campaign for the island’s new hospital seeks to address Nantucket’s most pressing health issues through collaborative, innovative and sustainable programs.
As a state approved capital project, the Nantucket Cottage Hospital is required to invest 5 percent of the total project cost in improving community health outside of the hospital.
This was the second year of grant funding awarded through the initiative which will invest more than $4 million in the community.
The hospital sought grant proposals in the areas of behavioral health, women’s and children’s health, access to healthcare and affordable housing.
The priorities were identified by the island community during a comprehensive process that included public forums, prioritization sessions and input from the hospital’s 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment.
“We hope that this grant funding will have an impact and will help people and bring some resources that are much needed in these areas,” said Jason Graziadei, the hospital’s spokesman.
The 2018 Nantucket Cottage Hospital Community Health Initiative grant recipients include:
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
- Artists Association of Nantucket; Healing Through Creative Arts program
- Gosnold on Nantucket; Integrated behavioral health services
- National Alliance on Mental Illness; Second year of a comprehensive education and outreach campaign for on-island behavioral health resources
- Addiction Solutions: Support to become CARF accredited
- Fairwinds – Nantucket’s Counseling Center: Support for ongoing professional training and development
WOMEN’S & CHILDREN’S HEALTH
- Health Imperatives; Education and services to support the health and nutritional needs of island families
- Maria Mitchell Association; Development and construction of a new STEM playground
- Nantucket Community School; Expansion of “Welcome Baby/Welcome Family” program
- Sustainable Nantucket: Farm to School nutrition program
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
- Town of Nantucket Department of Human Services: Development and maintenance of a central resource directory for health and community services
- Town of Nantucket Fire Department: Paramedic training for seven firefighters and certification in Advanced Life Support
ACCESS TO HOUSING:
- Habitat for Humanity; Funding to develop four building lots and six homes
- Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust Fund; Closing Cost Assistance Program
- Housing Nantucket; Support for First Time Home Buyer Education classes
The award total for 2018 was up nearly $340,000 from last year. Graziadei says more funds were awarded because there were so many compelling project proposals this year.
“We are really looking forward to seeing what our community partners are able to do and the impact they are going to have with these funds,” Graziadei said.
This was the second round of funding through the initiative, with three more expected.
The new hospital is scheduled to open next month.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
