Cook County Public Health Community Funds
Granted to Local Organizations
#LSN_Publicsafety #LSN_CookCounty
COOK COUNTY, MINNESOTA - November 29, 2018 (LSN) Eight local community organizations have been selected to receive Public Health Community Fund grants in 2019 – a combined total of $130,000.
Members of the Public Health and Human Services Advisory Committee convened in September to review requests for funding from the Public Health Community Fund (previously known as Discretionary Funds). In previous years, requests for funding were directed to the County Board of Commissioners. For grant year 2019, the Board of Commissioner’s granted authority to the Public Health and Human Services Advisory Committee to review and evaluate the applications. The Committee considered priorities identified in the ongoing Cook County Community Health Needs Assessment while reviewing the applications and used a ranking system to develop a consensus on prioritizing requests. Evaluation criteria included:
- Completeness of application
- Organizational budget
- Projected community impact, and
- Alignment with Community Health Needs Assessment priority areas.
“Our Advisory Committee serves the people of this community by providing a listening ear and citizen input to the Cook County Department of Public Health&Human Services,” Jerry Lilja, Vice Chair, Cook County Public Health and Human Services Advisory Committee. “A thoughtful and systematic process led to our decision for granting this year’s Community Funds. The organizations that received funding provide important services that enhance the health and wellbeing of our community.”
Thirteen applications were submitted requesting a combined total of approximately $190,000. With only $130,000 allocated from the General Fund, the Committee was tasked with difficult decisions in granting funds for 2019.
The following eight area organizations were selected at the October 16 Public Health and Human Services Board Meeting:
- AEOA Rural Rides
- Birch Grove Community School
- Care Partners
- ISD 166 Community Education
- Cook County Higher Education
- Cooperation Station
- Oral Health Task Force, and
- The Cook County Senior Center.
-30-