| Over $1 million in grant money was awarded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust this past week. The incentive grants, $1,042,000, went to 21 cities and towns across the state that met program criteria. That criteria includes tobacco-free policies, availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, and increasing opportunities for residents to become more physically active. |  |
| Lawton, Ada and Shawnee received the largest grants, from $160,000 to $100,000. In this area, Eufaula received $20,000, Muskogee, $50,000 and Pryor, $50,000. "To be eligible to apply communities must first have been recognized through the Certified Healthy Oklahoma program, a partnership between the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, the State Chamber and the Oklahoma State Department of Health," said Cheryl Najera, SWAT Coordinator at the Okmulgee County Health Department. The incentive grant funding for communities is based on population size and the types of strategies implemented. Cities that have met TSET's criteria and been awarded a grant are able to determine how the incentive funding will be used 10 promote health in their communities. Grant funds are frequently used to leverage other funds for community projects that advance health. The communities awarded grants last week. will use the funds for a variety of health-promoting projects that will benefit residents. Some of the projects include developing community parks, walking trails, sidewalk master plans and adding enhancements to playgrounds or parks. Since the Healthy Communities Incentive Grant program began three years ago, $1.5 million in grant funds have been awarded to 42 communities. | |
