Title: Healthy Tomorrows Funds Community-Based Initiatives Focusing on Children’s Health
Author:
Section/SPIG: Maternal and Child Health
Issue Date:
The Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program is a collaborative effort between the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the American Academy of Pediatrics. HTPCP is a grant making and technical assistance program that aims to stimulate the development of health programs in areas where identified child health needs are not being met. This program promotes community planning and problem solving at the local level through pediatrician involvement, and advisory board development, evaluation planning, and matching funds to ensure project sustainability.
Since its inception in 1989, a total of 188 HTPCP grants have been awarded; 126 of the 188 projects have been completed. To be eligible for funding, projects must represent a new initiative within the community or an innovative component that builds upon existing community resources. Healthy Tomorrows grant awards are for approximately $50,000 per year for a five-year project period.
Healthy Tomorrows projects focus on a variety of service populations and health topics. Past projects have addressed the needs of infants, pregnant mothers, children with special health care needs, and low income or uninsured families. Projects focus on a variety of topical areas including access to care, oral health, home visiting, mental health, obesity, and school health.
Ten new grants began on March 1, 2005, and include:
- Creating Opportunities for Physical Activity (COPA) in Torrance, Calif.
- The Village Fit Kids Project in Miami, Fla.
- Family Center for Health Futures in Lexington, Ky.
- Treasure Valley Children’s Mental Health Project in Boise, Idaho
- Pontotoc CATCH Kids Expansion Project in Tupelo, Miss.
- Connecting the Dots in Chapel Hill, N.C.
- Good Beginnings Home Visiting Network Expansion Project in Claremont, N.H.
- Behavioral Developmental Primary Care Program in Austin, Texas
- Boys Health Advocacy Program in Rapid City, S.D.
- Pre-Emptive Behavioral Health Team Intervention for At-Risk Children and Families in Centralia, Wash.
The funding cycle for HTPCP is usually announced by MCHB in August. Please check the HTPCP Web site at <www.aap.org/commpeds/htpcp/index.html> in August for more information, and click on “Grant Cycle Information.” The HRSA Preview will also provide information on how to apply for the grant in August at <www.hrsa.gov/grants/preview/default.htm>. If you would like more information on HTPCP, please contact Nicole Miller at <nmiller@aap.org> or (847) 434-7082 or Anne Gramiak at <agramiak@aap.org> or (847) 434-4279.