For Information Contact:

Paulette Nickerson
Director of Operations
(315) 798-5800

Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace, Jr. today announced that six projects sponsored by five local organizations will receive a total of $40,000 in grants as part of Oneida County’s "Health Initiatives" program.

The program, funded through $100,000 approved by the County Executive and Oneida County Board of Legislators, supports innovative, creative and collaborative proposals to address the primary causes of undesirable health outcomes with a focus on prevention. Further grants will be announced at a later date.

"We want to focus new energy and attention on new efforts that will meet the needs of our residents," Eannace said. "The common thread among these proposals is that they all reach out to the people of Oneida County to address needs that our Oneida County Health Coalition has deemed our county’s top public health priorities. Through coordinated action and grass roots efforts, we can help the people of Oneida County live healthier lives and better lives."

Organizations and proposals to be funded are:

Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare: "Weight Management for Life," a new program aimed at helping overweight adult pursue lifelong weight control. Amount: $2,000. Priority addressed: "Nutritional Status."

The Regional Cancer Center at Faxton-St. Luke’s was also awarded a grant for "A Comprehensive Approach to Smoke Cessation," a new smoking cessation program that targets current smokers who may not be able to afford other smoking cessation programs. Amount: $9,500. Priority addressed: "Tobacco Alcohol and Substance Use."

American Red Cross, Utica Chapter: "Senior Ready for Anything," an innovative program modeled on disaster training exercises, aimed at helping senior citizens prepare for emergencies such as fires. Amount: $9,500. Priority addressed: "Needs of the Elder Population."

Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: "Vision Loss and Aging," a regional outreach to help seniors who may need services for the visually impaired, but who may not be aware of their need. Amount: $4,000. Priority addressed: "Needs of the Elder Population."

Insight House: "Family BONDS (Building Our Neighborhood Defenses against Substances)." This program would increase parent awareness of the threats to young people through workshops and networking so that experts and parents can share ideas and successful responses. In times of a substance abuse-related crisis, the program would bring teams of professionals and volunteers to a neighborhood or community in need. Amount: $6,500. Priority addressed: "Strengthen families and improve the quality of life for children."

Family Services of the Mohawk Valley Inc.: "Promoting Family Strengths," which will work through existing organizations and Oneida County’s new "Communities That Care" effort. The program works with communities and neighborhoods to bring together parents so they can learn about existing successful programs that have helped families become stronger. Amount: $8,500. Priority addressed: "Strengthen families and improve the quality of life for children."

All grants address public health priorities established by the County Executive in collaboration with the Oneida County Health Coalition. Those priorities are:

Tobacco, Alcohol and Substance Use -- Goal: To reduce disease, disability and death related to the use of tobacco, alcohol and/or substance among adults and/or children.

Strengthen families and improve the quality of life for children -- Goal: To enhance the quality of life for children and strengthen families by addressing issues such as those identified in the Teen Assessment Program Survey or other data sources through prevention activities which affect underlying causes for public health concern.

Nutritional Status -- Goal: To assist adults and/or children to acquire knowledge and skills that result in changing behaviors and improving the nutritional status of individuals.

Needs of the Elder Population -- Goal: To improve service access for elderly in their home settings with particular attention to issues such as isolation, nutrition, abuse, medical care, medications, safety and transportation.

Other priorities of the "Health Initiatives" effort not funded in this round of grants include:

Dental Health Care Access and Delivery -- Goal: To improve access to acute and preventive health care for children under 4 years of age and other individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.

Respiratory Disease -- Goal: To reduce respiratory disease by improving indoor air quality or other means directly affecting cause of disease.

"We hope to stimulate action in target areas where there is a need and there is a plan of action to address that need," Eannace said. "I salute all the organizations that have received funding through these grants, and all the innovation, creativity and outreach efforts that will help the people of Oneida County."