Missouri Foundation for Health awards local grants

Burrell received $294,102 from MFH. The money will be used to build on the mental health services already offered by Burrell in seven southwest Missouri counties, and to incorporate the integrated dual diagnosis treatment model into the Burrell system.

Twelve other organizations received grant money:

• American Heart Association received $282,962 for implementation of the Healthy Schools program in the MFH region. Healthy Schools is a nationwide program aimed at encouraging active living and healthy eating. Working with school districts, the program develops wellness policies and staff wellness programs, establishes a school wellness council and works to improve vending-machine choices.

• Community Alliance for Compassionate Care at the End of Life, Springfield, received $100,000. The money will support salaries and office equipment for the alliance, which provides services to improve the quality of life of terminally ill individuals.

• Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri, Joplin, received $58,218 to provide assistance and medical supplies for victims of child abuse.

• Community Health Clinic of Joplin received $100,000 that will be used to provide salaries for the organization’s staff members. The clinic provides primary medical and dental treatment, screenings and other services to people in need.

• Cope Inc., Lebanon, received $50,000 to further its efforts to assist victims of domestic violence in south-central Missouri.

• Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, Brighton, received $99,620 to continue its work serving abused and neglected teen boys.

• Laclede County Health Department, Lebanon, received $26,780 to help pay for an update of its computer network system.

• Lawrence County Health Department, Mount Vernon, received $98,300 to help pay for medical equipment purchases and provide departmental support.

• New Hope GYN Cancer Support Group, Springfield, received $58,406 to help pay for salaries and supplies. The group serves women who are diagnosed with gynecological cancer and their families.

• Newton County Health Department, Neosho, received $99,906 to offset salaries and office expenses.

• Ozark Center, Joplin, received $299,193 for its collaborative efforts with Lafayette House to develop and implement evidence-based practices to treat patients with co-occurring mental and substance-abuse disorders.

• Ozark Tri-County Healthcare Consortium Inc., Neosho, received $94,845 to offset operational and supply costs as it provides medical, dental and mental health services to uninsured patients.

MFH, a nongovernmental provider of funds for community health activities, serves the uninsured, underinsured and underserved populations in 84 Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis, where its headquarters is located. MFH was established in 2000 through the for-profit conversion of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri and has given more than $180 million in grants and awards to date.

Funding for the latest round of grants, announced in November, comes from three MFH funding programs: Healthy & Active Communities Initiative; Co-occuring Disorders Priority Area Grant; and Basic Support.