The Hospital Authority of Rockdale County recently awarded 14 grants, worth about $85,000, for programs aimed at improving the physical and mental health of Rockdale residents and is gearing up for another round of grant applications in August.
The HARC Board of Trustees voted at its June meeting to award grants to 14 community partners during its 2012 Grant Cycle I and is gearing up to begin accepting applications for another grant cycle.
Applications may be submitted between August 6 and August 31. Nonprofit or government agencies that provide charitable health-related services within Rockdale County are encouraged to consider applying.
To date, the authority has awarded nearly $330,000 in grants in two years for more than two dozen local agencies, many of which have received multiple grants. HARC has funded programs aimed at promoting healthy pregnancies and infant care; providing transportation for mental health services; ensuring that homebound seniors receive crucial liquid nutritional supplements; screening low income families for chronic diseases; providing free mammograms to the uninsured; and many other health-related projects. Additionally, HARC has financially supported the efforts of Helping Hands and Mercy Heart free clinics to serve low income and uninsured residents.
“With the help of our many partners in community health, I believe we are truly making a difference in people's lives,” said HARC Chairman Benny Atkins. “We look forward to continuing these efforts in the upcoming grants cycle.”
Grant applications and grant program guidelines are available on the HARC website at www.rockdaleha.org. Prior to submitting an application, agencies must attend an orientation session/pre-proposal conference. Sessions will be held in the HARC offices in the East Tower of Rockdale Medical Center, 1412 Milstead Avenue, July 23-August 3.
The sessions will include an overview of the history and mission of the Hospital Authority, a review of the grant cycle timeline and a discussion of the grant evaluation criteria. Potential applicants will have an opportunity t o ask questions and seek guidance on the application process.
Agencies considering applying for a grant should contact the HARC grants program director, Julie Mills, at 770.922.1441 or via email: jmills@rockdaleha.org to schedule a pre-proposal conference.
