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Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 3 , 2008
Contact:
Joy Cunningham
(919) 828-1819
[email protected]

N.C. Healthy Start Foundation Hosts Regional Trainings

Launches Community Grants Program and New Resources for Local Agencies

(Raleigh, NC) – To culminate a one-year grant from GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and in anticipation of starting its 20th year of working to improve the health of women and babies in the state, the N.C. Healthy Start Foundation will host six regional trainings in October and November. The sessions will unveil the newly created Women's Health Journal and a toolkit of resources for local agencies serving women between 15 and 45 years of age. The meetings also kick-off a one-time, small community grants program and participants will have opportunities to network and learn about available resources.

The trainings are an extension of the RICHES Project (Resources in Communities Helps Encourage Solutions) whose goals were to engage community-based organizations across North Carolina to identify ways they can integrate women’s health promotion into their existing work with women, provide resources and facilitate the sharing of information. Almost 300 community-based agencies were identified.

Attendees will also received training on how to effectively use the new Women’s Health Journal and how to integrate it into the work they are already doing with women. Starting in November, the Journal will be available in North Carolina, at no cost, through the N.C. Healthy Start Foundation. Participants will also be the first to view an electronic toolkit of resources for community-based agencies.

Private non-profit and local governmental agencies that participate in the RICHES Project, or who are willing to become involved, will be given priority for the community grants program but all agencies serving women are invited to apply and participate in the regional trainings. Grants up to $3,000 will be awarded each month from December 2008 through February 2009. Proposals that show collaboration between organizations and those from counties with poor health status among women of reproductive age and/or high infant mortality rates are encouraged to apply.

Since 1990, the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation has worked in a public-private partnership with the State of North Carolina to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of women and young children. It is known for it award-winning, statewide, bilingual public education campaigns, professional training and technical assistance and advising state and local policymakers.

Six regional meetings will be held in October and November 2008:

October 8: Buncombe County
October 21: Duplin County
November 5: Nash County
November 7: Moore County
November 12: Guilford County
Mecklenburg area: TBA

For more information about the community grants program, RICHES or the regional trainings, call
(919) 828-1819, or visit www.NCHealthystart.org.

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The N.C. Healthy Start Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1990, conducts ongoing public education campaigns, advises state and local policy makers, and provides technical assistance and professional training focused on reducing infant death and illness and improving the health of women and young children in N.C.

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Last updated: October 2008

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