Applications sought for Health District Incentive Grants

The state is offering Public Health District Incentive Grants in an effort to assist communities in regionalizing their board of health services.

Massachusetts is one of 14 states that received federal funds to support stronger local health services, according to the Department of Public Health. The state’s award totals $9.8 million over five years. Approximately half of the funds will stay at the state level for updates to data systems; the other half will go to communities to support regionalization efforts.

The grants are designed to support communities in regionalizing board of health efforts to improve the scope and quality of services, reduce regional disparities, and improve overall policies, according to the DPH. Grant criteria include the size of the entity involved in the regionalization effort (population, number of communities, and/or land area), the number of shared services, and the reduction of administrative costs.

Grant applications are due on Feb. 28, with announcements of winners coming in March. Grant candidates will have until September to complete their implementation plans.

For more information, visit www.mass.gov/dph or contact Senior Policy Advisor Geoff Wilkinson at geoff.wilkinson@state.ma.us.