Lung association awards tobacco prevention mini-grants
The American Lung Association in Delaware recently announced $347,000 in total grants awarded among 23 recipients of the Delaware Division of Public Health Mini-Grants for 2023-24.
The mini-grant program was established to enable Delaware communities to develop custom programs for smoking education, prevention and cessation. It is estimated that these programs will educate more than 10,000 Delawareans annually about the dangers of tobacco use.
A diverse team of community leaders selected 23 agencies to receive the 2023-24 mini-grant funding. The American Lung Association in Delaware manages the mini-grant program, made possible by the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention Community Contract, supported by the Delaware Health Fund.
Each recipient was required to address the goals and objectives of the state’s Plan for a Tobacco-free Delaware.
Goals include: Prevent the initiation and use of tobacco and emerging products among Delawareans; increase quitting and quit attempts among Delawareans who use tobacco products; eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke, vapors and other emissions; advance health equity by identifying and eliminating commercial tobacco product-related inequities and disparities; and strengthen and cultivate Delaware’s leadership at all levels in comprehensive tobacco prevention and control.
Mini-grant recipients are required to submit bimonthly activity and budget reporting, and attend one out of three technical training workshops and the Delaware Statewide Tobacco Prevention Conference.
The 2023-24 Sussex County mini-grant recipients are: Bayhealth Foundation; Cornerstone Community Center, Greater Milford Boys & Girls Club of Delaware; Oak Orchard Boys and Girls Club; and Southern Delaware COPD Coalition; plus University of Delaware 4-H statewide.
Five additional recipients will receive the Delaware Division of Public Health Tobacco Prevention Resource Kits for 2023-24. Resource kits are provided to enhance existing tobacco prevention and education resource centers available to schools, community groups and businesses through the purchase of tobacco education materials. Materials include brochures, videos, CDs, curricula, displays, journals and books. Resource kits are designed to educate Delaware’s communities about the damaging effects of tobacco use. Recipients can add these materials to their libraries of health information for use at fairs, educational presentations and seminars.
Agencies applying for tobacco prevention mini-grant funding are considered for resource kit awards. Five agencies were selected by a diverse team of community leaders to receive the materials. The resource kits are made possible by the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention Community Contract, supported by the Delaware Health Fund and managed by the American Lung Association in Delaware.
The 2023-24 Sussex County resource kit recipient is Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club.
