Healthy Incentive Grants: Communities

Healthy Incentive Grants: Communities is sponsored by Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). Supports Oklahoma cities and towns in creating healthier environments through policies and projects that promote tobacco-free spaces, healthy foods, and physical activity.

TSET Shares New Grant Opportunities to Boost Health in Schools and Communities Children enjoy the updated playground at Wright City’s town park. The improvements were made possible through a $36,000 TSET Healthy Incentive Grant awarded in 2022, along with support from local partners.

The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has new guidelines for three grants for Oklahoma schools and communities supporting healthier environments and reduce preventable disease. The updated information includes parameters for TSET Healthy Incentive Grants for Schools and two Targeted Achievement Grants, known as TAG.

The Healthy Incentive Grants program has been updated, and all school districts across Oklahoma are encouraged to apply, including those that received funding in previous years. The revised program resets eligibility and introduces several key changes, including a simplified single award category, updated funding limits and a new online application platform.

Schools can use grant funds for wellness projects such as hydration stations, walking tracks and playground equipment. Click here to learn more about this funding opportunity . Two additional grant opportunities support local governments and organizations: TAG: Physical Activity helps expand access to safe places for physical activity, especially for youth.

The grant encourages local policy change and collaboration, including shared-use agreements and improvements to sidewalks or recreation spaces. Click here to learn more. TAG: Tobacco 21 supports communities working to raise awareness and enforce the federal law prohibiting tobacco sales to anyone under 21.

The grant helps fund community education and outreach to reduce youth access to tobacco. Click here to review grant details. All three grants are part of TSET’s broader effort to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease by funding community-based solutions that encourage healthier living.

TSET Team Shares National Expertise at Leading Tobacco Control Conference TSET continues to serve as a national leader in tobacco control and prevention, with staff presenting at this year’s National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH), one of the largest gatherings of public health professionals in the world.

The 2025 conference welcomes more than 2,000 attendees from across the globe to exchange strategies and insights that reduce tobacco-related harm. TSET staff featured on the national stage include Kelli Brodersen, director of strategic communication ; Dylan Jasna, associate director of campaigns & brands ; and Kelsey Nation, campaign manager .

Their presentations highlight innovative approaches TSET uses to reach Oklahomans with life-saving messages and resources. Kelli Brodersen presented on TSET’s digital media strategy to promote the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline . It highlighted how paid digital campaigns guide users through a measurable path—from awareness to sign-up—making it easier for Oklahomans to access free, proven cessation services.

Dylan Jasna shared insights from the Tobacco Stops With Me “Apartments” campaign , which raises awareness about secondhand smoke exposure in multi-unit housing and equips residents with tools to advocate for smoke-free living spaces.

Kelsey Nation highlighted the Talk About Tobacco campaign , which empowers parents and educators to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with youth about the dangers of nicotine and vaping. TSET’s presence at NCTOH demonstrates Oklahoma’s leadership in developing innovative, research-based strategies to reduce tobacco use.

The conference highlights how TSET’s programs and campaigns are helping more people quit tobacco and contributing to stronger public health outcomes nationwide. TSET-Funded Research at OU Shows Mobile App Helps Smokers Quit A clinical trial led by researchers at the TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) at OU Health Sciences shows that a smartphone app can significantly improve quit rates among low-income adults who smoke.

The Smart-T app sends real-time, personalized messages based on factors like stress, mood and social environment—key triggers for tobacco use. Participants who used Smart-T were nearly twice as likely to quit smoking after six months compared to those using a standard cessation app.

The trial, published in JAMA Network Open , highlights TSET’s ongoing investment in innovative, technology-driven approaches to reduce tobacco use and health disparities. The mHealth platform developed at HPRC has supported more than 115 studies and attracted over $85 million in research funding.

Perspective: Julie Bisbee in the Journal Record This month in the Journal Record , Julie Bisbee underscores a clear message: there is no safe tobacco product. While cigarette use is declining, the tobacco industry continues to market new products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches that still carry serious health risks.

Bisbee calls for action to keep pace with these changes, including stronger policies, public education and expanded protections from secondhand smoke. Oklahoma has made progress, but continued vigilance is essential. Meet the Staff: Alex Tune TSET is staffed by a dedicated and passionate group of people.

This month, we would like to introduce Alex Tune. Tune serves as a Partner Support Specialist for TSET Healthy Incentive Grants. Prior to joining TSET, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Soil Conservationist and Management Analyst.

Tune holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Learn More About TSET Staff If you have questions or problems related to the IT accessibility of this message, please visit the Oklahoma Accessibility Policy webpage .