Policy Campaign Grants (Voices for Healthy Kids)

Policy Campaign Grants (Voices for Healthy Kids) is sponsored by American Heart Association (via Voices for Healthy Kids). Designed to support strategic issue advocacy campaigns that advance equitable policies to make communities healthier. While broadly focused on healthy kids, the emphasis on equitable policies aligns with social justice.

$1M granted to community organizations to promote nutrition and economic security | American Heart Association DALLAS, June 17, 2021 — Voices for Healthy Kids , an initiative of the American Heart Association — the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to a world of longer, healthier lives — has awarded policy campaign grants totaling nearly $1 million to five nonprofit organizations for advocacy campaigns focused on improving health equity with a focus on early care and education, food security and access to water in schools.

The grants range from $50,000 to $250,000 for up to 18 months. They represent the latest round of Voices for Healthy Kids grant funding, to advance public policy that can decrease the gaps in health equity. “Health and wellbeing are only feasible if we first address basic needs of safe drinking water, healthy foods and quality education for young children,” said Donna Arnett, Ph.

D. , M. S.

P. H. , B.

S. N. , volunteer chair of Voices for Healthy Kids’ strategic advisory committee and dean of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.

“These grants are one piece of our commitment to solving deeply sown societal issues that keep entire populations from reaping the health benefits of economic security, nutrition security and access to safe places to be active.

” 5 awards to organizations in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania Awards support policy campaigns at the state, tribal and local levels to: Improve economic security, such as by ensuring children and families have access to quality, affordable early care and education.

Increase food security and healthy eating by expanding state funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), increasing access to clean water in schools. “With deep roots in their communities, the organizations being awarded these grants are vital for improving health by engaging local residents in creating desired changes in the places they call home.

The social impact of their work will be felt by children and families across their community,” said Lori Fresina, vice president and executive director of Voices for Healthy Kids at the American Heart Association.

Voices for Healthy Kids, which receives financial support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other funders, works around the country to improve or create equitable policies that will make the places all kids, live, learn and play healthier.

The initiative supports local, tribal and state policy change efforts that will dramatically improve the health of children who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian and Alaskan Native or families who have low income through grant opportunities, technical assistance and capacity building. Additional opportunities for funding will be made available each spring and fall at https://voicesforhealthykids.

org/campaign-resources/grants . Voices for Healthy Kids is an initiative of the American Heart Association, working to make each day healthier for all children. Voices for Healthy Kids empowers advocates to take action in their communities and improve the health of children across the nation.

Join us at VoicesForHealthyKids. org , on Twitter @Voices4HK and Facebook . Suzette Harris: 214-706-1207 Suzette.

Harris@heart. org For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) voicesforhealthykids. org, heart.

org and strokeassociation. org This link is provided for convenience only and is not an endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service.