TITLE
Title
FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY HIGH POINT - APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GRANT ($270,000)
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Courtney McFadden, HHS - Public Health
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BACKGROUND
Background
Health and Human Services - Department of Public Health requests authorization to apply for a three-year Impact Grant from the Foundation for a Healthy High Point to expand community engagement capacity countywide, with a focused effort in Greater High Point. The grant will support a dedicated Community Health Educator II who will strengthen relationships with residents and community partners; coordinate listening sessions, community forums, and other engagement activities; support the 2027 Community Health Assessment and subsequent Community Health Improvement Plans; and advance community-informed initiatives addressing priority health issues, including violence prevention and food insecurity. Over the three-year grant period, the project aims to directly engage at least 500 Guilford County residents and establish sustainable community engagement practices.
The Foundation for a Healthy High Point will provide $90,000 annually for three years, beginning January 1, 2027, for a total grant award of $270,000. Grant funding will primarily support the salary of the Community Health Educator. Notification of grant award is expected around December 10 2026.
To support implementation of the grant, the department proposes reclassifying an existing vacant Nurse Specialist I position in the Case Management of High Risk Pregnancy Program (CHMRP), currently funded by a grant ending December 31, 2026, to a Community Health Educator II position. Upon grant award approval and required Commissioner authorization, the position will be reclassified to align with the grant’s purpose and funding requirements, allowing the department to repurpose the existing position for the new grant-funded responsibilities.
HHS-DPH will provide approximately $82,647 in in-kind support over the three-year grant period. This contribution will consist of a portion of salary and fringe benefits for existing staff providing supervision, as well as support for education and training, local travel, printing and office expenses, educational materials, and related infrastructure. This in-kind support will help ensure successful implementation of the grant without requiring these resources to be fully funded by the grant.
Department leadership intends to seek County funding to sustain the Community Health Educator position beyond the grant period, subject to the County’s annual budget and approval processes.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Request authorization to apply for $270,000 in grant funding from the Foundation for a Healthy High Point for the three-year period beginning January 1, 2027.
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