Community Grant Project Year 4
January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019

The UI College of Public Health’s Business Leadership Network Community Grant Program supports projects and activities that build collaborations and support community well-being. Additional support from the UI Provost’s Office of Outreach and Engagement, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust has funded the community grant program.

The following seven recipients received cash grant awards of up to $3,000:

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, Mason City
The Positive Learning Environments using Sensory Pathways project will install sensory pathways within five elementary schools in Mason City and Clear Lake to provide a physical activity outlet for students to utilize between class times. Similar pathways have been found to improve attention and behaviors of students in the classroom and provide a convenient and effective way for youth to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way, Fort Dodge
The Bridging the Gap: Beds for Kids project will provide beds and cribs for children living in poverty in Fort Dodge. Good sleep is critical for a child’s health, well-being, and ability to learn. A partnership with local schools, health care providers, the Webster County Health Department and nonprofits will help identify children who need beds.

Lee County Health Department, Fort Madison
Lee County’s Live Healthy at the Market project will plan three events at the three area farmers markets in Fort Madison, Montrose, and Keokuk. At the events, community partners will provide health and wellness information, health screenings, and promote biking to the markets with the goal of increasing participation in the markets and increasing awareness to community health services.

Living Proof Exhibit, Davenport
The “Art-to-Go” Reduces Stress in People Impacted by Cancer project uses the healing power of the arts to help individuals touched by cancer. Throughout the Quad Cities and in Muscatine, the grant will fund “Art-to-Go” boxes filled with a variety of art projects that cancer survivors and those undergoing treatment can use to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve overall well-being.

Muscatine Center for Social Action, Muscatine
The Emergency Overnight Shelter Update project will work to increase hygienic and sustainable sleeping options for guests staying in the emergency overnight homeless shelter. Grant funds will help eradicate pests and provide new mattresses, washer and dryer, and storage containers for guests’ bedding.

North Fayette Valley Community Coalition, Elgin
The Youth Engaged in Leadership and Learning (YELL) program will teach North Fayette Valley Middle School students (grades 6-8) to use their voice to address the concerns of their peers and community while making responsible and healthy choices. Students will work together to problem-solve, set goals, learn how to resolve conflicts, and make their school and community a better and safer place.

Siouxland District Health Department, Sioux City
The Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) will be implemented in two child care centers. This evidence-based program will provide the centers with the tools to increase healthy food and physical activity options for younger children in the Siouxland area.