Grant program funds 29 groups of cities and towns to improve local public health
Boston (April 30, 2021) – Omar Cabrera – Omar.Cabrera@mass.gov
The Baker-Polito Administration has announced $7.7 million dollars in grants to help strengthen local public health services under a new Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) program to help 29 groups representing 191 cities and towns across the Commonwealth increase cross-jurisdictional sharing of public health services and staff.
The Public Health Excellence Grant Program for Shared Services furthers the Special Commission on Local and Regional Health’s recommendations to improve effectiveness and efficiency of local and regional public health by expanding opportunities for sharing of public health services.
This type of cross-jurisdictional sharing is designed to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of local public health services. By working together, municipalities will be better able to meet statutory requirements, respond to public health emergencies, and to plan public health improvements. The grants will enable local officials to provide a more comprehensive and equitable set of public health services across the Commonwealth.
“These funds, made available by the Legislature’s commitment to local health, will create or expand the foundation for strong regional collaborations among local health boards,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “Strong local health departments across the state will better prepare us for any future significant health care threats or pandemics.”
“Our local boards of health are an important part of the network of health and human services for residents across the Commonwealth,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “They have been at the front lines of the COVID-19 response and this is an important step in advancing the recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health.”
The shared services programs will begin in May 2021 with support from the DPH Office of Local and Regional Health.
To learn more about the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health and the work of DPH with local boards of health, visit www.mass.gov/dph/olrh.
CONTACT
Omar Cabrera
