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Interact for Health Awards $322,500 for Rural Changemaker Grant

Aug 20, 2024

Interact for Health has awarded three recipients for the second round of their Rural Changemaker Grant, the signature grant opportunity of Interact for Health’s Rural Investment Strategy. The grant aims to provide strategic funding that enhances and supports addressing community-identified challenges and inequalities related to health in the rural regions served by Interact for Health in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

“The Rural Changemaker Grant is an opportunity to support those who are closest to the issues and most capable of driving meaningful change in our rural communities. We are excited to collaborate with local rural leaders in our region as they implement creative, community-driven solutions to improve health and well-being,” said Interact for Health President and CEO, Kate Schroder.

The three organizations selected for this round of funding serve a distinct need in their rural community:

Clermont Recovery Center, a Division of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (OH):  $110,000 | Establish a Mobile Behavioral Health Unit for outlying Clermont communities (1 year) Creating a mobile behavioral health unit, addressing the barrier of transportation and enhancing behavioral health access and outcomes for Clermont County.

“We have been working with partners and community members to better understand the barriers they face in seeking and engaging in our services, in part, we heard that getting to our physical buildings can be difficult due to lack of transportation but also that we may reach more families and individuals in our outlying Appalachian communities through being present and connecting in their community…We hope to build connections and serve people where they are most comfortable—in their community.” – Alicia Fine, Chief Program officer and Senior Vice President, Clermont County Behavioral Health Services.

Gallatin County Fiscal Court (KY): $110,000 | Improve Walkability and Safe Routes to School in Gallatin County, KY (1 year) Building or restoring safe walking paths with adequate lighting for youth to walk to school and community spaces.

“I am extremely excited about the grant opportunity from Interact for Health. This will give children a safe way to get to school and around the community. For many of our children, walking is their only way to get around the community.” – Jon Ryan Morris, Gallatin County Judge Executive. 

Safe Passage, Inc (IN): $102,500 | Rural Empowerment Programming (1.5 years) Supporting the county’s only emergency shelter, and expanding mobile advocacy, prevention programming, and health and well-being activities for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

“Our community looks to Safe Passage to meet and exceed the needs of survivors of domestic and sexual violence from our extensive southeast Indiana service region because of our remarkably talented team and top-notch programming. Partnering with Interact for Health will allow us to provide innovative community connections, holistic health and wellness, and reliable mobile advocacy to those who are in the greatest need and are most deserving of safety and healing.” – Cari Kettman, Executive Director, Safe Passage.

There is one additional rolling funding deadline for eligible rural organizations to apply for the Rural Changemaker Grant: Monday, October 7 at 5 p.m. Learn more about our rural grantmaking and event sponsorship opportunities at https://www.interactforhealth.org/rural-investment-strategy-2024/.

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