Rep. McNally Announces $115,000 in State Grants for Youngstown City Health District

Funding supports two minority health projects working toward racial health equity

February 25, 2023

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) on February 25, 2023 announced the awarding of state funds from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health for two projects within the Youngstown City Health District.

“These funds will help the City of Youngstown in easing the health burdens on our families by learning more about why some in our community experience these burdens more severely than others,” said Rep. McNally. “I’m thankful the state could provide assistance.”

The Commission funds Miscellaneous Supplemental Grants (MSGS) based on availability of funding each year and are designed to sponsor health-related activities that raise the visibility of the Commission and increase the focus of minority health disparities and/or chronic diseases such as, but not limited to, cancer, diabetes, substance abuse, violence, lupus, infant mortality, or cardiovascular disease. All Commission one-time funded programs and activities must be free and open to the public while reaching and impacting Ohioans from no less than two counties. They must also have a focus on racial and ethnic populations.

In 2008, the Commission launched the “Local Conversations” Initiative which was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Minority Health (OMH). This initiated the strategy of the National Partnership for Action (NPA) to End Health Disparities to “mobilize and connect individuals and organizations across the country to create a Nation free of health disparities with quality health outcomes for all people.” This $15,000 funding level ($10,000 from the Commission and $5,000 from the Ohio Department of Health – CDC Federal grant) will provide communities an opportunity to review and update their previous efforts which identified priorities in addressing health disparities and equity, with an expanded focus on the significant impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic populations.

“The pandemic made our lives stand still for two years. It also impacted our community long-term in ways we are still trying to comprehend,” said Rep. McNally. “These funds will allow local leaders to listen, gather information, and make purposeful decisions on how to mitigate those impacts.”

The Youngstown City Health District projects that received MSG funds from the Commission, although they will not be officially activated until they have signed an Acknowledgement of Terms and appropriately addressed special conditions of the award, include:

$100,000 for the North End Community Improvement Collaborative
$15,000 for the Local Conversation Round 3

“The Youngstown City Health District has been a recipient of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health’s funds for the past 15 years. The funding has been a vital piece in helping us address racial disparities and inequities,” said Erin Bishop, Health Commissioner and Local registrar of the Youngstown City Health District. “We will continue to host health fairs, educational summits, giveaways, and awareness campaigns to inform residents and bring equitable care to all.”

The Minority Health Division of the Youngstown City Health District’s mission is to:

Inform community members and leaders of health issues that affect minority and under-served populations.
Educate community members and leaders about health disparities through events, workshops, and programs.
Empower community members by providing access to the information and resources needed to improve their health.