Faith-Based Nursing Initiative Under Development
Local faith communities will soon be able to apply for multi-year grants of up to $40,000 to improve the health of their members as the result of a new Faith-Based Nursing Initiative approved by the Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF).
Consistent with the Foundation’s desire to promote sustainability, grant support will gradually decline over a three-year period, and grants will be funded at a maximum level of $40,000 in year one.
The $500,000 initiative is a joint program supported jointly by the WPHF Community Health Policy and Older Adults Work Groups.
To be eligible, the faith communities must serve residents of Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville. The grants are for improving the health of members through health advisement, health education, liaison to faith and community resources, coordination of support groups and healthcare navigation.
Faith-based nursing programs, also known as Parish Nursing, have a history that reaches back to the 1880s. The programs help people understand the influence of faith on healthful living and help change the culture of the community so that it supports healthy lifestyles.
The initiative provides a wonderful opportunity to reach people where they worship, said Diana Silvey, Program Director-Older Adults.
It is hoped the awards could be approved and programs launched by February 2011. Currently WPHF is working to identify an organization to serve as a program support partner to help kick off and implement the initiative.
