SC.GOV: The Official Web site of the State of South Carolina

The S.C. Department of Health and Human Services is requesting grant proposals from governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and other groups interested in developing innovative programs that encourage healthy lifestyles. Through the Prevention Partnership Grant program initiated by Gov. Sanford, the agency will award $1 million in grant money to programs that target obesity, diabetes, hypertension, asthma or pre-term birth. Other unique proposals also will be considered.

Winning submissions must be evidence-based disease prevention initiatives with defined goals. Existing programs and programs seeking to replace lost funding will not be considered. Submissions must be made to SC DHHS no later than September 29, 2006. Winners will be announced in November 2006.

Prevention Partnership seeks to better leverage state dollars to improve health outcomes of residents through various early intervention and education programs. South Carolina ranks 19^th nationally in terms of state spending on health care, but only ranks 47^th in terms of overall health outcomes of its residents. Last year, SC DHHS awarded seven grants totaling $1 million to various outreach programs.