St. Luke’s awards more than $40,000 to Elmore County organizations

Nonprofit and public sector organizations in Elmore County received financial grants recently from St. Luke’s Health System. Three organizations in Mountain Home were given more than $40,000 in funding as part of St. Luke’s annual Community Health Improvement Fund (CHIF) grants for 2019. The grants will support a variety of health-related programs. Grant recipients in Elmore County include:

* Mountain Home Parks and Recreation – Fitness Rx-Prescription

* Mountain Home Parks and Recreation – Heighten Your Health

* Mountain Home Parks and Recreation – Scenic Senior Getaways

* Mountain Home High School – New Health Classes

* Mountain Home School District – Elementary After-School Activities program

“We are excited to provide support for local organizations that are addressing health issues,” said Lisa Melchiorre, chief nursing officer/chief operating officer at St. Luke’s Elmore. “Working together, we can create greater impact to help people live their healthiest lives.”

Special consideration was given to proposals that target similar needs identified by St. Luke's through its 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).

The CHNA is a comprehensive analysis of Idaho's most important health needs. The CHNA process includes an extensive review of local, regional and national data along with in-depth interviews with key community leaders. St. Luke’s will publish a new CHNA this year. The CHNA top three priorities are:

* Improve the prevention, detection and treatment of obesity and diabetes.

* Improve mental health and reduce suicide.

* Prevent and reduce tobacco use.