News
Department Of Public Health Invites Public Comment on Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant
October 25, 2011 - The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) launched its public comment period for the Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant application for Federal Fiscal Year 2012 (FFY12). All residents of Georgia are invited to participate by submitting comments during the public comment period. The PHHS Block Grant has been proposed for elimination from the Federal Fiscal Year 2012 budget. However, the Department is preparing a FFY12 application in case funding is restored by Congress during the federal appropriations process.
Currently Georgia receives $2.3 million to provide funding for better health outcomes in the areas of obesity, chronic disease prevention, health promotion and information services.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) invites interested persons to participate in the 30 day PHHS Block Grant Application public comment period for FFY12 from October 21, 2011 - November 21, 2011.
The public may review the PHHS Block Grant Application online at http://health.state.ga.us/pdfs/grants/GA2012V0R0WorkPlan.pdf.
The public may comment in four ways:
(1) Written comments will be received until November 21, 2011:
Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant
ATTN:Natasha Stark
2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 10-272
Atlanta, GA 30303
(2) Email comments will be received until November 21, 2011:
nwstark@dhr.state.ga.us
(3) Facsimile comments will be received until November 21, 2011:
PHHS Block Grant Office Fax: (770-357-3301)
(4) In Person verbal comments at a Public Hearing:
Public Health District 3-2
Nov. 1, 2011, 4:30p - 7:30p
S. Fulton Service Center
5710 Stonewall Tell Road College Park, GA 30349-2465
Public Health District 5-2
Nov. 15, 2011, 4:30 - 7:30p
Macon/Bibb County Health Department
171 Emery Highway Macon, GA 31217
About the Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant:
In 1981, Congress authorized the Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant. The PHHS Block Grant gives its 61 grantees -- which include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 2 American Indian tribes, and 8 U.S. territories -- the independence and flexibility to tailor prevention and health promotion programs to their particular public health needs. States are expected to align their programs with Healthy People 2020 national health goals. As a critical public health resource, the PHHS Block Grant supports the following activities:
• Addressing basic health concerns such as tooth decay among children, food sanitation, and injuries to older adults from falling
• Responding rapidly to emerging health threats in states
• Funding critical prevention efforts to address health concerns such as skin cancer, child safety, and untreated dental decay that lack specific state funding
• Protecting investments in and enhancing the effectiveness of funded programs that address specific health problems
• Leveraging other monetary resources to increase the benefit of preventive health measures
About the Georgia Department of Public Health:
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency responsible for the health of Georgia's communities and the entire population. In 2011, the General Assembly restored DPH to its own state agency after more than 30 years consolidated under other departments. At the state level, DPH is divided into numerous divisions, sections, programs and offices, and at the local level, DPH functions via 18 health districts and 159 county health departments. Through the changes, the mission has remained constant - to protect the lives of all Georgians. Today, DPH's main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information on DPH, visit www.health.state.ga.us.