Holdenville, OK (May 10, 2019) – The City of Holdenville was honored Friday for their efforts to improve health and quality of life in their city through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Healthy Incentive Program for Communities.
The City of Holdenville received a $50,000 grant and has chosen to use the funds to purchase new playground equipment, a new pavilion and grill at the Holdenville Park.
TSET incentive grant funding is based on size of the community and the types of strategies implemented. These strategies include adopting policies or ordinances for all city-owned and operated property to be tobacco-free and vapor-free, street and zoning policies that improve walkability and promoting community gardens and farmer markets. All of these efforts help encourage residents to live healthy, active, tobacco-free lifestyles.
Communities that have been awarded a grant are able to determine how the incentive funding will be used to promote health in their communities. TSET Healthy Incentive Grant funds are frequently used to leverage other funds and partners for community projects that advance health.
“We are proud to recognize communities that are engaging in conversations about how to improve health and investing in citizens,” said TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee. “Combined with other prevention efforts, these communities are working to reduce the demand on an already stressed health care system, saving lives and saving money. We applaud the City of Holdenville for their commitment to investing in the health of their citizens.”
Funds for the TSET Healthy Incentive Program are limited and all available funds have been exhausted for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. The grant program is expected to re-open for the next fiscal year.
The TSET Board of Directors has awarded grants to 54 school districts and school sites and 33 communities. Over $1.9 million in grants have been provided to promote partnerships at the local level to improve health and promote healthy behaviors in schools and communities.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Whitney Dinger, whitneyd@tset.ok.gov
Direct: 405-521-4959
Cell: 405-227-0488
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The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public's health.
TSET. Better Lives Through Better Health.