$2 million available in grants for Medical Reserve Corps

Dear SL colleagues,

On Friday, July 19, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson
announced the availability of $2 million in grants to help local officials
develop volunteer Medical Reserve Corps units to strengthen local
communities' capacity to respond to an emergency and to strengthen the
local public health infrastructure.  The $50,000 grants are available to
nonprofits, local governments and faith-based organizations.  Medical
Reserve Corps units will be composed of community-led, community-based
volunteers who may assist medical response professionals and facilities
during large-scale local emergencies, such as naturally occurring
influenza epidemics, hazardous materials spills or acts of terrorism.

Volunteers can include, but are not limited to, current or retired health
professionals (such as physicians, nurses, mental health professionals,
dentists, dental assistants, pharmacists and veterinarians), social
workers, communications/public relations professionals, health care
administrators and clergy, among others.  More information about the
Medical Reserve Corps grants is available at
<http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/mrc> . The press
release is at: <http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20020719.html>

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Community-Campus Partnerships for Health is a nonprofit organization that
promotes health through partnerships between communities and educational
institutions.  Check out our website at www.ccph.info

Mark your calendar for CCPH's 7th annual conference - April 26-29, 2003 in
San Diego, CA. The conference will feature a symposium jointly planned and
sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office
of University Partnerships and the Community Outreach Partnership Centers
program. This will present an unprecedented opportunity for advancing
community-campus partnerships that truly span the campus and contribute to
public problem-solving and healthier communities.

CCPH is the Higher Education Senior Program Advisor for the Learn and
Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
Visit the Clearinghouse at http://www.servicelearning.org
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