Public Meeting Notice  Public Meeting Notice for the Preventive Health and Human Services Block Grant — May 30, 2023

The Department of Public Health and the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Advisory Committee are seeking public comment for the priorities for the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant.  The remote open meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 30, 2023, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Phone information:

• 1-857-327-9245
• Conference ID number: 931 451 951#

Written comments can also be made to:

Tracy Evans
PHHS Block Grant Coordinator 
Bureau of Community Health & Prevention
250 Washington Street, Floor 4
Boston, MA 02108
Email:  Tracy.Evans@mass.gov

This hearing provides a forum for Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant funded agencies as well as other public health professionals and consumers to share their thoughts with the Department concerning Program priorities.  I encourage you to participate on May 30, 2023.

If you have any questions about the hearing, you may contact Tracy Evans by email: (see above). Thank you.

Elizabeth Barry
Deputy Director
Bureau of Community Health & Prevention
250 Washington Street, Floor 5
Boston, MA 02108

Additional information:

The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant was established in 1981 as a flexible way for states to address priority health concerns focused on “Healthy People” objectives and prevention.

The grant has been a key mechanism utilized by Massachusetts to achieve the three Public Health Core Functions:  Assessment, Policy, and Assurance. 

The Block Grant assures the infrastructure is in place both at the state and community level to address the ten Essential Public Health Services.  These funds are the foundation upon which other services and initiatives are built.  This funding, integrated with both state and other federal funding, assures that Massachusetts can continue to address the disparities which exist in health outcomes and maintain core public health activities such as assessment and sanitation.

The State used the following criteria to select projects from MDPH Offices and Bureaus for allocation of funding in Federal FY2023:

• Healthy People 2030 objectives
• Compliance with Maintenance of Effort requirements
• Focus on primary and secondary prevention/health equity
• Consistent with State Health Assessment Plan (SHIP)
• Focus on building/maintaining public health infrastructure

Program goals are briefly outlined along with the estimated allocation of funding:

State and Local Public Health Infrastructure – Increase the capacity of individuals, organizations, and teams to build healthier communities across the Commonwealth through investing in the public health workforce that coordinates and supports public health programs, services, and resources.  Address health disparities across a broad spectrum of health conditions by providing effective public health messaging across the Commonwealth to help residents protect and improve their health.  Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public health programs by implementing quality improvement for health equity.  Conduct activities to maintain accreditation for the Department of Public Health.  -$1,287,837

Community Investments - Increase opportunities for people, particularly historically marginalized populations, to access health-supporting behaviors, specifically access to healthy, affordable foods and opportunities for safe physical activity and active transportation, to address the need to reduce and prevent obesity and other chronic diseases.  Provide education and training designed to increase the capacity and skills of individuals, organizations, and community health leaders and stakeholders to build healthier communities.  This will enable them to build and sustain coalitions and partnerships that support healthy communities and improve health outcomes across the Commonwealth.  Focus on populations of color and populations with lower income, fewer resources, and a higher burden of disease, so that residents experiencing inequitable outcomes will benefit most from this project.  Support sexual assault prevention and survivor services by building their capacity to provide culturally competent services to all survivors, especially underserved and disparate populations.  -$1,890,000

Data Systems - -Enhance the public health data infrastructure by investing in MDPHnet, a surveillance system based on primary care data, which is well-equipped to address health disparities and social determinants.  Ensure the maintenance of other tools aimed at improving data availability, including vital records, the Massachusetts Ambulance Trip Record Information system, the Trauma Registry system, and the Equity and Population Health project.  - $605,000