HMHP gets $250,000 for tobacco treatment
The money will be used to fund treatment, behavioral counseling and medication for adults.
STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN — Humility of Mary Health Partners has received $250,000 in grant money for its Regional Tobacco Treatment Center.
The money was awarded through a competitive grant offered by the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program of the Ohio Department of Health.
“We were absolutely delighted and thrilled to be selected,” said Terri Grimmett, program director for the center.
Grimmett said the center is one of 11 grantees among 60 that applied to receive funding.
The money will be used to fund treatment, behavioral counseling and medication for adults with no cost to them, Grimmett said.
“We also plan to work closely with our county health departments and the health commissioners to broaden the base of community support for tobacco control efforts through a community-led coalition,” Grimmett said. “These efforts will also include strategies to counter the tobacco industry’s influence in our communities.”
Grimmett said the need for the money was shown by the prevalence of smoking in the Youngstown area.
“It’s important because Youngstown, up until recently, had the highest smoking prevalence in the entire country. Because of our efforts and because of the indoor smoke-free air laws, we’ve been able to reduce that by 10 percent in the past four years,” she said.
The ODH awarded $1.8 million to the 11 grantees, including the HMHP regional center. The announcement of the funding came as part of the Great American Smokeout, an effort to urge smokers to quit for at least one day. The Great American Smokeout is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Ohio,” said ODH director Dr. Alvin D. Jackson. “We hope these grant funds will help adults stop using tobacco and ensure our children will never start.”
HMHP comprises St. Elizabeth Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center, St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, Humility of Mary Home Health Services, The Assumption Village, Humility House, Hospice of the Valley and Laurel Lake.
Smokers who have the urge to quit are encouraged to call the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line at (800) 784-8669 (QUIT NOW).