The state Department of Health has been awarded Community Transformation Grant - Small Communities funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The state Health Department submitted the application on behalf of three state counties. including Chautauqua County. Forty awards were made nationally and Chautauqua County is set to receive $450,000 over the next two years.
The funding will allow Chautauqua County to implement programming to reduce the burden of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.
"We are being presented with a critical public health mission-driven opportunity to make significant strides toward the prevention of disease and promotion of health of our county residents," said Christine Schuyler, county director of health and human services. "It is also very timely as we are seeing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity rates reaching epidemic proportions."
The county Health Department will work with a multi-sector leadership team and coalition to implement a comprehensive plan in early child care, school, and community settings within the geographic areas of the Jamestown, Dunkirk and Silver Creek central school districts.
For more information, including a list of all awardees, visit cdc.gov/communitytransfo rmation/funds/index.htm.