The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) has awarded $1 million in grants aimed at growing and diversifying the state’s healthcare workforce, fighting obesity, increasing access to STEM learning and more.
The money will help fund a total of 15 initiatives across the state.
CHEFA’s Manager of Grant Programs and Philanthropic Outreach Betty Sugerman Weintraub lauded the latest round of grants.
“As one of the only statewide philanthropic entities that makes significant awards for capital and programmatic expenses, CHEFA is uniquely positioned to support nonprofit organizations and the constituents they serve throughout the state,” Sugerman Weintraub said. “These recent grant awards demonstrate CHEFA’s commitment to enhancing the prosperity and welfare of all Connecticut’s residents.”
More than $220,000 was collectively awarded to Stamford Hospital, the University of New Haven and the Norwalk Hospital Association to implement a community health worker program, increase access to dental hygiene treatments for underserved populations and support career opportunities for individuals who might otherwise face barriers to employment, according to CHEFA.
The University of Bridgeport received $75,000 to make improvements to its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) on Wheels Bus. The new equipment and bus improvements will enhance STEM programming and the hands-on learning experiences offered to nearly 1,000 K-12 students in Bridgeport.
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center received $63,250 for a camera that will aid in early detection of retinal detachment in premature newborns.
Good Child Development Center, Inc., based in Milford, received $17,766 to purchase playground equipment for the students it serves in New Haven County.
The other grant recipients were:
- Catholic Charities, Inc. – Archdiocese of Hartford Advancing Health Care Access and Equity at the Institute for the Hispanic Family Healthcare; $75,000.
- Capital Community College Capital Community College Nursing Program Clinical Laboratory Enhancement; $53,267.
- Day Kimball Healthcare, Inc. to upgrade outdated beds and stretchers; $75,000.
- Griffin Hospital Medical Equipment to expand cardiac program at Griffin Health Healthcare in Fairfield, Hartford, Middlesex and New Haven Counties $75,000.
- Middlesex Health Mental health services; $75,000.
- Quinebaug Valley Community College to update lab equipment for Allied Health programs; $68,214.
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Food Pharmacies and Community Kitchen to improve chronic health conditions; $70,540.
- Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation Inc. for CPR devices; $57,656.
- The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc. for capital improvements to New England Sickle Cell Institute at UConn Health Healthcare; $75,000.
