The Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant provides supplementary federal funding for public health programs in South Carolina. Every two years, a DHEC advisory committee evaluates applications and allocates funding. The amount of money available varies from year to year. PHHS Block Grant dollars currently help pay for four types of health programs: emergency medical services, a statewide youth health communications program, community risk reduction programs, and programs to prevent sexual assault.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – PHHS Block Grant money helps injured patients receive the best care possible. The funds pay for ambulance inspections and inspections of EMS operations. The inspections ensure that providers have appropriate equipment, procedures and skills. Since funding began, EMS providers in the state have responded to 665,491 calls for emergency assistance; 420 ambulances have been permitted; 109 EMS providers have been re-licensed and inspected; and 366 pre-hospital professionals have been trained in trauma-specific courses. In addition, 143 EMT-Basics have been trained and certified to the EMT-Intermediate level, a certification specifically designed to treat trauma injuries.
Health Communication - PHHS Block Grant funds help promote DHEC'S All-Health Team. Using "hands on" projects, the All-Health Team program teaches young people about preventive health issues. Individual students or student groups named to the team (and their teachers) win cash prizes, television coverage, t-shirts, and other giveaways. DHEC has recruited two partners, WIS TV-10 and Lexington Medical Center, to be a part of the team. The All-Heath Team created a Web site, application form, television spot, display and other printed materials to promote the program and generate applications. During the All-Health Team's first program year, the program received 48 applications, named seven winners, produced five TV commercials and received applications from 16 of the state’s 46 counties.
Rape or Attempted Rape – Rape Crisis/Victims Services - PHHS Block Grants funds are used to train counselors, law enforcement agencies, and professionals who work with adolescents or sexual assault victims. The training helps these groups do a better job of informing and educating the public and at-risk groups about preventing sexual assault. Training sessions are co-sponsored by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Since funding began, 116 people have participated in the "Shatter the Myths" session; 110 people have attended the "Pathways to Peace" training; and 87 people have completed the "First Response" course.
Health Risk Reduction – PHHS Block Grant funds help launch community-based campaigns to promote good health. The goal of the campaigns is to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The grant money has paid for 79 training sessions for minority and/or faith-based groups throughout the state. These sessions taught participants about chronic diseases and increased their capacity to address chronic disease issues. Four train-the-trainer workshops taught community partners "best practices" on preventing chronic disease. The workshops emphasized major risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor nutrition.
For Block Grant Success Stories in SC, click here.
Contact Information:
L. Owens Goff, Jr., PHHS Block Grant Coordinator
Phone: (803) 545-4483
Email:
gofflo@dhec.sc.gov