|
This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 19, 2002 |
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
|
HHS To Offer Grants To Assist Local Communities in Developing Volunteer
Medical Reserve Corps
in Schools Across America
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the availability of $2
million in grants to help local officials develop volunteer Medical Reserve
Corps units to strengthen local communities' capacity to respond to an emergency
and to strengthen the local public health infrastructure.
"Following the September 11 tragedy, many health professionals wanted to
volunteer to help," Secretary Thompson said. "While well-trained in their
individual professions, they were not necessarily trained to respond in an
emergency. Moreover, existing structures weren't fully adequate to absorb these
volunteers and to use their expertise as effectively as possible. The Medical
Reserve Corps will enable local officials to strengthen their community's
ability to respond effectively."
Medical Reserve Corps units will be composed of community-led,
community-based volunteers who may assist medical response professionals and
facilities during large-scale local emergencies, such as naturally occurring
influenza epidemics, hazardous materials spills or acts of terrorism. Volunteers
can include, but are not limited to, current or retired health professionals
(such as physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, dentists, dental
assistants, pharmacists and veterinarians), social workers,
communications/public relations professionals, health care administrators and
clergy, among others.
Local communities can apply for up to $50,000 in grants to develop their own
Medical Reserve Corps units.
The Medical Reserve Corps is part of the USA Freedom Corps, the cornerstone
of the President's volunteer service initiative that promotes a culture of
responsibility, service and citizenship. President Bush announced USA Freedom
Corps during his 2002 State of the Union address.
USA Freedom Corps works with key service agencies in government and the
nonprofit sector to provide incentives and new opportunities for Americans of
all ages and backgrounds to serve at home and abroad. USA Freedom Corps includes
the Citizen Corps, Corporation for National and Community Service (which
includes AmeriCorps and Senior Corps) and the Peace Corps. The Medical Reserve
Corps is part of the Citizen Corps.
In addition to assisting during a local emergency, Medical Reserve Corps
volunteers can assist their communities with ongoing public health needs, such
as immunizations, blood drives, health and nutrition education, anti-smoking
campaigns and increased physical activity campaigns.
The Medical Reserve Corps is not intended to replace a community's
already-existing emergency response systems, but rather to supplement and
support existing systems with volunteers who are trained to function effectively
in emergency situations.
"The President has called upon all Americans to create a 'record of service'
to their communities and donate 4,000 hours of their time -- the equivalent of
two years -- to service," Secretary Thompson said. "The Medical Reserve Corps is
an excellent opportunity for our dedicated health professionals to donate their
time and talents."
Complete applications must be received no later than August 23, 2002.
Applications must be prepared using Form PHS 5161-1 (revised July 2000), which
is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm, and should be sent to Karen
Campbell; Grants Management Officer; Division of Management Operations; Office
of Minority Health; Office of Public Health and Science; Rockwell II Bldg.;
Suite 1000; 5515 Security Lane; Rockville, Md. 20852.
More information about the Medical Reserve Corps grant availability is
available at
http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/. More information about the USA
Freedom Corps and Citizens Corps can be obtained at
http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov or
http://www.citizencorps.gov.
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: April 23, 2004
|
