Latest news with #NOFO
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Pritzker awards over $10M in IL grocery initiative grants
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor JB Pritzker announced some awards to assist with Illinois grocery stores, however, the closest town to the Tri-State that will currently benefit from this initiative is Marion, Illinois. Governor JB Pritzker says he joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and 'local leaders' to announce awards through the Illinois Grocery Initiative 'New Stores in Food Deserts Program' and 'Equipment Upgrades Grant Program' to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois. Officials note grantees were selected through competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) processes. 'When I signed the Illinois Grocery Initiative into law the vision we had in mind was reducing costs, fighting food insecurity, and boosting the local economy,' said Governor JB Pritzker. 'This $10 million investment will go directly toward construction and renovation of quality, affordable grocery options in neighborhoods across the state. From Champaign to Marion to Venice, we're fighting food insecurity while investing directly into the lifeblood of our economy, supporting farmers, small businesses, and working families.' Support grows for banning cell phones in classrooms across Illinois New stores in food deserts program Officials say the 'New Stores in Food Deserts Program' awards will support the establishment of new grocery stores in food deserts as defined by the Illinois Grocery Initiative Act. This funding will support construction and renovation costs for new stores, as well as many first-year operations costs, such as employee wages, utility costs and initial inventory of food. AL RAAWI LLC of Marion, Illinois, received $2,399,975 for a new construction project. 'At Economic Security Illinois, we believe that families and communities should have the resources they need to live fulfilling lives, from access to banks, to good schools, to affordable food in grocery stores,' said Erion Malasi, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Economic Security Illinois. 'When major life staples are lacking in the market, we want to harness the power of community and government to come together and provide a public option. We are proud to have funded the feasibility study for this effort, and proud to see funds for a new municipal-owned grocery store come to Venice. We're grateful to Governor Pritzker, Deputy Governor Andy Manar, and leaders in the General Assembly for advancing this critical effort.' Officials say after providing approximately $6.9 million through Round I of the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores Grants, DCEO opened Round II in October of 2024. Applicants were selected based on various requirements including: Must be located in a food desert Must earn less than 30% of revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales Must accept SNAP and WIC Must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in community Kristi Noem slams Illinois governor, state's sanctuary policies; Pritzker claps back Equipment Upgrades Grant Program Governor JB Pritzker's office says the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program awards will support energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing grocery stores, with priority given to those located in food insecure communities across the state. This program is designed to strengthen existing grocery stores and preserve access to fresh food in food insecure communities, in an effort to stop the formation of new food deserts. Willjo, Inc. of Marion, Illinois, received $132,234 for the complete replacement of walk-in freezer, HVAC system. State officials say after providing $1 million through Round I of the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program, DCEO opened Round II in January of 2025. This is a rolling grant opportunity which will remain open until December 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. Applicant qualifications include independent grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Harvard doctor: I was on the cusp of a cure for cancer, then Trump cut my funding... now thousands could die needlessly
A Harvard doctor studying cutting-edge therapies for cancer and lung disease has revealed how his research has been brutally axed by President Trump. Dr John Quackenbush detailed the sudden cut to his funding to understand how the devastating diseases affect and progress differently in men and women - a hurdle that has stifled progress on finding cures. The 63-year-old scientist who has been a professor at the prestigious university for the last 20 years explained that the about $2.4 million research project was meant to find personalized and improved treatments for both sexes. The project had been submitted in November 2020 and was approved by former President Joe Biden 's administration in September 2021 - but the grant was axed with no prior notice on April 4 this year. Dr Quackenbush believes it was wrongly terminated as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on the government's bankrolling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) research projects. He told that the funding slashes will worsen the research crisis and set medical advancement back by decades. 'Females have twice the lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's than males do,' he added. 'Males have a much higher risk of developing colon cancer but respond better to chemotherapy. 'We know and have known for decades that many diseases are different in males or females. But nobody has been able to scratch the surface of why these differences exist and how we might be able to use these differences to better treat disease in everyone.' 'So, I submitted a grant application about four years ago in which we had proposed to better understand what drives some of these differences,' the Professor noted. The project has already contributed to nearly 30 peer-reviewed papers on new methods that shed light on sex differences in managing chronic diseases. The professor of bioinformatics at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health revealed that his team had submitted an application, asking the National Institute of Health for a renewal of their ongoing project in November 2024 during the Presidential election. But while applications are usually reviewed and approved within months, theirs kept being delayed. 'It was supposed to first be reviewed in February, then we found out it's going to be reviewed in March, then we found out it's going to be reviewed at the end of March, then we found out it was going to be reviewed in April. 'About two weeks ago, we checked on the NIH website and there was no date for the review. And we were astonished, because everything pointed to this grant being reviewed.' After seeing the sudden change in their application status, Dr Quackenbush approached their program officer for information. But much to his dismay, the official told him that the specific program they had applied to had been terminated by the federal government. This program, announced in a 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) published by the NIH, solicited research grant proposals to address 'gaps in our current understanding of diseases and conditions in women are the result of the continued over-reliance on male models'. Dr Quackenbush believes it was a part of the latest budget cuts by the Trump administration as it did not align with current policy. He said: 'They're not just terminating grants, they're terminating whole programs that are funding research into areas that don't align with current policy. 'And you know, we shouldn't be in a position where the the opinions of individuals in government about what's appropriate or what's inappropriate should be dictating how we look at these fundamental scientific questions. 'The cuts that are happening are kind of across the board. It's almost happening at random. It's completely irrational. There's sort of no rhyme or reason about any of this.' On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting all 'equity-related' federal grants or contracts in an effort to end Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Scientists have since alleged that agency officials are being told not to approve grants that include the words 'women,' 'gender' or 'diversity' - of which comparing disease in men and women was a focus Dr Quackenbush's project. In an April 11 letter to Harvard, the Trump administration called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies In the US, it is estimated that nearly 1million women receive a cancer diagnosis each year, while an estimated one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in the US, with 35,000 men dying the disease each year. Meanwhile, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women - killing over 40,000 each year. Since submitting the project in 2021, the Professor and his team have made 'tremendous progress' but now these cancellations threaten long-term research and training, potentially delaying future treatments by years. Their groundbreaking research has already contributed to nearly 30 other peer-reviewed papers that have focused on state-of-the-art forms of treatment and their application for a range of chronic illnesses including cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. He commented: 'If scientists [are] really committed to improving the human condition, then we should be in a position to look at health in everyone, to understand how to improve the health of everyone and that should be our fundamental priority. 'And you know, we shouldn't be in a position where the the opinions of individuals in government should override scientifically sound approaches to addressing basic questions in human health. In an April 11 letter to Harvard, the Trump administration called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded the university audit views of diversity on campus and stop recognizing some student clubs - arguing that campuses had allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at protests last year. However, Harvard President Alan Garber refused to agree and hours later, the government froze over $2.2 billion in federal scientific grants given to the University. When asked why the current administration had targeted Harvard's medical research in regards to anti-Semitic harassment, Dr Quackenbush said: 'The rationalization that is being presented to the general public is absolutely ludicrous. 'If there are allegations of anti-Semitism against Harvard or any other university, the rational approach would be to do an investigation to find out what the causes are, to find out whether or not the responses were appropriate and to take steps to remedy that, to prevent it from happening.' He also told the website that the halt in federal grants not only impacted medical research but also put generations of upcoming scientists and their discoveries in jeopardy. 'We use this [money] to train the next generation of scientists. Our PhD students and our postdoctoral fellows, the training they get is largely an apprenticeship. 'My PhD students come and work with me because we're going to go into the lab and we're going to work together, they're going to see how to do science and they're going to learn by doing it. You take away my research grants, you take away my abilities and train the next generation. 'We're seeing people who are doing science get laid off. We're seeing projects that were had been running for years being terminated. Even if they turned on the funding tomorrow, the damage is done. 'It takes years to build a research program, and as we're seeing, it takes just minutes to potentially destroy that in ways that could take even longer to rebuild. And we're not making these choices for rational reasons.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RVBH receives $1.5M grant to enhance suicide, crisis hotline
RiverValley Behavioral Health (RVBH) has been awarded $1.5 million by the Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health to enhance the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network. The funding will enable the expansion of 24/7 chat and text services across Kentucky, improving access to critical mental health and crisis support for individuals throughout the state. 'RiverValley Behavioral Health submitted a strong proposal showcasing our deep expertise in crisis response, extensive resources and ability to scale services statewide,' said Dr. Wanda Figueroa, RVBH president and CEO. 'Our long-standing commitment to compassionate, high-quality crisis care positioned us as the right choice, and we are honored to be entrusted with this responsibility to serve the entire commonwealth.' The Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to expand 988 crisis chat and text services across the state. This funding was established to address the increasing demand for crisis support and ensure that every Kentuckian can access immediate, confidential mental health assistance through the communication method that feels most comfortable — phone, text, or chat. Since the launch of 988 — the national three-digit mental health crisis line — in July 2022, the number of Kentuckians utilizing chat and text services has grown dramatically. According to DBHDID, in the first year alone, texts surged by 160% (from 452 to 1,174) and chats increased by 138% (from 333 to 782). By 2024, 988 texts and chats in Kentucky are projected to reach nearly 25,000 contacts — an average of 1,800 interactions per month. Figueroa said RVBH was selected for this critical role because of its proven track record in providing high-quality, accessible crisis services, which includes more than 20 years as a trusted leader in mental health crisis response, its crisis services being accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), and the launch of Kentucky's first 24/7 mobile mental health crisis team, among other factors. Beyond crisis response, RVBH has experience providing statewide support services for problem gambling. It was selected by the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling to operate the statewide problem gambling helpline, further proving its ability to deliver specialized mental health support at a statewide level. 'Our ability to quickly adapt to emerging needs also played a key role in our selection,' Figueroa said. 'We have seen a significant shift in how people seek help, particularly among younger individuals, who increasingly prefer text and chat over phone calls. These platforms provide a greater sense of privacy, security, and accessibility, making it easier for individuals to reach out for support. Because of our existing infrastructure, experienced staff, and commitment to meeting people where they are, we were well-prepared to take on this essential role for the entire state. 'Most importantly, this opportunity would not have been possible without our incredible Crisis Support Team. Their compassion, dedication and expertise form the foundation of the high-quality, lifesaving care we provide every day. It is their excellence that will drive this program forward.' RVBH will continue to operate its own crisis line while also taking on this expanded role as Kentucky's statewide 988 chat and text responder. The additional funding will allow RVBH to hire and train 15 new staff members, ensuring that every chat and text through 988 is answered by highly trained professionals equipped to support individuals in crisis. 'To support this new initiative, we will create a dedicated unit within our crisis team that will focus specifically on 988 chat and text services,' Figueroa said. 'This means that our existing crisis line services will not be affected — instead, this is an opportunity to enhance and expand access for people who prefer to reach out through text or chat. 'Our crisis responders will receive specialized training in how to effectively support and engage with individuals seeking help through digital communication. Responding to a crisis via text is different from a phone call, and we are committed to ensuring our team is fully equipped to provide the best care possible. By adding this service, we are giving more people in Kentucky more ways to access help — when they need it, how they need it.' Figueroa said there are several key factors that have contributed to the increase in 988 crisis calls, texts, and chats, including increased awareness and accessibility, youth and digital communication preferences, economic and social stress, loneliness and isolation and substance use and co-occurring disorders. 'This grant is about more than just expanding services — it's about saving lives,' she said. 'It ensures that every Kentuckian, no matter where they live, has access to immediate, professional mental health support when they need it most. 'I want to acknowledge the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) for their leadership in expanding crisis services and setting a national example in making mental health care more accessible. Their dedication to breaking down barriers to care is truly making a meaningful difference in people's lives.' Figueroa said the initiative will be led by Michelle Nobles, RVBH vice president of outpatient and crisis services, and Dr. Lionel Phelps, RVBH vice president of population health. She said their leadership, expertise and dedication will ensure that RVBH's team continues to provide the highest level of care to those in need. 'We recognize the critical role that mental health and crisis services play in the well-being of our communities,' Nobles said. 'This funding will allow us to provide immediate, compassionate, and locally focused care for individuals in distress. We're proud to be part of Kentucky's commitment to mental health, and we're ready to ensure that every person who reaches out to 988 receives the support they deserve, from highly trained professionals right here in the commonwealth.'
