*Note change in excellence criteria to reflect guidance from a February 5, 2013, Attorney General's opinion. 

The application period for HCIG is closed for 2013. 

Purpose

The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is offering incentives grants for communities that have achieved certification through the Certified Healthy Communities program and achieved specific criteria identified for a Basic, Merit, or Excellence incentive award.

Incentive Grant Period

• Funding is available for incentive grants until the program funds are exhausted.
• Incentive funds must be expended within twelve (12) months from receipt of the grant. If more than 12 months is required, a written request may be submitted to TSET for consideration of an extension.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted between January 1 and February 28. Applications must be received in TSET offices no later than 4 p.m. 

Eligibility

Only communities that have received certification through the Certified Healthy Community program are eligible to apply for incentive grant funds. After achieving certification and submitting documentation to verify that specific criteria have been met, communities may be awarded grant funds based on the community’s population size and incentive level achieved, as follows:

Funding Limitations

• Communities may receive funding only one time at each incentive level (Basic, Merit, and Excellence).
• Communities meeting the criteria at the Merit level must also meet the criteria at the Basic level.
• Communities meeting the criteria at the Excellence level must also meet the criteria at the Basic and Merit levels.
• A community that achieves Merit or Excellence incentive levels will receive incentive funding for any lower level not previously awarded. For example, if a community achieves the Excellence level in the first year, the community will be awarded the amounts for basic and merit, in addition to excellence. The community would be awarded the “Maximum Combined Funding” amount.

Review Criteria

• Submitted documentation related to each incentive criterion will be reviewed by the TSET staff to confirm that the requirements have been met.

Intended Use of Grant Funds

• Communities must apply grant funds to one or more specific criteria within the Certified Healthy Communities program. Click here for PDF of the CHC program.)
• If grant funds are to be used within a geographic area or specific location (e.g. walking trails, community gardens, walking school bus, etc.) the selected location must be an area of the community with poor health or economic conditions.
• Additional supporting documentation or details may be requested.
• Final approval will be determined by the TSET Board of Directors.

Award Process

• Funding of applications will be subject to availability of resources and approval of the TSET Board of Directors.
• All applicants will receive written notification of the status of funding of their project proposal.

Payment and Verification of Funds Expended

• Grant funds will be provided in a lump sum to the community within 60 days of the date of award.
• Communities awarded grant funding must provide a brief written report, photographs, or other appropriate documentation of the use of grant funds within 12 months of the date of award.

CRITERIA

BASIC INCENTIVE LEVEL

• All city-owned/operated properties are smoke free indoors (no smoking rooms).
• Community has ordinances or policy allowing farmer's markets.
• Community makes information available to general public about the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, 1-800-Quit-Now/1-800-784-8669 (i.e. health fairs, flyers, pamphlets, billboards, media, etc.)
• Community makes information available to general public public about the Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK/1-800-273-8255 (i.e. health fairs, flyers, pamphlets, billboards, media, etc.)
• Community requires approval for new retailers selling alcohol for off-site consumption near schools and places of worship. 
• Community requires approval for new retailers selling tobacco products near schools and parks. 
• Local educational institutions (including primary, secondary and higher education) have adopted policies ensuring "24/7" tobacco, alcohol and drug free properties. (Could be promoted at local school board meetings, PTA meetings etc.) largest public school district in community
• There are Certified Healthy Businesses in community in 2012.

MERIT INCENTIVE LEVEL (All Basic Incentive criteria met, plus the following)

• Community enforces the Social Host ordinance/law to hold those who allow underage drinking or drug use legally accountable if the property it occurs on is under their control.
• Community ensures equal consideration for safety and mobility for all users of all modes of transportation. "Complete Streets" concept is considered in planning efforts.
• Community does not allow alcohol marketing/advertising at city-sponsored events (i.e. county fairs, rodeos, motor sports, other sporting events, parades, concerts, museums, dances, festivals, etc.)
• Community makes information available to the general population about the Problem Gambling Hotline 1-800-522-4700.
• Community provides information on how to access mental health and substance abuse treatment and clinical services (i.e. faith-based community efforts, local mental health and substances abuse providers, local websites, flyers, pamphlets, billboards, media, etc.)
• Public health advocates and stakeholders are included in community development and zoning regulations (health in all policies).

EXCELLENCE INCENTIVE LEVEL (All Basic and Merit Incentive criteria met, plus the following)

• Active Safe Routes to School or Walking School Bus program. 
• All city-owned/operated properties are alcohol and drug free (if alcohol is allowed at special events, community must have written policies)
• All city-owned/operated properties are tobacco free (indoors and outdoors)*
• Community farmer's markets, corner stores and grocery stores accept (WIC) Women, Infants and Children, (SNAP) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Senior Nutrition Vouchers. 
• Community has frequent compliance checks conducted by local law enforcement to identify and discourage illegal sales of tobacco and alcohol and the results are made public. 
• Community investment in safe, alcohol-free activities for prom and graduation. 
• Community is engaged in a local community needs assessments addressing public health issues. 
• Community regulates and limits storefront signage that contains advertisements covering windows.
• Local educational institutions (including primary, secondary and higher education) have adopted policies ensuring "24/7" tobacco, alcohol and drug free properties (could be promoted at local school board meetings, PTA meetings, etc.) all public school districts in community

    * Due to the interpretation of the state law in a recent Attorney General’s Opinion, we are suspending that portion of the Healthy Communities Incentive Grants “Excellence Level” criteria having to do with outdoor areas of municipally owned or operated properties, including outdoor areas of municipal public.  All other criteria continue to relevant to the grant application.

At this time, this suspension only applies to the Healthy Communities Incentive Grants applications being accepted through February 28, 2013.

The AG opinion is a new development. The grant criterion having to do with outdoor areas of municipally owned or operated properties was created in good faith on previous AG advice in a memo dated August 16, 2010. We are still looking at the impact, making the adjustment and it doesn’t negate the good work/social norm change of having smoke free parks and protections in place to protect families, children, and citizens from secondhand smoke.

To apply, click here.

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