State to Award Grants for Local Pandemic Influenza Planning

State to award grants for local pandemic influenza planning

Gov. Mike Rounds said the state will award $500,000 to local communities for pandemic influenza planning.

"Pandemics are global in nature but their effects are always local, as U.S. Health and Human Service Secretary Mike Leavitt reminded us at South Dakota's recent pandemic flu summit," said Gov. Rounds. "That's why it's so important that planning takes place at the individual community level, not just at the national and state levels. We're very pleased that we can offer this funding to help communities begin that process."

South Dakota municipalities, counties, tribal entities, health care entities, and community organizations are eligible to submit applications for the funds. Cooperative applications with surrounding communities are encouraged and will receive preference when proposals are reviewed. Letters of intent to apply are requested, although not required, by April 2. Applications must be received by the Department of Health by May 1 and notice of awards is anticipated by June 15.

The Governor said this is the first phase of funding and the state anticipates additional federal dollars will be available in the future for planning.

"We need to remember a pandemic is not like a blizzard or even a forest fire where resources and help can be shifted from one area to another," said Rounds. "Because a pandemic is likely to occur almost simultaneously across states and communities, each community needs to begin planning on how to use its own resources as it fights the outbreak. Political leaders, employers, school leaders, healthcare leaders, faith-based and community organizations, families and the media all need to be informed and actively involved in this planning."

Detailed information about the application process for the pandemic flu planning grants can be found at http://flu.sd.gov/pandemic.

http://www.state.sd.us/governor/