Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ 2006 Tau Grant Program awarded a total of $46,200 to organizations that implement creative programs and services to children, adults, and families in neighborhoods and local communities. The program specifically supports work that promotes healthy behaviors and prevention arising out of physical, mental, spiritual, societal, and cultural issues.

Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)                          $5,000
of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, FL                                                                                                
Girl Scouts Shape Up
The program will serve low income and immigrant residents in Palm Beach County. This health literacy program will identify at risk household through door to door outreach to inform these residents about available healthcare programs through Healthcare District and other sources. Individuals will get assistance with enrollment process.

Big Heart Brigade, Palm City, FL                                                                                          $5,000
Annual Food Program (Feed the Hungry)
This program provides food to residents who are unable to provide meals during the Thanksgiving Holiday. volunteers cook and serve the meals. Grant funds will be used to assist in the provision of turkey dinners to be served in East Martin County.

Boynton Beach Planned Approach to Community Health, Boynton, Beach, FL           $5,000
Neighborhood Health Promoters at Wellness Center
The Wellness Center offered on Saturdays focus on a disease that is prevalent in the community and develop a risk assessment sheet, which is used by Neighborhood Health Promoters to discuss with their friends, neighbors, and family. They return a tracking sheet with the first names of those with whom they have discussed prevention. At the Wellness Center, a nurse practitioner does the blood pressure checks, teaches about disease prevention, and refers to facilities for diagnosis and treatment as needed. Once a month, a mammogram van comes to offer free mammograms to those who qualify.

Donors Forum of South Florida, Miami, FL                                                                        $1,200
Grantee Capacity Building
With this grant Allegany Franciscan Ministries helps its grantees build capacity to fundraise by covering subscription cost to an online directory and resources.

Early Learning Coalition of Indian River, Martin & Okeechobee Counties, Fort Pierce, FL   
Toothbrush Program                                                                                      $5,000
The purpose of the Toothbrush Program is to promote good oral hygiene at an early age in order to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Brushing toddler teeth and swabbing an infant's mouth after eating teaches the child and parent good habits during the critical years of tooth development. Many of the infants and children this program serves will not have access to proper oral hygiene techniques and tooth brushing supplies.

Florida Community Health Centers, West Palm Beach, FL                                            $5,000
Health Disparities Diabetes Collaborative
The grant will be used to support a Collaborative Care Coordinator to provide counseling, health education and other supports needed in the clinical care rendered by our providers. The goal is to provide on-going education and counseling to 100% of the Collaborative Diabetic patients on exercise, nutrition, weight control, dental care and immunizations that enable healthier clinical outcomes.

Healthy Alternatives & Body Image Tools (HABIT), Stuart, FL                                  $5,000
Healthy Body Image for Kids
This project serves underprivileged boys and girls using the Healthy Body Image manual. There is a program in Martin County at the Boys and Girls Club, three programs in Palm Beach County and one in Riviera Beach. HABIT is a program that teaches good body esteem as applied to health behaviors such as eating balanced wholesome foods combined with physical activity.

Northwood Baptist Church, West Palm Beach, FL                                                         $5,000
Feed the Hungry
The program will help purchase and supply meat and canned vegetables for the boxes of food given away and to help provide a driver to pick up 20 to 30 loads of fresh vegetables and other food to be distributed to multiple agencies in Palm Beach County.

Palm Healthcare Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL                                                      $5,000
Novice Nurse Leadership Institute
These funds will assist in the development of a Novice Nurse Leadership Institute designed to address two critical issues identified by nurse leaders: 1) the gap between nursing education and practice that leaves new nurses insufficiently prepared to function effectively in the healthcare workplace; and 2) the critical need to develop the next generation of nurse leaders at all levels of practice. Funds will be used to help support the cultural competency training and education for the novice nurses.

Sisters of The Blessed Sacrament, Belle Glade, FL                                                       $5,000
Nursing Outreach
This is a nurse-based community outreach program which will assist clients with health insurance and benefits, medication procurement, and transportation. Clients are visited in home, hospitals and nursing homes to help with the purchase of medication, interpret MD orders and explain medication; check vital signs for in-home clients.