Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Healthy Places for Healthy People
- Is there grant funding associated with this program?
- Are there examples of applications that were successful in the past?
- What kind of final product will my community receive through this assistance?
- Is this program open to communities that are not in the Appalachian region?
- Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
- Can an entity apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
- Are there specific outcomes or reporting that are expected as part of this program?
- If an applicant has recently been awarded another federal grant, would that disqualify the applicant for this assistance?
- Is there a cost to the communities selected for technical assistance?
- Can applicants also apply to other EPA technical assistance programs?
- Should I combine my application into a single file with the letter(s) of support?
- What should I do if I am unable to save the information I enter into the fillable form?
More questions and answers will be posted on this page throughout the application period (Oct. 5 through Nov. 6, 2016).
1. Is there grant funding associated with this program?
Healthy Places for Healthy People is a planning assistance program, so selected communities will receive access to technical experts who will work with them to hold a two-day convening that brings together stakeholders in the community to create an action plan for creating more walkable, healthy, vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods. Communities will not receive funds directly from EPA. We encourage participation from federal and state agencies and other potential funding partners in the workshops, so that communities can learn about how they might apply for additional resources to help them accomplish their vision, but those funds are not guaranteed.
2. Are there examples of applications that were successful in the past?
Healthy Places for Healthy People is a new program, so this is the first time that communities can apply, and we do not have any examples of successful applications yet. However, Williamson, West Virginia, and Middlesboro, Kentucky, are two examples of communities where a Federally Qualified Health Center (in Williamson) and a nonprofit hospital (in Middlesboro) have been very involved in downtown revitalization efforts that will improve health outcomes. Our Healthy Places for Healthy People webpage has short descriptions of these two communities, and both will be discussed during our webinar on October 20, 2016.
3. What kind of final product will my community receive through this assistance?
Healthy Places for Healthy People is a new program, so we do not have any examples of final products yet. For an example of the final product from these types of workshops, you can read the action plan that Williamson, West Virginia (PDF) (13 pp, 540 K, About PDF) created as part of the Local Foods, Local Places program.
4. Is this program open to communities that are not in the Appalachian region?
Yes, this opportunity is open to communities that are outside the Appalachian region. Rural, economically distressed communities, including those in Appalachia, might receive special consideration, but communities anywhere in the United States can apply and are eligible to receive assistance.
5. Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
Regional organizations are eligible to apply. However, the application should request assistance for a single neighborhood, town, or city and identify a strong local partner. Countywide projects will be considered only if they are aimed at improving main streets and mixed-use neighborhoods. Multi-county or state-level projects are not eligible for this assistance.
6. Can an entity apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
Yes, applicants can submit multiple, separate applications for consideration. However, no more than one application from a single neighborhood or town will be selected for assistance.
7. Are there specific outcomes or reporting that are expected as part of this program?
There are no formal reporting or other requirements after the technical assistance process is completed. However, we like to remain in contact with our technical assistance recipients, and we hope communities will let us know as they implement parts of their action plans.
8. If an applicant has recently been awarded another federal grant, would that disqualify the applicant for this assistance?
No. If applicable, the application should explain how this assistance would complement the work to be completed with the help of other federal funding.
9. Is there a cost to the communities selected for technical assistance?
Most communities incur little to no cost aside from staff time devoted to planning and participating in the workshop. The program does not provide any funds directly to communities. The community is responsible for securing a venue for the workshop, although most communities are able to identify a no-cost venue. In addition, the technical assistance award does not include funds for refreshments at the workshop, so any refreshments are provided at the community’s discretion and cost.
10. Can applicants also apply to other EPA technical assistance programs?
Yes, applicants can apply to more than one program. However, applicants will receive assistance from no more than one program in 2017.
11. Should I combine my application into a single file with the letter(s) of support?
No. The application and letter(s) of support must be submitted as two separate files. The application must be submitted in the original (not scanned) format. Multiple letters of support should be combined into a single file.
12. What should I do if I am unable to save the information I enter into the fillable form?
You must use the latest version of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software Exit to save the fillable form.