OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) board of directors recently approved 13 incentive grants for communities and schools – including two in southwest Oklahoma – through the TSET Healthy Incentive Program.
TSET Healthy Incentive grants are awarded to communities and schools that have implemented key strategies aimed at creating an environment that encourages Oklahomans to eat better, move more and be tobacco free.
The grant recipients included:
• Olustee-Eldorado Public Schools, $5,000 to provide a safe and interactive playground for students and their families and to promote exercise and physical activity within the community.
• Burns Flat-Dill City Public Schools, $11,500 to update and add to the existing playground.
“TSET is pleased to award grants to communities and schools that engage in conversations about improving the health and well-being of Oklahoma adults and students,” TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee said.
“Preventing and reducing tobacco use and obesity in Oklahoma takes a broad approach that supports healthy habits and removes barriers to healthy choices. Combined with other prevention efforts, the latest grant recipients are helping reduce the demand on an already stressed health care system, save lives and save money.”
Strategies for school districts include creating and implementing wellness policies that focus on quality nutrition and increased physical activity to improve the health of students. Schools are required to provide a tobacco-free, vape-free environment.
Grant funds are often used to leverage additional partners for projects that promote health. Incentive grant amounts vary based on community population, school enrollment size and the types of health-promoting strategies implemented. Funds for the TSET Healthy Incentive Program are limited.