Grant Proposal
In spite of exceptional improvements in the oral health of the people in the United States, not everyone in the nation has benefitted equally. Grant funds provide opportunities and resources that can be used to support studies that provide a better understanding of health disparities, it can also be used to develop interventions targeted to underserved and explore approaches that can make a change in the existing oral health disparity. A successful grant application occurs in stages and involves the coordination of several activities. Planning the strategy, preparing the elements of the grant application, identifying the potential partners to work are the major steps in a grant application process. Identifying the approach for the grant application
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is a time-consuming process, yet most vital part of the process. A carefully considered and planned project leads to a great grant proposal and which in turn can advance important community initiatives, such as reducing oral health disparity.
Identifying the Approach for the Grant Application
Introduction
‘Oral health disparity among underserved population’ is the public health issue I have chosen for this grant application process. Although there were major improvements in oral health during the last few decades, oral health disparities are still intense in the United States. The burden of oral health disparity exists among racial and ethnic minority groups, people with low socio-economic status, and is also evident based on gender, age, and geographic location. According to CDC, the poorest oral health of any racial and ethnic groups in the United States is generally seen among Non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians and Alaska Natives (CDC, 2016).
According to Health Resources and Services Administration, more that 47 million people live in places where it is difficult to access dental care (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2012).
More than 18 million children went without dental care, including routine exams in 2014 (HHS, 2014). In 2012, more than 4 million children did not receive needed dental care because their families could not afford it (Bloom, B., Jones, L., Freeman, G. 2012). Rural children are less likely to have dental insurance than their urban counterparts and more likely to seek care for preventable dental problems in overburdened emergency rooms (Liu, et al 2007).
Planning the Strategy
A well-developed strategic plan is very essential part of a grant application process because it helps to make a shared vision among the stakeholder, provide a detailed roadmap for the project, and this excite and motivate stakeholders to become more involved. Eliminating oral health disparity cannot be easily accomplished, and it is a step by step process. Therefore, a strategic plan will serve as dynamic guide for setting program priorities.
Vision. The vision of my project is to ‘improve access to oral health care and eliminate the existing oral health disparity which is persistent among the underserved population in this …show more content…
country’.
Mission. The mission of this project is to prevent and control the oral diseases and conditions among the vulnerable and underserved population by increasing the access to oral health care system, also by building tools and network that promote healthy behaviors and effective public health practices and programs.
Goals. 1. To eliminate disparities in oral health 2. To improve access to oral health care 3. To eliminate barriers that contribute to oral health disparities
Actions. It is necessary to change the perceptions of oral health. It includes changing the perception of publics’, policy makers’ and providers’ by enhancing oral health literacy, developing messages that are culturally sensitive and linguistically competent, developing relevant messages for policy makers, and promote interdisciplinary training of medical, oral health and allied health professionals. Monitoring the extent of disease and assessing the needs required to eliminate the disparity is also essential to achieve the goals. Next action is to overcome the barriers that prevent the people from accessing oral health care and treatment by introducing effective programs and proven efforts. Increasing oral health workforce diversity, flexibility, and capacity can encourage people from ethnic and racial minority group to access care and treatment. Increasing collaboration among organizations can synergize the talents and resources of each organization. Evaluation of the process before implementation is a successful tool to periodically assess the activities and ensure that they are as effective as planned before. (National Institute of Health, 2007).
Preparing the Necessary Elements of the Grant Application It is necessary to follow the specific guidelines and instructions of the funding agency before preparing the proposal because different funding agencies have different guidelines and instructions.
Then a grant proposal includes a ‘cover letter’ which contains the funders details, it provides an overview of the organization, reason for the funding request and also includes the contact information of the organization. The next element is ‘project summary’, which clearly summarizes the request. Then comes the ‘need statement’, which mentions the particular need the project is trying to speak out (Katz, J 2000). ‘Goals and objectives’ are another key element of the grant proposal which describes the outcomes that can be achieved through the grant in measurable terms. ‘Methodology’ is another session which describes the activities to be conducted to achieve the desired objectives. ‘Evaluation plan’ is the next key element, which describes how the project is assessed and measured in terms of effectiveness and success. ‘Future funding’ of grant proposals describes the plan for continuation beyond the grant and other resources necessary to implement the grant (Katz, J
2000) ‘Budget and budget narrative’ are key elements which clearly delineates costs to be met by the funding source and those provided by other parties and outlines both administrative and program costs. ‘Appendices’, are seen at the end of the grant proposal which includes bibliography, board of directors, support documents etc. (Katz, J 2000)
Partners
The potential partners I would like to work with in developing this grant application are
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC is the primary health protection agency of the country that saves lives and protects people from health threats.
Health resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA is a federal agency focused on improving the health of the people in the United States and to attain health equity through various programs and activities. This agency is also making efforts to improve health care for the people who are economically underserved, medically vulnerable, and geographically isolated (HRSA).
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The MDH vision is for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy (MDH).
Minnesota Dental Association (MDA). The MDA is the association of professional dentists in Minnesota who are committed to serving the public(MDA).
The University of Minnesota. Minnesota’s research university, working to change lives through research, education and outreach also partner with communities to address society’s most pressing issues.
Children’s Dental Services (CDS). CDS is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the oral health of children from low-income families and serving the diverse community (CDS).
Conclusion
This approach aims at presenting a vision for oral health care in the United States where everyone has access to quality oral health care throughout the life cycle. Achieving this vision requires numerous coordinated and sustained actions, with special attention to the distinct and varied needs of the nation’s vulnerable and underserved populations. This approach for eliminating oral health disparity in the country provides a roadmap for the important and necessary steps to improve access to oral health care, reduce oral health disparities, and improve the oral health of the nation’s vulnerable and underserved populations. Therefore, to conclude more funding for prevention research and population-based approaches to oral health care is needed to identify and reduce risk factors, especially among populations experiencing oral health disparities.
is a time-consuming process, yet most vital part of the process. A carefully considered and planned project leads to a great grant proposal and which in turn can advance important community initiatives, such as reducing oral health disparity.
Identifying the Approach for the Grant Application
Introduction
‘Oral health disparity among underserved population’ is the public health issue I have chosen for this grant application process. Although there were major improvements in oral health during the last few decades, oral health disparities are still intense in the United States. The burden of oral health disparity exists among racial and ethnic minority groups, people with low socio-economic status, and is also evident based on gender, age, and geographic location. According to CDC, the poorest oral health of any racial and ethnic groups in the United States is generally seen among Non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians and Alaska Natives (CDC, 2016).
According to Health Resources and Services Administration, more that 47 million people live in places where it is difficult to access dental care (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2012).
More than 18 million children went without dental care, including routine exams in 2014 (HHS, 2014). In 2012, more than 4 million children did not receive needed dental care because their families could not afford it (Bloom, B., Jones, L., Freeman, G. 2012). Rural children are less likely to have dental insurance than their urban counterparts and more likely to seek care for preventable dental problems in overburdened emergency rooms (Liu, et al 2007).
Planning the Strategy
A well-developed strategic plan is very essential part of a grant application process because it helps to make a shared vision among the stakeholder, provide a detailed roadmap for the project, and this excite and motivate stakeholders to become more involved. Eliminating oral health disparity cannot be easily accomplished, and it is a step by step process. Therefore, a strategic plan will serve as dynamic guide for setting program priorities.
Vision. The vision of my project is to ‘improve access to oral health care and eliminate the existing oral health disparity which is persistent among the underserved population in this …show more content…
country’.
Mission. The mission of this project is to prevent and control the oral diseases and conditions among the vulnerable and underserved population by increasing the access to oral health care system, also by building tools and network that promote healthy behaviors and effective public health practices and programs.
Goals. 1. To eliminate disparities in oral health 2. To improve access to oral health care 3. To eliminate barriers that contribute to oral health disparities
Actions. It is necessary to change the perceptions of oral health. It includes changing the perception of publics’, policy makers’ and providers’ by enhancing oral health literacy, developing messages that are culturally sensitive and linguistically competent, developing relevant messages for policy makers, and promote interdisciplinary training of medical, oral health and allied health professionals. Monitoring the extent of disease and assessing the needs required to eliminate the disparity is also essential to achieve the goals. Next action is to overcome the barriers that prevent the people from accessing oral health care and treatment by introducing effective programs and proven efforts. Increasing oral health workforce diversity, flexibility, and capacity can encourage people from ethnic and racial minority group to access care and treatment. Increasing collaboration among organizations can synergize the talents and resources of each organization. Evaluation of the process before implementation is a successful tool to periodically assess the activities and ensure that they are as effective as planned before. (National Institute of Health, 2007).
Preparing the Necessary Elements of the Grant Application It is necessary to follow the specific guidelines and instructions of the funding agency before preparing the proposal because different funding agencies have different guidelines and instructions.
Then a grant proposal includes a ‘cover letter’ which contains the funders details, it provides an overview of the organization, reason for the funding request and also includes the contact information of the organization. The next element is ‘project summary’, which clearly summarizes the request. Then comes the ‘need statement’, which mentions the particular need the project is trying to speak out (Katz, J 2000). ‘Goals and objectives’ are another key element of the grant proposal which describes the outcomes that can be achieved through the grant in measurable terms. ‘Methodology’ is another session which describes the activities to be conducted to achieve the desired objectives. ‘Evaluation plan’ is the next key element, which describes how the project is assessed and measured in terms of effectiveness and success. ‘Future funding’ of grant proposals describes the plan for continuation beyond the grant and other resources necessary to implement the grant (Katz, J
2000) ‘Budget and budget narrative’ are key elements which clearly delineates costs to be met by the funding source and those provided by other parties and outlines both administrative and program costs. ‘Appendices’, are seen at the end of the grant proposal which includes bibliography, board of directors, support documents etc. (Katz, J 2000)
Partners
The potential partners I would like to work with in developing this grant application are
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC is the primary health protection agency of the country that saves lives and protects people from health threats.
Health resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA is a federal agency focused on improving the health of the people in the United States and to attain health equity through various programs and activities. This agency is also making efforts to improve health care for the people who are economically underserved, medically vulnerable, and geographically isolated (HRSA).
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The MDH vision is for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy (MDH).
Minnesota Dental Association (MDA). The MDA is the association of professional dentists in Minnesota who are committed to serving the public(MDA).
The University of Minnesota. Minnesota’s research university, working to change lives through research, education and outreach also partner with communities to address society’s most pressing issues.
Children’s Dental Services (CDS). CDS is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the oral health of children from low-income families and serving the diverse community (CDS).
Conclusion
This approach aims at presenting a vision for oral health care in the United States where everyone has access to quality oral health care throughout the life cycle. Achieving this vision requires numerous coordinated and sustained actions, with special attention to the distinct and varied needs of the nation’s vulnerable and underserved populations. This approach for eliminating oral health disparity in the country provides a roadmap for the important and necessary steps to improve access to oral health care, reduce oral health disparities, and improve the oral health of the nation’s vulnerable and underserved populations. Therefore, to conclude more funding for prevention research and population-based approaches to oral health care is needed to identify and reduce risk factors, especially among populations experiencing oral health disparities.