IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa College of Public Health and its Business Leadership Network selected five award recipients of its annual Community Grant Program.

The recipients are Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, Mason City; Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Hiawatha; Mid-Iowa Community Action Inc., Marshalltown; The Self Reliance Group, Burlington; and Webster County Public Health Department, Fort Dodge. The organizations received cash grant awards of up to $3,000.

The grant program funds, in conjunction with an equal cash and/or in-kind match from other organizations or businesses, will be used for public health-related initiatives and projects in the recipient communities.

Webster County Health Department aims to improve physical and emotional health, and financial stability for at-risk families in Webster County. Families will receive points when they participate in preventative screening appointments and community assistance programs. Points can be used to purchase developmental toys and books for children, pregnancy and postpartum support items, and household essentials.

The College of Public Health provided the grants as part of its Business Leadership Network initiative. Funds for the grant program are provided by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. The BLN fosters ongoing, mutually beneficial relationships between the College of Public Health and small and medium-sized businesses and communities in Iowa. Through these relationships, the college engages and collaborates with communities in development of cutting-edge, high impact public health research, enhances educational programs with service-learning opportunities within businesses, and promotes a culture of health throughout communities.

This year’s grant funding was available to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across Iowa. Details about the grant program, as well as additional information about the Business Leadership Network is available at: www.public-health.uiowa.edu/bln.