GAP-Net Mini-Grants Programs:

GAP-Net offers two mini-grant programs for providers, agencies and employers in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties of New York State.

The first, General Mini-Grants are for implementation of programs and services that address selected maternal and child priority areas. Mini-Grant awards will be given ranging from $500 to $1,000 to fund programs in the following areas:

• Breastfeeding Promotion
• Parenting Education and Support
• Teen Pregnancy Prevention
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Oral Health

Application Now Available       LINK TO  General Mini Grant Application
Please submit your completed application No Later than September 13, 2010

The second mini grant program, “Supporting Lactation in the Workplace” provides funds to agencies and businesses to promote policy and environmental system changes that support lactation in the workplace, with an emphasis on increasing the incidence and duration of breastfeeding in our service area’s employment locations.

The 2007 New York State labor law 206-c states:

"...That employers must allow breastfeeding mothers reasonable, unpaid break times to express milk and make a reasonable attempt to provide a private location for her to do so."

Application Now Available   LINK TO Supporting Lactation in the Workplace Application
Please submit your completed application No Later than September 13, 2010

To request an application package (July thru August) or to be placed on the mailing list for the next grant cycle (September thru May) Click Here or contact our office at (518) 761-0300

Recently Funded Grant Programs

The following recipients were awarded over $7,000 in GAP-Net Mini Grants for the following programs:

• Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood in Plattsburgh, NY (NAPP) will collaborate with Adirondack Medical Center, which operates a mobile dental van to provide access to dental services to an underserved perinatal population. NAPP proposes a May/Mother’s Day event to kick off the dental clinic’s 2010 May-October tour of southern Franklin County communities.

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County will work with four childcare centers in Saratoga County to implement the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment for Child Care program from the University of North Carolina Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

• Catholic Charities of Franklin County will hold a professional training day with Neuropsychologist Michael Small, MD with presenting on mental health disorders, including postpartum depression and recent brain research on effects of substance abuse on the developing fetus. Dr. Small will further help the staff with intervention strategies, including tips for case managers helping them refer and access the medical services necessary to address the mental health disorder..

• Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson will create three sets of health kits for patients to borrow at their Glens Falls, Granville and Saratoga Springs locations (to use at home) on how to talk to their sons or daughters about puberty and pregnancy information geared to fathers/men.

• The Domestic Violence Project of Warren and Washington Counties will collaborate with a Preventive Services Caseworker at the Luzerne Middle School to pilot a gender responsive project that supports ‘at risk’ adolescent girls in dealing with adversity, affirming their strengths and resilience. 

• The Council for Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse will create a snowshoeing project geared to Head Start families in Warren and Washington Counties.  The outdoor recreation is intended to reduce the prevalence of depressive moods (which can lead to alcohol and substance abuse) through the promotion of prosocial bonds within families of preschool age children.

• The Saratoga County EOC WIC Program and its WIC Peer Counselors will create and distribute “Best Start Breastfeeding Bags” to new, mothers who are WIC-eligible.  One-on-one support from the peer counselors combined with thoughtful supplies provided in the bags are intended to help lengthen the duration a mother breastfeeds her infant.

• Schonbek Worldwide Lighting in Plattsburgh has received a hospital grade breast pump and funds to create a comfortable, private lactation space which both their office staff and manufacturing employees can utilize. The company is working to create a policy regarding lactation for their employees, 52% of which are women.