Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation awards PF $20K grant
POST FALLS — Post Falls is among 14 Idaho cities to receive a $20,000 grant after graduating from the Community Health Academy, a Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health program for mayors and city officials that helps them learn and understand the city’s role in building healthy communities.
The academy took place from June through October via a hybrid model with in-person and virtual sessions, according to a Tuesday news release from Blue Cross of Idaho. Topics included child care, civility, early education, communications and branding, designing health communities, food systems and housing. This year’s graduating class is the largest in the history of the academy, which launched in 2017.
Mayor Ron Jacobson, Parks and Recreation Director Dave Fair and Deputy City Clerk Rhiannon O’Neill attended the 2023 academy.
Post Falls is the only North Idaho city to receive a 2023 Community Health Academy grant. The River City will use the grant funds to construct a pedestrian crosswalk with activators on Third Avenue between the Post Falls Community Garden and Black Bay Park.
"We expect construction of the crosswalk to take place sometime in 2024," O’Neill said.
To add another community element to the project, the city will hold a competition for local students to design artwork that will be painted within the crosswalk lines.
"Safety is our No. 1 priority for the crosswalk, so all applicable engineering standards will be followed," she said. "The addition of the artwork will make for a fun and unique element in the city."
The process for submitting designs is still in the planning stage and will likely take place in early next year.
"The city has collaborated with the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation on other grants such as the Mayor’s Walking Challenge and greatly appreciates the work they do with cities in Idaho to encourage community health," O’Neill said. "The city’s mission is 'Building Community,' which aligns perfectly with this exciting project that will benefit the citizens of Post Falls through a safer and more beautiful walking environment."
Courtney Frost, senior program officer for the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health said in the news release that cities that attend the Community Health Academy leave with knowledge, actionable items and funding to help make transformational change within their communities.
“We’re in Idaho for Idaho, and this learning collaborative is one way we help cities address the root causes that impact health in our state," she said.
The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc., is a nonprofit foundation that was established by Blue Cross of Idaho in 2001. The foundation gives back to Idaho and works to address root causes that impact health.
Info: bcidahofoundation.org
O’Neill