Adelphi University Announces Grant Funding for Community Resiliency Projects

Adelphi University has announced the awardees of its first Center for Health Innovation’s (CHI) Long Island Resilient Communities Grant: the Town of North Hempstead and the Village of Patchogue. Both local entities competed in the CHI’s competitive grant process that was open to municipalities and their associated emergency service organizations on Long Island. Participants in this program were required to be affiliated with and receive the support of their local government in order to be considered. Each of the grants awarded were in the amount of $7,500.  Awarding these grants is timely as the region is in the midst of hurricane season.

Long Island is particularly vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters, with community resiliency repeatedly challenged during emergencies. Over the last three years, the CHI has offered community training, lectures, and symposiums addressing many of the critical topics in emergency management and resiliency.   Based on feedback given during these events, CHI is seeking to help communities become better prepared through the resources these competitive grants provide.

“With a modest investment, we can make a major difference in the resiliency of our communities,” according to CHI Director Elizabeth Cohn, Ph.D., R.N.   “We are honored to be working with the Town of North Hempstead and the Village of Patchogue as our pilot jurisdictions.   Each community faces varied challenges and we look forward to collaboratively finding solutions to these issues.”

“Resiliency training for our Town’s emergency management personnel is critical to alleviating the effects of future disasters here in North Hempstead. This training will help the Town better prepare and ensure the safety of the 230,000 residents,” said Judi Bosworth, Supervisor, Town of North Hempstead. “Partnering with Adelphi University’s Center for Health Innovation gives us a unique opportunity to build skills in resiliency and community preparedness.”

“The flooding that Patchogue Village experienced during Super Storm Sandy was unprecedented in our history,” said Mayor Paul Pontieri. “It served as a clear warning that the next one could be worse and we need to be ready. I look forward to working with Adelphi University to help fine tune our emergency preparedness plan and improve the procedures we already have in place to safely evacuate our residents.”

These grants are just one tool for Adelphi University to support the region’s goal of becoming more resilient. In addition, the University offers academic programs online in the field of Emergency Management. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that include licensing opportunities with the International Association of Emergency Managers. For more about our emergency services and management programs, visit, university-college.adelphi.edu.

Adelphi University’s Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is the primary resource in our region for innovative, multidisciplinary, evidence-based responses to improving healthcare, healthcare systems, and public health. It brings together many from professional and academic backgrounds to create and foster community-focused, interdisciplinary academic programming, healthcare research, community partnerships, and leadership—all with the goal of meeting current and emergent healthcare needs.

More information about the Center for Health Innovation can be found at chi.adelphi.edu.