Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units around the country are in the forefront of creating projects that address public health needs in their communities.  The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Medical Reserve Corps Program Office funded a total of 167 innovative community projects in the amount of $2.5 million from volunteer MRC units across the country.

“We’re very pleased to support the MRC Challenge Awards for the fourth year,” said NACCHO Executive Director LaMar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH. “The program’s focus on innovation in areas that align with national health initiatives are significant at the local level, and often serve as the backbone for efforts to strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities, and build resiliency.” Beginning in spring 2016, the Challenge Awards will fund projects that benefit local communities in one of four focus areas: Community Resiliency, Chronic Disease Prevention, Partners for Empowered Communities, and Mental and Emotional Wellbeing.

The Medical Reserve Corps is a national group of nearly 200,000 local volunteers dedicated to improving the health and safety of their communities. Through a cooperative agreement with the MRC Program Office, NACCHO works to increase awareness and understanding of the MRC program; promote, support, and build capacity within the MRC network; enhance cooperation between the MRC Program Office and local and state

authorities to support and increase MRC capacities at the local level; and expand the efforts and capabilities of local MRC units to support their community-based public health, preparedness and response initiatives.