For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) and Security Health Plan (SHP) are making investments in Wisconsin communities by awarding nearly $300,000 in ABCS for Healthy Community grants to focus on addressing community health issues.

ABCS are alcohol and substance abuse, behavioral health, chronic disease, and social determinants of health.

This year’s recipients are: Bayfield County Health Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin, Community Connections to Prosperity of Barron County, Inc., Eau Claire Area School District, Juneau County Health Department, Lake Holcombe After School, Lincoln County Health Department, Newman Catholic Schools, Oneida County Health Department, Phillips School District, Sawyer County Health and Human Services, Tigerton School District, Waushara County Health Department, and the Wood County Health Department.

“Marshfield Clinic Health System’s mission is ‘we enrich lives,’” said Jay Shrader, the health system’s vice president of Community Health and Wellness. “Enriching lives happens in a number of significant ways, including improving the health of our communities beyond our four walls. Our grants are one way we can help our local communities to also enrich the lives of their residents.”

These grants, he continued, are part of a larger health system effort to address the system’s ABCs health priorities.

Funding may be used to develop new projects or programs, Shrader said, or to improve existing programs that focus on one or more ABCs health focus areas.