The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Friday, January 26, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
Be alert for landslides across southwest Oregon
Medford, OR—The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flood Watch again for portions of southwest Oregon, including the Curry County coast and specifically Brookings, Gold Beach, and the U.S. Highway 101 corridor. The watch is in effect from Friday afternoon (1/26) through Saturday afternoon (1/27). Additionally, the NWS Hydrologic Outlook indicates a potential for flooding across Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, and Lane Counties through Saturday.
A stalled front is expected to bring significant rainfall to the area over the weekend. Heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burned areas from recent wildfires.
Find the latest information here: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.
If your home, work, or travel route is in a watch area:
- Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately.
- Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
- Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.
For more landslide and debris flow information: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/landslide/Pages/debrisflow.aspx
BODYCAM: Sheriff’s Deputy Observes Theft in Progress at White City 7-11, Stolen Vehicle Eludes, Crashes; Klamath Falls Juveniles Detained During Crime Spree
JCSO Case 24-0413
EAGLE POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies detained four juveniles early Wednesday morning after they crashed a stolen vehicle during an elude outside Eagle Point. At 1:29 a.m., a JCSO deputy observed subjects with a case of alcoholic beverages running out of the White City 7-11 market to a green 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The vehicle eluded as deputies attempted to stop it.
The elude continued until the suspect vehicle crashed at 1:40 a.m. near the intersection of Agate Road and Old Highway 234 in rural Eagle Point. After the suspects were detained, deputies learned the female driver and three passengers were juveniles from Klamath Falls. One of them was listed as a runaway.
Upon further investigation, JCSO deputies determined the suspects stole a red 2017 Jeep Renegade in Klamath Falls and drove to the Medford area. The suspects admitted to breaking into multiple vehicles in the Central Point and White City area. The suspects ditched the Jeep Renegade near the intersection of Annalise and Cleo Streets in Central Point and stole the Toyota 4Runner they eluded in.
The female driver was lodged in Jackson County Juvenile Detention for fourth-degree assault, attempting to elude by vehicle, reckless driving, three counts of reckless endangering, and criminal mischief. Further investigation will continue for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and theft charges. The remaining juveniles were picked up by parental guardians. This case is open and ongoing with deputies following additional leads.
Medford Police to Participate in Safety Belt Overtime Enforcement Program
Beginning Monday, January 29 through Sunday, February 11, Medford Police, along with law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon, will be participating in the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Safety Belt Overtime Enforcement Program. Law enforcement agencies will be using federally funded overtime to educate the public about safety belt and child seat laws including a law passed in 2017 increasing safety for children under age two.
ODOT crash data for 2021 shows lack of safety belt or child restraint use was a factor in 32% or 119 of a total 377 motor vehicle occupant fatalities. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages one through twelve-years-old. In 2021, 1,475 children under twelve were injured in Oregon traffic crashes, 16 percent were reported not using a child restraint system. It is estimated that car seats may increase crash survival by 71% for infants under one year old and by up to 59% for toddlers aged one to four. Booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among four- to eight-year-olds by 45% compared to safety belts used alone.
In 2017 an Oregon law was passed requiring children to ride in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least two years old. A child over age two must continue to ride in a car seat with harness or in a booster until they reach age eight or 4’ 9” in height and the adult belt fits them correctly. The 2017 law, which extends the rear-facing requirement from the previous age one to age two, will better protect the child’s head, neck, and spine from potential crash injuries. This is because a rear-facing seat spreads crash forces evenly across the seat and child’s body while also limiting forward or sideways motion of the head.
For help selecting or installing child car seats, consult the seat manufacturer’s instructions, your vehicle owner’s manual, or visit a local child seat fitting station listed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#inspection-inspection
Registration Open For Rogue Community College’s New Nursing Program Cohort
Jackson and Josephine counties (Jan. 17, 2024) – After receiving approval from the Oregon State Board of Nursing for a new Certified Nursing Assistant 2 (CNA2) program, Rogue Community College has opened registration for the first cohort that starts in February.
The program meets rigorous standards set by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) and enables students to advance from CNA1 to a CNA2 certification. It will provide students with thorough training that aligns with industry standards and helps them prepare for a successful and meaningful career in nursing.
Throughout the program, students will delve into essential topics such as how to collaborate with the healthcare team, nutrition methods, safety risks and emergency care, legal and ethical issues, physical and mental disease processes, observation and reporting, documentation, infection control and interpersonal skills. Students will also gain practical experience during 88 hours of training that will have online and in-person components.
Students will also have the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world scenarios during hands-on, supervised clinical training at a local healthcare facility located in Josephine or Jackson County.
The CNA2 program allows nursing students to gain specialized knowledge and skills that help them grow in their careers, discover new job opportunities and increase their earning potential.
The program positively impacts the local economy, as Southern Oregon has two large hospital systems—Providence Medford Medical Center and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center—with a variety of employment opportunities available. For more information, email nursingassistant@roguecc.edu.
Oregon Health Authority Acknowledges Asante Infection Spike Coincides With Alleged Drug Diversion
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has revealed healthcare associated infections spiked at Asante’s RRMC during the same time a nurse allegedly replaced patient’s pain medication with tap water.
We reported late last week that the Oregon Health Authority is not investigating the alleged drug diversion case at Asante at this time, but it is reviewing the situation.
The OHA says that it needs to review complaints at a facility, before determining whether or not it has jurisdiction to investigate. But it has confirmed to us that RRMC saw dozens of infection cases from 2022 to 2023, that were acquired at Asante’s signature hospital.
The OHA records these central line infections over a span of years. Asante acknowledged these healthcare associated infections, or HAIs, but the OHA is now providing the numbers that illustrate a spike.
From 2016 to 2021, the hospital would see one to three infections a year, save for 2020, the beginning of the pandemic, which had seven. But in 2022, the OHA reports that Asante saw 15 infections and then in 2023, another 14.
These years coincide with a period of time when sources tell us a nurse was replacing ICU patient’s fentanyl pain medication, with non- sterile tap water, which may have caused multiple deaths from infections. The OHA said it is taking this case seriously.
The OHA said it has different programs, like the Healthcare Associated Infections Program and Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement Program to help assure that hospitals comply with these standards.
If the OHA does investigate, they will be looking to see whether Asante’s systems and processes meet the minimum requirements in federal and state law to protect patient health and safety.
Failure to meet those requirements have varying ramifications on the state and federal level, including even losing its license. (SOURCE)
–Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Patient Deaths Investigations Continue
Reports that a nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center may have sparked fatal infections of patients by replacing fentanyl with tap water in their IV bags have sparked national attention.
For patients, the victims’ relatives, and others in Oregon health care, the reports are sparking questions as well. It now appears that the deaths linked to the Medford hospital occurred over a span of at least 12 months.
Hospital administrators and local law enforcement have not named the suspected employee and released few other details. No indictments have been filed publicly in the case.
Hospital Nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Accused of Replacing Fentanyl with Tap Water Leading to at least 10 Patient Deaths and “Dozens of Patients” Harmed
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it is involved with an investigation at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. The FBI said it’s aware of allegations there under investigation by local police.
This after some sources say as many as ten people have died. Multiple hospital sources, who declined to be identified, confirmed dozens of patients injured by medication diversion — the act of replacing a medication with another substance. It is believed the fentanyl scheduled to be administered to the patients was then removed from the premises illegally.
Sources allege that a hospital nurse was removing fentanyl from IV bags and replacing it with tap water. The FBI said today it is supporting local police with their work.
Asante issued a statement during the weekend that, “We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them.”
Multiple sources also say that water supplies in the Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit — which are in an older part of the hospital — are unsafe for use on patients, even for face washing. The hospital made numerous public statements during 2023 pertaining to infections and water quality issues.
OHA state agency is part of an investigation now at a Medford hospital, where local and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating allegations of nursing behavior that could have been deadly.
Medford Police have provided no more details. They only confirmed there’s an open investigation at the medical center.
Asante Settled Medicare Fraud Allegations at Medford Hospital
The health system now at the center of a local police investigation recently resolved a lengthy federal probe into a whistleblower lawsuit claiming fraudulent billing
The Medford hospital now at the center of a local police investigation recently resolved a lengthy federal probe into a whistleblower lawsuit claiming fraudulent billing
Weeks before local police launched an investigation into reports of alleged drug diversion and potentially related patient deaths at Asante Rogue Medical Center, hospital management quietly settled litigation stemming from a federal Medicare fraud probe.
In 2022, the hospital received 57% of its revenue from government programs including Medicare and Medicaid, or $642 million in all, according to the most recent financial report submitted to state regulators. (READ MORE)
Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death —
https://original.newsbreak.com/@ada-e-1668135/3304227455096-fauna-frey-45-disappeared-in-oregon-on-a-road-trip-june-29-2020-following-her-brother-s-death
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040
PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com.
Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Latest Data Show Overdoses Continue To Skyrocket In Oregon
As lawmakers prepare to tackle the state’s addiction crisis, new data from the Oregon Health Authority shows how dire the addiction crisis has become.
In 2019, 280 people died of a drug overdose in Oregon. Fatalities rose every year after, more than tripling by 2022, when 956 died. And last year, even more people died, according to preliminary data. Each month the number has been higher than the previous year, reaching 628 in June. The state is still compiling data for 2023, but if the trends continue, the total would reach 1,250 needless deaths from an overdose.
The number of patients seeking help in emergency departments and urgent care centers also rose last year to more than 300.
The overdose trend is expected to continue this year.
“Oregon’s overdose fatality rate is expected (to) sharply rise over the coming year due to the saturation of fentanyl in Oregon’s illicit drug supply,” Jonathan Modie, a public health spokesman, said in an email.
Oregon is flooded with fentanyl in the form of fake blue pills that are designed to resemble oxycodone 30-milligram pills, or M30s. They’re cheap, often costing a dollar each, and they’re often mixed with other drugs to make them more potent, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. There’s no way of knowing how much is in each pill, but 2 milligrams – enough to fit on the tip of a pencil – can kill. Many pills tested by the DEA contain much more than that, up to 5 milligrams, more than twice the lethal dose.
“Fentanyl is far more potent and fast acting than other opioids, which significantly increases a person’s risk of a fatal overdose,” Modie said.
Mexican drug dealers smuggle fentanyl into the U.S., often in the form of powder, and it’s distributed across the country. But Oregon has been particularly hard hit. It has among the highest rates of illicit drug use nationwide and the lowest access to treatment, Modie said.
“On average, more than 90 Oregonians die every month from overdoses,” he said.
The fatalities include an increasing number of young people, prompting the health authority in December to expand a harm reduction initiative, Save Lives Oregon, to schools. The program is offering three free kits of naloxone, an opioid reversal medication, to schools, colleges and universities that serve children at least 7 years old.
Last year, the Legislature passed a law designed to make naloxone or Narcan, a nasal spray, more available. It allows law enforcement officials, firefighters and emergency providers to distribute and administer the drug and allows school administrators, teachers or other school employees to treat students without their parents’ permission.Save a life
In the event of an overdose, call 911. For more information about naloxone, click here.
Narcan is available over the counter in Oregon, and pharmacists can prescribe naloxone, enabling people to seek reimbursement from their insurance company.
Health authority officials said naloxone is more available today than two years ago, but they don’t know how widespread it is nor how many people’s lives have been saved. Save Lives Oregon partners reported more than 7,500 opioid reversals since 2020.
People can carry naloxone with them in Oregon and administer the drug to someone experiencing an overdose. Typical signs include unconsciousness, slow or no breaths or snoring or gurgling sounds. People’s lips and the inside of their mouths also can turn blue or gray, and they may be unable to talk. (SOURCE)
First Hospital Community Benefit Spending Floor Data Released
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released its first ever hospital community benefit spending floor data for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. The data shows how much individual hospitals and health systems spent on community benefit in comparison to their individually assigned spending floors. The data show 92% of hospitals and health systems in the state met or exceeded their spending floor.
Oregon House Bill 3076 created the hospital community benefit spending floor program in Oregon, the first of its kind in the nation. In lieu of paying income or property taxes, Oregon nonprofit hospitals are expected to provide support to their communities over and above direct medical care, which is called Community Benefit.
The new program was designed to set spending floors and the minimum amount of money that a hospital or health system is expected to spend on Community Benefit within a fiscal year, as well as collect and report on related data.
“The program is the first in the nation to set individual community benefit spending floors for individual hospitals or hospital systems within a state. OHA worked with Oregon hospitals, patient advocates and national experts to develop the spending floor formula and the data collection aspects of the program, which will help advance transparency and public awareness,” said Trilby de Jung, Deputy Director of Health Policy and Analytics at Oregon Health Authority. “We appreciate the energy our partners brought to the table to launch this important work, particularly since the legislative timeline called for collaboration on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The spending floor formula draws upon hospitals’ previous community benefit spending to predict the floor for future spending. The floor is made up of hospital unreimbursed care and direct spending on programs, community organizations and other activities in hospitals’ communities.
The total community benefit spending was more than1.5 times the total spending floor in its first year. The total statewide spending floor for FY 2022 was $1,386,260,083 and total hospital community benefit spending statewide was $2,198,600,815.
Statewide, hospitals met their spending floors largely through unreimbursed care, which accounted for 80% of all community benefit spending. Direct spending in communities made up the remaining 20% of total community benefit spending.
Here is the link to the report:
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/ANALYTICS/HospitalReporting/FY22%20Community%20Benefit%20Report.pdf
Here is a link to the dashboard:
OHA will publish a new report in February that takes a closer look at the notable programs, activities and investments hospitals made to benefit their local communities.
IRS, Oregon mark Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day
Salem, OR—As Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day approaches on Friday, January 26, the Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging all workers with income in 2023 to check their Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility.
The Department of Revenue is working with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and other state agencies and community partners to encourage taxpayers to learn more about this credit and find out if they’re eligible. One in three Oregon taxpayers eligible to claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit are not doing so, adding up to an estimated $100 million in unclaimed credits.
While many are unaware of the EITC and other credits, another hurdle is the need for free help filing tax returns. Find information about free tax filing assistance here or call 2-1-1.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit for people for making up to $63,398 in 2023. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $7,430 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon Earned Income Credit of $891 on their state tax return. Certain taxpayers without children may also be eligible for these credits.
Individuals may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Oregon EIC, and other credits, even if they are not required to file. To receive the refundable credits, however, they must file a federal and state tax return.
Basic qualifications for EITC include:
• All filing statuses are eligible, but some have specific requirements that must be met in order to qualify.
• You, your spouse, or any qualifying child must have a Social Security number to claim the federal credit.
• Your earned income in 2023 must be below certain limits based on your number of qualifying dependents.
• You may be eligible even if you do not have a qualifying child.
• Taxpayers can use the IRS EITC Assistant to check their eligibility further. The assistant is available in English and Spanish.
The qualifications for the Oregon EIC are the same as those listed above for the federal EITC, except that the Oregon credit is also available to taxpayers who use an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to file their taxes or have a qualifying child with an ITIN. If you have an ITIN, claim the Oregon EIC using schedule OR-EIC-ITIN.
New for tax year 2023, the Oregon Kids Credit is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with an MAGI up to $30,000.
To encourage Oregonians to save for college and job training, the Education Savings Credit for Oregon 529 Plan contributions allows single filers to receive a refundable credit of as much as $170 ($340 for joint filers) if they contribute to an Oregon College Savings Plan account before tax day. The refundable tax credit is also available for contributions to an Oregon ABLE Savings Plan account, which empowers people experiencing disabilities to invest and build financial security without jeopardizing their eligibility for vital state and federal benefits.
More information about the federal EITC, the Oregon EIC, the Oregon Kids Credit and other similar credits, go to the Tax Benefits for families page.
People can dial 2-1-1 or visit the Oregon Department of Revenue website to find free tax preparation sites by using our interactive map. For more information on the EITC, visit https://www.eitc.irs.gov/. For questions about Oregon taxes, call the Department of Revenue at 503-378-4988.
To make tax payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. You also can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing- or speech-impaired), we accept all relay calls.
ODHS encourages people in Oregon to protect their EBT food and cash benefits from electronic theft
Need to know
- Take steps today to keep your EBT card safe from electronic theft
- The ebtEDGE website and mobile app are the only safe places to manage your benefits
- People with EBT cards are encouraged to lock their cards when not in use and block out of state and online purchases
(Salem) –The Oregon Department of Human Services is encouraging people in Oregon to take steps protect their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from electronic theft. Electronic theft includes card skimming, card cloning, phishing and other similar methods.
“We know that many individuals and families in Oregon rely on the food and cash assistance they receive through their EBT cards to meet their basic needs and to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Claire Seguin (she/her), director of the ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs. “We urge everyone with an EBT card to take these simple steps to protect their benefits.”
How to protect your EBT card information:
- The ebtEDGE website and mobile app are the only safe places to manage your benefits. Bookmark the ebtEDGE login page (cardholder.ebtedge.com) in your browser for quick access. Download the app on the Apple App Store or get it on Google Play. Do not use any other website or app to check benefits.
- Beware of social media scams. Only trust social media posts and messages from ODHS official accounts. We will never ask for your benefits card information on social media.
- Freeze your card right after each use and unfreeze it before you make purchases. Visit Cardholder.ebtEDGE.com or use the ebtEDGE mobile app. Look for “Freeze Card” under “Account Services.”
- Block purchases made outside of Oregon and online purchases. Visit Cardholder.EBTedge.com or use the ebtEDGE mobile app. Look for “Protect My Account” under “Account Services.” You can remove the blocks later if needed.
- Keep your PIN secret. Don’t share your PIN with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
- Check the activity on your EBT account regularly. If you see any purchases you didn’t make, cancel your card immediately.
- Check card reading machines for anything suspicious on top of or attached to the card swiper or keypad. They can be hard to spot, but are often bigger than the original machine and may hide parts of the machine.
- Do not provide your EBT card number or PIN by phone or text. Scammers use text messages to get EBT card numbers and PINs. These are called phishing scams. ODHS will never send a text message to ask for your EBT card number or PIN.
How to request replacement SNAP benefits
- Visit the ODHS website at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/pages/replacement%20-benefits.aspx for information on how to request benefits via email or mail.
- Visit a local office. Find an office near you at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Offices/Pages/one-services.aspx
- Call the ONE customer service center at 1-800-699-9075
If your Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits are stolen
You can request replacement benefits by contacting:
- Your family coach
- The ONE customer service center at 1-800-699-9075
- Local Self-Sufficiency Programs Office, find an office online at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Offices/Pages/Self-Sufficiency.aspx.
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- www.211info.org
- Oregon Department of Human Services Resources
- Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
- Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
About SNAP
Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.
AARP grant ‘unique’ opportunity to fund community projects in Oregon
A program that funds ideas for improving communities is now open to applications. The AARP Community Challenge grant program is accepting applications until March 6th for projects that can be enacted quickly to make cities more livable for people of all ages.
Stacy Larsen, communications director for AARP Oregon, said the program has a track record for supporting communities of all sizes.
“They deliver really unique support to rural communities. Since the beginning of the program in 2017, 46% of the grants distributed in Oregon have been to rural communities,” Larsen said.
Since its start in 2017, the program has invested $16.4 million in more than 1,300 projects nationwide, including 28 in Oregon. The program is open to local nonprofits and governments. A webinar for interested applicants will be held on the AARP website on January 31st at 11 a.m.
Applicants can apply in three different grant areas. Those include capacity-building microgrants, demonstration grants and flagships grants, which allow for the most creativity and flexibility. Larsen has some tips for those applying.
“The applicants who can demonstrate that they are addressing a clear need, that brings positive change to make their communities more livable for residents of all ages, and that they’re addressing disparities for people of color or other historically marginalized groups will find themselves rising to the top,” she explained.
Selected projects must be completed by December 15th. (SOURCE)
