Osteopathic foundation to fund programs

A new round of funding from a Columbus-based foundation will provide $1.5 million to improve health and quality-of-life conditions in Central and Southeast Ohio.

The two largest grants, totaling nearly $470,000 from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, are aimed at preventing homelessness, said a release from the foundation.

The Rural Homeless Initiative for Southeastern and Central Ohio will receive $367,303. The money will aid efforts to end homelessness in 17 rural Ohio counties.

In addition, the Rebuilding Lives program of the Community Shelter Board in Columbus will get $100,000. The grant will be used to evaluate and upgrade Franklin County's strategy to address homelessness in the community.

The rest of the foundation's funding will go to 18 organizations in Franklin, Licking and Knox counties. Among the uses for the money will be support for programs in the areas of hospice care, chronic disease management for the homeless, alcohol and drug treatment, mental health, assistance for the elderly and help for those with mental retardation and development disabilities.

Since 1999, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation has approved more than $72 million to fund health and quality-of-life programs and osteopathic medical education and research.