Community Leadership Institute of Ky. is taking applications for its 2015 class; provides training and resources for health projects

The Community Leadership Institute of Kentucky, which provides research and leadership training, funding, and technical support for health-related research projects, is accepting applications for its 2015 class.

In its second year, this program is designed to help community leaders made data-driven decision about health and health-care and to support the development and implementation of a project that builds on organizational and community capacity. The program addresses evidence-based practices, how to assess community health, grant writing, budgeting, accessing and using public datasets and program evaluation, UKNow, the University of Kentucky's news service, reports.

"The whole program was beneficial—from being there with other people and talking through ideas, to interviewing techniques, research, and formulating my program. The networking was extremely beneficial and the teachers were so informative," Sandy Bowling, a member of the 2014 inaugural class, said in the release. Bowling's project is to promote healthy living by increasing physical activity and she works for the Leslie, Knott, Letcher and Perry Community Action Council Project.

Each participant’s organization will also receive a $2,500 grant for their participation in the program and upon completion of their proposed project, with some additional requirements.

Priority will be given to leaders from Appalachian Kentucky and to projects related to cancer prevention (e.g., nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation), reducing obesity and sedentary lifestyle, prevention and management of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

The sessions will be held weekly at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard on Tuesdays from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. from Oct. 13 to Nov. 10, 2015. Application materials are due Aug. 17 for approximately 10 available slots. Contact Beth Bowling at 606-439-3557 ext. 83545 or beth.bowling@uky.edu for more information.

CLIK is offered through a partnership of the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health, the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science Community Engagement Program, and the Kentucky Office of Rural Health.