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City gives health groups chance to apply for tobacco money
By Chantal Lamers
San Jose City Council members agreed Sept. 5, on a plan to distribute an estimated $250 million that the city will receive from its part in a national tobacco settlement.
Council members were satisfied with the proposal because it gives children's health -care advocates a chance to apply for portions of the money. Of the total, 50 percent of the money is set aside for educational projects, 25 percent for anti-tobacco education and 25 percent for senior service programs.
Council members passed the Healthy Neighborhoods Venture fund 9-0. The new guidelines could mean San Jose would be the first city in the nation to provide health care for all of its children.
Mayor Ron Gonzales says he believes the criteria for allocating the money is a level playing field for many different agencies to apply for funds.
The debate over how to spend the money divided the council in June when five council members wanted to spend a portion of the money on funding children's health care. But five other council members backed Gonzales' original proposal to spend the money on education, anti-tobacco education and senior services.
Throughout August, city officials held three community meetings in different districts of the city to get residents input or where and how to spend the pot of money that will roll in over the next 25 years.
The revision to the plan that may make children's health care possible allows advocates to apply for grants from the education and health funding.
An advisory committee will make recommendations to the city on how to spend the money, but council members will make final decisions.
City officials estimate that by December, up to $8.9 million will be allocated to programs. By June 30, 2001, officials estimate that another $10 million, plus any remaining balance, will be allocated.
Judy Chirco, a member of People Acting in Community Together, says the initiative to give children's health advocates an opportunity to apply for money is a reflections of community meetings. The opportunity allows for collaboration to create children's health care.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
