Tracey B. Newhall, MSN, RN, OCN La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Philadelphia, PA November 4, 2013 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting

I have had no financial, professional or personal relationships that might potentially bias and/or impact the content of this presentation.

This abstract discusses the opportunity and method for a graduate nursing student to assist with grant writing during the 2012 – 2013 academic year for the purpose of finding monetary resources to support program needs of a non-profit organization.

Women of Faith and Hope (WOFAH) is a non- profit agency targeting women in underserved communities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania “Operates to encourage, enlighten and empower women about issues related to breast cancer in efforts to reduce the mortality rate through early detection” Assistance is offered to provide access to care for breast health and screening Funding is essential for maintaining programs for non-profit organizations

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in females African American women over the age of 45 years are diagnosed less often than White females Younger women (< 45 years) ◦ Incidence rates are higher in AA versus White women ◦ Poor prognostic indicators; higher grade, stage, negative hormone receptor status ◦ More aggressive sub-type; “triple negative”

African American women incur a higher mortality rate from the disease Healthy People 2020 has identified goals that support initiatives to reduce this disparity Use of screening mammography has been shown to help with identifying breast abnormalities and lessen the rate of late stage breast cancer diagnosis

DevelopingDying African American (%) White (%)African American (%)White (%) (1 in 10)12.57 (1 in 8)3.23 (1 in 31)2.70 (1 in 36)

The Advanced Practice Public Health Nurse will be able to: 1) Articulate knowledge of the health needs of a population that encounters disparities in accessing health promotion behaviors. 2) Assess available grant opportunity alignment with the organization’s mission and objectives. 3) Demonstrate the need for non-profit organizations to receive help obtaining funding with limited resources.

 Collaboration with a grant specialist and a preceptor facilitated the learning process for grant writing ◦ Do’s and don’ts of grant writing ◦ Focus on goals of the funding organization and alignment with agency ◦ Review previous grant submission and summary report ◦ Understand the grantor’s guidelines and submission process/timeline

 The student researched epidemiological and statistical data that support the agency’s mission and goals  Documentation was utilized from WOFAH programs including: Program activity history Future program needs Budget Staff Available resources  A grant proposal was submitted in writing to a cancer research agency

Program ActivitiesTime in Months Research information for ACS grant application x x Obtain and analyze community assessment data x---x Discussion of information to be submitted in ACS grant proposal x---x Writing and submission of ACS grant x x Notification of grant award x Revision of Self-help evaluation forms x--x

Process: Grant Proposal ImpactOutcome October 2012 – January 2013 Research, writing and submission of grant proposal to ACS to request funding for support of continuation of WOFAH program initiatives and agency operations. Collaborated with faculty preceptor and La Salle University grants specialist. WOFAH received an award of $10, Funds will be used during the period of 1/1/2013 through 12/31/2013. Revision of Self-help group questionnaires completed. March - April 2013Revision of self-help group pre- and post- program questionnaires completed. Questionnaire is being piloted at group meetings.

 Women of Faith and Hope has been awarded a grant for $10,000 to sustain and grow program initiatives  The student collaborated with Women of Faith and Hope to make modifications to questionnaires for documentation of increased participant knowledge  Improved evidence of program effectiveness is essential to support the goals of the organization and fulfill the grantor’s request

Developing a trusting relationship with agency staff is important to allow the student to gather comprehensive data and information necessary to complete the grant application The novice grant writer encountered challenges with tailoring specific data required for individual grant proposals Collaboration with a grant specialist and a preceptor facilitated the learning process

Assistance with access to grant support from the graduate student can aid non-profits with accessing funding to maintain programs The student has an opportunity to gain proficiency in the grant writing process, an essential skill for providers of public health

American Cancer Society urveilance/documents/document/acspc pdf. Women of Faith and Hope Healthy People verview.aspx?topicid=5. verview.aspx?topicid=5 “Back to Basics: The Foundations for Grant Writing Webcast”. Sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Division of Nursing Bureau of Health Professions

 Patricia Bicknell, Ed.D., APRN, ACNS-BC, CNL Assistant Professor of Nursing, La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences  Novella Lyons, Founder and President, Women of Faith and Hope  Christina Phillips, Grant Specialist, La Salle University

 Contact information: Tracey Newhall, MSN, RN, OCN La Salle University Fox Chase Cancer Center