March 30, 2022 3:40 a.m.

Mercy Foundation’s Healthy Kids Outreach Program has been awarded a large grant from the Ford Family Foundation.

A release said HKOP is the recipient of a three-year grant totaling over $558,000.

With about half of Douglas County children and families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline, the release said they are facing transportation and financial barriers to updating health and wellness services that HKOP helps overcome, especially in rural communities.

The release said HKOP helps improve the basic health of local children in three ways:

*Dental screenings and treatments

*Healthy education

*The Connection to Care Program

Mercy Foundation President Lisa Platt said “the Ford Family Foundation’s funds will allow the HKOP Team to continue to not only support our programs but ensure we are growing to meet the changing needs of our kids”. Platt said the program helps Douglas County kids be their very best: “happy, healthy and productive”.  Platt said she is thankful to have their investment by the Ford Family Foundation for the next three years.

For more information, go to: www.mercygiving.org.