BELFAST — Belfast Public Health Nursing Association, which has provided health care and other critical support services to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the community for more than 100 years, according to a news release, has received a grant of $10,000 from United Midcoast Charities (UMC).

The funds will be used for operating expenses.

Belfast Public Health Nursing Association is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization supported by MaineHealth Waldo Hospital, The City of Belfast, and through the generous donations of local agencies and community members.

Among other things, Belfast Public Health Nursing Association:

 Works with local emergency management agencies and MHWH to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural or man-made disasters, bioterrorism, or disease outbreaks.

 Prevents infectious disease from spreading through education, providing treatment, holding community immunization clinics and monitoring outbreaks.

 Organizes blood drives, health screenings, blood pressure clinics and health fairs.

 Educates the community about environmental issues such as unsafe lead levels, safe drinking water and pests.

 Shares information with the community about a variety of health topics like obesity risks, nutrition, importance of stress reduction and exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices.

 Works with schools on issues surrounding food insecurity and oral health care.

 Links people to needed health services and assures the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. All services are provided at no cost.

United Midcoast Charities, for more than 80 years, has been empowering Midcoast Maine nonprofits through finance and operational support, aiding a network of resources stronger than any single organization. UMC supports organizations that focus on providing food, housing, health & safety and economic security to the residents of Knox and Waldo counties. Through a thorough application and community review process, over the past 40 years, UMC has awarded more than $12.5 million to hundreds of local agencies.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.