[mod_python] Any support for on-time Initialization?

I was wondering if there is any support for one-time initialization for 
applications in mod-python - similar to the init() call of a servlet for 
example. I would like to set up a database connection pool but I need to 
do it only once when my app starts.

If there is no support for initialization, what is the best way to set 
up things that need to be set up only once per app in mod-python?

Thanks,

-Jalil