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Regular Agenda Item 3. C.
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| Regular BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Additional COVID-19 funding for vaccine equity from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) through an amendment to our immunization grant. The amendment for this funding is currently being written and created by the ADHS procurement team and will be completed in the next several weeks which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at that time. This item is meant to keep the Board of Supervisors informed on the funding streams for COVID-19 as they are presented to the Health Department. |
| Background Information |
The Public Health Immunization Grant Program has received additional supplemental COVID-19 vaccine funding focused on vaccine equity.
Gila County Public Health was notified on April 23, 3021 by the ADHS we would be receiving additional funding in the amount of $725,797 with no match required for vaccine equity deliverables. This funding will be used by the Health Department to build upon the current relationships within our cities, towns, schools, community coalitions, and non-profits to provide money to hire a Health Equity Manager to oversee the deliverables of this grant and to create a health equity advisory council which will report to the Board of Health. This grant funding is from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024. |
| Evaluation |
The ADHS requires the Gila County Health and Emergency Management Department to submit a work plan and budget on how the additional COVID-19 funding will be used to focus on vaccine equity.
The Gila County Health & Emergency Management Department will utilize the funding to continue building off our current community relationships to provide health education to all areas of the County and gather data to direct the Health Equity Manager on how to better serve the residents about COVID-19 and its vaccines through adult education, community services, probation, DES, alternative learning centers, food banks, low-income housing, and the U of A cooperative extension.
Recipients are required to complete the following activities; however, additional activities may be submitted as appropriate:
• Require that local health departments identify additional programs within the department to plan and implement tailored outreach and use of mobile clinics to increase COVID-19 vaccinations within underserved populations.
• Fund interdepartmental educational campaigns, outreach, marketing approaches, and materials with programs within the local health departments to increase acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among underserved groups.
• Provide subject-matter expertise during community events promoting and/or educating about COVID-19 vaccination in underserved population sub-groups. Examples of community events include town halls, round tables, and Q/A sessions.
• Engage in existing community outreach activities and collaborate and/or contract with local Community Health Workers, immunization coalitions, and patient navigators to improve education and outreach to communities of focus.
• Connect local health departments and trusted healthcare organizations, including pharmacies, with communities of focus through mobile or other COVID-19 vaccination clinics in communities to increase the number and opportunities for vaccination. |
| Conclusion |
| Approval of the vaccine equity opportunity grant submission will allow the Gila County Health & Emergency Management Department to enhance its public health prevention programs and increase the number and opportunities for vaccinations in underserved areas of Gila County. An amendment to the existing contract will be presented to the Board of Supervisors upon receipt. |
| Recommendation |
| It is the recommendation of the Finance Director and the Health & Emergency Management Department Director to recommend the Gila County Board of Supervisors approve the COVID-19 vaccine equity opportunity grant application in the amount of $725,797 for the project period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Information/Discussion/Action to approve the Health and Emergency Management Department's submittal of a work plan and budget to receive additional COVID-19 funding in the amount of $725,797 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024 that will be focused on vaccine equity activities. (Michael O'Driscoll) |
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