Funding still available for state vaccination outreach
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces that $8.1 million in grants was awarded to organizations across the state, to promote health equity in COVID- 19 vaccination throughout the state. The investment aims to increase vaccinations, by supporting organizations to serve as trusted messengers within their communities, and reduce barriers that hinder vaccine access for marginalized or underserved populations.
“Ensuring every Wisconsinite has access to quality, affordable healthcare, is an essential part of our response to this pandemic and building strong, healthy communities,” said Gov. Tony Evers.
Through funding from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), the DHS offered an additional $13 million dollars for the Vaccination Community Outreach (VCO) Grant program, which originally distributed $6.2 million to organizations in early 2021. Each applicant was required to submit a plan that included the geographic area or target population they serve, and a strategy to help overcome barriers to vaccination.
Awardees will use culturally relevant information and engage in outreach to promote vaccine acceptance.
Included on the list of those who serve the area to receive funding, are ABC for Rural Health, Inc. ($89,095); Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc. ($100,000); Forward Latino, Inc. ($100,000); Hmong American Friendship Association, Inc. ($64,412); Latino Chamber of Commerce ($100,000); New American Partnership ($100,000); Pointters Community Initiatives (100,000); Prevea Health ($100,00); Special Olympics Wisconsin, Inc. ($99,965); Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics ($100,000); and Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging ($99,910).
“We are committed to making sure that Wisconsinites who have been impacted the most by COVID-19, have every opportunity to get vaccinated,” said DHS secretarydesignee Karen Timberlake. “By providing funding to community- based organizations, we are partnering with trusted messengers, who are in the best position to share accurate information, build confidence in vaccines and close the gaps that remain in vaccination rates across our state.”
Funding is still available for qualifying organizations, and the DHS encourages organizations that engage in work to reduce socioeconomic or health inequities to apply, submitting their applications by Jan, 14, 2022. Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and minimizing accessibility issues, will be prioritized.
Because of various social factors and systemic barriers, communities of color experience higher rates of infection, hospitalizations and death during the pandemic. In Wisconsin, as well as nationwide, COVID-19 vaccine data shows rates of vaccinations are disproportionately lower for Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and other underserved populations.
