OCS DCL-2021-03 COVID-19 Funding Opportunities FY2021

Office of Community Services

Dear Colleague Letter

DCL#:                         OCS-DCL-2021-03

DATE:                         May 17, 2021

TO:                              All OCS Prgram Grantees

SUBJECT:                 Funding Opportunities and Information Related to COVID-19

ATTACHMENT(S):  N/A

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this communication is to share two funding opportunities from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Association of County Health Officials (NACCHO) as well as information regarding support and community engagement efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Funding Opportunity: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Community-Based Workforce for COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Program
On May 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of approximately $250 million to develop and support a community-based workforce who will serve as trusted voices sharing information about vaccines, increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence, and address any barriers to vaccination for individuals living in vulnerable and medically underserved communities.

HRSA expects to fund 10 awards at up to $125,000,000 for a 6-month project period.  Eligible applicants include nonprofit private or public organizations with demonstrated experience in implementing public health programs, particularly in medically underserved areas.

Link to Funding Opportunity Announcement: here
Important Dates: Applications are due May 18, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants should contact CBOVaccineOutreach@hrsa.gov with any questions.

Funding Opportunity: COVID-19 Prevention & Mitigation Among Refugee, Immigrant, & Migrant Communities
With support from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and in partnership with the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) , the National Association of County Health Officials (NACCHO) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity for local health departments and community-based organizations (CBOs) to partner to rapidly to scale up innovative COVID-19 education, testing, contact tracing, vaccination, and other prevention and mitigation strategies with refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. With support from CDC, NACCHO will provide funding and technical assistance to LHDs and their RIM community partners to implement at least one primary prevention strategy (for up to $175,000) with the option of implementing a secondary primary or secondary prevention activity (for up to $250,000).

Potential applicants are encouraged to reach out to RIM-serving organizations or leaders in their communities or the LHD in their jurisdiction to partner to submit an application. LHDs and CBOs/RIM communities applying for this funding opportunity do not need to have a history of partnership, but must demonstrate the intent to partner (i.e., through a Memorandum of Understanding or Letter of Support).

Link to Funding Opportunity Announcement: here
Important Dates:
•    May 17, 2021: Optional webinar held on Monday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Register here .
•    June 11, 2021: Applications are due June 11, 2021 at 11:59pm PT. Access the Request for Applications here .

FEMA Funds Community Engagement for COVID-19 Vaccinations
As more Americans receive coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations, the end of the pandemic and a return to normal life is in sight. FEMA continues to support state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in the fight against COVID-19 by reimbursing eligible expenses related to the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Funding under FEMA Public Assistance program includes community engagement and information dissemination to promote vaccination availability, scheduling, and accessibility, as well as reimbursement for activities to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. This funding is eligible under current FEMA policies and is available to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and eligible private and non-profit medical facilities carrying out vaccination administration activities.

For more information, visit:
•    https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic
•    https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210505/fema-covid-19-update

Thank you for your attention to these matters. OCS looks forward to continuing to provide high-quality services to OCS grantees.

/s/
Dr. Lanikque Howard
Director
Office of Community Services