NH75OT000101

Virginia Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved

COVID-19 has significantly affected the Commonwealth of Virginia. To date, there have been 661,925 cases, 28,542 hospitalizations, and unfortunately 10,807 deaths (https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus/covid-19-in-virginia-demographics/). Our data shows that Black, Brown, and rural Virginians have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Pursuant to the goals and strategies outlined in CDC-RFA-OT21-2103 to address COVID-19 related inequities, the Commonwealth of Virginia proposes the following activities:

Strategy 1: Expand existing and/or develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved.

- Activity 1.1: Equity Communications (resources and services)

Strategy 2: Increase/improve data collection and reporting for populations experiencing a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death to guide the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Activity 2.1: Equity Dashboards Enhancement
- Activity 2.2: Regional Social Epidemiologist Support

Strategy 3: Build, leverage, and expand infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention and control among populations that are at higher risk and underserved.

- Activity 3.1: Hiring CLAS Program staff within each local health department
- Activity 3.2: Foundational Equity Training for newly onboarded and existing VDH FTE and contractors

Strategy 4: Mobilize partners and collaborators to advance health equity and address social determinants of health as they relate to COVID-19.

- Activity 4.1: Rural Locality Mini Grant Program
- Activity 4.2: CLAS Mini Grant Program
- Activity 4.3: HBCU Partnership Mini Grant Program
- Activity 4.4: Partners in Prayer and Prevention (P3) Mini Grant Program
- Activity 4.5: Empowered Communities Opioid Project
- Activity 4.6: Equity Communications (partner mobilization)

The Virginia Department of Health is eligible to apply for a grant with a ceiling of $27,344,292. The mandated rural carve-out is $4,592,179. However, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Health Equity shall invest approximately $12,133,049 in Virginia's rural localities.

Virginia Department Of Health

NOT APPLICABLE

93.354 - Public Health Emergency Response: Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Response: Public Health Crisis Response

CDC Office of Financial Resources (OFR) [HHS - CDC]

Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support (CSTLTS) [HHS - CDC]

Richmond, Virginia United States

City-Wide

National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities (CDC-RFA-OT21-2103)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 05/31/23 to 03/24/25 and the total obligations have decreased 8% from $27,344,292 to $25,229,476.