NH75OT000107

National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations - CDC-RFA-OT21-2103

Organization:
The Virgin Islands Department of Health
1303 Hospital Ground, Suite 10
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722
EIN: 67-0670001
DUNS: 167269765

Point of Contact:
Justa "Tita" Encarnacion, RN, BSN, MBA/HCM
Commissioner Virgin Islands Department of Health
Charles Harwood Medical Complex
3500 Estate Richmond Christiansted, VI 00820
Tel: St. Croix (340) 718-1311
Tel: St. Thomas (340) 774-0117, Ext 5081
Cell: (340) 642-9190
Email: justa.encarnacion@doh.vi.gov

Authorized Official:
Eleanor A. Johannes, MHSA, ASHRM
Director, Federal Grants Management/AOR
Virgin Islands Department of Health
eleanor.johannes@doh.vi.gov
Cell: (340) 514-5103

Project Period:
June 1, 2021 to May 30, 2023

Award Requested:
$500,000 per year for two years

The Virgin Islands Department of Health (DOH) first strategy is to expand its existing testing sites by utilizing the Department of Health Mobile Health Van for outreach vaccination activities. Using the Mobile Health Van, the DOH team can provide more testing to the elderly/bedridden, prison inmates, disabled, mentally ill, and homeless populations that are currently our high-risk disparities in the Virgin Islands.

The Department of Health plans to expand its current infrastructure by hiring additional staff due to recent team. The Department of Health's current infrastructure is limited with staff. To improve testing and contact tracing among populations at higher risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities. The purchasing of additional PPE's and testing supplies, along with additional contact tracing among the targeted population would allow the VI Department of Health to gather information to be able to further address the disparities issues our community have. Therefore, to accommodate the work to be done to reach the populations experiencing the disparities, we must hire the additional staff (descriptions listed) with native tongues of languages other than English.

The goals to improve the disparities are as follows:

1. Continue to identify the populations that are not likely to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine and bring it to them by scheduling an event in the specified area.
2. To access these communities of interest, providing education and information regarding the benefits of vaccination. Use the existing registration process to identify seniors who need assistance in getting the vaccine.
3. Expand communications through advertisements in languages Spanish, French Patois; other than English to reach persons in their native tongue.
4. Hire outreach staff that speaks these languages to meet the community needs.

Ultimate Goal: To vaccinate the entire Virgin Islands, creating herd immunity of 95% of the population.

Virgin Islands Dept Of Health Group

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]

Estate Thomas, Virgin Islands 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 1% from $3,114,521 to $3,079,509.