Subject:
Title
Grant application to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council for the Community Vaccine Ambassador Program Funding Opportunity.
label
Recommended Action:
Approval by the Department Director of the grant application to National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) for the Community Vaccine Ambassador Program funding opportunity.
• The NHCHC Community Vaccine Ambassador Program provides funding to health centers to employ enabling services workforce (Community Health Workers, Outreach Staff, Enrollment and Eligibility Workers, etc.) to increase the number of individuals in three specific populations receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. These populations are individuals experiencing homelessness (PEH), individuals with substance use disorders (PWSUD), and individuals engaged in sex work (PESW).
• Human Services, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas, seeks to expand outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals with substance use disorders to increase education on the Covid-19 vaccine and have staff available to administer the vaccines when individuals are ready.
• The application will seek up to $200,000.00 for a 12-month period with expected awards in October/November 2021. Funding is provided to the NHCHC by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). No matching funds required.Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community.
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
Summary:
The NHCHC goal is to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among three specific marginalized populations that include people experiencing homelessness, people with substance use disorders, and/or people who engage in sex work. The program aims to improve COVID-19 immunizations by implementing vaccine ambassadors (community health workers, peer navigators) to reach marginalized populations that are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This will be measured by the number of vaccine ambassadors, number of individuals engaged, and the number of individuals vaccinated. Community health centers or other grantees will hire or expand the role of
current staff to be trained by partnering agencies (CDC, NACHC and NHCHC) to conduct community outreach to PEH, PWSUD, and PESW to assess barriers to vaccinations, address competing health/safety/social needs that interfere with getting vaccinated, and increase vaccination update. Strategies include participating in trainings, learning community, shared electronic care plan, communication strategies, and person-centered care to assess systemic barriers to COVID-19 vaccine and build vaccine confidence.
Background/Explanation:
PEH are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection during the pandemic because of congregate living and PWSUD may have increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. There is inherent overlap in these populations since many PWSUD are also experiencing homelessness, as well as overlap with other stigmatized populations such as PESW who face unique risks for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. COVID-19 vaccination for these populations is important; however, these populations experience barriers to accessing healthcare and might have low levels of trust in the medical system due to previous experiences of trauma or stigma. To address these concerns, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using trusted communicators, such as Vaccine Ambassadors, who can provide vaccination education and information to these populations. Vaccine Ambassadors include outreach workers, peer navigators, and people with lived experience of homelessness or substance use.
Fiscal Impact:
Human Services is seeking up to $200,000.00 from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council and CDC funding opportunity, for a 12-month period. There are no match or cost-sharing requirements.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Department Director to sign this grant application was delegated by the County Administrator per the memo dated March 28, 2016 titled “Delegation of Authority by the County Administrator and Improved Grant Procedures.”
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partner(s):
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas
Pinellas County Health Care for the Homeless Co-Applicant Board
Attachments:
NHCHC RFP Vaccine Ambassador Program
Intent to Apply
DRAFT Application