Thank you for the interest in the Novel and Emerging Practice Studies (NEPS) evaluation studies and to everyone who volunteered to participate. There are 8 OT21-2013 recipients working with us in two phases. The eight practices were selected to be evaluated by a Public Health Institute in collaboration with OT21-2103 recipient organizations and their partners. See below for an introduction to the eight practices.
Phase 1
Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH)
Maricopa County is executing a practice to build, leverage, and expand infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention and control among populations that are at higher risk and underserved (Strategy 3). MCDPH is in the process of implementing a new Request for Proposal approach to fund organizations working in communities that have been negatively impacted by or are at risk for COVID-19. The funding structure and award processes are designed to support smaller organizations to participate, establish new partnerships, and reduce the burden on awardees.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
NCDHHS is mobilizing partners and collaborators to advance health equity and address social determinants of health as they relate to COVID-19 health disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved (Strategy 4). NCDHHS is partnering and mobilizing with community-based organizations (Healthier Together Model) who have lived experience and concentrate their work in areas with high numbers of Black, American Indian and Latinx/Hispanic people that are not vaccinated or boosted, and with other populations that have been historically marginalized (e.g., youth and young adults, rural locations and people needing language, physical and communication access). The purpose of Healthier Together has been to increase demand for and access to the COVID vaccine to populations that have been historically marginalized by conducting communication, outreach and education efforts, coordinating local vaccine events at accessible locations, and helping people schedule and get to vaccine appointments (i.e., assist with connections to transportation) and booster dose appointments.
Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)
RIDOH is implementing a practice to 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 (Strategy 2). RIDOH, in collaboration with Brown University, developed a Data Academy course tailored for and delivered to local community organizations. The practice will support project leaders to use data for program implementation and service delivery to reduce the impact of COVID-19 related disparities in their communities.
Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH)
WA DOH is mobilizing partners and collaborators to advance health equity and address social determinants of health as they relate to COVID-19 health disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved (Strategy 4). WA DOH is piloting a practice to equitably fund community organizations that addresses the unequal burden of COVID-19 across racial and ethnic populations while taking an intersectional approach. WA DOH developed a mixed methods approach to make funding decisions transparent, equitable, data informed, and responsive to the communities.
Phase 2
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)
The County of San Diego HHSA is building, leveraging, and expanding infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention and control among underserved populations at higher risk of experiencing health disparities (Strategy 3). The County of San Diego HHSA created a funding opportunity for Community-Directed Enrichment Projects (C-DEP) to fund community-based organizations to implement projects that address health disparities, prevent transmission of COVID-19, and promote economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This emerging practice supports community-based organizations representing racial and ethnic minorities and rural communities, leverages the momentum of community coalitions to support community organizing, and implements community improvement projects to support communities as they recover from COVID-19.
New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
The NYSDOH is implementing the novel practice of an equitable procurement process (Strategy 4). Equitable procurement is the set of processes and policies applied to address barriers that keep community-based organizations from fully participating in state funding opportunities. This study will identify and substantiate best practices for equitable procurement, focusing on engaging new and non-traditional grassroots partners.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is developing new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19-related disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved (Strategy 1) with their partner Arc of Pennsylvania. The Arc of Pennsylvania is currently working on the grant to bring together disability stakeholders and healthcare provider stakeholders to discuss COVID-19 disparities impacting the disability community, including the intersectionality of racial/ethnic minority groups and rural populations. Through intensive local listening tours, regional community work groups, and individual interviews, The Arc of PA has been able to bring together key groups to discuss regional strengths and barriers that have either made it easy or more challenging to stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic for people with disabilities in their communities.
Orange County Health Care Agency
Orange County Health Care Agency is increasing data collection and reporting of populations experiencing a disproportionate burden on COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death to guide the response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Strategy 2). Orange County Health Care Agency has developed an Equity in OC Initiative to create a healthier, more resilient, and equitable Orange County. A critical component of this work is building data and community infrastructure to support long-term mobilization while advancing health equity in Orange County.
Please continue to check the monthly OT21-2103 TA bulletin and this page for NEPS updates.