For Immediate Release: Jan. 25, 2022
Media Contact:
Katie Warchut │ Vermont Department of Health
802-951-1276 / 802-863-7281
Katie.Warchut@vermont.gov
Health Department Awards $4.8 Million in Grants to Local Organizations to Address COVID-19 Disparities and Advance Health Equity
BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Department of Health, in partnership with the Vermont Community Foundation, has awarded grants totaling $4.8 million to 30 local organizations in 11 counties to support efforts to address COVID-19 disparities and advance health equity in their communities.
Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the grants are designed to bolster organizational capacity to focus on the needs of populations who have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage, historical injustice, racism, and other systemic inequities.
“Public health happens at the local level, and these awards recognize that it takes many hands to ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be healthy,” said Ashley Kraybill, director of the Health Department’s Office of Health Equity Integration. “Through the expertise of these organizations and the Vermont Community Foundation, we can acknowledge, engage and meet the challenges of our shared history and systemic inequities, and come out with better health outcomes for all Vermonters — particularly those who have experienced historical injustices.”
Projects supported through these awards include closing the health access gap for those living in rural areas, enhancing language access for providers and patients, expanding health services for neurodivergent individuals, building programs for LGBTQ+ communities living in rural areas, and creating healing spaces for Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities who have experienced systemic oppression.
Dan Smith, president and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, added: “The Community Foundation brings people and resources together to make a difference in Vermont, and it’s an honor to share our experience and deep community connections with the Department of Health as we work towards increasing all our neighbors’ ability to lead healthy, vibrant lives.”
For more information about the Health Equity Capacity Building grants, visit vermontcf.org/health-equity.
Learn more about the Health Department’s Office of Health Equity Integration at healthvermont.gov/about-us/our-vision-mission/health-equity.
Health Equity Capacity Building Grant Awardees:
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Abenaki Helping Abenaki Aging in Hartland All Brains Belong VT Bi-State Primary Care Association Open Door Clinic Come Alive Outside Conscious Homestead Greater Falls Connections Inner Space Janet S Munt Family Room Maquam Bay of Missisquoi Orleans County Restorative Justice Center Out in the Open Outright Vermont Pride Center of Vermont |
Social Tinkering Sunrise Family Resource Center SUSU CommUNITY Farm The Root Social Justice Center The Winooski Parents & Students Project United Way of Lamoille County United Way of Windham County Vermont Cultural Brokering Program Vermont CARES Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council Vermont Health Equity Initiative Vermont Language Justice Project Vermont Racial Justice Alliance Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, Inc. Winooski Valley Park District |
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