562.965.2839
Amanda.Recio@longbeach.gov
Public Affairs Specialist
Department of Health and Human Services
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services
(Health Department) has selected and awarded a total of $3,027,921 in funding to support community organizations implementing health equity-centered programs that address the impacts of COVID-19 in the most at-risk, historically underserved and under-resourced communities in Long Beach.
“This historic investment in health equity is a huge step forward in our city’s work to improve the lives of residents,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.
In May, the City launched a Request for Proposals for Health Equity Community Projects to engage in key health activities in one of nine categories outlined below. After a thorough review process, 21 projects were selected to receive funding. The selected projects address factors such as social and economic stability, systemic barriers and racism that contribute to a health condition and work to improve the outcomes of that condition. The projects all focus on neighborhoods and communities that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Services to be funded include:
- COVID-19 Education and Vaccination Outreach
- Number of projects: 7
- Total funding amount: $1,119,189
- Chronic Disease Prevention and/or Management
- Number of projects: 2
- Total funding amount: $298,158
- Mental Health Supports or Trauma-Informed Responses
- Number of projects: 5
- Total funding amount: $645,000
- Parent and Child Health
- Number of projects:1
- Total funding amount: $150,000
- Physical Activity and Engagement
- Number of projects: 2
- Total funding amount: $115,574
- Safe Neighborhoods and Violence Prevention
- Number of projects: 3
- Total funding amount: $550,000
- Meeting Basic Needs
- Number of projects: 1
- Total funding amount: $150,000
Additionally, the Health Department identified eight organizations to engage in tailored organizational development and technical assistance opportunities with the support of The Nonprofit Partnership (TNP). The purpose of the assistance is to advance racial and health equity by providing potential contracting opportunities to organizations that have existing access, knowledge and trust with the communities most impacted by COVID-19 but that may not yet have the organizational capacity to implement a Health Equity Community Project. Organizations awarded these contracts will receive up to $2,000 to participate in group trainings and individual consultancy services. After completion of the technical assistance, the organizations will be considered for implementation of their proposed Health Equity Project.
Earlier this year, the Health Department developed a Health Equity Investment Framework that established principles for the dissemination of community funds. In order to be competitive for grants, proposed projects needed to be community driven, data informed, equity focused, durable, intentional, research informed and aligned with existing plans informing the Health Department.
“We know that COVID-19 has hit harder in communities of color and lower income communities,” said Health and Human Services Director Kelly Colopy. “These investments empower grassroots organizations in improving the health and wellbeing of people across the city, with a particular emphasis on those most affected, economically, socially and physically by the pandemic.”
Health Equity Community Projects will begin implementing programs this fall through early 2023. Organizations with contracts to engage in technical assistance will begin intake assessments during the fall. A complete list of grant recipients is available on the Health Equity Projects Awardee List.
This program is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $3 million in funding has been allocated to support health equity, which includes prioritizing investments in community organizations who have knowledge and expertise in serving communities most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.
The Health Equity Community Project also aligns with Goal 4 of Long Beach’s Racial and Reconciliation Initiative to invest in health care initiatives, programs and providers that are working to reduce health inequities where health outcomes are significantly below city averages.