Health Department Awarding Mini-Grants to Reduce COVID-19 Burden

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

The Garrett County Health Department has again been awarded funding to help decrease COVID-19 health disparities in our rural community. The majority of the allocation will allow healthcare providers, business owners, local coalitions, academic institutions, faith based, non-profit and grassroot organizations to apply for mini-grants. Projects must focus on strategies which target a reduction in the COVID-19 burden.

Project Criteria:

Funding may be used to:

• Expand existing and/or develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved.
• Increase/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.
• Build, leverage, and expand infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention and control among populations that are at higher risk and underserved.
• Mobilize 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.

Funding may not be used for:

• Clinical care, but can be used to fund activities promoting and supporting clinical services (program administration, coordination, outreach, follow-up, communications, media, translation and interpretation, wraparound services, etc.).
• Food
• Equipment greater than $5,000

Awards will be made from $1,000 to $10,000.

Email [email protected] to request a grant application. Completed applications must be submitted to [email protected] by the close of business on Friday, January 26, at 5 PM EST.