The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced the availability of funds to be used to build community capacity for childhood immunizations and increase childhood immunization rates in communities with the highest immunization gaps.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/13/2023
Size of the Grant:
- Project A: $60,000
- Project B: $25,000
Grant Duration: 10 months
Details:
The purpose of this funding is to build community capacity for childhood immunizations and increase childhood immunization rates in communities with the highest immunization gaps. Coverage rates for routine childhood immunizations, especially measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), have declined significantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recognizes that closing the childhood immunization gap requires a two-prong approach focused on both short-term results and long term outcomes. Immediate action is needed to increase access to vaccine in priority communities, while long-term innovative strategies are required to integrate childhood immunization into the culture of health in communities across the state.
This short-term and long-term approach are represented by Project A and Project B. Organizations can apply for funding for either or both projects:
- Project A: Mobile or Field Vaccination at Early Childhood Programs
- Families with young children often face barriers and competing priorities that prevent them from attending well-child visits, where immunizations are routinely given. This project will fund up to two grantees to administer childhood vaccines at early childhood settings such as Head Start programs and licensed childcare centers with low immunization coverage.
- Project B: Immunization Community Connectors
- The purpose of the Immunization Community Connector program is to employ advocates in priority communities across the state who will integrate vaccine acceptance and normalize childhood immunization. This is a long-term strategy to increase, and sustain, childhood immunization rates. The selected organizations will be well connected in their community (aware of needs, connected to other orgs/groups), trusted, and respected. They will be able to integrate immunization into existing health promotion, preventative health, and social service activities in their communities
Funding Information
- Project A: Mobile or Field Vaccination at Early Childhood Programs
- Estimated Amount to Grant: $60,000
- Estimated Award Maximum: $60,000
- Estimated Award Minimum: $60,000
- Project B: Immunization Community Connector
- Estimated Amount to Grant: $100,000
- Estimated Award Maximum: $25,000
- Estimated Award Minimum: $25,000
Project Period
Estimated start date is September 1, 2023, or whenever a grant agreement is negotiated and fully executed, whichever is later. Grants will end on June 30, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants to either project should demonstrate the ability to reach pediatric patients that have limited access or cost barriers to routine immunization services. These groups may include: Medicaid-eligible or uninsured patients, BIPOC, or living in an underserved community (e.g., recent immigrant communities, families experiencing homelessness).
Project A: Mobile or Field Vaccination at Early Childhood Programs
Eligible organizations include health care organizations, community health boards, community based organizations, community vaccinators, and county, city, and tribal governments. Applications to Project A must demonstrate:
- Ability to train staff in vaccine administration, including mechanisms to ensure these skills are maintained.
- Experience providing mobile vaccine services to diverse children with limited access or cost barriers to health care and other social determinants of health.
- Ability to provide well-child visits and/or connect families with a medical home if needed.
- Ability to establish relationships with Head Start Programs or licensed childcare centers.
- Access to a language line/translation service and translated materials, such as vaccine information statements.
- Enrollment in the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) program and adherence to all MnVFC policies and procedures.
- Ability to bill commercial health plans for privately purchased vaccine and administration fees.
- Ability to provide timely doses administered data to the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC).
- All applicable licensing and Board of Practice regulations in the State of Minnesota will be followed.
Project B: Immunization Community Connectors
Eligible applicants include community-based nonprofit organizations, other community-led organizations (may include for-profit organizations), local public health agencies, community health centers, federally qualified health centers, or tribes. Applications to Project B must demonstrate:
- Ability to integrate childhood immunization into broader organizational and community preventative health and/or social service efforts.
- Connections with priority communities that can increase awareness and engagement for childhood immunizations in community.
- Partnerships with other community-based organizations.
- Strong oral/written communication skills.
- General understanding of the vaccine landscape.
- General knowledge of how to navigate health care to support vaccine referral activities.
For more information, visit MDH.
