A new initiative will provide community-based organizations in Baltimore City access to funding for COVID-19 services in underserved communities, with grants to be awarded of up to $25,000.
The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) and Civic Works have partnered to administer the offering, which received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) "National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities."
Community-based organizations will be granted the awards for meeting certain criteria with their mission work, including:
- Increasing COVID-19 vaccination access and education in underserved communities;
- Expanding and improving access to health-related resources; and
- Improving the health and well-being or Baltimore City residents.
The purpose of the mini-grant is to offer ongoing resources and support for communities, in light of COVID-19 impacts having lessened over time, and with providers pulling back on services that were formerly offered at the height of the pandemic, especially in Baltimore City, where there are a number of residents who still present at-risk to the effects of COVID-19.
People who are most at-risk can contract severe disease, become hospitalized, or worse, succumb to the effects of COVID-19 -- especially those with compromised immune systems like senior citizens, underlying conditions, and people who are not fully vaccinated.
“The Baltimore City Health Department has worked with more than 70 partners to help our community achieve an 86% vaccination rate among those aged 12 years and older. Because of this, many Baltimore residents have now returned to their favorite activities,” said Acting Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Mary Beth Haller. “However, the end of the National Public Health Emergency doesn’t mean the end of COVID-19. That is why we continue to reach out to vulnerable residents, especially those from underserved communities. These mini-grants are an opportunity to mobilize local organizations to continue the important work of saving lives, strengthening organizations, and keeping Baltimore safe and healthy.”
The federal administrationended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC announced they will provide autoimmune-compromised senior citizens with a COVID-19 vaccination booster this spring.
The application period will open on Monday, June 5, and will remain available until Friday, June 23, and will be the fifth funding period of seven total application opportunities:
- Applications open: June 5, 2023
- Applications are due: June 23, 2023
- Funds will be dispersed: July 2023
- Activities will begin: July 24, 2023
For more information on proposal submissions and the project, click here to visit the Civic Works website.
Additionally, the BCHD plans to operate continuing, citywide neighborhood clinics into 2024, that will regularly offer COVID-19 services, such as free vaccinations and take-home tests -- even for those who do not have insurance.
COVID-19 treatments, like Paxlovid, will continue to be covered by Medicaid programs without cost-sharing through September 30, 2024, at which point cost-sharing can vary by state. Maryland residents formerly had to enroll in Medicaid to keep their coverage during the PHE, even if they had become ineligible.
However, the coverage must now be renewed to remain enrolled, along with updated contact information, which can be done by clicking here or visiting https://marylandhealthconnection.gov, and looking out for communications about potential next steps.
To learn more about BCHD’s COVID-19 services and information, please visit https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/.