Health Department Awards $4.8 Million in Grants to Local Organizations to Address COVID-19 Disparities and Advance Health Equity

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.”

Read more information about the Health Equity Capacity Building grants. 

Learn more about the Health Department’s Office of Health Equity Integration.
 

Health Equity Capacity Building Grant Awardees:

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