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COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Initiative: Vaccine access and administration in community settings

This initiative funds organizations for Vaccine Access and Navigation Services and/or Customized Vaccine Administration.

Table of Contents

Description

This funding is intended to increase community-based access to and receipt of COVID-19 vaccination for priority communities and populations who are experiencing disproportionate impacts of COVID-19.

31 community organizations receive funding under this component of the Vaccine Equity Initiative since April 2021. Some of these organizations work across multiple communities, and some may be funded under more than one component of the Vaccine Equity Initiative. See below for details about the organizations.

Vaccine access and navigation services

Vaccine access and navigation services include assistance with appointment registration, transportation to vaccination clinics, mobility assistance, medical interpretation, and other supports.

Community-based organizations, community health centers, and behavioral health centers assist individuals to plan for, access, and receive vaccination services. Direct services include guidance about vaccine eligibility, assistance to register for online appointments, transportation to and from appointments, translation services, mobility assistance, and other accompanied supports. Services are delivered by staff and Community Health Workers with cultural and linguistic competence and experience serving priority populations. 

Amount $10.6M ($2.6M specific current contract expansions, $8M rolling procurement); up to 24 months
Location Prioritized for 20 equity municipalities. Eligibility may be extended beyond the 20 municipalities for the needs of priority populations.
Relevant links For organizations interested in applying for funding, visit COMMBUYS 214923 Community-Based Direct Services for Vaccine Access and Administration.
Relevant dates Initial awards were made in April 2021. This RFR closed on May 6, 2021 at 5PM. DPH may reopen this procurement opportunity at a time and for a duration determined by the Department for the purpose of adding additional vendors in the future.

Customized vaccine administration

Qualified organizations are funded to directly administer vaccination to groups not effectively reached by other mechanisms. These organizations can be deployed to smaller venues, with populations that may require more intensive, one-on-one support to get vaccinated.

Amount $3 million ($1M specific current contract expansions, $2M rolling procurement); up to 24 months
Location Prioritized for 20 Equity Municipalities. Eligibility may be extended beyond the 20 municipalities for the needs of priority populations
Relevant links For organizations interested in applying for funding, visit COMMBUYS 214923 Community-Based Direct Services for Vaccine Access and Administration.
Relevant dates Initial awards were made in April 2021. This RFR closed on May 6, 2021 at 5PM. DPH may reopen this procurement opportunity at a time and for a duration determined by the Department for the purpose of adding additional vendors in the future.

 

The following organizations received funding for 12 months through June 30, 2022:

Organization Funding Vaccine Access and Navigation Services Customized Vaccine Administration Communities of Focus*
Boston Medical Center $784,250   X Boston
Latino Health Insurance Program, Inc. $837,253 X X Boston, Metro & Central Massachusetts
Mulitcultural AIDS Coalition $346,971 X X Boston
Whittier Street Health Center $225,000 X X Boston
Dimock Community Health Center $150,000   X Boston
Codman Square Health Center $200,000 X X Boston
Health Innovations, Inc. (Partners with Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers) $250,000   X Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Lowell, Lynn, Randolph, Revere
Justice Resource Institute, Inc. $370,000   X Boston, Framingham
Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (Partners with Health Innovations) $325,000 X X Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Framingham, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Revere
Boston Healthcare for the Homeless $450,000 X X Boston
Health Imperatives, Inc. $689,419   X Brockton, New Bedford

*Can serve the Cape & Islands
Cambridge Health Alliance $350,000   X Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Revere
SSTAR (Stanley Street Treatment & Resources, Inc.) $150,000   X Fall River, New Bedford
Seven Hills Behavioral health, Inc. $400,000  X X Fall River, New Bedford
Community Health Connections $416,000   X Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster
AIDS Project Worcester (Partners with UMass Worcester) $200,000 X   Fitchburg, Leominster, Worcester
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center $557,575 X X Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen
Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. $325,423 X X Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Methuen
Holyoke Health Center, Inc. $150,000   X Holyoke
Caring Health Center, Inc. $240,440   X Springfield
Tapestry Health Systems, Inc. $200,000   X Holyoke & Springfield
Behavioral Health Network, Inc. $525,000 X X Holyoke & Springfield
Lynn Community Health Center $200,000 X X Lynn
PAACA (Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction) $444,441 X   New Bedford
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center $150,000 X X New Bedford
North Shore Community Health Center $250,000 X X Gloucester, Peabody, Salem
New North Citizens Council $530,478 X X Springfield
UMass Worcester (Partners with AIDS Project Worcester) $151,894   X Worcester
Centro Las Americas, Inc. $788,590 X   Worcester
Family Health Center of Worcester $250,000 X X Worcester
TOTAL FUNDING $10,907,734      

* People from other communities may also be served.

The following organizations receive funding through and work with the grantees listed above to provide additional targeted outreach with the populations they serve:

Organization
Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston
Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Mass
Elder Services of the Worcester Area, Inc.
Gandara
Ground Works Lawrence
Inter Church Council of Greater New Bedford
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center
Immigrant Assistance Center
Making Opportunity Count
NewVue Communities
North End Waterfront Health
People Acting in Community Endeavors, Inc.
Southeast Asian Alliance
Spanish American Center
UMASS Memorial Health Center
United Way of Greater New Bedford, Inc.
Worcester Interfaith
YMCA of Worcester

 

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