NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion, is pleased to provide funding for the Building Local Operational Capacity for COVID-19 (BLOC COVID-19) demonstration site project to strengthen local infection prevention and control (IPC) capacity.

The goal of this project is to increase capacity for LHDs to prevent and respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare facilities; strengthen IPC practices in high-risk facilities including nursing homes, other long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other outpatient settings; and increase coordination among local IPC partners to bolster response efforts and; enhance coordination with state and local IPC partners. NACCHO will issue awards in the form of fixed-priced contracts up to $100,000 to local health department (LHD) demonstration sites.

Expectations

Funded LHDs will be expected to undertake the following activities between July 2020 and July 31, 2021:

• Coordinate IPC activities with state health departments and other local IPC partners (e.g., academic universities, infection control practitioners, regulatory agencies) to track COVID-19 infections and respond to possible outbreaks by assisting with prevention and preparedness;
• Collaborate and contract with an IPC content expert (i.e. APIC local chapter, IPC consultant, academic partner, or other IPC subject matter expert) to develop an IPC training plan for the LHD to implement these activities (e.g., facilitating communications and networking, introductions with facilities, conducting “walk-throughs”, reporting, facility assessments, etc.) with healthcare facilities;
• Coordinate and implement outreach and response activities including educating facilities regarding reporting requirements and/or conducting ICAR assessments via telephone, video, or in-person with identified facilities;
• Participate in peer sharing and technical assistance calls facilitated by NACCHO to review progress of planned activities and share lessons learned and practices;
• Participate in evaluation-related activities to track and measure progress towards expressed outcomes; and
• Complete a final report detailing successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

LHDs may also apply for additional funding to conduct supplemental activities, as outlined in the RFA.

Interested?

View the request for applications.

To learn more about applying, view the recording of the informational webinar (hosted on June 16), as well as a list of FAQs.

• Application submission deadline: July 1, 2020 by 11:59 pm PT.
• Anticipated award notification: July 21, 2020.

For more information or questions, email [email protected]. To learn more about NACCHO’s HAI work, visit this webpage.