With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO is offering a technical assistance and capacity building opportunity to provide LHDs with resources to address vaccine hesitancy across the lifespan for routine, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. The Equipping Local Health Departments to Address Vaccine Hesitancy project will include supporting one temporary, consultant staff member placed in the LHD dedicated to addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, building partnerships with other local organizations, and identifying areas of need to improve vaccine confidence and uptake.

The deadline for submitting an application is November 19, 2021, at 11:59 PM PST. NACCHO will share notice of awards on or around December 1, 2021. NACCHO will establish a fee-for-service contract through which the selected LHD may receive up to $100,000 to support the vaccine hesitancy consultant and project activities.

Eligibility requirements

This opportunity is open to LHDs with an interest or clearly identified need to promote vaccine confidence and contain vaccine misinformation as related to routine, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. To be considered for this funding opportunity, applicants must possess:

• Ability to hire a consultant to carry out the project work. Selected LHD will need to conduct candidate search resulting in the identification and on-boarding of one temporary, consultant staff member within the LHD to conduct activities outlined below.
• Ability to serve as a host site that will support the identified individual as a temporary consultant employee and supervise the consultant staff member’s daily activities.
• Capacity to provide one temporary, consultant staff member with appropriate staff accommodations and training (e.g., benefits (as applicable), space, safety and security, information technology, standards of conduct in accordance with local requirements).

Expectations

All awardees will be required to conduct the following activities throughout the project period:

• Conduct appropriate employment search to identify, on-board, and supervise one individual that will serve in a temporary, consultant role within the LHD specifically to initiate/continue LHD activities to promote vaccine confidence and contain vaccine misinformation within the local jurisdiction.
• Identify an LHD staff person to whom the one consultant staff member will directly report. That individual will be designated to supervise, plan, and coordinate the consultant staff member’s activities and assignments.
• Participate in evaluation activities and document project outcomes.
• Participate, along with the consultant, in virtual learning, technical assistance, and partnership activities highlighted below to openly share challenges, results, and outcomes:
  • Conduct CDC’s Rapid Community Assessment activity designed to identify communities at-risk for low vaccine uptake, better understand the local community’s vaccine needs and decisions, and identify areas of intervention and prioritize potential intervention strategies.
  • Participate in check-in calls facilitated by NACCHO to review progress of planned activities and any major changes to the proposed work plan. Participants will include at least one representative from NACCHO and the awardee as well as any other stakeholders invited by the awardee.
  • Participate in monthly peer sharing and technical assistance calls facilitated by NACCHO to discuss emerging issues, lessons learned, and best practices.
  • Collaborate and partner with other community organizations and stakeholders to improve education and outreach to identified communities impacted by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
  • Contribute at least one resource, tool, or other best practice on addressing vaccine hesitancy to NACCHO’s communication platforms.

Interested in participating?

Start now by reviewing the APPLICATION and INSTRUCTIONS. The application instructions include greater detail about expectations, timeline, and how to submit a proposal for funding. Additionally, please feel free to review the blank application template and questions prior to starting your application.

Important dates!

• Optional informational webinar: An optional informational webinar for potential applicants was held on October 26, 2021, at 1:00 PM EST. The webinar recording, slides, and an FAQ document are available for your reference.
• Application submission deadline: November 19, 2021, by 11:59 PM PST
• Anticipated notice of award: On or around December 1, 2021
• Anticipated start of project period:  Upon both parties full execution of the contract
• Anticipated end of project period: July 31, 2022. Contingent on CDC approving a no-cost extension, the project period of performance may continue (with a contract modification) beyond the specified contract end date.

Questions?

For more information or questions, please email NACCHO at [email protected] and check this webpage for a regularly updated FAQ document and a recording of the optional informational webinar.