NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, will provide funding to strengthen local health department (LHD) capacity for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistant (AR) prevention and response for the Local Health Department Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) project. The goal of this project is for LHDs to pilot and implement the CDC (Interim) Local Health Department Strategy for HAI/AR (Referred to as “the CDC LHD HAI/AR Strategy”).

The goals of the HAI/AR project are to:

• Support local health department capacity for HAI prevention and response
• Advance local health department engagement in AR-related initiatives and activities
• Enhance coordination and connection with the State Health Department HAI/AR programs
• Develop and identify resources, lessons learned, and best practices for other LHDs; and
• Build strategic approaches to HAI/AR, including addressing health equity, through the implementation of the CDC LHD HAI/AR Strategy

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, December 19, 2022, at 12:00 PM EST. NACCHO will share notice of award with LHDs by Tuesday, January 3, 2023. NACCHO will issue awards to LHDs in the form of fixed-price contracts. LHDs that elect to complete the required activities may receive up to $80,000 for option 1; LHDs that elect to conduct the required activities for option 2 may receive up to $120,000.

Eligibility Requirements

LHDs that apply for the HAI/AR project should meet the following requirements:

• Interest in strengthening their capacity in HAIs and AR prevention and response by increasing infection control assessment capacity, and promoting AMS
• Have at least one person who works at the LHD who will:
  • Participate in a monthly community of practice with other LHDs;
  • Coordinate with local, state, and regional partners;
  • Pilot and implement the CDC LHD HAI/AR strategy; and
  • Attend at least one conference to share lessons learned.
• Have the capacity to execute a contract and complete the project within the required time frames

Expectations

LHDs awarded funding through the HAI/AR project must complete the following required activities during the project period. The project period starts on February 1, 2023 and is expected to end on July 31, 2023. Review the Application Instructions for more information about required activities. The required activities for LHDs are noted below:

The CDC LHD HAI/AR Strategy consists of three goals – 1) Grow Networks and Collaboration, 2) Build Operational Capacity, and 3) Expand Programmatic Activities. Each goal area has designated objectives, and each objective has key activities that span 3 levels based on existing HAI/AR infrastructure. The strategy uses three levels of activities for each objective:

• Level 1 activities form the foundational components for each objective and may be more suited for LHDs with little to no experience leading HAI/AR activities.
• Level 2 activities build upon level 1 and may be more suited for LHDs with previous experience leading HAI/AR activities.
• Level 3 activities build upon levels 1 and 2 and may be more suited for LHDs with extensive experience leading HAI/AR activities.

The level of engagement and the selection of the Strategy goals, objectives and associated activities can be determined based on the LHD’s current HAI/AR capacity. LHDs applying for this opportunity have two options:

• Option 1: LHDs planning to convene a strategy planning meeting that leverages the CDC LHD HAI/AR Strategy Planning Tool to develop an action plan for implementation can apply for up to $80,000. Awarded recipients must convene the strategy planning meeting no later than January 31, 2023.
• Option 2: LHDs who have already completed the strategy planning and are primarily at level 2 or 3 for activities within each goal of the strategy can apply for up to $120,000.

All awarded LHDs will:

• Review and/or implement a local Strategy for Response, Control, and Prevention of HAIs and AR leveraging CDC LHD HAI/AR Strategy materials throughout project implementation. 
• Attend ad hoc content and capacity-driven discussions, including touchpoints/technical assistance calls with NACCHO and CDC.
• Attend peer-to-peer learning/sharing opportunities (e.g., Community of Practice calls).
• Participate in evaluation activities to provide feedback on successes and challenges to NACCHO about project implementation. Activities may include surveys, interviews, and focus groups. 

Interested in participating?

Start now by reviewing the Application Instructions. The application instructions include greater detail about expectations, timeline, and how to submit a proposal for funding. You can also view the recording of the optional informational webinar, which was held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The recording is available  here.

Important Dates

• Optional informational webinar was held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The recording is available  here.
• Application submission deadline: 12:00 pm EST on Monday, December 19, 2022
• Anticipated notice of award: Tuesday, January 3, 2023
• Anticipated start of project period: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
• Anticipated end of project period: Monday, July 31, 2023.

Questions?

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

To learn more about NACCHO’s HAI/AR work, visit this webpage.