NACCHO hosted an optional informational webinar for interested applicants on November 14, 2024, to review the RFA and respond to questions. View the webinar recording by clicking here.

Please note that no new information will be shared during the webinar, and applicants do not need to wait for the optional webinar to begin or submit applications. The webinar will be recorded, and the recording will be posted on this announcement page once available.

NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, will provide funding through the Pathways for Robust Equity in Preventative Actions and Response Efforts in Healthcare Settings (PREPARE) Project to strengthen LHD capacity in equitable outbreak prevention and response of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance (HAI/AR) threats in healthcare settings.

The aim of this project is for LHDs to pilot and operationalize the NACCHO-developed equity framework for Outbreak Response and Prevention in Healthcare Settings and leverage the LHD Data Utilization and Management for Outbreak Response and Prevention in Healthcare Settings Guide and the Strategic Collaboration for Outbreak Response and Prevention in Healthcare Settings Guide to increase LHD capacity in the following areas:

• Support LHD capacity for an equity-focused approach to outbreak response and prevention in healthcare settings;

• Enhance skills to prevent, respond to, and monitor healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance (HAI/AR);

• Strengthen effective data utilization and management to support outbreak prevention and response within healthcare settings;

• Develop and identify resources, lessons learned, and best practices for other LHDs; and

• Build and sustain strategic collaborations and partnerships.

NACCHO will issue awards in the form of fixed-price contracts to LHDs. LHDs that elect to complete the required activities may receive up to $25,000. LHDs that elect to conduct the required and supplemental activities may receive up to $30,000. Funding will be decided based on the scope of the proposed project plan.

Applications must be submitted by December 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST, and selections will occur on a rolling basis beginning December 5, 2024. The project period will begin on December 17, 2024; however, applicants who apply and are selected following December 5, 2024, will have two weeks to submit contract materials before starting the project no later than January 2, 2025. The project period will end on June 30, 2024, and all activities must be completed by this date.

All necessary information regarding the project and application process may be found in the PREPARE Project RFA. Please e-mail any questions to [email protected] (CC [email protected]). An FAQ document will also be posted to this RFA announcement page as questions come in.