Thursday, April 25, 2024
4/25/2024
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) Bureau for Public Health (BPH) serves and protects the people of West Virginia. Taking a people-first approach, WVDHHR BPH designs and delivers programs and services that support all West Virginians. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has exacerbated already significant health disparities impacting West Virginia?s most vulnerable residents. While WVDHHR BPH and various cross-sector partners collaborate to deliver the state?s COVID-19 response, residents in minority and rural communities continue to face challenges due to long-standing inequities. WVDHHR BPH continues to enhance existing collaborations and strengthen the wider public health infrastructure to advance health equity in historically underserved and disproportionately affected communities in West Virginia. A cross-sector collaboration model, unique to public health, was a key factor in the success of WV?s vaccine response. By Executive order, the Governor of WV created a COVID-19 Joint Interagency Task Force (COVID-19 JIATF), ordering them to be the principal agency leading the state?s COVID-19 response. The JIATF is responsible for logistical support for all aspects of the pandemic response. This includes supporting statewide COVID-19 testing events, allocation and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the receipt and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. As described in the CDC-RFA-OT-21-2103 NOFO, the overarching goal of this initiative is reducing COVID-19 related disparities by improving state and local capacity and services aimed at preventing and controlling COVID-19 infection (or transmission) among populations at higher risk and that are underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural communities. Anticipated long-term outcomes for minority and populations include from this initiative include: increased testing and vaccination; improved data collection and re porting ; an expanded public health workforce that is culturally competent and health equity focused; expanded and strengthened programs targeting underserved populations; increased access to services through technology, transport, and other means; streamlined coordination between health services; targeted and culturally competent communication; operational community and health equity plans; strengthened community workgroups; and effective cross-sector coalitions.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
