CDC-RFA-TU24-0142 Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response, Region 4 - Project Abstract Project Title: Region 4 Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response Applicant Organization Name: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project Director: John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH Grant program funds requested: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health (Gillings), North Carolina Institute for Public Health (NCIPH) is applying to be the HHS Region 4 Regional Center (Center) for Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR). This proposal includes requests for funding under Components B, C, D, and E. UNC Gillings will provide the structure and connectivity within the Region 4, with guidance from a curated steering committee that represents state, local, and tribal health departments, healthcare coalitions, community-led and community-serving organizations and PHRP partners in implementing evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs). Taking an all-hazards approach, UNC will bring together a diverse Steering Committee, subject matter experts, and community-based partners to create an accessible Center for resources and communication to implement EBSI prioritized in the 5-year Regional Work Plan, including an inventory and gap analysis of PHPR resources resulting in development of new resources as needed. Under component C, UNC will provide technical assistance to other regional PHPR centers through regularly scheduled virtual meetings, EBSI inventory audits and updates, and practice-ready templates and resources for practitioners using principles of implementation science. UNC will convene the centers in alignment and coordination with national partners ASTHO and NACCHO to leverage attendance and dissemination of best practices. Existing online learning management system (LMS) and training hubs will be collated for easy access and enhanced with contact with subject matter experts connected to the regional centers. UNC will bridge the gap between research and practice under component D. A research team will be assembled to develop an evaluation plan and relevant activities for quantitative and qualitative data collection of outcomes measures, as well as dissemination of key findings through publication, policy briefs, and practice ready resources for the technical assistance hub. Multi-directional feedback and media monitoring, also known as infodemiology, are proposed to inform ways to enhance the evidence base and mitigate misinformation through development, evaluation, dissemination, and translation of strategies and interventions. The goal of Component E is to convene and engage working groups that can receive the Region 4 data ecosystem model, develop plans and processes for operationalizing the regional data ecosystem model, and pilot test the plans. This will include development of a data processing infrastructure and pipelines needed for data sharing, as well as a pilot test operability and scalability. The purpose of applying for all components is collective impact. Each component builds and enhances the next as capacity and connectivity solidify around PHPR workplans through implementation science and practice ready solutions. UNC Gillings is uniquely positioned and qualified to successfully operationalize the strategies outlined in this NOFO and respectfully request funding for each component as it becomes available.
