Although Oregon Health Authority fails to mention whether “white” people could see any support through this program, it asserts that it’s programs intention is to address a “disproportion” among “communities of color” that must be addressed through extra COVID-19 relief funds, though most Oregonians have yet to see much at all, let alone a “disproportion”.

OHA opened grant applications to not-for-profit organizations statewide, Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes and the Urban Indian Health Program. The grants come from legislatively directed $45 million in federal CARES Act coronavirus relief funds.

The grants are intended to address the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Oregon’s tribal communities and communities of color. This innovative program leverages federal funds to address social determinants of health and the systemic racism and other health and economic inequities tribal communities and communities of color experience, which have been compounded by COVID-19.

The program will provide grants to not for-profit-organizations and tribal communities. These grants can be used to help people address:

• Health and economic disruptions. Examples of this could include: Providing thermometers, personal protective items, wage relief, child care support, business consulting, and technology needs, to improve access to telehealth and distance learning.
• Food insecurity and housing. Examples of this could include: Providing food, shelter, transportation, home heating and cooling costs, and outdoor gear for situations of homelessness.
• Safety and violence prevention. Examples could include: Providing emergency motel vouchers for people experiencing child abuse or domestic violence, culturally and linguistically appropriate services that address domestic violence, and social life skills programs for parents to address stress, depression and the need to take care of their own well-being.
• Wage relief. Examples of this could include: Providing thermometers, personal protective items, child care support, business consulting, and technology needs, to improve access to telehealth and distance learning.

These health equity grants stem from priorities community partners identified in discussions with teams from the Office of Equity and Inclusion Division, Community Partner Outreach Program and OHA’s Tribal Affairs.

“This investment represents an extension of our commitment to eliminating health inequity, especially the disparities driven by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Patrick Allen, OHA Director. “It also reflects our commitment to get better at community engagement, to engage our partners upfront and authentically respond to their input.

“We know these efforts don’t address all the health inequities communities face and won’t fund all the need. However, at a time when COVID-19 poses an unprecedented health emergency, these grants will help people in communities across Oregon be safer and healthier.”


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-08-18 18:25:35

Last Update: 2020-08-18 18:45:28