Governor Baker Awards Additional $4.5 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Efforts

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced an additional $4.5 million in grants to organizations working in communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is a component of the Massachusetts Vaccine Equity Initiative to increase awareness and access to the COVID-19 vaccine and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. The latest grants are part of the Administration’s investments of over $51 million to promote vaccine access and confidence, primarily in communities of color.

The grants are the result of a major funding award from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Commonwealth, building on the state’s investment to increase vaccine awareness and acceptance. These funds support community organizations and community health centers to continue the work of reducing barriers to vaccine access and promoting vaccines and boosters for communities and populations most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“These trusted community-based organizations know their communities best,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “They use their knowledge and relationships to expand the efforts of our Vaccine Equity Initiative by helping address the unique health equity needs of the communities and populations they serve – needs that have been exacerbated by COVID-19.”

This additional $4.5 million includes:

$1.1 million in new grants to 26 community- and faith-based organizations, including Tribal and Indigenous People-serving organizations, in partnership with Health Resources in Action (HRiA). Along with 50 other community organizations currently funded, these organizations will provide culturally appropriate outreach and education on COVID-19 vaccination and mitigation as well as host and promote vaccine clinics for priority populations most impacted by COVID-19. Funded organizations will engage families and children for pediatric vaccinations and boosters.
$3.1 million for the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers to support 42 community health centers for critical workforce and equipment needs and outreach, education, and navigation support towards COVID-19 vaccination. This funding is in addition to $5 million being distributed to community health centers for walk-in vaccination services.
$300,000 to three community organizations to expand the COVID-19 vaccine equity work in rural communities, in partnership with the New England Rural Health Association. With the addition of these grants, the program now funds vaccine equity work serving 143 rural towns.

Award Recipients:

Community Outreach and Education (HRiA) ($1.1 million)
Grant size: $15,000 – $50,000 per organization

African Cultural Services, Inc.
BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for the Integration of Diverse Groups through Education)
Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF)
Chappaquiddick Tribe of the Wampanoag Indian Nation Corporation
Chinese Culture Connection, Inc.
Coalition for a Better Acre
DEAF, Inc.
Dwelling House of Hope, Inc.
Extreme Kid, Inc.
Haitian Community Partners
Haitian Health Institute
Leaving the Streets Ministries, Inc
Love Your Menses
Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health (MassCOSH)
Metrowest Worker Center (Casa do Trabalhador/Casa del Trabajador)
MOCHA
Next Leadership Development Corporation
Nigerian American Multi-Service Association (NAMSA)
People Affecting Community Change (PACC Global)
Pioneer Valley Workers Center
South Asian Workers’ Center
Springfield Boys and Girls Club
The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative Project, Inc.
UHAI for Health Inc.
Women Encouraging Empowerment Inc.
YMCA of Greater Boston

Community Health Centers ($3.1 million)

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Bowdoin Street Health Center
Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
Brookside Community Health Center
Cambridge Health Alliance
Caring Health Center, Inc.
Charles River Community Health Center
Codman Square Health Center
Community Health Center of Cape Cod
Community Health Center of Franklin County
Community Health Connections Family Health Center
Community Health Programs
The Dimock Center
DotHouse Health
Duffy Health Center
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Framingham)
Family Health Center of Worcester
Fenway Community Health Center
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center
Harbor Health Services Incorporated
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center
HealthFirst Family Care Center
Hilltown Community Health Center
Holyoke Health Center, Inc.
Island Health Care
Lowell Community Health Center
Lynn Community Health Center
Manet Community Health Center
Mattapan Community Health Center
North End Waterfront Health
North Shore Community Health Center
Outer Cape Health Services
South Boston Community Health Center
South Cove Community Health Center
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center
Springfield Health Services for the Homeless
SSTAR Family Healthcare Center
Upham’s Corner Health Center
Whittier Street Health Center

Rural Vaccine Program ($300,000)

Hilltown CDC
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Nantucket Board of Health/ Health Imperatives/ Community Foundation for Nantucket