July 1, 2021
In a continuing effort to improve the health of citizens in Montgomery, Richmond, and Randolph counties, N.C., Sandhills Cooperation Association (SCA) has been selected as 1 of the 27 recipients of an NC Counts Coalition's Healthier Together grant. According to https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/HealthierTogether, "NC Counts Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to building a healthy, just and equitable North Carolina through cross-sector partnerships that advance systemic solutions for communities facing systemic barriers, including BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+, low wealth, immigrant, and other communities."
SCA received $15,000 to assist in delivering equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to residents. The organization's efforts include making live calls, door canvassing, and conducting a social media campaign targeting those in census tracts with low vaccination rates. The goal is to increase the number of citizens in these areas vaccinated for COVID-19.
Service Delivery Area: Randolph, Montgomery and Richmond Counties
Expected Number to be served by SCA in 2021: 6,300 people
Project Objectives for 2021 are:
1. Conduct COVID-19 education, outreach, and engagement activities with identified priority populations in the 3 county service areas. This includes live calls, door canvassing, social media campaigns targeting priority census tracts, awareness events at local community centers to encourage residents to take advantage of the free vaccines being offered under COVID-19, and distribution of COVID-19 flyers.
2. Develop a plan for delivering equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine for all those residing in the service area with a particular focus on low-income families who may struggle with transportation issues.
3. Identify opportunities for increasing public awareness about COVID-19. This includes developing partnerships with health care providers and other community organizations to increase awareness about the free vaccines being made available on a voluntary basis and the distribution of COVID-19 media alerts.
Contact Person: Sherri Allgood, Executive Director at sandhillscooperation@gmail.com