News Release
Dec. 16, 2021
The Texas Department of State Health Services, in
partnership with the Texas A&M University Health Science Center, has
awarded more than $8.6 million to local organizations across the state through
the Texas Vaccine Outreach and Education Grant Program. The program’s objective
is to fund COVID-19 outreach and education activities aimed at increasing the
number of fully vaccinated people in Texas.
“As our statewide COVID-19 vaccination efforts continue to show progress,
DSHS believes these grants will have an immediate effect in neighborhoods
across Texas,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory
and infectious disease services. “Local organizations are trusted sources of
information that can use their direct community connections to educate and help
those who may be hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Grant awards range from $40,000 to $210,000 for projects with a duration of
six to nine months. Awardees include a wide array of groups in the public,
private and nonprofit sectors including grassroots community-based
organizations, faith-based organizations, those who serve rural and immigrant
populations, university institutions and others.
“There was an overwhelming response
from interested community groups across the state, and we were extremely
pleased with the quality of the proposals submitted by an array of community
organizations,” said Olga Rodriguez, chief of staff and associate vice
president of Texas A&M Health. “These grants will make a huge difference in
addressing vaccine hesitancy in Texas.”
Priority was given to applicants focusing on outreach to rural communities,
Texans with disabilities and communities of color. Grantees’ outreach efforts
will cover 70% of the state with programs in 179 of the 254 counties in Texas.
DSHS will receive additional
funding for this program with plans to open a second round of grant
applications in early 2022. To learn more about the grant program and view a
comprehensive list of all grantees, please visit https://health.tamu.edu/vaccinegrant/round-1.html.
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(News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov)