City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 7, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DR. DAVID C. ROSE, DIRECTOR, ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the National Council of Aging to Address the Needs of Older Adults to Receive COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccinations.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the National Council of Aging to focus on addressing needs of older adults to receive COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccinations.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve the submission of a grant application to the National Council of Aging for $150,000; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: With support from the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living, the National Council on Aging is soliciting applications from eligible entities, including local health departments, across the country to fund projects that increase the number of older adults and people with disabilities from underserved communities (racial, ethnic, religious, and/or gender minorities, as those impacted by poverty) receiving COVID-19 and Influenza vaccinations. Applications are being accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis, through March 1, 2023, or until funding is exhausted. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for an approximately 12-month project period, which may begin any time after January 1, 2023, and close as late as April 15, 2024. The maximum amount that may be awarded for Tier 1 Community Action Grants (county, city, jurisdictional) is $150,000 per entity. This will be the first time that the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) has applied for this funding opportunity.
DISCUSSION: If funded, the Alexandria Health Department, as the main applicant, will build upon its strong outreach efforts and collaborations with organizations working with older adult residents in Alexandria. AHD will partner with the Senior Services of Alexandria in using a diversified strategy (phone outreach, flyer distribution, social media, and ambassador peer network) to reach seniors throughout the city with information about flu and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, including the most current recommendations and any vaccination clinics or events. Neighborhood Health will receive support to offer vaccines in city census tracts where they are most needed, as identified through AHD health informatic activity. AHD, Senior Services and Neighborhood Health will perform a combination of the following eligible activities:
1. Hosting community COVID-19 and influenza vaccination clinics.
2. Providing in-home vaccinations.
3. Arranging or providing accessible transportation to vaccination sites.
4. Conducting outreach, education, and decision support to older adults regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
5. Disseminating credible information about COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, and direct older adults with questions to additional sources of information.
6. Identifying people who may experience barriers to getting COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, including those who are unable to independently travel to a vaccination site, or who require language, personal assistance, or other supports.
7. Helping schedule COVID-19 and influenza vaccination appointments.
8. Providing personal support (e.g., peer support) to older adults in support of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
9. Providing referral services in support of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant, if awarded, will provide up to $150,000 to support the needs of older adults in Alexandria. There is no required match from the City.
STAFF:
Kendel Taylor, Interim Deputy City Manager
Natalie Talis, Population Health Manager
Karen Bailey, Outreach Coordinator
Sean Kolaskar, Public Health Informatics Specialist
Eve Elliott, Communications Officer
Antonio Cuadros, Fiscal Officer