The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in partnership with the African Career, Education & Resources (ACER) Inc. and the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH), is now accepting new applications for the COVID-19 Trusted Messenger Program. Organizations can apply through an online survey: COVID-19 Trusted Messengers Vaccine Program Application. The deadline to apply is February 28. The grants for new Trusted Messenger organizations will run from March to December 2022.
Trusted Messenger grantees receive funding from ACER to support vaccine peer education and outreach activities, training from MDH on vaccine safety and efficacy and motivational interviewing techniques, and ongoing support from MDH, ACER, MICAH, and their fellow grantees on how to respond to the latest information about COVID-19 variants, boosters and vaccine eligibility, and overcoming misinformation and other barriers to vaccination. Questions about the program can be sent to Josh Leopold (josh.leopold.c19@state.mn.us) and Sue Watlov Phillips (sue@micah.org).
Join the weekly provider webinar tomorrow from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to learn more about the Trusted Messenger program, hear an update on the Minnesota Shelter Emergency Staffing Pool, and ask any questions you have. If you have any questions about your registration, please email Elizabeth Dressel.
As we have shared over the past few weeks, there are several ongoing resources to support settings and you continue to respond to COVID-19 cases.
-
Shelter Outbreak Response Fund (FRF-Shelter) from the DHS Office of Economic Opportunity continues to be available to support rapid responses to outbreaks in shelters and other temporary congregate settings for people experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. The survey to request funding can be found on the Heading Home Alliance website. Answers to frequently asked questions and additional information can be found on the funding page on Heading Home Alliance.
-
The Minnesota Shelter Emergency Staffing Pool provides temporary staff to congregate settings serving people experiencing homelessness or domestic violence to support settings through acute COVID-19 related staffing challenges. This is a free resource and does not require eligible settings to cover any of the costs of the temporary staff and there are staff ready to deploy. Congregate settings who serve people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence are experiencing staffing impacts from a COVID-19 outbreak are eligible to apply. Learn more about the program and apply online here. If you have questions, please reach out to Naomi Zuk-Fisher, ServeMN consultant and Minnesota Shelter Emergency Staffing Pool lead.
-
The American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC) is continuing its COVID-19 vaccination incentives and education for people experiencing homelessness. Organizations can apply to use these funds for a variety of activities including cash incentives, gift cards, raffles, food, the production of marketing and educational materials, and covering staff time related to COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Applicants should show how they will use these funds to directly support getting shots into arms. The funds can be used for first shots, second shots, or boosters and they can be combined with other vaccine incentives from other funding sources. Organizations can apply for these funds through this online survey. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis while funds are available. Funding decisions will be made within 2-weeks of proposal submission. All funds must be expended by June 30th, 2023. If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Josh Leopold (josh.leopold.c19@state.mn.us) or Mike Goze (mgoze@aicdc-mn.org).
The next conversation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and the discussion topic is recruiting staff during COVID. The peer to peer conversations are an opportunity for providers to ask questions to peers, hear what their peers are doing, and support one another. The conversation topics are open and guided by those who join. Monthly peer-to-peer conversations will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of each month from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in 2022 and the group will determine a discussion topic each month. You can join the Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer or mobile device, or for audio only call, 651-395-7448 and enter conference ID 979281139. You do not need to register. If you have any technical questions or trouble joining the meeting, please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us.
-
Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Behavioral Health Division is seeking to provide supportive services for people with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who are homeless or exiting institutions who have complex needs and face high barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing. Services provided will assist people to transition to and sustain Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) which meets the PSH Evidence-Based Practice fidelity standards. Proposals must also address one or more of the behavioral health priorities of program linkage, peer services, veterans, and equity. Find the RFP materials and additional information on DHS’ open grants and RFP website. Proposals are due on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. CT.
-
Minnesota Housing is seeking proposals from providers for up to $9 million to award Housing Stability Services funding through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program established by the American Rescue Plan of 2021. The Housing Stability Services funds may be used for two specific activities: eviction prevention services and housing navigation services. Direct assistance such as rent, utilities, or other housing related payments are not eligible expenses. Application materials are due on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CT. For application materials and more information on eligible entities and how to apply, visit Minnesota Housing’s website. Please email Michelle Doyal at mhfa.hss@state.mn.us, with any questions.
|
