[DOH Community Collaborative] Legislative updates, Funding Opportunities, and More

Legislative Updates

The 2024 legislative session was a short 60-day session but there are many new laws that impact public health, including those that: address the fentanyl crisis, promote a healthy environment and improve worker protections, expand behavioral health capacity and access, curb gun violence, and more.

Washington legislators also passed HB 1541, known as the "Nothing About Us Without Us” Act, marking a monumental stride towards inclusivity and representation for marginalized communities. Governor Inslee signed the bill into law on March 26, 2024.

Review a list of bills and operating budget items impacting the Department of Health that passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Governor Inslee signs the “Nothing About Us Without Us” Act into law with community members attending.

Funding Opportunities

Submissions are now open to select the state’s Tribal or Urban Native community for the Health Equity Zones Initiative. Tribal and Urban Native communities from across Washington are encouraged to apply by May 22.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a list of new grants.  A few we want to highlight for the Collaborative include:

• BJA FY24 Improving Adult and Youth Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Program, Closing Date April 25, 2024
• OJJDP FY24 National Mentoring Programs, Closing Date April 29, 2024
• JA FY24 Improving Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Outcomes for Adults in Reentry, Closing Date May 6, 2024
• BJA FY24 Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crime, Closing Date June 11, 2024

The Washington State Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2025-27 Youth Recreational Facilities grant program, which will provide capital support to Tribes, community-based organizations and nonprofits for community and social service facilities. Closing Date May 28, 2024.

DOH Grants Announced

Nine programs are receiving $574,000 to create community-led prevention initiatives that support youth mental health, well-being, and resilience.

DOH will distribute $1.5 million to organizations serving communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 as part of its Building Community Capacity for Equitable COVID Recovery.

Community Input Desired

The Washington State Department of Health is updating the State Suicide Prevention Plan. If you represent one of these communities and are interested in joining a 75-minute focus group, please register here:

• Veterans: Monday, April 8, 3:00 -- 4:15 p.m.
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) people: Thursday, April 4, 3:00 -- 4:15 p.m. or Tuesday, April 9, 10:00 -- 11:15 a.m.
• Youth (ages 18-24): Friday, April 5, 1:30 -- 2:45 p.m. or Tuesday, April 9, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Agricultural workers: Wednesday, April 10, 11:30 -- 12:45 p.m.
• Law enforcement and first responders: Thursday, April 4, 1:00 -- 2:15 p.m. or Wednesday, April 10, 2:00 -- 3:15 p.m.
• People with lived experience: Tuesday, April 9, 2:30 -- 3:45 p.m.

In Case You Missed it

DOH has developed a Rural Health Workforce resource that includes insights from educational facilities, community organizations, and policy and government leaders.

Crosscut’s Hidden Barriers Series covers the stakeholders attempting to change bias, prejudice, and discrimination in our health care systems.

Michael B. Bailey of Compass Housing Alliance and the Washington Medical Commission is this month’s DOH Public Health Spotlight.

Community Events

The Care-a-Van mobile health clinic is out and about through May. Check out the event list and sort by county to find out if they are coming to a location near you.

On April 6 in Seattle join NAAM and Public Health Community Health Services for the Community Health and Resource Fair.

Know of a community event or news we should highlight?  Please email us.

NOTE:  We are working to find balance in the benefits and costs associated with translation. If you would like to share this or any part of this newsletter in another language, please email Community.Collaborative@doh.wa.gov and we will work with you to translate into the language(s) needed.

Estamos trabajando para encontrar un equilibrio entre los beneficios y costos asociados con la traducción. Si desea compartir esto o alguna parte de estos materiales en Español, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a Community.Collaborative@doh.wa.gov y trabajaremos con juntos con usted para traducir.

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Updates/Information

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