ELC Funding for Local and Tribal Health Department COVID-19 Prevention and Response
This bulletin is being sent to local health officers, tribal health directors, and key DPH staff.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is pleased to provide further details on the previously announced award of $40 million in supplemental funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Enhancing Detection cooperative agreement. Base awards of $250,000 will be given to all local and tribal health departments (LTHDs), with the remaining amount allocated using a funding formula. The 2020 ELC Enhancing Detection Local Allocations spreadsheet can be found on the PCA Portal under the Administrative section of the COVID-19 Resources.
These funds will be available until November 15, 2022, and can be used to reimburse LTHDs for salary, fringe, and other expenses associated with their COVID-19 prevention and response efforts, including supplies and equipment. Although LTHDs can also use these funds to meet other objectives laid out in the ELC Enhancing Detection guidance, DHS encourages LTHDs to prioritize the use of this funding to increase their workforce and enhance our state’s capacity to response to COVID-19.
To facilitate increasing their workforce, LTHDs will be able to utilize the services of the Wisconsin COVID-19 Response Corps, a collaboration between DHS and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UW PHI). The Response Corps is a 21-month service and training program designed for a range of public health professionals and allied fields to provide direct response to this unprecedented global pandemic. Response Corps members (RCM) will be recruited and trained by the UW PHI, and placed at the LTHDs around Wisconsin who choose to host an RCM. The cost of hosting an RCM will be deducted from the participating LTHD’s funding allocation. Specifics, including RCM tiers and corresponding costs, are also included in the 2020 ELC Enhancing Detection COVID Corps Information document on the PCA Portal, using the link above.
To support LTHD’s planning for the utilization of this funding, DHS and UW PHI staff will hold open-forum information sessions. These sessions will provide additional details on this funding opportunity, including providing information about the Response Corps capabilities. The session schedule is as follows:
10/14: 9-10 AM https://dhswi.zoom.us/j/97253706544
10/16: 2-3 PM https://dhswi.zoom.us/j/98993028980
If you have questions, please contact us at DHSDPHELC@wi.gov.
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