Press Release
Public Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Health Equity Coalition Announces Additional Mini Grant Recipients

Kittitas County, WA - 11/17/2022 - The COVID-19 Health Equity Coalition (CHEC) is pleased to announce additional mini grant recipients through the COVID-19 Rural Health Equity grant. The additional recipients are the Kittitas County Health Network, Quiet Cadence, and Comprehensive Healthcare. The additional grant awards range around $25,000 each for projects to support broad efforts in supporting COVID-19 recovery and advancing health equity for high-risk or underserved populations.

Five agencies were awarded funding by the CHEC in the first round:

• APOYO Food Bank
• Ellensburg School District
• Gallery One Visual Arts Center
• Kittitas County Early Learning Coalition
• Thorp School District

 
The next round of mini grants will start December 1, 2022, with a focus on wellbeing and resiliency support. Additional mini grants were possible due to additional funds remaining within the COVID-19 Rural Health Equity grant.  The three agencies had previously applied but did not receive first round funding.  “We are excited to be able to offer these additional mini grants,” states Health Promotion Specialist Cambron Walker, who facilitates the CHEC on behalf of KCPHD.
 
Grant recipients were selected by the CHEC. The coalition was formed in January 2022 through the COVID-19 Rural Health Equity grant awarded to the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).  The goal of the coalition is to advance health equity in Kittitas County and work collaboratively to reduce COVID-19 related health disparities among rural and underserved populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health equity is achieved when every person can attain his or her full health potential.  Health inequities are reflected in differences in length of life, quality of life, rates of disease, disability, death, severity of disease, and access to treatment.
 
For more information about CHEC and health equity, please visit the Kittitas County Public Health Department website at www.co.kittitas.wa.us/health or call 509-962-7515.
 

• COVID-19 Health Equity Coalition Announces Additional Mini Grant Recipients.pdf

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515