Richmond, Henrico health districts look to fund more community programs to address health equity

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond and Henrico Health and fitness Districts (RHHD) received 51 nominations for the city’s Health Equity Fund soon after a week but are inquiring persons to set a lot more grassroots jobs and group courses up for thing to consider.

Richmond’s Health Fairness Fund was proven by the City Council previous 12 months with an initial financial investment of $5 million in federal coronavirus aid money to devote in local community-led initiatives and programs that request to tackle well being disparities through 2024.

“It’s truly enjoyable for us to see this system appear to daily life and to see nominations roll in,” Hannah Quigley, food stuff entry professional at RHHD, explained in a assertion Friday.

Nominees should really be capable to start out new jobs or increase ongoing attempts “to greater promote wellbeing equity and racial justice and deal with well being disparities in Richmond,” RHHD reported in a information release.

The City Council and Mayor Levar Stoney’s administration have described the disparity parts of target for the fund, which incorporate: COVID-19, psychological well being, substance use and restoration, maternal-boy or girl wellness, meals access and security, entry to care and health instruction, and fundamental disorders.

“We’ve tried to be intentional in developing a basic funding process that centers racial fairness and group voices in every single move of the process…we’ve observed some terrific tasks get nominated and are continuing to invite neighborhood users to aid us master about all the fantastic operate occurring in our communities,” Quigley additional.

Nominees are contacted by RHHD for more data about the project they want funding for and then the wellness districts’ local community advisory committee, produced up of folks with “relevant specialist or individual encounters with well being disparities,” evaluation the assignments.

Recipients and RHHD come together to build perform and funding ideas. RHHD introduced in early June that community corporations have currently been granted $230,000 in original investments from the fund.

Those people fascinated in placing ahead a nominee for Richmond’s Health and fitness Fairness Fund can do so online by way of July 28.