Tallahassee Sun

Leon County issued the following announcement on Sept. 10.

WHO:	Tallahassee-Leon County Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Task Force, Leon County Government and the City of Tallahassee
WHAT:	Community and Faith-Based Outreach Grant Program
WHEN:	Awardees Announced Now

After committee review and discussion, 10 local organizations have been awarded up to $5,000 each in the second round of grant funding to support programs designed to educate and engage minority communities about the COVID-19 vaccine. Administered by the Tallahassee-Leon County Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Task Force (the Task Force) with funding support from Leon County Government and the City of Tallahassee, proposed programs will decrease vaccine hesitancy and increase access to vaccinations and public health advocates. 

“The first round of the Task Force’s mini-grants was overwhelmingly successful in empowering trusted local voices and organizations to engage and educate citizens all throughout the County on the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Elaine Bryant, CEO of EW Bryant Associates and local leader of the Task Force. “This second round of mini-grants is part of an ongoing effort to engage community leaders and build trust in the vaccine.” 

The second round of mini-grants builds upon the success of the initial 25 local organizations that were awarded up to $2,500 each in April of this year. In total, the Task Force has awarded more than $110,000 to increase vaccine access and decrease vaccine hesitancy among minority communities. Organizations include nonprofits and faith- and community-based organizations known throughout the communities they serve as trusted voices and trusted places.  Below is a list of all organizations awarded grants in the second round of funding by the Task Force with financial support from Leon County Government and the City of Tallahassee. With limited funds, not all applicants could be funded. 

Task Force Mini-Grant Awardees 

• ALARM International Church 
• AHEC Scholars of Big Bend Area Health & Education Center
• Brain Building Consulting
• Creative Minds Solutions, Inc.
• Dream Builders Greatness Family Affairs
• Female Voices Early Intervention and Enhancement Program, Inc.
• NAACP Tallahassee
• Mount Olive Housing and Community Development Corporation
• Pivotal Point Enterprises, Inc.
• Victory House Community Resource Center

Proposed activities and events range from the production and release of targeted public health messages regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, to festivals and community events focused on addressing vaccine hesitancy, and virtual educational and awareness events led by members of our community, including faith-based organizations. 

All supported projects must be completed by Sunday, October 31, 2021.  

"I am beyond excited,” said grant recipient Keshia Jenkins with Brain Building Consulting. “This mini-grant will aid parents and providers in coming together to bring vaccinations in a way that doesn’t disrupt their daily routines!”

The Tallahassee-Leon County Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Task Force was formed to better mobilize black churches, community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers and other stakeholders across the county to work collaboratively towards the goals of reducing vaccine hesitancy in minority communities and ensuring access to vaccination information. 

While more events are being planned and announced, the educational outreach coordinated by the Task Force has directly reached more than 26,000 households and led to the vaccination of nearly 5,000 people at pop-up vaccination clinics. For more details on upcoming events, go to LeonCountyFL.gov/EI. 

Original source can be found here.