BUREAU OF HEALTH EQUITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Large Wellness Program

Date of Issue: 04/21/23

Questions Due: 05/12/23 11:59PM

Question-and-Answer Document Posted : 05/19/23 

Due Date/Time: 06/30/23 11:59PM

I. Introduction

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Center for Community Health (CCH), Division of Family Health (DFH) and Health Research Inc (HRI) announce the availability of up to 30 awards of up to $250,000 each to support community-based projects in Rest of State (outside of New York City) to achieve outcomes for a project with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) entitled, National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities. CDC - COVID Disparities OT21 2103 - Partnerships - STLT Gateway.

• Strategy 1: Expand existing and/or develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) plans to invest resources to support traditional and nontraditional partners that are trusted by underserved, marginalized, under resourced, and rural communities in Rest of State (outside of New York City) by funding community-based organizations to engage their community in wellness activities and serve as credible messengers of COVID-19 public health information.

Funding is available for both rural (including community-based organizations, located within NYS, serving Nation members living on or off Nation territory) and non-rural organizations. Funding amount is up to $250,000 per organization. The funding must be used to support a community wellness project which applicant will describe when applying. This is a one-time funding opportunity. Organizations must choose either Chronic Disease Management OR Social Determinants of Health as their focus area and describe the work they can accomplish with the funding amount. Applicants can apply for more than one award in different focus areas or regions but only one award can be made per organization. Funding must be used by March 31, 2024. 

II.       Who May Apply 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Non-Profit Organizations, Rural Health Networks, Community Health Centers, Faith Based Organizations, community-based organizations, located within NYS, serving Nation members living on or off Nation territory, and other community-based organizations based in and serving Rest of State (counties outside of NYC) are eligible to apply. The majority of the work should be completed by the applicant organization. 

Organizations that are not deemed eligible for this funding opportunity include hospitals and county health departments.

The proposed project cannot include the provision of any clinical services. 

Organizations awarded through the following past, current, and future funding opportunities may be considered as a partner grassroots organization but cannot apply as the applicant organization.

• Small Wellness Award Mini Bid Cohorts 1 & 2
• Public Health Essentials Training and Development Mini Bid
• Risk Management: Responding to Public Health Emergencies RFP
• Equitable Procurement Consultant SOA
• Equitable Procurement Consultant Coordinator SOA 

Applicants must provide proof of a committed partnership with a grassroots organization through a letter of commitment. 

III.       Project Narrative/ Work Plan Outcomes

Chronic Diseases Management and Preventive Care

New York State recognizes the impact COVID-19 has had on marginalized, underserved, under resourced, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native, LGBTQ and Disabled and Rural communities, and their ability manage their chronic health conditions (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, etc.) Self-management programs that were designed to support individuals were limited and/or nonexistent during the pandemic. As chronic conditions are an underlying health condition of COVID-19, it is critical that once these programs get reinstated that culturally and linguistically appropriate COVID-19 Health Literacy information is shared with this population by a credible messenger.  Health literacy information about COVID-19 testing, quarantine guidelines, COVID-19 vaccine education, and information directing individuals to vaccine pop up clinics will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities. Meanwhile, evidence-based and evidence informed self-management programs will empower healthy lifestyle change in that same community.

• This grant will provide funding for community-based organizations in Rest of State (outside of New York City) to do two activities: 1. Expand existing or create new self-management programs for focus populations and 2. promote COVID-19 Health Literacy to the participants of these programs and the community at large through a trauma informed lens.

Self-Management programs should be evidenced based (or evidence informed), culturally competent programs (and/or 1:1 service) that promote and empower lifestyle change amongst participants diagnosed with a chronic condition. (ex. Diabetes Prevention, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Obesity Prevention Programs, etc.). The proposed project cannot include the provision of any clinical services.

Social Determinants of Health

The weight of social determinants of health in communities that are under resourced, underserved, marginalized and rural has also taken its toll on the health and well-being of New Yorkers throughout the pandemic. Children have lost their parents due to the deadly disease, and have been forced into placement, or have stepped up as head of household to prevent siblings from entering the foster care system. Individuals suffered from food insecurity, loss of employment and housing. When your basic needs are unmet, and racist policies such as redlining, treatments, and vaccine trials contribute to discriminatory practices, and unfair treatment, it is hard to think about access to preventive care and mental health services.  

During the pandemic, communities across the New York State have mobilized both formally and informally to bring food into food deserted communities, provide education around eviction, moratoriums, and affordable housing, and empower individuals to seek access to services where they can be seen, heard, and understood. COVID-19 put residents living in multi-unit, overcrowded housing, and the essential workforce at high risk due to increased exposure where they live, work, and play.

• This grant will provide funding for community-based organizations in Rest of State (Outside of New York City) to do two activities: 1) enhance existing or develop new programs that address social determinants of health for focus populations and 2) promote COVID-19 Health Literacy to the participants of these programs and the community at large through a trauma informed lens. 

Programs may be group or 1:1 services that reduce the burden of social determinants of health, increase activities of daily living, and promote healthy lifestyle change. (ex. financial literacy, housing navigation, healthy cooking classes, pop up playgrounds and wellness or recreation programs, violence prevention, etc.). The proposed project cannot include the provision of any clinical services.

Focus Populations

• Alaska Native
• American Indian
• Asian
• Black or African American
• Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx
• Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders
• People living in rural areas
• People experiencing poverty
• People experiencing homelessness
• People who are incarcerated
• People living in other congregate housing
• People with disabilities
• Adults aged 65+
• People with substance use disorders
• Non-U.S. born persons
• Religious minority
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons
• Adults aged 65 and over
• Youth and young adults
• People experiencing mental illness
• Essential Workforce

Proposed work must focus on at least one of the focus populations above. You may choose up to five focus populations.

Communities of Focus 

The following counties have been identified as our communities of focus throughout Rest of State (outside of New York City): Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Clinton, Erie, Franklin, Herkimer, Jefferson, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, and Yates. These counties have a combined .50% and above on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index, Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index, and COVID-19 Pandemic Vulnerability Index. These communities show significant health disparities amongst the focus population, significant infection rate of transmissible COVID-19 cases, and low vaccine uptick. Applications are not limited to these communities, but strongly encouraged. 

All communities are welcome to apply. Funding will prioritize Communities of Focus. Priority will also be given to organizations who have not received funding from NYSDOH/HRI in the past and Rural Health Organizations. 

Rural Communities

The CDC recognizes that rural communities face unique challenges that contribute to disparities and has designated funding to support COVID-19 mitigation strategies through a rural carveout. Click here to see the list of HRSA designated rural counties that serve as a basis for the rural carveout.

Grassroots Partner

Applicant organizations must propose to partner with a grassroots organization in their community catchment area whose work aligns with the applicant’s proposed project. At least $75,000 of the $250,000 must be allocated to the partner grassroot organization to assist in reaching individuals in the focus population for the proposed community wellness project. 

For the purpose of this grant, a grassroots organization is considered an organization headquartered in the local community where it provides services; has a social services budget of $500,000 or less annually, and six or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Local affiliates of national organizations are not considered grassroots organizations.

Scope of Work

Ability to Report

Awardees must be able to provide the following information for program evaluation purposes:

• How many people did your project serve?
• In which settings did you project take place?
• How well did you reach the focus population(s) that you selected for this project?  
• What are the preferred languages of the people your project served?
• What are the races and ethnicities of the people your project served?
• Which counties and zip codes did your project serve?
• How many collaborative partners helped you implement your project? How many of these were new or expanded partnerships? How was the grassroots partner involved in implementing the project? 
• What successes and challenges emerged while implementing your project, including promoting COVID-19 health literacy?
• What are your plans, if any, to continue your project after this grant ends?

Additional Information

• Applicant must partner with a nontraditional community-based or grassroots organization in their community catchment area whose work aligns with the applicant’s proposed project.
• Funded applicants must have a SAM.gov UEI number. Successful applicants will be expected to enter into a contractual agreement with HRI.
• If applicant is already receiving funding for similar work, they must show how this new funding would be used for work that is distinct from existing efforts.  
• Funding may be used to expand program to cover additional populations, geographic areas, additional chronic diseases etc.   
• Applicant must have experience working directly with the populations they will serve, a knowledge of the challenges of that community and the capacity to plan and conduct the trainings and activities. 
• Awards may cover facility use, supplies for the program, facilitator, planning, marketing, and communications, participant incentives, etc.  
• Preference will be given to organizations that have a history of empowering the focus population in health promotion, and community resilience activities.
• Clinical supplies and food are not an allowable expense. 

Please note that prior to submitting the application you will need to register and create an account in SM Apply©. A link will then be sent to your email for verification. This allows us to contact you properly following submission.

IV.      Administrative Requirements

A.       Issuing Agency

This RFA is issued by Health Research, Inc. (HRI) and the NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH) Center for Community Health/Division of Family Health / Bureau of Health Equity and Community Engagement / COVID-19 Health Disparities Program with funding provided by CDC. HRI/NYS DOH are responsible for the requirements specified herein and for the evaluation of all applications.

B.  Question and Answer Phase:

All substantive questions must be submitted to: Samantha Cassidy at covidhdp@health.ny.gov

To the degree possible, each inquiry should cite the RFA section and paragraph to which it refers. Written questions will be accepted until the date posted on the cover of this RFA.

Questions of a technical nature can be addressed in writing to Samantha Cassidy at covidhdp@health.ny.gov. Questions are of a technical nature if they are limited to how to prepare the application (e.g., formatting) rather than relating to the substance of the application.

Prospective applicants should note that all clarification and exceptions, including those relating to the terms and conditions of the contract, are to be raised prior to the submission of an application. 

This RFA has been posted on HRI’s public website at: 

http://www.healthresearch.org/funding-opportunities. Questions and answers, as well as any updates and/or modifications, will also be posted on HRI’s website. All such updates will be posted by the date identified on the cover sheet of this RFA.

C.       How to file an application

Applications must be received in SM Apply© by the date and time posted on the cover sheet of this RFA. Late applications will not be accepted.*

Applications will not be accepted via fax or e-mail.

*It is the applicant’s responsibility to see that applications are submitted in SM Apply© prior to the date and time specified above. Late applications due to documentable delay by the carrier may be considered at HRI’s discretion.

V.       Completing the Application

A.       Application Content

A guide to completing the application in SM Apply© can be found on the HRI Funding Opportunities page.

Please respond to each of the sections described below when completing the SM Apply© online application. Your responses comprise your application. Please respond to all items within each section. When responding to the statements and questions, be mindful that application reviewers may not be familiar with the agency and its services. Therefore, answers should be specific, succinct, and responsive to the statements and questions as outlined. 

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials included in the application have been properly prepared and submitted. Applications must be submitted via the SM Apply© by the date and time posted on the cover of this RFA. 

The value assigned to each section is an indication of the relative weight that will be given when scoring your application. 

Applications meeting the guidelines set forth above will be reviewed and evaluated competitively by the NYSDOH DFH. Applications whose applicant agencies do not meet eligibility requirements will not be reviewed. Applications failing to provide all response requirements or failing to follow the prescribed format may be removed from consideration, or points may be deducted. 

Program Specific Questions

1. Focus Community (5 points) 

1. 01) What focus population(s) does the organization intend to serve? Proposed project must focus on at least one of the focus populations. You may choose up to 5 focus populations. (not scored)

• Alaska Native
• American Indian
• Asian
• Black or African American
• Hispanic, Latino or Latinx
• Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders
• People living in rural areas
• People experiencing homelessness
• People with disabilities
• People with substance use disorders
• Non-U.S. born persons
• Religious minority
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons
• Adults aged 65 and over
• Essential Workforce

1. 02) Please select the county or counties your program will serve. Check all that apply. 

Applicants proposing to serve at least one of the following counties, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Franklin, Herkimer, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, and Yates will receive two points. Applicants proposing to serve at least one of the following counties will receive three points: Jefferson, Oswego, Putnam, Schuyler, Tompkins. (3 points) 

1. 03) Are you proposing to serve any rural county or counties? (unscored)

1. 04) Is the applicant organization a Rural Health Network? Applicants that respond “Yes” will receive two points. (2 points) 

2. Applicant Organization (30 points) 

2. 01) Has the organization contracted with or received funding from NYSDOH or HRI? (not scored) 

2. 02) Describe the organization’s mission, including alignment with serving marginalized, underserved, or under resourced communities throughout Rest of State (NYS counties outside of NYC) (5 points)

2. 03) Describe the organization’s experience working directly with the chosen focus population(s). Include examples and number of years. (5 points)

2. 04) Describe the organization’s experience planning and implementing programs/projects with the chosen focus population(s). Include examples and number of years. (5 points)

2. 05) Describe the organization’s previous experience partnering with grassroots organizations, including number of years. Include examples. (5 points)

2. 06) Name the grassroots organization that the applicant will allocate at least $75,000. Provide a clear description how the organization will work with the partner grassroots organization to complete the proposed project. (5 points)

2. 07) Upload letter of commitment from someone in a leadership position of the partner grassroots organization named in question 206. (5 points) The letter must include a clear description of: 

• What their contribution to the large wellness project will be
• Description of the grassroots organization’s experience working directly with the chosen focus population(s). Include examples and number of years. 
• How they will assist in reaching the chosen focus community for the wellness project
• Description of the organization’s readiness to start work and ability to complete proposed work in the short time frame.

3.  Program Summary (35 points) 

3. 01) Is the organization proposing a Social Determinants of Health or Chronic Disease Management project? (not scored)

3. 02) Describe the development, delivery, and assessment of a proposed community wellness project the organization can accomplish with $250,000, inclusive of at least $75,000 to allocate to a partner grassroots organization. 

Note: For Chronic Diseases Management and Preventive Care, the proposed project must include expanding existing or creating new self-management programs for their focus populations. 

Note: For Social Determinants of Health, the proposed project must include enhancing existing or developing new programs that address social determinants of health for their focus populations. 20 points)

3. 03) Describe how the proposed community wellness project will incorporate promotion of COVID-19 Health Literacy to the participants of project and the community at large through a trauma-informed lens. (5 points) 

3. 04) Describe how the proposed project is distinct from existing efforts and will build upon the organization’s existing efforts. (5 points) 

3. 05) The time frame to complete projects under this funding is approximately 9 months. Describe the organization’s readiness to start work and ability to complete proposed work in this time frame. (5 points)

4. Statement of Need (10 points) 

4. 01) Describe factors that were considered in determining a need for the proposed project, including the needs of the community proposed to serve, and the particular health disparities or risk factors experienced by the focus population(s). (5 points)

4. 02) Describe 2-3 activities, events, or projects of your proposed community wellness project. (5 points)

Note: For Chronic Diseases Management and Preventive Care, the proposed project must include expanding existing or creating new self-management programs for their focus populations. 

Note: For Social Determinants of Health, the proposed project must include enhancing existing or developing new programs that address social determinants of health for their focus populations. 

5. Budget and Justification (20 points)

Applicants are instructed to complete a budget for one contract cycle from August 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 using the Budget Form Excel template. All costs must be consistent with the scope of services, reasonable, and cost effective. Any ineligible budget items will be removed from the budget prior to contracting. The budget amount requested will be reduced to reflect the removal of the ineligible items. No direct health care services will be funded by this program. Justification for each cost should be submitted in narrative form on the budget. For all existing staff, the Budget Justification must delineate how the percentage of time devoted to this initiative has been determined. Indirect costs, applied as a percentage to the budget, cannot exceed 10% Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) THIS FUNDING MAY ONLY BE USED TO EXPAND EXISTING ACTIVITIES OR CREATE NEW ACTIVITIES PURSUANT TO THIS RFA. THESE FUNDS MAY NOT BE USED TO SUPPLANT FUNDS FOR CURRENTLY EXISTING STAFF. 

Applicants must show that $75,000 will be allocated to the named partner grassroots organization and provide a budget for the grassroots organization on the contractual agreement page of the budget form.

5. 01) Complete and upload a budget in SM Apply© assuming a August 1, 2023 start date and March 31, 2024 end date using the Budget Form Excel file. (5 points) 

5. 02) Applicants must include an allocation of at least $75,000 to the named partner grassroots organization by completing a budget for the grassroots organization on the subcontract tab of the budget form. (5 points) 

5. 03) Applicants should detail all Personal Services expenses for the program related to this project, including a brief description of duties supported by this contract.(5 points) 

5. 04) Detail all expenses on the Supplies, Travel, and Equipment, Miscellaneous, and Subcontracts and Admin tabs on the Budget Form Excel file reflect the Scope of Work. Administrative costs (capped at 10% MTDC) should be in line-item detail; lump sum administrative costs or rates will not be considered. NYSDOH/HRI may require a reduction in administrative costs for funded applicants if costs are not justified. (5 points) 

1. Application Format

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST CONFORM TO THE FORMAT PRESCRIBED BELOW. POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM APPLICATIONS WHICH DEVIATE FROM THE PRESCRIBED FORMAT. 

The value assigned to each section is an indication of the relative weight that will be given when scoring your application. 

1. Focus Community          (Maximum Score: 5)

2. Applicant Organization   (Maximum Score: 30 points)

3. Program Summary         (Maximum Score: 35 points)

4. Statement of Need        (Maximum Score: 10 points)

5. Budget and Justification (Maximum Score: 20 points)

C.       Review Process

Applications meeting the eligibility requirements and guidelines set forth above will be reviewed and evaluated competitively by a panel convened by the NYSDOH Center for Community Health / Division of Family Health / Bureau of Health Equity and Community Engagement / COVID-19 Health Disparities Program using an objective rating system reflective of the required items specified for each component. 

In the event of a tie score, preference will be given to the bidder with the highest score for Section 3 Program Summary Question 3. 02.

Applications failing to provide all response requirements or failing to follow the prescribed format may be removed from consideration or points may be deducted.

If changes in funding amounts are necessary for this initiative, funding will be modified and awarded in the same manner as outlined in the award process described above.