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August 3, 2022

The Equity Scoop

A newsletter for Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs) brought to you by the Technical Assistance (TA) Team, Office of Health Equity, CDPH, every first Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to The Equity Scoop!

Kern County Spotlight: The Public Health Pipeline Project

Kern County Team pictured from left to right: Sharene Yonan, MPH – Project Specialist; Jasmine Ochoa, MPH – Health Equity Officer; Jessica Jaime – Intern; Maggie Vasquez, MPA – Health Equity Coordinator.

The Public Health Pipeline Project was formed by the Kern County Public Health Services Department in partnership with Cal State University, Bakersfield's School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering division for their Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree program. The goal of this project is to expose students to the diverse workforce in the Public Health Services Department, while building their experience in the public health field to prepare them for career opportunities upon graduation. They aim to support Kern County students and inspire them to make change in the communities they have grown up in; to create opportunities for their families, neighbors, and friends.

“Building this project in partnership with CSUB was lengthy but well worth it!”

Through the recruitment process, they looked for students with interest in working with diverse communities and ready to apply the values learned in their program towards the health equity work the department is building.

“We are excited to work together and have fun building relationships with our communities!”

For more information about Kern County’s Public Health Pipeline Project, please contact Jasmine Ochoa at ochoaja@kerncounty.com or visit www.kernpublichealth.com

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the efforts of Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs) in protecting community members of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination. This year, NIAM serves as an important reminder to catch up on routine visits and ALL vaccinations that may have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But COVID-19 isn't over either. LHJs play a critical role in helping vaccine recipients understand the importance of vaccination and that COVID-19 vaccines (and beyond) are safe and effective. The Talking to Recipients about COVID-19 Vaccination toolkit provides resources to help share clear and accurate information on COVID-19 vaccines and address common questions and concerns.

The Baseline Organizational Assessment for Equity Infrastructure Results Report is Here!

The Technical Assistance (TA) team is excited to share the Results Report for the Baseline Organizational Assessment for Equity Infrastructure. Data was analyzed and showcased in the report with a statewide and regional lens. Results from this baseline assessment will be used as part of a statewide process to understand local public health equity capacity, identify priorities for technical assistance, and inform the State Health Equity Plan (SHEP).

The TA team will be offering 1:1 consultations to LHJs who would like to review and discuss their assessment results and next steps. Click on the corresponding region below to book a consultation with the appropriate TA Specialist:

Northern California Region

Greater Sacramento Region

San Joaquin Valley Region

Bay Area Region

Southern California Region

Latest News & Program Reminders

August 3, 2022:

State Health Equity Plan (SHEP) Survey DUE

Please complete the feedback survey and submit one response per LHJ by Wednesday, August 3rd.

August 10, 2022:

Technical Assistance Menu of Services Launching Webinar

The Technical Assistance Team will be hosting a webinar to present our TA Menu of Services available to all 61 LHJs at an individual, regional, and statewide level. Register on Zoom.

August 9, 2022:

People Experiencing Homelessness TA Office Hours

Join us as CDPH’s People Experiencing Homelessness Equity Specialists discuss their current work and how they can support LHJs around housing and homelessness. Office Hours will be held from 12:30-1:30pm. Join the meeting on Teams.

August 31, 2022:

Application Deadline for Funding Opportunity: Modernized Anti-Racist Data Ecosystems (MADE) for Health Justice

Modernized Anti-Racist Data Ecosystems (MADE) for Health Justice is a grant opportunity that seeks to accelerate the development of health-focused local data ecosystems that center principles of anti-racism, equity, justice, and community power. Visit MADE for Health Justice for more information.

Learn more about Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility by clicking on the FREE training below! Serving Diverse Communities: Building Cultural Competence and Humility into the Workplace

Report Launching The Public Health Alliance of Southern California recently released a report highlighting California’s local health department experiences during COVID-19. The report also contains policy, program, and resource recommendations to ensure that populations in vulnerable conditions are protected in future public health emergencies.

Grant Opportunities California State Library: Need additional funding and grant opportunities? Make sure to check out the California State Library’s electronic database!

Resources for Collaboration Human Impact Partners has a suite of resources intended to guide health departments and other government agencies and CBOs through the why and how to collaborate and share power.

To share an event, resource, job opportunity, or highlight a success story from your LHJ, please email us at EquityTeam@cdph.ca.gov by the 20th of the month to be featured in the newsletter.