The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will be soon investing millions of dollars to community-based organizations, to improve access and awareness related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Monday DHS officials announced they will be offering over 6 million dollars in grants to organizations that work directly with communities, that have faced both historical and current barriers to healthcare services. The move, in particular, is designed to help organizations that work to reduce socioeconomic or health inequities across the state of Wisconsin.
"By investing in trusted organizations to engage in strategic outreach, coordination and vaccine education for racially and geographically diverse populations, we are better able to protect our communities that have been hit hardest by COVID-19," said Governor Tony Evers.
DHS officials have stated this effort could help communities of color, where there are higher rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths related to the disease.
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UPDATE - APPLETON, Wis (NBC 26) -- According to the Department of Health Services, nearly one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people in the state of Wisconsin. DHS also notes that 12 percent of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 40-percent of people who are 65 or older.
But despite the progress made, state and local healthcare leaders say there is still more to be done, especially in terms of non-white people getting vaccinated.
It's on the minds of many, when will it be my turn to get vaccinated and how do I go about the process? Experts say, not everyone knows where to go or even how to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine.
"From my experience, especially for the elderly, they are very confused about who to listen to and who to believe," says Long Vue the Executive Director of (WUCMAA) the Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Association.
Vue helps people in the Appleton region who are Hmong connect with the resources they need to thrive. Today much of that effort is focused on letting community members know, that COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available and they are safe.
"If the message comes from their leaders or from the people that they believe, most likely they will believe."
Just this week DHS announced they will be offering non-profits like Vues more than 6-million dollars in grants so that they can provide resources to their community, to help get people signed up to receive a COVID vaccine.
"I'm pleased to see they are putting dollars towards that effort to support that," says Kurt Eggebrecht a Public Health Officer with the city of Appleton.
Eggebrecht says at the Fox Cities COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic they are also focusing on getting non-white folks vaccinated, who are over the age of 65.
"We are using our network of non-profits and other groups that work with different populations to help let them know about this. That it's a safe and welcoming place to come."
An effort from healthcare leaders is happening on a local and statewide scale right now to make sure everyone, is on a level playing field.
"Statewide I think it's a very important process that we do and locally I think it is as well," says Eggebrecht.
"We want to make sure we get the right message out there and the correct information," adds Vue.
To check out when the Fox Cities COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic is taking appointments next, frequent their website here for availability when it becomes an opportunity.
For more information regarding grants for non-profits from DHS, click here.
