Frequently Asked Questions

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Center for Disease Control Funding General Questions Implementation Action Areas Language Access Specific Community/Population Strategy CHILA

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Grant

What is the total budget of the grant?

The total award amount from the CDC is $22,886,119.

What did the OC Health Care Agency write in the CDC grant that we would do as a county?

Please refer to the one-page summary to be posted on the website, equityinoc.com.

Funding

Can multiple organizations apply for the grant if one organization is OC based?

For funding questions, please email EquityInOC@UnitedWayOC.org.

If my organization is leading a collaborative that focuses on a specific age group (teens in OC) that includes members of most of the special populations identified in the CDC Equity in OC grant, would that collaborative be eligible for funding, or must it focus on one of the special populations?

For funding questions, please email EquityInOC@UnitedWayOC.org.

What kind of organizations will receive CDC funding?

Non-public organizations and entities may apply for the funding opportunities administered through Orange County United Way: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

What kind of programs will be funded?

For information on funding opportunities, please refer to the Orange County United Way website, www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

Will fiscally sponsored or non-501(c)3 organizations be eligible?

Yes, they can be eligible. For information on funding opportunities, please refer to the Orange County United Way website: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

Will there be funding opportunities for cities?

Funding opportunities are available to nonprofit and community-based organizations from across Orange County to ensure equitable participation. Public agencies such as health systems, hospitals, managed care organizations, school districts, Orange County agencies, and other governmental agencies are not part of funding opportunities for this Initiative. For information on funding opportunities, please refer to the Orange County United Way website: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

Are all the grant/stipend funds coming solely from the CDC grant or is there other funding involved?

Yes, current funding is solely from the CDC grant. For information on funding opportunities, please refer to the Orange County United Way website: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

What is the timeframe for using the funding?

Funds must be fully utilized by May 2023. For information on funding opportunities, please refer to the Orange County United Way website: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

Can you further explain the link between the 3 activities and the grant dollars?

The Equity in OC Taskforce will select 3 priority action areas for submission of proposals under the Implementation Grants administered by the Orange County United Way. Please continue to visit the website for additional information on the Implementation Grants: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

When do you see the funds being released for grants?

Multiple funding opportunities will be available beginning February 2022 through May 2022. For further information please refer to the Orange County United Way website: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

How are the priorities determined for the Request for Application (RFA) and/or funding opportunities?

General Questions

How can we address institutionalized and systemic racism to achieve better health equity?

The first step is to gather and then collaborate. The Equity in OC Taskforce is a space where many different community members and organizations can gather, review and analyze data, learn, and share stories of resilience. Our hope is to collectively take action against systemic health inequities in Orange County.

How will more equitable health care in Orange County affect community college students?

Access to higher education is a Social Determinant of Health, and the health and wellness of community college students are important. Health equity affects everyone in Orange County in multiple ways, as systems such as health care and education are linked. Learn more by attending an Equity in OC Taskforce meeting or reviewing our website and materials: https://www.equityinoc.com

How can people easily find resources about Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and be guided to understand the resources they are looking at?

The Office of Population Health and Equity updates the Resources Page as needed. https://www.equityinoc.com/resources/tools

Additionally, please look at resources from the Public Health Alliance of Southern California. https://www.thepublichealthalliance.org/collaborative

Is the CDC grant available for review?

Yes, here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332034

What's the best way to connect you with other organizations who I think would be good participants in the taskforce or other activities?

Please email ophe@ochca.com to request a meeting, orientation, or send contact information.

How will this equity work address structural racism in Orange County?

Structural racism is one of the root causes of inequities in Orange County and beyond. One of the main values of the Equity in OC Initiative is centering and being an anti-racist initiative. Learn more by joining us at an Equity in OC Taskforce meeting and/or reviewing available resources at: equityinoc.com.

What are action areas and how were they developed for Orange County?

With data and support, the Equity in OC Taskforce will engage in a community facilitated process led by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The Taskforce will select 3 priority action areas for submission of proposals under the Implementation Grants administered by the Orange County United Way. Please continue to visit the website for additional information on the Implementation Grants, www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

How can I request an orientation?

Please email ophe@ochca.com to request an orientation.

Implementation Action Areas

What are action areas and how were they developed for Orange County?

With data and support, the Equity in OC Taskforce will engage in a community facilitated process led by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The Equity in OC Taskforce will select 3 priority action areas for submission of proposals under the Implementation Grants administered by the Orange County United Way. Please continue to visit the website for additional information on the Implementation Grants: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

How broad will the action areas be?

The breadth and/or detail of the 3 priority action areas will be determined by the Equity in OC Taskforce.

Will the taskforce and communities be involved with determining the priorities?

Yes, the 3 priority action areas will be determined by the Equity in OC Taskforce.

Will existing best practices to be utilized by Action Areas?

Yes, to the best fit, cost effectiveness and/or feasibility of a particular practice.

Language Access

Will presentations and materials be translated or interpreted?

Yes, presentations will have interpretation for Spanish, Vietnamese and American Sign Language and materials will be translated in Spanish and Vietnamese. Additional language interpretation and translation services are available as needed.

There are members from the Cambodian monolingual speaking community that would like to attend this meeting. I would like to request Khmer language interpretation.

The need for interpretation for Khmer has been identified through the registration process, and interpreters have been requested and scheduled for the first convening meeting.

Specific Community/Population

How is the Equity in OC Initiative involving Middle Eastern communities?

Communities are encouraged to participate in the Equity in OC Taskforce convening meetings and related activities.

It will be helpful to hear how those with disabilities are included.

The Population Collectives will build capacity across Orange County and sectors, in particular key population segments impacted by health inequities; this includes the collective for individuals with disabilities.

How do you ensure health equity with marginalized communities with specific communication challenges/barriers?

The Equity in OC Initiative will make available translated materials in requested languages.

How higher education can contribute to this effort - if there may be opportunities for graduate students to contribute.

Communities, including students and academic communities, are encouraged to participate in the Equity in OC Taskforce convening meetings and related activities.

Strategy

What stakeholder and community engagement strategies will be implemented?

Stakeholder and community engagement are two of the core pillars of the Equity in OC Initiative. We are committed to instituting community-informed and data-driven best practices and strategies to ensure and elevate community voices, stories, and narrative.

Taskforce

I assume I was supposed to register. Does this mean I am being asked to be on the Taskforce, or is this just a public event?

The Taskforce meetings are open to the public. However, to be a voting member, you must complete a Community Profile. Learn more by joining us at a Taskforce meeting and/or reviewing available resources at equityinoc.com

Will resources be shared in the Taskforce?

Yes, learn more by joining us at a Taskforce meeting and/or reviewing available resources at equityinoc.com

If my organization is leading a collaborative that focuses on a specific age group (ie. teens in OC) that includes members of most of the special populations identified in the CDC EiOC grant, would that collaborative be eligible for funding, or must it focus on one of the special populations?

For funding questions, please email EquityInOC@UnitedWayOC.org.

Could you clarify the roles and responsibilities of this Taskforce as it relates to OC Healthier Together?

OC Healthier Together (https://www.ochealthiertogether.org) is a separate initiative of the OC Health Care Agency, but its work complements and aligns with the work of the Equity in OC Taskforce.

Will an EiOC Taskforce participant list be published to know who is here or who is missing?

There are many community members and community-based organizations currently interested in joining the Equity in OC Taskforce. To protect individual privacy, there most likely will not be a participant list but rather a list of organizations and community members. During Taskforce meetings, there are opportunities for participants to get to know one another.

Can a delegate be made from my organization to authorize my voting power if I’m out of town?

Yes. More details on voting will be discussed at the March 2022 Taskforce meetings.

What kind of initiatives or decisions will the community partners be expected to vote on?

The Equity in OC Taskforce will be voting on the three Social Determinants of Health Action Areas for the Equity in OC Initiative. That is the most immediate and pressing decision as of now, but future voting needs will be added as needed.

Will addressing equity in education be allowed or considered as a possible activity area?

Yes, education is one of the areas under consideration. The Equity in OC Taskforce will collectively decide which three priority areas to focus on.

How will we receive access to the Partner Profile application?

It will be available on equityinoc.com and emailed via the Equity in OC email distribution list. To be added to our distribution list fill out the Constant Contact form.

What is the intended outcome of the convenings?

Initially, the expected outcome will be for the Taskforce to select 3 priority action areas for submission of proposals under the Implementation Grants administered by the Orange County United Way. Please continue to visit the website for additional information on the Implementation Grants: www.unitedwayoc.org/equityoc.

Who is invited to the convenings and collectives?

Community members residing in Orange County and/or community organizations serving the residents of Orange County.

Do you have a communication plan for the Taskforce meetings to make them more inclusive other than providing interpreters?

In addition to interpreters, the Equity in OC Initiative will make available translated materials in requested languages. Additional resources and notifications will also be available on the website, equityinoc.com.

How to become a member of the Equity in OC Taskforce?

Learn more by joining us at a Taskforce meeting and/or reviewing available resources at equityinoc.com.

What are the key decisions that need to be made, major (process) milestones we should work towards, and what will success look like in the short, near, and long-term?

How will the Equity in OC Taskforce ensure transparency in the decision-making process? What types of feedback loops will be in place to encourage information sharing and the two-way exchange of ideas?

The Equity in OC Taskforce is an open group. Any interested community member is encouraged to participate and be active in the taskforce decision-making process. Periodically, the Equity in OC Taskforce will hold open meetings for any community member to come and hear Equity in OC Taskforce and Initiative updates. The Equity in OC Taskforce will use evaluation forms at the end of convenings to get feedback from members about their experience.

What role will agencies play in the new structure at the OC Health Care Agency? As a member of the Chronic Disease and Diabetes HIP Workgroup, where do we fit in?

Communities including agencies are encouraged to participate in the Equity in OC Taskforce Convening meetings and related activities such as the Population Collectives.

Will a certificate be provided after the webinar?

No, there will be no certificate for attending the Equity in OC Taskforce Convening.

How big is the final Equity in OC Taskforce going to be?

To be determined.

CHILA

What is a CHILA? What makes it different from other workshops?

Community Health Improvement Leadership Academies (CHILAs) are dynamic, engaging, and empowering. Although there are practical components to creating a CHILA-like experience, there are elements that are ingrained throughout the entire process that set CHILAs apart from any other learning session. It is the embodiment of our shared core values and the infusion of Community of Solutions (i.e., Leading for Outcomes, Leading for Equity, Leading Together, Leading from Within, and Leading for Sustainability) skills into each learning session that give them a feel that is unmatched elsewhere. The CHILAs include several interconnected activities to ensure transformation and progress towards equity improvement goals.

What to expect at CHILAs?

Relationship- and community-building activities and exercises
Capability-building training, presentations, discussions, and group activities across all improvement teams
Time for equity improvement teams to:
- Concretely advance their work (e.g., community partner and asset-mapping, diving into team-specific content, or preparing teams for the next Action Period)
- Begin the Action Period (e.g., setting goals, preparing for tests of change or developing simple yet robust measurement systems)
- Leverage and align their work so that the sum of their combined work will add up to more than the sum of the individual improvement projects. This can also include tackling common challenges together as a combined team (rather than struggling individually)
Baseline assessments to identify assets, define opportunities, and refine the approach to the work

What kind of equity improvement projects should I consider/propose for the Equity
Improvement Project Implementation grants opportunities?

A total of 6 million dollars in equity improvement projects implementation grants will be awarded for projects that seek to identify and close equity gaps in health outcomes, social determinants of health impacting a neighborhood/population/community, clinical care delivery for a population, and/or address systemic and structural racism.

What kind of support will equity improvement teams receive?

Monthly calls and learning sessions
Topic-specific workgroup calls
Equity Action Labs to quickly pursue action on complex health equity topics
Collaboration across teams to share learnings and troubleshoot shared challenges; the strength of the network will catalyze new action in your team
Teams will receive support, guidance, and coaching from Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and other contributors, and share their action journey in the Equity in OC Taskforce and other collaborative forums across the Action and Learning Community for 18 months
Through in-person and virtual engagement, teams learn from each other, test improvements, and employ measurement strategies to guide their improvement efforts

How can I apply for Equity Improvement Projects
Implementation Grants? Is attendance and participation in the
CHILAs a requirement?

Yes, attendance of all the CHILAs is a requirement of grant recipients. Specifically, attendance of the first CHILA (June 28-June 30, 2022) is a requirement to apply for the equity projects implementation grants. During the first CHILA, teams will have time to begin, expand, or refine their equity improvement project ideas/proposals, learn from experts and other partners, and receive coaching and support.
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Make sure your equity improvement team attends the first CHILA and applies for the grants and proposed equity improvement projects, and if selected continues to participate in CHILA #2 and CHILA #3 and their related anchor activities (i.e., equity action labs, coaching/technical assistance, and trainings).
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Equity improvement projects will be selected based on the projects/solutions identified, team composition, team readiness and willingness, resources identified/aligned/leveraged, and capacity within the Action and Learning Community.

Who should be considered as part of an equity improvement team?

Teams may come from within a participating organization or may represent multiple organizations who want to partner on an equity project of shared interest. Regardless, the composition of an equity improvement team should include the following:

Compelling Leader
Someone who is accountable for moving the work forward and/or help remove barriers encountered by the team.
Design Skills
Someone who excels at creating visual content and thinking like a designer.
Measurement Skills
Someone with experience identifying information to measure and track progres toward your aim(s).
Community Engagement Skills
Someone who can help recruit people with lived experience or bring community members into the process.
Diverse Participants
Participants with wide ranging perspectives and lived experiences to plan, design solutions, and implement changes in the Action Periods.

What are some important dates I should plan ahead for?

Register to attend CHILA session 1
Find potential members for your equity improvement team
Start brainstorming about your equity improvement project ideas

What is an Equity Action Lab?

A framework of action that involves setting an ambitious goal, developing an action plan, designing potential solutions, and testing those solutions. Involves co-designing with a full range of people (especially those with lived experience) and organizations. While each Equity Action Lab is different, the basic structure follows: