WTAS: Administration and Elected Officials, Nonprofit Leaders Applaud Public Health AmeriCorps Inaugural Grantees

Public Health AmeriCorps will support the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders [] [AmeriCorps] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 12, 2022 AmeriCorps Press Office pressoffice[@]cns.gov [What They Are Saying: Administration and Elected Officials, Nonprofit Leaders Applaud Public Health AmeriCorps Inaugural Grantees]( WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 6, AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced grant awards for [Public Health AmeriCorps](, a partnership to support the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders. [The announced grants](, totaling more than $60 million, will allow Public Health AmeriCorps programs to recruit nearly 3,000 AmeriCorps members across the nation. Biden-Harris Administration officials, elected officials and nonprofit leaders have applauded Public Health AmeriCorps, highlighting the impact it will have on underserved communities, particularly those affected the most by the COVID-19 pandemic. See below for what they are saying: Administration and Elected Officials “We at [the CDC] are committed to supporting efforts that build a strong and diverse workforce that can swiftly respond to and address [Public Health] challenges. Public Health AmeriCorps can help us build our nation’s next generation of public health leaders,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH. [[Tweet](, 4/6/2022; [White House COVID Briefing](, 4/5/2022] “Excited about the launch of Public Health AmeriCorps, which will help meet the needs of local communities—including COVID response—and provide pathways to public health careers for more Americans,” said White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice. [[Tweet](, 4/6/2022] “Kentuckians deserve access to health care – a basic human right – and this funding will support the recruitment, training and development of a new generation of public health leaders,” said Governor Andy Beshear (KY). “The funding will support the addition of community health workers with coordination from Serve Kentucky, the agency committed to engaging Kentuckians in volunteerism and service to positively impact our communities.” [[Release](, 4/7/2022] “AmeriCorps is one of the world’s greatest service programs and this funding will boost public health across underserved areas of Upstate New York from the rural towns of the Southern Tier to Rochester’s inner-city neighborhoods,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “The pandemic put a spotlight on the already tremendous need for expanding healthcare accessibility in our most vulnerable areas, which is why I fought so hard to get Public Health AmeriCorps the support it needed in the American Rescue Plan. This funding will go a long way to bolstering healthcare accessibility for residents that need it most and get volunteers the training and financial support they need to strengthen the medical workforce of these areas for years to come.” [[Release](, 4/6/2022] “Our healthcare workers have been our heroes during the pandemic, going above and beyond to help others. These AmeriCorps workers will be the next generation of healthcare heroes, ensuring Connecticut will have a sufficient number of doctors, nurses, and other frontline staff especially during future health emergencies. I am proud that as a delegation we fought this funding to support Community Health Center and Health360 as they continue to provide essential services to those most in need in our communities,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) [[Release](, 4/6/2022] “The AmeriCorps program is about empowering citizens to strengthen their local communities,” said Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). “These investments will allow The Ohio State University to take on volunteers who will help tackle local challenges, help local residents access important resources, and further expand their efforts to improve the lives of Ohio residents – with no out-of-pocket costs.” [[Release](, 4/7/2022] “I was thrilled to see yesterday’s announcement of the first Public Health AmeriCorp programs. AmeriCorps members have played an essential role in our COVID response and recovery,” said Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). [[Tweet](, 4/7/2022] “Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has put our health care system and providers in desperate need of reinforcements,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). “This federal funding is a critical investment in the next generation of public health leaders. Public Health AmeriCorps members will serve on the front lines to provide low-income communities with improved access to health education and care and provide surge capacity as we continue to battle the pandemic. I’m proud to have fought to pass the American Rescue Plan, which provided the funding to make this project possible, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure that New York is prepared for future health crises.” [[Release](, 4/6/2022] “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, this funding will help make sure underserved communities in Middletown and Waterbury can access critical physical and mental health services and create a pipeline of public health workers. I’m grateful to AmeriCorps and its talented volunteers who have a long history of strengthening our communities with their service, and I’ll continue supporting these efforts that make a big difference for the people of Connecticut,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) [[Release](, 4/6/2022] “Nearly $4 million in Public Health AmeriCorps funding is heading to deserving organizations across California,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). “I’m proud to have secured this funding that will go towards the recruitment and development of public health professionals who will now be better equipped with the training and resources they need to best serve our communities.” [[Release](, 4/7/2022] “The public health workforce has been pushed to the limit by COVID-19, doing heroic work under devastating circumstances” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). “We know barriers to healthcare access and the mental health crisis throughout the pandemic were exacerbated in our state and around the country. The American Rescue Plan funding for Public Health AmeriCorps projects announced today will help increase health knowledge and improve access to care through Community Health Center Inc.’s Healthy Communities program and Health360’s Health Minds Alliance program will address local mental health needs. This initiative will create a pipeline for public health workers and will raise the overall quality of care, capacity, and public health safety in Connecticut. AmeriCorps remains a pillar in our state services, and I am proud we were able to secure these funds to sustain such a valuable program that has made a tangible impact in rebuilding our communities and neighborhoods hit hard by COVID-19. This investment will mobilize volunteers and workers and gives us the tools we need to continue helping us get through the pandemic.” [[Release](, 4/7/2022] “Supporting public health – particularly during the pandemic – is some of the most important work we do in Congress. With these funds, more than 80 AmeriCorps members will support pandemic relief and improve public health in our communities as we Build a Better America,” said Representatives David Scott (GA-13), Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Nikema Williams (GA-05) in a joint release. [[Release](, 4/6/22] “During the ongoing public health crisis, Goodwill of Northern New England and its AmeriCorps members have strengthened and supported our communities. As the pandemic continues, this grant will help expand their ability to help Mainers in underserved communities so more have access to the care they need,” said Representative Chellie Pingree (ME-01). “This is yet another example of how funding made possible through the American Rescue Plan is being put back into our communities, public health systems, and education so that we can more effectively and equitably serve the people of Maine. This funding fills a critical care gap and I’m grateful to these Public Health AmeriCorps members for their commitment to Maine.” [[Release](, 4/6/2022] Grantees and Non-Profit Leaders “The American Heart Association envisions a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a full, healthy life,” said Nancy Brown, American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer. “The Public Health AmeriCorps initiative will accelerate our work to advance more equitable health outcomes for rural communities and build the foundation for our rural health efforts. Leveraging our public health expertise, strategic alliances and extensive training models and resources, we believe we can bridge the gap in rural health worker shortages and build a dedicated and sustainable public health workforce.” [[Release](, [Tweet](, 4/6/2022] “It is with much gratitude and appreciation that we welcome this award to expand the capacity of public health agencies and to increase the availability of mental health resources in Idaho,” said Jana Bodily-Roan, Project Director of the Idaho State University’s Institute for Rural Health. [[Release](, 4/6/2022] “Community Health Workers provide people living with epilepsy the support, knowledge, and resources we need to ensure no one is alone in their epilepsy journey. Every epilepsy center in MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT is committed to this novel service delivery approach. This grant will help thousands of people a year to get what they need to address the challenges of living with epilepsy while becoming part of our amazingly resilient and caring community,” said Susan Linn, President and CEO of Epilepsy Foundation New England. [[Release](, 4/6/2022] --------------------------------------------------------------- Help us spread this exciting news by sharing on [Twitter](. --------------------------------------------------------------- AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at [AmeriCorps.gov.]( [youtube]([instagram]([twitter]([facebook]( [AmeriCorps] --------------------------------------------------------------- [Unsubscribe]( / [Manage preferences]( / [AmeriCorps.gov]( We sent this email to [{EMAIL}](mailto:{NAME}%40gmail.com) on behalf of AmeriCorps. [Bookmark and Share]( --------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to {EMAIL} using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: AmeriCorps · 250 E. Street SW · Washington, DC 20525 · (202) 606- 5000 · (800) 833-3722 [GovDelivery logo](