New Jersey Council for the Humanities COVID-19 Response Grants
The New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH) has made another round of funding available as operational and programmatic support for nonprofit organizations that provide humanities programming to public audiences to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the pandemic. NJCH offers two different awards of up to $20,000 through this grant program. The COVID-19 Response Grant program is currently closed.

Building Healthier, More Equitable Communities in New Jersey
The Building Healthier, More Equitable Communities (BHEC) initiative aims to address the barriers to better health by improving the built environment and community investment system. An initiative of Reinvestment Fund, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, BHEC will work with four cities by allocating financial and other supports to further their plans for an equitable recovery from the current health and economic crisis and advance community development aimed to improve the well-being of New Jerseyans. This funding has been awarded. Learn more about the selected grantees and their work here.

Garden State Relief Fund
The New Jersey Community Capital Garden State Relief Fund provides financial support for those that often lack access to conventional capital and have been disproportionally affected by this evolving public health crisis.

LISC Health Access Fund
In partnership with Uber, PayPal and Walgreens, LISC has created a new opportunity to support health equity by addressing transportation barriers to accessing services. The “Health Access Fund” broadens the use of funds initially earmarked to improve equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine via the Vaccine Access Fund, to support broader access to essential health care and other services for individuals and communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic, particularly people of color living on low incomes. LISC will award grants to community-based organizations throughout LISC’s full New Jersey footprint in the following three categories:

• • Access to health care services via rides with Uber
  • Access to services and activities that address social determinants of health via rides with Uber
  • Access to health care in regions with limited rideshare options

Approximately 10 to 15 grants ranging from $140,000 to $1.25M, supporting a projected ride volume of 250 rides per month to 3,000 rides per month, will be made under the first two categories. Approximately two to four grants ranging in size from $100,000 to $300,000 will be made under the third category.

Applications are due Friday, September 16. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. An information session will be held for interested applicants on Thursday, September 1 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Click here to register for this session.

New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund
The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund was originally named the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund. It was established in 2020 to ensure the survival, strength and sustainability of the state’s arts, cultural and historical sector during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund provides grants to the cultural community to offset expenses incurred due to pandemic cancelations, reopening adaptations, and support for artists and sector professionals. The name change from “Recovery” to “Renewal” signals the Fund’s support of a strong comeback for smaller arts and culture organizations and funding for a sustainable future. Applications for Phase III of this fund are being accepted on an ongoing basis until available funding is committed.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Provides $50 Million to Support Those Facing Greatest Strain Under the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided $50 million in immediate short-term relief to several national and community organizations to help some of the families and communities feeling the greatest strain under the COVID-19 health emergency. This includes $5 million for relief efforts in RWJF’s home state of New Jersey, which has been hit particularly hard by the virus. Funding made available through New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI) supports the response in small New Jersey communities and portions of the state with less access to charitable funds. This funding has been awarded. Learn more about the selected grantees and their work here.

South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund
Hosted by the Community Foundation of South Jersey, the South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund supports local 501(c)3 non-profit agencies as they adapt internally and programmatically to assist neighbors and continue to deliver on their missions during this turbulent time. Eligible organizations’ areas of operation are Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem counties. A sixth round of grants has been awarded. Funding will be released on an ongoing basis. View the Fund prospectus for details.

The Princeton Area Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund 
The Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF) COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund supports nonprofits working with the most vulnerable residents in Mercer County and the surrounding region. A third phase of funding is expected to be launched soon to focus on long-term resiliency. PACF offers a list of resources for the non-profit and philanthropic communities on its web site.

The New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF)
Hosted by the Community Foundation of New Jersey, NJPRF will provide grants to existing organizations with a demonstrated track record of caring for vulnerable communities. NJPRF is not accepting grant applications at this time.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan
This loan advance provided economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. As of May 16, 2022, the COVID-19 EIDL portal is closed. Borrowers who need copies of their loan documents can contact the SBA. The SBA continues to offer other funding options for small businesses including traditional SBA loans.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Relief Options and Resources
The SBA continues to offer Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness and additional COVID-19 relief to help businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Bridgeton
Hopeloft, a program of United Advocacy Group, maintains the Vaccine United COVID-19 vaccine information hub. This site serves the state and more locally, Bridgeton, as a go-to digital resource where anyone can easily find up-to-date information about how to get vaccinated, who is eligible, what statewide restrictions and protocols are currently in place, how to access mental health and financial resources and more.

Elizabeth
To support the health and well-being of Elizabeth residents, the Shaping Elizabeth coalition has developed a comprehensive resource directory that includes information regarding available services, virtual programming and more.

Hammonton
The community of Hammonton has established a Coronavirus Task Force, which is providing guidance and assistance to Hammonton residents, businesses and volunteers on the Destination Hammonton web site.

Mercer County
The Princeton Public Library, in partnership with HomeFront, Mercer Street Friends, the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, the New Jersey Community Schools Coalition presented “Homelessness and Hunger in the Time of COVID-19,” a virtual panel discussion about the impact of the pandemic on very low-income individuals and people experiencing homelessness in Mercer County, and the looming eviction crisis. 

Middlesex County
The East Brunswick Public Library is updating its health portal with information and available community, state and national resources specific to COVID-19.

New Jersey Heartland
The New Jersey Heartland web site offers information and resources specific to the businesses and residents of Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

Plainfield
In addition to presenting weekly updates on Facebook Live and YouTube, the City of Plainfield is providing information regarding available resources on its Novel Coronavirus web page.

Trenton
Community partners from across Trenton are sharing information regarding COVID-19 testing sites, food pantry and pharmacy locations, and more on the Trenton Health Team web site.

2-1-1 Counts Data Tool for New Jersey
This resource from the Health Communication Research Laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis, with support from Health Communication Impact, LLC, is the first tool to provide real-time, searchable and visual presentations of data from 2-1-1 call centers across the nation. 2-1-1 Counts provides a snapshot of community-specific needs displayed by ZIP code, region or call center as recently as yesterday, enabling users to easily check trends, make comparisons and share information. 2-1-1 Counts works with local 2-1-1 efforts to share this information with community leaders and service agencies.

Statement from Governor Murphy and Commissioner Persichilli on Authorization of COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 6 Months Through 5 Years
On June 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age and the Moderna vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age. On June 18, 2022, the CDC Director endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation that enables everyone 6 months of age and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Read the full statement about steps the state has taken to make the vaccines accessible to families with younger children.

COVID-19 Vaccination Educational Materials from the NJ Department of Health
Now that younger children are eligible to take the vaccine, the NJ Department of Health has developed, updated and compiled a number of resources with important information for this age group, including:

• Three Reasons to Get a Booster, available in both English and Spanish.
• Protect Your Child with the COVID-19 Vaccine, available in English, with a Spanish-language version available here
• At-A-Glance COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule Chart from the CDC
• Additional Charts and Tools

NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Community Corps’ Spring into Action Campaign
The NJDOH COVID-19 Community Corps is welcoming new volunteer members who want to give their community a boost and keep our state strong. Learn more about joining the corps, upcoming events and resources to help connect communities to the vaccines. Watch the Spring into Action video here.

NJ COVID Vaccine Appointment Finder
The NJ Department of Health maintains list of available vaccine appointments at locations across the state. The locations are currently available to individuals in eligible groups. To register for vaccination or a booster, click here.

COVID Vaccine Booster & Third Dose Information Sheets
The NJ Department of Health has developed fact sheets and other materials that are available for download in English and Spanish to provide information about third doses and boosters, in addition to fourth doses for individuals with weakened immune systems.

The COVID-19 Information Hub for New Jersey
The State of New Jersey‘s COVID-19 Hub web site offers real-time updates, critical resources, expert knowledge and vital information for the state. Users can ask questions, search a data dashboard of COVID-19 cases by county and more. The NJ Vaccine Appointment Finder tool provides information about available vaccine appointments for eligible groups at locations throughout New Jersey.

Crossroads4Hope | A Network of Cancer Support Virtual Programming and Resources
Crossroads4Hope | A Network of Cancer Support (formerly known as Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey) is providing virtual programming, in addition to resources and information to support individuals and families. Complete details are available on its web site.

Center for Non-Profits’ COVID-19 Resource Page
The New Jersey Center for Non-Profits’ compilation includes information about loans and government relief, workplace operational resources and more.

COVID-19 Nonprofit Resources
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation shares relevant and helpful articles, tools, and virtual training events from trusted partners in the field to support the capacity-building needs of nonprofit organizations at this critical time.

COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus New Jersey Business Information Hub 
The New Jersey Business Action Center, a business-first advocacy team within the NJ Department of State, answers frequently asked questions, economic assistance and operational guidance for businesses.

Let’s Get Vaccinated: COVID-19 Awareness Campaign – Digital Resource Toolkit
This updated toolkit from the NJ Department of Health includes downloadable flyers and social media graphics in multiple languages in addition to videos targeted to youth and teens. The NJ DOH is also developing TikToks targeted to teens. View one TikTok here.

Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Inc. Virtual Support and Learning Opportunities
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) has put several phone and virtual services in place to provide continual support and unique learning opportunities during these challenging times. The MHANJ Virtual Support and Learning Opportunities web page features information about services and trainings to support individuals, families, peers and professionals. The web page also includes information about MHANJ’s county virtual support groups, educational sessions and programs, which are open to everyone.

New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Contact Tracing Dashboard
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDHS) has developed a Contact Tracing Dashboard to provide information such as the percentage of cases successfully interviewed, those who provided contacts, contacts notified, and more. NJDHS will update the Dashboard every Friday.

New Jersey Community Asset Map by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
This interactive mapping tool allows users to view assets, amenities, and special designations in New Jersey’s 565 municipalities including economic, housing and demographic data to help users gain a better understanding of the characteristics and amenities within New Jersey communities.

State of New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Eligibility Wizard
This beta Eligibility Wizard focuses on newly announced State Emergency Assistance programs and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan program to make it easy for organizations to understand what support programs are available to them.

State of New Jersey Department of Human Services COVID-19 Guidance
The New Jersey Department of Human Services offers COVID-19 information and resources for individuals, families and providers.

Vaccine United.org
This new site serves the state as a go-to digital resource where anyone can easily find up-to-date information about how to get vaccinated, who is eligible, what statewide restrictions and protocols are currently in place, how to access mental health and financial resources and more. With support from NJHI and in partnership with universities and community-based organizations throughout the state, the New Jersey Department of Health and its COVID Community Corps and the Moving NJ Forward Learning Collaborative, Hopeloft is recruiting, training and deploying student journalists, students in other disciplines and local young adults as interns who are collecting, verifying and organizing evidence-based and culturally appropriate communications materials and information about services and resources regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

Recording – COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccination
The Food Bank of South Jersey recently presented this event in partnership with the New Jersey Black Women Physician Association. Participants learned about the vaccines and the importance of eligible youth taking the vaccine in this session featuring Dr. Pamela Brug. A survey is available here to share feedback on this session and ideas for future events.

Recording – Resiliencia Pandémica
Together with Horizon BCBS, the Food Bank of South Jersey presented this webinar in Spanish and facilitated by Yvette Alvarez, Community Health Education Consultant for Horizon BCBS. A survey is available here to share feedback on this session and ideas for future events.

Recording – Our Way Forward: Why a Booster Shot Matters
In April, the New Jersey Department of Health convened a panel of the state’s public health experts to discuss importance of taking the COVID-19 booster shot and how everyone can help create a safer, healthier New Jersey.

Panelists:

• Dr. Meg Fisher, pediatrician, renowned infectious disease consultant and an advisor to the New Jersey Department of Health
• Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD
• Nicole Fields, Chief Executive Officer, Saint James Health
• Nayeli Salazar de Noguera, Program Outreach Manager, NJ COVID-19 Community Corps

Recording – Saving Lives w/ the COVID-19 Vaccine in NJ Black & Caribbean Communities: A New Jersey Department of Health Virtual Town Hall
As part of a virtual Town Hall series on the COVID-19 vaccine, the New Jersey Department of Health hosted a public conversation led by medical professionals from New Jersey’s Black and Caribbean communities who addressed facts, fears, and myths. Kemi Alli, MD, CEO of Henry J. Austin Health Center in Trenton,  moderated the discussion, which was presented in English with ASL interpretation. View and download free COVID-19 Vaccine information materials in Spanish and other languages from the NJ Department of Health.

Recording – Saving Lives w/ COVID-19 Vaccine in NJ Latinx Communities: A New Jersey Department of Health Virtual Town Hall
As part of a virtual Town Hall series on the COVID-19 vaccine, the New Jersey Department of Health hosted a public conversation led by medical professionals from New Jersey’s Latinx community who addressed facts, fears, and myths. Amanda Medina-Forrester, Executive Director of the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health moderated the discussion, which was presented in English. View and download free COVID-19 Vaccine information materials in Spanish and other languages from the NJ Department of Health.

Recording – Salvando Vidas en Las Comunidades Latinas de NJ con la Vacuna Contra COVID-19
Como parte de una serie de reuniones públicas virtuales sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19, el Departamento de Salud de New Jersey (New Jersey Department of Health; NJ DOH) está ofreciendo una serie de conversaciones públicas gratuitas lideradas por profesionales médicos de la comunidad latina de NJ, quienes hablarán sobre los hechos, temores y mitos. Sarah B. Bonilla, MPH, Directora del Centro de Excelencia para la Salud de Latinos (Center of Excellence for Latino Health) del Centro Médico Clara Maass RWJBH (RWJBH Clara Maass Medical Center) moderará la plática. Materiales de información gratuitos sobre la vacuna COVID-19 en Español para impresión y distribución disponibles aquí.

Financial Information and Resources for Nonprofits
Pro Bono Partnership, an organization that provides business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations serving the disadvantaged or enhancing the quality of life in neighborhoods in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut has compiled specific financial information and resources on its web site.

Confronting Health Misinformation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Building a Healthy Information Environment
Although health misinformation is not a recent phenomenon, in recent years it has spread at unprecedented speed and scale, especially online. In a Surgeon General’s Advisory, the Surgeon General warned the public about the urgent threat of health misinformation and calling for a whole-of-society approach to address health misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Recording – How Every Nonprofit Can Help the Communities We Serve Get Vaccinated
Presented by the National Council of Nonprofits, this webinar explored resources that nonprofits can use to inform the people they serve and connect them with vaccines. In addition, participants heard three nonprofits’ approaches for helping their communities overcome obstacles of trust in or access to information and vaccines.

Recording – What Nonprofits Need to Know as Staff and Volunteers Return from Remote Work to In-Person Operations
What will the return to in-person operations look like for nonprofit organizations? As employers, can nonprofits require vaccines? How can nonprofits talk to employees about the importance of vaccines? What will volunteer opportunities look like? In this National Council of Nonprofits webinar, experts in law, volunteerism, and messaging provided answers to those questions and many more.

All In: Data for Community Health Interoperability Proving Ground
The Interoperability Proving Ground (IPG) is an open community platform to share, learn, and be inspired by interoperability projects taking place across the nation. Organizations and individuals working on a COVID-19 interoperability project will have the ability to share their work through the IPG and tag it “COVID-19.” If communities share their efforts, the health IT community can come together in the most nimble way possible to provide tools that can help fight this pandemic.

Assessing Legal Responses to COVID-19 Report This report provides legal analysis of U.S. policy responses to the pandemic and includes recommended actions in 35 topic areas. The report was produced by Public Health Law Watch in cooperation with the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University Beasley School of Law, the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern University, Wayne State University Law School, the Hall Center for Law and Health, the Network for Public Health Law and ChangeLab Solutions.

BUILD Health Challenge COVID-19 Specific Resources/Templates/Tools for Organizations
The BUILD Health Challenge offers a brief list of COVID-19 related community resources on its blog.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Your Community
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed an interactive map of  COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy estimates by county, plus additional facts to help communities understand their outreach areas. Users can zoom in on an area and click on a county to view demographic data, the percentage of adults who are fully vaccinated, and information such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Social Vulnerability Index and the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index. The data is updated regularly and also available in table format. The map is part of a larger suite of free resources that are available to communities through the We Can Do This COVID-19 public education campaign.

COVID-19 Response and Homelessness: An Action and Resource Guide
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides guidance for service providers and includes resources from HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs.

COVID-19: Policies to Protect People and Communities 
How can the nation respond in the short term to keep all people safe and the economy afloat? What policies could help all of us recover in a way that is inclusive and equitable? The Urban Institute answers tough questions with unbiased, rigorous research and evidence-based solutions in the focus areas of Child Care and Education, Housing Policy, Small Business and Community Development, Workers, Work Supports and Basic Needs, and more.

Independent Sector Information on COVID-19
Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together the charitable community—a diverse set of nonprofits, foundations, and corporations—to advance the common good.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Hub
Through its COVID-19 Hub, the CDC provides national updates and resources for individuals, families, organizations and communities. The CDC’s updated Post-COVID Conditions web page, which provides an overview of what we know about post-COVID conditions, including risks, symptoms, and prevention. The CDC has also published a new web page called Post-COVID Conditions: CDC Science, to better inform audiences about what CDC and other researchers are doing to answer key questions about post-COVID conditions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 County Check Tool
This tool can help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Data is updated weekly.

County Health Roadmaps & Rankings: COVID-19 Response and Recovery Work 
As communities across the nation transition from response to recovery, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps has developed a compilation of resources on its web site. Individuals and organizations can browse the compilation to access evidence-based What Works for Health COVID-19 strategies, action learning guides on data and equity, the US COVID Atlas county-level data tool and a special webinar series that shines a light on challenges facing specific communities and populations affected by COVID-19 and how people are responding with equitable approaches.

COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index
The Surgo Foundation has developed the COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index to inform the allocation of resources to meet the greatest needs. The index is part of a suite of resources designed to bring greater precision to response efforts.

COVID Local Risk Index on the City Health Dashboard
City Health Dashboard has introduced a risk index for the 500 largest cities to help community leaders better understand the potential impact of COVID-19 at the local level. For smaller communities, City Health Dashboard provides other resources all cities can use.

COVID-19 Quick Maps by PolicyMap
This publicly available (beta) application focuses on answering crucial questions faced by communities dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 virus. This application features more than 10 datasets, including the severe COVID-19 Health Risk Index created by PolicyMap for the New York Times, COVID-19 testing rates as reported by the COVID Tracking Project, and homeless population counts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Health Equity Principles for State and Local Leaders in Responding to, Reopening and Recovering from COVID-19
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has identified a set of health equity principles that state and local leaders should consider in designing and implementing their responses to the pandemic. The principles are intended to be a compass that continually guides leaders to an equitable and lasting recovery.

How Right Now: Finding What Helps Web site
How Right Now, an initiative that aims to address people’s feelings of grief, loss and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic, offers information and support to help people cope and be resilient during this time. The initiative is made possible with funding through the CDC Foundation and the partnership of national, regional and local organizations that are working together to help improve individual and community resilience.

Made to Save
Made to Save is a national education and grassroots campaign working to save lives by increasing access and trust in the COVID-19 vaccines. The focus of the Made to Save coalition is to support organizations in communities of color, where systemic racism has created health inequities & distrust, to get everyone back to what we all miss most. The Made to Save resource library comprises multilingual fact sheets, conversation starters and additional resources specifically for faith communities, healthcare professionals and community-based organizations.

RWJF State Network: COVID-19 Resources
State Network is a resource hub for advancing health at the state level, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This resource hub consolidates timely, high-quality resources state policymakers can use to inform their response to the pandemic.

The National League of Cities COVID-19: Local Action Tracker
The National League of Cities (NLC) and Bloomberg Philanthropies are partnering to collect and share actions taken by local leaders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to ensure mayors, city leaders, and other local decision-makers have the information they need to lead their communities through this crisis.

The National Council of Nonprofits’ Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19 Page
The National Council of Nonprofits, of which the NJ Center for Nonprofits is a member, regularly updates its web site with the latest information and resources that nonprofits can use to prepare and respond.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition COVID-19 Page and Disaster Recovery Housing Coalition
The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s compilation of housing and homelessness resources specific to COVID-19 includes information on evictions and foreclosure moratoriums, regulatory actions and recommendations. The Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition will lead recurring national calls on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing every Monday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

“What We Learned From the First Wave”
All In: Data for Community Health has collected stories of challenges and achievements in cross-sector data sharing initiatives in a new publication that documents the last 29 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and provides a tactical manual with tips and tools for public health data-sharing during the pandemic.

Webinar Recording – Youth Count: Engaging Youth in COVID-19 Crisis Recovery 
This webinar presented by Community Science brought together youth leaders to discuss the work they have been doing to respond to the disaster and strengthen their communities, and identify the types of supports needed in the road to recovery. Register to view a recording of the conversation.

Webinar Recordings – Trust for America’s Health Webinar Series: COVID-19- Special Issues and Responses
The Trust for America’s Health COVID-19 Special Issues and Responses webinar series explored topics such as: Advancing Health Equity During and Beyond COVID-19: Addressing Housing and Homelessness; Protecting Older Adults from the Harms of Social Isolation and Providing a Continuum of Care During COVID-19, and more.

Webinar Recording – Housing Justice amid COVID-19: A Roundtable Discussion
Nonprofit Quarterly, in partnership with Shelterforce presented this webinar exploring the impact of structural racism on housing opportunity and housing markets, what it means to “cancel rent,” how to use CARES dollars to protect tenants in your community, and more.

In addition, the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey joined housing advocates from across the country for a Shelterforce roundtable on racial equity, housing and COVID. Read the interview here.

Webinar Recording – “Health Equity, Racism and This Moment in Time,” a Hastings Conversation
Our nation is facing three simultaneous crises—in public health, in the economy, and in the American relationship to race. In 2020, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President and CEO Richard Besser, MD, joined Herminia Palacio, President of The Guttmacher Institute, and Mildred Z. Solomon, President of The Hastings Center, to discuss whether we can seize the moment and advance health and well-being for all of us, and the best ways to proceed. This webinar is the first in a series of Hastings Conversations called  “Securing Health in a Troubled Time: Equity, Ethics, and the Common Good.” The series examines the social causes of health inequities and identify policies and practices to achieve healthier lives for all.

Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG) has gathered a number of articles, resources, and events that philanthropy should know about. CNJG is also helping track philanthropy’s response to the coronavirus pandemic by continuing its “Get on the Map” Campaign partnership with Candid, who has launched a coronavirus map in response to funders’ requests. See a compilation of Council members’ actions here.

Candid.org: Funding Opportunities Specific to COVID-19
This hub of requests for proposals, a funding summary and news items is available to nonprofits seeking support because of the crisis, funders who wish to learn what their peers are doing, the media, and all who wish to know more about philanthropy’s response to the pandemic. Candid is a nonprofit organization founded from the 2019 merger of the Foundation Center and GuideStar.

American Sign Language (ASL) Video Series from the CDC
In partnership with the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech, the CDC has produced a series of videos about topics specific to COVID-19 and vaccinations in ASL.

Changing the COVID Conversation.org
This web site features the findings of the Language of Vaccine Acceptance national poll that identifies the language that will be most effective in reaching all Americans, especially those who are currently less likely to take a vaccine. The poll was conducted by the de Beaumont Foundation and pollster Frank Luntz in partnership with the American Public Health Association, the National Collaborative for Health Equity, and Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. This resource includes a one-pager by the deBeaumont Foundation that highlights the most effective language. The site is part of the Public Health Communications Collaborative’s suite of resources.

Updated Messaging: Fall COVID-19 Boosters
On August 23, 2022 Biden administration officials said that, pending final scientific review by the FDA and CDC, updated COVID-19 boosters could be available soon after Labor Day. The updated booster will be a bivalent formula that both boosts immunity against the original coronavirus strain and also protects against the newer Omicron variants that account for most of the current cases. On September 1 and 2, the CDC’s advisory panel will meet to review this issue. In advance of the FDA and CDC’s recommendations, the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) has updated its Answers to Tough Questions with new messaging to help answer questions in your community, including “When will updated COVID-19 boosters become available?” PHCC will continue to monitor developments on booster dose recommendations, and update its messaging resources to reflect changes in CDC guidance.

Updated Messaging: The Novavax Vaccine
On July 19, 2022, the CDC updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, approving the Novavax vaccine for emergency use authorization for adults 18 years and older. Novavax is a two-dose, protein-based COVID-19 vaccine that is currently being used in more than 40 countries and has also been authorized by the European Union and the World Health Organization. Novavax is another option for unvaccinated Americans who have not received their primary series of Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and was created using a more traditional protein-based technology. To provide information about the Novavax vaccine and messaging to inform communities, the Public Health Communications Collaborative has updated its Answers to Tough Questions.

Updated Messaging: COVID-19 Vaccination for Children 6 Months and Older
In light of the CDC’s latest recommendation that children age 6 months and older should get a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) has updated its Talking Points and Answers to Tough Questions on Children and Vaccines. PHCC has also updated its children and vaccination toolkit, with shareable graphics, social posts, and a one-paged chart reflecting the latest vaccine recommendations for children, in both English and Spanish. The PHCC was formed in 2020 to coordinate and amplify public health messaging on COVID-19 and increase Americans’ confidence in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials. The PHCC Children and Vaccination toolkit is part of a suite of resources to address misinformation and conflicting messages about COVID-19.

Coronavirus Print and Social Media Graphics
Canva offers a collection of easy-to-use design templates for creating print and social media campaigns specific to the COVID-19 crisis.

Coronavirus Visual Communication Resources by The Noun Project
The Noun Project, a platform for visual communication, has organized a set of icons and guidance to help organizations communicate important hygiene, health and wellness information on signage and posters, newsletters, teaching materials and more during the Coronavirus pandemic.

COVIDLatino.org
This project provides critical information on COVID-19 vaccines and testing for Latinx communities across the U.S. It brings together a collective of academic institutions, community-based organizations, researchers, advocates, and artists to create culturally-tailored and empirically-based COVID-19 information that is relevant and timely.

COVID-19 Vaccination Infographics and Resources from the NJ Department of Health
Infographics, factsheets, flyers and more about the COVID-19 vaccines and the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan are available in multiple languages for download and printing through the NJ Department of Health Communicable Disease Service web page.

COVID Factsheets from the from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
This set of factsheets includes general information about the Coronavirus and addresses myths and facts about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Recording – Comms Crash Course: Using Social Media for Public Health Communications
Social media has proven critical for disseminating accurate and timely information during the COVID-19 pandemic. This session from the Public Health Communications Collaborative shared fundamental social media strategies and best practices to address public health communications challenges. From inclusive and accessible language, to image and graphic use, to channel-specific strategies, this webinar combined actionable tips and tactics from communications experts on digital and social media in public health.

Recording – COVID-19 and Social Media: Best Practices to Reach Your Communities
This webinar presented by the CDC Foundation and the Vaccine Equity Cooperative  highlighted equity-centered approaches that ensure public health communications reach the most vulnerable populations, feature culturally competent content and resources, and address misinformation.

Framing COVID-19: Guidance from the FrameWorks Institute
The FrameWorks Institute, a nonprofit think tank that advances the mission-driven sector’s capacity to frame the public discourse about social and scientific issues, provides guidance from its 20 years of framing research and practice to help advocates and experts explain health, enhance community and offer hope.

Public Health Reaching Across Sectors (PHRASES) Strategic Messaging Toolkit
PHRASES, a partnership of de Beaumont Foundation and The Aspen Institute, is designed to improve the ability of public health professionals to communicate the impact and value of the public health field to other sectors in language that resonates and fosters alliances. PHRASES has developed toolkits for public health professionals to motivate the public and other sectors to support public health. These messaging tools include sample messaging, “winning words,” practical tools, and other strategies.

Print Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
The CDC offers factsheets, posters and other print materials specific to COVID-19 in English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic and additional languages. These print resources are part of a larger set of communications resources available on the CDC web site.

Talking Points and Answers to Tough Questions Regarding Mask Mandates and Mask Guidance
In light of the recent ruling that voided the federal requirement that people wear masks on public transportation, the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) has updated its Answers to Tough Questions on Mask Mandates to help answer questions in your community. The PHCC has also developed Talking Points and Answers to Tough Questions on Mask Guidance and CDC Community Level, and its “What Mask Should I Wear?” graphic to promote use of the most effective kinds of masks.

Recording – Communicating Through COVID-19 and Beyond: Impact and Insights from the Field of Public Health
Crowdsourced from more than 600 public health communicators across 51 states and territories, this new resource from the Public Health Communications Collaborative highlights the immense impact of public health communicators during the pandemic and offers a powerful wealth of insights for protecting public health through COVID-19 and beyond.

The Vaccine Misinformation Management Field Guide
This guide was developed by UNICEF, First Draft, the Yale Institute for Global Health, and PGP (The Public Good Projects) to help organizations rapidly counter vaccine misinformation and build demand for vaccination. The guide explains why people are susceptible to misinformation, why people create it, and ways to manage it. This resource is part of the Public Health Communications Collaborative’s toolkit.

THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us
Black doctors, nurses and researchers dispel misinformation and provide accessible facts about the COVID-19 vaccines in this campaign from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Greater Than COVID and the Black Coalition Against COVID. A library of 50 FAQ videos cover an array of vaccine-related topics, and are designed to be shared on social and embedded directly on web sites.

The CONVERSATION / La Conversación
One year since its launch, The Conversation / La Conversación video series has produced more than 300 videos, in English and Spanish, featuring 31 healthcare workers of color. The series has had more than 135 million video views on social and digital media. In addition to the video library that features playlists by topic and by healthcare worker, graphics, PSAs and other content are available in English and Spanish and designed to be shared on web and social platforms. This series was developed by WE > COVID and presented with the American Academy of Pediatrics. The collection is part of a larger series featuring doctors, nurses, researchers and community health care workers who provide facts and dispel misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines from Kaiser Family Foundation with the Black Coalition Against COVID and UnidosUS.

The PIH COVID-19 Bulletin  
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Public and Indian Housing compiles resources that might be of interest to communities.

Webinar Recording – Using Social Media to Tell Your Story
This presentation by the New Jersey Healthy Communities Network provides approaches organizations can use to enhance their messaging within and beyond the communities they serve.

We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched “We Can Do This,” a COVID-19 public education campaign to increase vaccine confidence while reinforcing basic prevention measures. The free resources that are available through the campaign include an interactive map of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy data in the United States by county, factsheets, infographics, a guide for faith-based and community organizations, and information about the U.S. COVID-19 Community Corps.