The Next Phase – 2021-22 COVID-19 Response Plan
Goal: To protect and improve health for people in the U.S. and around the world throughout the acute phase of the pandemic and in the global recovery that will follow. We will work in close partnership with our network of over 4,000 local health centers, in addition to health workers, strategic partners and others.
Approach: Pursue programming that addresses local gaps with an increased focus on achieving meaningful impact among disproportionately affected communities.
Applying an Equity Lens: A well-functioning local health center is the key to breaking down barriers to equitable care in a community. It has the potential to meet the needs of ALL community members with high quality care. Americares has a strong record of addressing barriers to access and thus improving health equity. We are:
• Focused on supporting people affected by poverty or disaster
• Grounded in local partnerships/services and knowledge
• Driving toward equitable health outcomes for all
Response Focus Areas in 2021-22
Vaccine Readiness: While vaccine confidence is growing, according to recent surveys and our own experience, there is still significant mistrust among many people in the U.S. and around the world. We are contributing to the public’s vaccine confidence and readiness.
• In the U.S., chosen by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy at free and charitable clinics across the country.
• Internationally, providing culturally and linguistically appropriate vaccine information to local health center staff and patients.
• In Americares clinics, advocating for, supporting and educating patients on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Disseminating data-driven information via social media including key updates for partners, donors and community members.
Curbing the Spread: A year into the pandemic, there is still not universal adherence to simple safety practices such as mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. We are improving adherence to practices that limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Delivering trusted, data-driven information across various sectors including health center partners, donors and community members.
• Running a public health campaign to reinforce the continued importance of COVID-19 safety precautions with a campaign featuring original music and choreography: youngvax.org
Health Center Resilience: Health centers that provide care for those affected by poverty are struggling. We are working to promote health center resilience, quality of care and ensure continuity of health center operations and services.
• Through our own clinics in El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, India and Connecticut, U.S.
• With partner health centers in key program countries – U.S./Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Liberia, Malawi, Philippines and Tanzania
• With our broader network of Americares partners—a global network of over 4,000 local health centers worldwide, including nearly 1,000 safety net health centers in the U.S.
To ensure that these health centers can continue to safely provide essential care and vaccine support to all, we are focused on:
• Ensuring patients have access to information regarding the vaccine and removing barriers to access through community education; technical support for health workers; and vaccine supplies.
• Supporting the ongoing adaption and use of telehealth care delivery.
• Continued access to PPE and IPC supplies; chronic disease medications to reduce comorbidity; and essential medicines.
• Technical assistance for health workers in the areas of mental health; infection prevention and control and water, sanitation and hygiene; and disaster preparedness.
Mental Health: The world is in the midst of what will be a long-lasting mental health crisis among health workers and the general public. We are working to address mental health and psychological support (MHPSS) needs among health workers and disproportionately affected communities.
• Health workers in the U.S. through targeted training and mental health services that focus on psychological support for patients, self-care and resilience, strategies for supporting children, support for workplace issues as well as the intersection of mental health and disaster preparedness. We are also piloting tele-mental health services for health workers in the Free and Charitable Clinic sector.
• Health workers around the world through targeted training and self-guided MHPSS resources for health workers through a new online learning management system.
• Patients at our own clinics in El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, India and Connecticut, U.S. through mental health screening, first aid, counseling and referral services.
Access to Supplies and Medicine: COVID-19 has destabilized global supply chains of infection prevention supplies, as well as essential medicines and vaccine supplies. We are working to ensure and expand continued access to essential medicines and supplies for local health centers.
• Obtaining PPE, IPC supplies and essential medicines for our network by leveraging existing network of medicine and supply donors and purchasing when donations aren’t available.
• Establishing new relationships with companies that provide the highest-priority items and program partners that can handle high volumes of targeted products.
• Preparing for possible international vaccine distribution role and continuing to discuss with existing vaccine manufacturer partners as well as local partners regarding needs.
Americares Unique Value Proposition
• We are focused on those most at-risk. Americares COVID response supports people affected by poverty and disaster: People in the U.S. and abroad who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic either due to geography, income, race or other social determinants of health.
• We have a built-in network for rapid COVID response. Americares supports over 4,000 health centers in the U.S. and around the world, allowing us to respond broadly and effectively through established partnerships.
• We look at the health risks holistically. Americares is not only focused on curbing the spread of COVID and addressing vaccine hesitancy. We are addressing the secondary impacts of the pandemic on essential health services, chronic disease care and mental health.
• We have expertise in emergency mental health. Americares is recognized as a global leader in providing mental health training and support in emergency contexts in the U.S. and around the world.
• We have already had significant impact. Thank you for being with us and sharing in a vision of action and hope through an incredibly challenging 2020 and now in 2021. Together, we are making a difference—for communities most in need, both down the block and at points around the globe.
*Should Americares raise funds in excess of what's needed to respond to this particular crisis, the funds will be redirected to where the need is greatest.
