Equity in OC

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Deadline

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Background & Context

Formerly referenced as honoraria or honorarium, Personal Service Contract or PSC is the new reference for this funding. Everything remains the same, only the name of this funding has changed.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) Office of Population Health and Equity (OPHE) received nearly $23 million in grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities (CDC-RFA-OT21-2103). The long-term strategies of this two-year Equity in OC Initiative will:

  • Expand existing and/or develop new mitigation and prevention resources
  • Increase or improve data collection, reporting, and infrastructure
  • Build, leverage, and expand capacity and infrastructure of local health departments
  • Mobilize partners and collaborators to advance health equity & address social determinants of health

OPHE has committed $220,000 ($110,000 per year) in engaging community member with lived experience of inequities for the Equity in OC Initiative, specifically engaging and collaborating with individuals from the following communities:

  • American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native American, or Indigenous community
  • Asian or Asian American community
  • Black or African American community
  • Latino, Hispanic, Chicano, or Latin American community
  • Middle Eastern or North African community
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander community
  • Multiracial or multi-ethnic community
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ+) community
  • Members of gender minorities (transgender, non-binary, or nonconforming)
  • Houseless or unhoused community
  • Mental health and recovery community
  • Older adult community (65+)
  • Youth community (ages 18-24)
  • Veteran community
  • Individuals who are adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality
  • Individuals who experienced under-employment
  • Individuals who are non-English speaking
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Members from mixed immigration status households
  • Members of religious minorities
  • Diverse countywide geographic representation (by zip code)

The goals of engaging and collaborating with community members in the Equity in OC Initiative are to:

  • Address health inequities and improve social determinants of health through collaboration, partnership, and inclusion of lived experiences and authentic voices
  • Overcome inequitable access to opportunities, resources, and support services for targeted and prioritized populations in Orange County
  • Provide venues for community voice in identifying and determining solutions and priorities in addressing health inequities in Orange County

Since those who are most impacted by health inequities are the same experts who can address the needs of their community, the Equity in OC Initiative will provide up to 78 community member experts of up to $1,400 per year to participate in activities of the Equity in OC Initiative.

*NOTE: Receiving more than $599 through the Equity in OC Initiative may impact participants who currently receive public benefits or public assistance. Please consult with financial experts (for example: the IRS website, a tax professional, or other experts) for more information on how your public benefits or public assistance could be affected.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a quarterly $350, an individual must (1) be a resident, aged at least 18 years old or older, of Orange County with lived experience of inequities, (2) not be employed by or serve as a representative of any of the Equity in OC-affiliated organizations, and (3) commit approximately 5 hours per month to engage in the following activities:

  1. Participate in the Equity in OC Initiative activities, such as:
    • Equity in OC Taskforce convening meetings (required 75% attendance for the year to ensure consistent participation and community feedback)
    • Social Determinants of Health Action and Learning Communities (as appropriate)
    • Population Health Equity Collectives (as appropriate)
    • Other Equity in OC Initiative-related activities
  2. Participate in evaluation and learning activities (for example: surveys, interviews, focus groups, providing feedback, testimonials, and other activities)
  3. Attend at least one Equity in OC Initiative training per year
  4. Post and re-post information at least once month on topics including, but not limited to, COVID-19, public health, and/or social determinants of health
  5. Share your story, narrative, and lived experiences to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion
  6. Adhere to the Equity in OC Initiative Charter
  7. Serve as an ambassador for the Equity in OC Initiative and its related activities and speaking from a collective voice
  8. Commit to signing the Health Equity Commitment Letter outlining time commitments (approximately 4-5 hours per month), expectations, and responsibilities.

Personal Service Contract (PSC) – How Will You Receive Your Payments?

Orange County United Way will pay quarterly PSCs to the eligible participants within 30 days upon receipt of the completed online quarterly engagement worksheet. Emergency Payment Cards will be issued and available for in-person pick-up, an email for pick-up availability and office hours and address will be sent to each participant. Should you like your payment mailed to you, please email Karen Wallace, Finance & Grant Management Specialist at KarenW@UnitedWayOC.org.

How To Apply by Wednesday, May 31, 2023?

Applicants can complete an application and submit a W-9 to be found online at www.OCRelief.org/EquityOC.

  1. Please describe why you are interested in joining the Equity in OC Initiative.
  2. Please describe how you would like to contribute to health equity through the Equity in OC Initiative and its taskforce.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until available funds allow. For questions, please email EquityInOC@UnitedWayOC.org or call (800) 269-2153.

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