PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has developed an equity investment framework that will bring an equity lens to grants and awards made through the Long Beach Recovery Act, including grant funds received from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The framework ensures that context, including Long Beach’s history, is considered when awarding money to organizations, and that the funds are structured in a way that increases health and racial equity.

“Long Beach is committed to equity in each aspect of the work we do, and this framework demonstrates that,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “I'm grateful to the Health Department for beginning this process, and I know this will serve as a model across the City and beyond.” 

Following feedback provided from CARES ACT funding distribution, the Health Department developed the data-informed, equity-focused and community-driven framework. This framework strengthens and aligns with Goal 4 of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative which uplifts strategies to "improve health and wellness in the City by eliminating social and economic disparities in the communities most impacted by racism.” The framework will also be applied to bring an equity lens to other funds within the Health Department and can be utilized to make equitable investments across other City Departments.

“We know that many factors, including race and place, play a significant role in health outcomes,” said Long Beach Health Department Director Kelly Colopy. “This framework acknowledges health gaps and identifies ways to invest in organizations that are doing the important grassroots work to build health equity in our communities.”

The Health Department’s data showed that there is over representation of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths among those living in poverty and overcrowded conditions, among Black, Latino, and Native Pacific Islanders, and those who were unvaccinated. Data also demonstrated that nearly two-thirds of those hospitalized had diabetes or hypertension as an underlying health condition.   

COVID-19 has also had many negative impacts on the community including food insecurity, mental health and trauma, violence (including domestic violence), income loss, exacerbation of chronic illness, grief and isolation.

To counteract these negative impacts, the Health Department plans to invest in prevention efforts as well as addressing the negative impacts of COVID-19. The Health Department is working to establish a grant process that is easy to access for a variety of agencies with different capacities to apply and fulfill grant requirements. There will be special attention to maintaining flexibility in awarding grants to support organizations of varying sizes rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. The application process will include evaluation criteria for receiving funding and will identify opportunities for technical assistance and capacity building. The Health Department will be offering learning collaboratives and encouraging all grantees to participate to share practices and to leverage each other’s strengths and relationships across the City.

A virtual community presentation for community partners to discuss the framework and upcoming contracting opportunities will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. on March 24. Those interested can register at https://bit.ly/3JoDScY.

About the City of Long Beach   
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 171 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.  

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