(Omaha, NE) -- The Douglas County Health Department is awarded just under $9 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of $3.2 billion in U.S. Public Health Infrastructure Grants.
DCHD says the projected 5-year grant for Omaha and the Douglas County Health Department is $8,959,790. Omaha, as represented by the Douglas County Health Department, was one of 48 localities selected as the CDC funded 107 public health departments, including all 50 states.
The health department says the grants are specifically designed to meet three critical public health infrastructure needs that came to light during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic: Workforce Development, Foundational Capabilities, and Data Systems Modernization. DCHD says the purpose of the grants is to, "Create a stronger, more resilient public health system that is ready to face future health threats."
DCHD says examples of infrastructure improvements to be made possible by the grant are increased communication and community engagement staff, modernized epidemiology and data management software, and enhanced staff training and retention. According to the health department, grant activities will focus on weaving health equity into the targeted improvement areas. "The goal is for Omaha to serve as nationally relevant case study for how health equity, particularly the continued implementation of DCHD’s Racism as Public Health Crisis declaration, can successfully strengthen a local public health system and improve health outcomes."