The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has released a Request for Applications (RFA #20535) to provide funding for health promotion and education targeted at Indigenous communities in New York City and Long Island. This initiative focuses on reducing health care access barriers, strengthening community capacity, and implementing culturally responsive health services. The program aligns with the recommendations of the Ending the Epidemic Blueprint Implementation Strategies to address health disparities within Indigenous communities, particularly around HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). NYSDOH aims to support a single high-scoring applicant with $300,000 annually over a period extending to November 30, 2028, with a contract anticipated to start on May 1, 2025.

The goal of the funding is to address critical health issues among Indigenous populations by promoting evidence-based, culturally appropriate health practices. Applicants are encouraged to build partnerships within Indigenous communities to support health and wellness, recognizing the impacts of social determinants like historical trauma, substance use, stigma, and access to culturally competent care. The program will emphasize community engagement and provider education to support Indigenous-led interventions and knowledge-sharing, improving overall community resilience against health disparities. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit or tribal organizations with three or more years of experience providing culturally appropriate, trauma-informed services to Indigenous populations in the specified regions.

Funding can support various programmatic activities, including community needs assessments, community engagement, and provider education activities. Applicants are expected to conduct needs assessments during the first and third years of the contract to identify community strengths and areas requiring support. Community engagement activities may include educational events and traditional gatherings focused on health promotion, HIV/STI/HCV prevention, and health literacy. Provider education will aim to improve culturally sensitive service delivery by informing providers about Indigenous community health needs, promoting holistic health approaches, and increasing collaboration across health domains.

Applications must be submitted via New York’s Statewide Financial System (SFS) by 4 p.m. on November 14, 2024. To apply, organizations need to be registered and prequalified in the SFS. NYSDOH strongly encourages early submission to avoid technical issues and recommends completing the application process well in advance. Attachments, including the Statement of Assurances and Indigenous Communities Work Plan, among others, are required and must adhere to specific file naming conventions.

Applications will be scored based on sections including Community and Agency Description, Health Equity, Program Design and Implementation, Budget Justification, and Work Plan. Selected proposals should provide a clear outline of tasks and performance measures aligned with each objective. NYSDOH will post responses to any questions about the RFA on the SFS website on or around October 30, 2024. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to participate in training webinars and review available reference materials on the SFS portal for assistance in the submission process.

For questions specific to the RFA, applicants can contact the NYSDOH AIDS Institute at IndigenousRFA@health.ny.gov. The initiative reflects New York State’s broader commitment to addressing racial and health inequities, enhancing health literacy, and providing accessible, equitable health services for communities that have historically faced significant health disparities.