HHS channels ARP dollars to rural COVID-19 response

Nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding will be used to strengthen COVID-19 response efforts and increase vaccinations in rural communities, Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week. The money will be used to increase the number of vaccines sent to rural communities and to expand testing and other COVID-19 prevention services. Approximately $250 million will be used to support a community-based workforce charged with increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence and addressing barriers to vaccination in vulnerable and medically underserved communities. Award recipients will engage with community-based organizations, health centers, minority-serving institutions and other regional and local entities. (HHS news release, 5/4/21)