For Immediate Release
EVANS, CO, March 25, 2021 – With funding from the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investing $6 billion in Community Health Centers nationwide to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines to the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities across the country. Sunrise has been awarded $8.6 million of this funding to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in underserved populations in Northern Colorado. This funding will strengthen our pandemic response in the following ways:
• Expanding COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and treatment for vulnerable populations;
• Delivering preventive and primary health care to people at higher risk for COVID-19
• Expanding operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond.
“This funding acknowledges that our patients matter in this pandemic,”says CEO Mitzi Moran. “The voices of those most vulnerable and hardest-hit in our community have been heard.” Together with community partners, Sunrise has immunized 18,000 people through 51 weekly vaccination clinics that were largely unfunded, and we aim to reach 12,000 people per month going forward.
This funding will enable Sunrise Community Health to continue increasing vaccination rates among vulnerable populations and people of color; we are already immunizing racial and ethnic minorities at three times the State average. We are also collaborating with community partners to conduct targeted equity clinics and large-scale outreach campaigns for vaccine hesitancy. Sunrise is also committed to vaccinating all those who are eligible in the community. We created an on-line waiting list system and phone call center (English & Spanish languages) to assist with registration of eligible populations. As a participant in the federal Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, Sunrise has received our first shipment from federal vaccine stores and will serve a critical role in accelerating vaccinations across the broader community. Ultimately, this funding will ensure that Community Health Centers increase equitable vaccine access and help end the pandemic for everyone.
Contact: Chalice Springfield, Chief Development & Communications Officer, 970-346-2509
About: Sunrise Community Health Sunrise Community Health exists to provide affordable access to quality health care for all. With twelve clinic sites in Weld and Larimer Counties, Sunrise supports the health of nearly 42,000 patients who are underserved by the health care system.
Sunrise provides services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay by screening patients for eligibility for publicly funded programs or private insurance and by offering a sliding fee scale and payment plans. We are proud to be part of a nationwide
network of independent health centers that serve nearly 30 million people.