Tag Archive for: excite

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS: EXCITE Implementation Phase

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REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

EXCITE: Implementation Phase

 

ELIGIBILITY: Competitive phase available to ALL Land-grant universities (1862, 1890, 1994) by completing an online application. Participation in the Design Phase is not a requirement to apply for the Implementation Phase.

AWARD AMOUNT:  $100,000

TIMELINE: 

  • Application Open: February 2023
  • Application Deadline: March 15, 2023, 11:59PM PT
  • Award Notification: May 2023
  • Award Period: June 1, 2023 – November 30, 2024 

Extension Collaboration on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) is a nationwide local response by U.S. Cooperative Extension made possible through an interagency agreement between USDA-NIFA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It embeds partners and funders to strengthen immunization education with a special focus on adult vaccination confidence around COVID and other adult immunizations. Over 8 million adults in rural and medically underserved populations have been reached.

Cooperative Extension’s partnership with the CDC, initiated by the ECOP Health Innovation Task Force, is happy to release EXCITE Phase 3. The long-term goal of this partnership is to strengthen Immunization Education with a special focus on adult vaccination confidence around adult immunizations. EXCITE will address COVID-19 vaccine confidence in the LGU Extension communities and advance the work of EXCITE 1 and 2 for adult immunization education in local communities.  (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/index.html)

EXCITE consists of two phases: The Design Phase (6 months October 15, 2023-March 15, 2023) and the Implementation Phase (18 months, through November 2024), which is the subject of this RFA.

The overall objectives of the EXCITE project are to increase COVID-19 and adult immunization through (1) Increasing partnerships with local Departments of Public Health with special emphasis placed on those at the local level. Other potential partners include Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, or other types of partners that can provide adult immunization in prioritized communities; (2) Increasing positive perception of public health partners and vaccine providers of the value of collaboration with Extension; (3) Changing attitudes and beliefs within LGUs about adult immunization that will lead the organization to become an asset model focused on building early adoption and innovation leaders in adult immunization education; (4) Assessing best practices for adult immunization in rural communities through National Convening and 3 selected pilot projects.

The competitive Implementation Phase will (1) implement plans for adult immunization education and vaccination at the local level and directed to identified rural and medically-underserved communities and (2) improve confidence in the COVID-19 Vaccine in their LGU.

 

WHERE TO APPLY: The deadline for receipt of your application is March 15, 2023, 11:59PM PT. Applications should be filled out through Extension Foundation here: extension.org/exciteapplication. Applications received after this date will not be considered. For additional information, questions, or clarifications, email EXCITE@extension.org.

 

APPLICATION ACCESS: The deadline for receipt of the application is March 15, 2023, 11:59PM PT. Applications should be completed through Extension Foundation here: extension.org/exciteapplication.  Applications received after this date will NOT be considered. For additional information, questions, or clarifications, please contact EXCITE@extension.org.

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Getting to the Heart of the Matter: COVID-19 Vaccination Education Survey

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Cooperative Extension professionals across the system and at all levels are invited to share their opinions and experiences regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccination education.

This project is sponsored by the Extension Foundation and the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE).

Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow Center for Media & Health Promotion Research, WSU Extension, and the WSU College of Education are conducting a needs assessment to gain insight into the current realities of Cooperative Extension professionals regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccination education.

This is a short survey that should take about 15-20 minutes to complete:

https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/…m/SV_3jU0g7onaHBbd5k

The results of the needs assessment will be used to develop communication strategies and tools to help Cooperative Extension professionals at all levels and across the entire system feel more comfortable, willing, and confident with COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

These will support Cooperative Extension professionals, who choose to, serving as trusted and compassionate messengers of accurate vaccination information in their communities so individuals can make the decision that is in their best interest.

Your feedback about your experiences and opinions with COVID-19 vaccinations and education will be very useful for helping us understand the barriers and challenges faced by Cooperative Extension Professionals.

Please take the time to complete this survey. Every response is important!

It is only with your assistance that we can understand the full range of opinions and experiences about COVID-19 vaccinations across the Cooperative Extension System and all types of Land Grant Universities.

Your participation is voluntary and your responses will be kept confidential. No personally identifiable information will be associated with your responses in any reports of these data.

If you have questions or comments about the survey, please feel free to email us at eaustin@wsu.edu or ask for Erica at 509-335-8840.

This study has been certified as Exempt by the WSU Human Research Protection Program: irb@wsu.edu.

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EXCITE Gets Recognition from the CDC

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The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement, (EXCITE) program received a letter of gratitude from CDC director Samuel F. Posner, and a spotlight on the CDC’s Health Equity in Action page for their work.

In the letter, Samuel Posner recognizes the value of a partnership with Cooperative Extension, stating “..we’re looking forward to learning from CES and understanding community concerns to develop and deliver effective tailored messaging to increase vaccination in hard-to-reach communities, in both rural and urban settings. I know how hard field agents work, the long hours and distances traveled especially in rural and frontier areas, and how much you all care about the community members you serve.

He highlights how this strength of CES has led to great success in vaccine uptake, “because Extension field agents are known trusted messengers working in every county across the nation,….Tailored messaging in rural areas works… In rural areas, 71.4% of people ages 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you to those who helped realize these achievements by getting vaccinated and helping others do the same.”

A great shout out to our EXCITE team members doing work in their communities! To view the impactful work EXCITE is doing including the full CDC letter, project success stories, and breakdown of projects by state head to the new EXCITE website hosted by Extension.org — https://extension.org/excite/

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Extension Foundation 2021 End of Year Update

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Dear Extension Colleagues,

It has been our pleasure to serve the Cooperative Extension System this past year and we are excited for the work ahead in 2022. We wanted to provide an update to all of you about how the Extension Foundation has partnered with Cooperative Extension this past year and our progress towards making a greater impact on local issues. We thank you all for the work you do everyday in your states and communities, and we wish all of you a happy and restful holiday season. We look forward to serving you in the New Year.

Our Best,

Christine Geith
Chief Executive Officer
Extension Foundation

Gregg Hadley
Chair, Extension Foundation Board of Directors
Associate Professor & Director of Extension
Kansas State University

Recent Success Stories

2021 Publications

Upcoming Ways to Engage with the Extension Foundation

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Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) Announces Funding Recipient for Vaccine Hesitancy of the Cooperative Extension System

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The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, through an Interagency Agreement with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. This initiative is called the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE).

The EXCITE program serves all Land-grant universities  to reach communities with limited resources to address vaccine hesitancy through two sets of activities: system-wide engagement with the CDC’s Vaccinate with Confidence communication campaign (Activity 1) and selected adult immunization education pilot projects (Activity 2). Seventy-two Land-grant Universities are served through 96 projects enabling critical education outreach to over 4 million underserved citizens. 

A third award opportunity was released on October 1st, 2021. The goal of this funding is 

  • Assess vaccine hesitancy of Extension field educators, specialists and administrators
  • Create and implement a strategy to reduce vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 and other adult immunizations, and increase confidence and willingness to become immunization educators in their community. 

After a competitive RFA process, Washington State University was selected as the recipient of this award. Project leaders from Washington State University include:

  • Erica Weintraub Austin, Professor and Director, Edward R. Murrow Center for Media and Health Promotion Research
  • Paul Bolls, Associate Dean of Research & Graduate Studies, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
  • Zena Edwards, Unit Associate Professor and Project Co-leader, WSU Extension
  • Courtney Payne, Extension Educator
  • Bruce W. Austin, Research Assistant Professor, Learning and Performance Research Center, College of Education

The goal of this project is to reduce hesitancy around vaccination, and increase willingness to serve in educational roles around adult vaccination among Cooperative Extension personnel at all three types of Land grant institutions (1862, 1890, 1994). This funding is for December 1, 2021 – April 30, 2023. 

Michelle Rodgers, EXCITE Project Director and Associate Dean and Director of Extension at the University of Delaware shared that “Washington State’s proposal from the Edward R. Murrow Center for Media and Health Promotion Research, the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, the College of Education, and in collaboration with WSU Extension’s Youth and Families Program, brings an innovative look at vaccination hesitancy. Their approach complements Cooperative Extension’s EXCITE initiative by recognizing that information-based campaigns often don’t resolve ambivalence and may even create psychological reactance. Their plan combines the evidence-based practices of motivational interviewing, media literacy and biometric/physiological testing used in neuromarketing to help uncover reasons for hesitancy and provide solutions along and is partnered with Extension faculty members on the team. Previously, this team has successfully paired with Cooperative Extension in Washington State around nutrition education messaging that demonstrates baseline knowledge of the work of Cooperative Extension and its stakeholders. Our program team is looking forward to partnering with Washington State on this project.”

To learn more about the EXCITE program, please visit excite.extension.org. 

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RFA: Vaccine Hesitancy of the Cooperative Extension System 

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REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

  Vaccine Hesitancy of the Cooperative Extension System 

Funded by a Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA and CDC in partnership with the Extension Foundation and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP)

Extension Collaborative for Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE)

October 1, 2021 Released

October 31, 2021 November 12th, 2021 Application Deadline

ELIGIBILITY: All Land-grant universities (1862, 1890, 1994) are eligible to apply. 

AWARD AMOUNT: Up to $300K

NUMBER OF AWARDS: 1

TIMELINE: 

  • Application Open: October 1, 2021
  • Application Deadline: October 31, 2021 November 12th, 2021
  • Award Notification: November 7th-14th, 2021
  • Award Period: December 1, 2021-April 30, 2023

APPLICATION ACCESS: The deadline for receipt of your proposal is October 31, 2021 November 12th, 2021. Applications should be filled out through Extension Foundation here:  https://registry.extension.org/212726122259048. Proposals received after this date will not be considered. For additional information, questions, or clarifications, please contact Dr. Michelle Rodgers at michellerodgers@extension.org or phone at (302) 635-4306.

APPLICATION GUIDE: Click here for the Application Guide. 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Michelle Rodgers

Associate Dean and Director

University of Delaware

EXCITE Project Director

michellerodgers@extension.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Land grant institutions (LGU) are invited to apply to The Extension Foundation’s Extension Collaborative for Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) Program for funding to: 1) assess vaccine hesitancy of Extension field educators, specialists and administrators, and 2) create and implement a strategy to reduce vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 and other adult immunizations, and increase confidence and willingness to become immunization educators in their community.  The goal of this project is to reduce hesitancy around vaccination, and increase willingness to serve in educational roles around adult vaccination among Cooperative Extension personnel at all three types of Land grant institutions (1862, 1890, 1994). 

This funding is for December 1, 2021-April 30, 2023.  By the end of this project, we anticipate the following outputs: 1) an assessment of Cooperative Extension system COVID-19 and adult vaccine hesitancy, and 2) tested, deployed and assessed strategic educational interventions to decrease Extension personnel hesitancy.   The anticipated outcomes are to: 1) increase confidence to serve as immunization educators 2) increase willingness to serve as immunization educators 3) improve attitude supporting vaccination education as an appropriate educational role for Cooperative Extension. Awardees can expect productive interaction with the national EXCITE Program Team as needed. 

The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP),  through an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. Priority work includes facilitating discussions at the community level to address barriers and concerns about COVID-19, flu, and other adult immunizations to help increase connections and communication between the community and health care professionals, increase accessibility and acceptability of local vaccination clinics and opportunities, and mobilize communities to implement public health programs to reduce health disparities. Through the IAA, the EXCITE program seeks to decrease vaccine hesitancy and build the evidence base of effective interventions to improve vaccination coverage in rural and other medical underserved communities. 

BUDGET: The budget should address each of the major cost categories outlined in the Federal SF-424 Research and Related Budget form (see brief outline below).  No match of institutional funds is required. Note that EXCITE funds cannot be used to purchase vaccines. More specific guidance is found in the 2 CFR Part 200 Cost Principles (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1) and the NIFA Federal Assistance Policy Guide (https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-federal-assistance-policy-guide).

  • Personnel Costs (R&R Sections A&B)
    • Compensation in the form of Salaries and Wages for the faculty, technicians, research associates and assistants, postdoctoral associates and other technical personnel necessary to meet the goals of the project, computed as either percent effort, hourly wages or person months.
    • Fringe Benefits normally encompass employer contributions for social security, employee life, health, unemployment, worker’s compensation insurance and pension plan costs related to the personnel charged to the project. Costs must be expressed as a percentage of salaries and wages in the proposal budget based on negotiated Federal rates applicable to each person or role.
  • Equipment Costs: Capital equipment (R&R Section C) is defined as tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. Requests must include item description, justification of use for equipment on the project, quote to substantiate the equipment cost, and plan for equipment disposal at the end of the performance period. Agency approval must be obtained before awarded funds may be released. If both cost and useful life criteria are not met, then equipment is considered noncapital (see Other Direct Costs below).
  • Travel Costs (R&R Section D): Employee costs for transportation, lodging, and subsistence that directly support the aims for the project. Include in the budget justification the destination, number of people traveling, and dates or duration of each stay for all anticipated travel.
  • Participant Support Costs (R&R Section E): Direct costs for items such as stipends or honoraria, subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects. NIFA considers payments to non-participants, e.g., organizers, recruiters, influencers, trainers, coaches, etc., who encourage or assist participants to be Participant Support. Payments made to defray the cost of participation, e.g., for travel and meals, are also allowed in accord with institutional policies and documentation requirements.
  • Other Direct Costs (R&R Section F):
    • Materials and Supplies: Consumables to be used in the performance of the proposed project, e.g., laboratory items and data processing supplies.
    • Noncapital Equipment: Equipment not meeting both capitalization criteria above. Note that such items are indistinguishable from other supplies.
    • Consultants/Independent Contractors: Consultants who provide expertise or a service to a particular project consistent with their normal course of business.
    • Subawards: A contract specifically creating a Federal assistance relationship with a subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the project applicant. A subrecipient typically is assigned responsibility for programmatic decision-making with subsequent performance measured in relation to whether it assigned project objectives were met.
    • Tuition Remission: Mandatory benefit for students employed as Graduate Research Assistants/Associates (GRAs) that is separate and distinct from other employee fringe benefits.
    • Other Costs: Various items such as vendor contracts for ancillary goods and services, publication, and meeting costs. Also may include items that are normally indirect, e.g., telephone long distance and photocopy costs, that are directly related and assignable with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Indirect costs (R&R Section H): Whereas Direct Costs (R&R Sections A-F) can be identified specifically with the performance of a project, Indirect (aka Facilities and Administrative) Costs are incurred for common or joint objectives and therefore cannot be identified readily and specifically with any project. Indirect Costs are quantified as a percentage of a pre-defined Direct Cost base: Total Direct Costs (TDC), Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), or Salaries and Wages (S&W) that may or not include Fringe Benefits. Consult your institution’s current negotiated rate agreement for the correct rate base application. Applicants may also elect to apply the de minimis rate of 10% against MTDC. Note that Indirect Cost rates remain unchanged for the life of the project.
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Extension Foundation 2021 Mid-Year Update

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We are excited to provide you with a mid-year update about the Extension Foundation and our progress towards helping Cooperative Extension (CES) make a greater impact on local issues. 

Funding to the Cooperative Extension System (2020-2021)

  • $22.4M in 2020-2021
    • 85% to LGU’s
    • Total of $19M to LGU’s across Extension program areas

Funding Sources (2020-2021): 

  • $2M EPA Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program (PSEFMP)
    • 85% to LGUs
  • $4.9M USDA-NIFA New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE)
    • 45% to to LGUs
    • 55% to capacity-building solutions
    • Including over $800K to the 7 ECOP Priority Action Teams
  • $8.9M CDC/USDA-NIFA Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE)
    • 95% to LGUs
  • $6.6M received by NTAE and Impact Collaborative teams across health, workforce and Ag & Natural resources
    • 100% to LGUs

Our Impact

  • Allied with ECOP, CDC and USDA-NIFA for the EXCITE $9.9M interagency effort–the Foundation is providing solutions to the programmatic needs for 96 projects; seamlessly delivered 95% of funding to the Cooperative Extension System (CES)–enabling critical education outreach through 72 LGUs for underserved and vaccine-hesitant populations. 
  • Delivered NTAE program acceleration and Key Informant services funded by USDA-NIFA through OK State with nine LGUs; Twelve CES projects to date unleashed new funding, expanded resources and private sector partnerships–returned to institutions stronger and ready to deepen community impact. 
  • Developed digital infrastructure to support CES during the pandemic–enabling user-generated content, resource-sharing and advertising; created 5K accounts, advertised 2K+ events–engaged 2.1M public with CES content across the country.
  • Launched first ever National Registry of CES Programs and Assets–registered 150 programs in the first two months to speed up collaboration and access to a living database of efforts nationwide–supports rapid-response to system-wide funding opportunities (e.g., EXCITE).
  • Bolstered collaboration among 52 LGU Pesticide Safety Education Programs–delivered $1M in EPA funding to 52 LGUs, average award of $18K while expanding capacity for applicator training and safe application.
  • Actively supporting the incubation of innovation for 57 member institutions; 250+ CES project teams served; 175 facilitators trained; $6M+ in funding awarded to Impact Collaborative teams.
  • Connecting three institutions to realize 1890’s capacity-building academy; coordinated 24 innovation coaches to assist 15 teams; presented 20 virtual sessions for 2nd cohort–improved five aspects of team effectiveness by 6.2% average in six months, hit 96% satisfaction rating; offering regional assistantship for 3rd cohort.

Extension Foundation History

Created by Extension Directors and Administrators starting in 2001, Extension Foundation facilitates and supports the success of Extension professionals and systems. The bylaws state the Foundation’s purpose is: Helping Cooperative Extension professionals make a visible and measurable impact on local issues. A timeline of our history including the logo change from eXtension to the Extension Foundation is available here. 

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Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement Announces Funding Recipients for Activities 1 and 2

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The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, through an Interagency Agreement with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. This initiative is called the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE).
The EXCITE program serves all Land-grant universities through two sets of activities: system-wide engagement with the CDC’s Vaccinate with Confidence communication campaign (Activity 1) and selected adult immunization education pilot projects (Activity 2).
72 applications for non-competitive Activity 1 funding were received from Land-grant institutions representing all six regions of Cooperative Extension. 30 applications were received for competitive Activity 2 funding involving 38 Land-grant institutions representing five regions of Cooperative Extension; 24 were selected for funding.

Below is a list of institutions receiving funding for Activity 1 and Activity 2:

Activity 1 Recipients:

Alabama A&M University
Alcorn State University
American Samoa Community College
Auburn University
Bay Mills Community College
Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Central State University
Clemson University
College of the Menominee Nation
College of the Muscogee Nation
Colorado State University Extension
Cornell University
Delaware State University
Florida A&M University
Fort Valley State College
Iowa State University
Kansas State University
Kentucky State University
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
Langston University
Lincoln University
Louisiana State University
Michigan State University
Mississippi State University
Montana State University
Nebraska Indian Community College
New Mexico State University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina State University
North Dakota State University
Ohio State University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania State University
Prairie View A&M University
Purdue University
Red Lake Nation College
Rutgers University
Southern University
Tennessee State University
Texas A&M University
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
University of California System
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii
University of Idaho
University of Illinois
University of Kentucky
University of Maine
University of Maryland
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
University of Nebraska
University of Nevada, Reno
University of New Hampshire
University of Rhode Island
University of Tennessee
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wyoming
Utah State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia State University
Washington State University
West Virginia State University
West Virginia University

Activity 2 Recipients & Collaborators:

Auburn University & Alabama A&M University
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Kentucky State University & University of Kentucky
Lincoln University
Mississippi State University & Alcorn University
New Mexico State University
North Carolina State University
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania State University
Tennessee State University
University of Arkansas
University of Florida & Florida A&M University
University of Georgia
University of Idaho
University of Illinois & Purdue University
University of Maryland & University of Delaware
University of Maryland Eastern Shore & Delaware State University
University of Missouri
University of New Hampshire
University of Tennessee
University of Vermont
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University & Virginia State University
West Virginia State University & West Virginia University

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Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement: May 2021 Immunization Education Programs Spotlight

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Cooperative Extension programs are making an impact on communities across the country with immunization education efforts, particularly with vaccine-hesitant individuals. Activities include mobile vaccination clinics in partnership with local health organizations, social media campaigns, the development of online toolkits promoting research-based immunization information, and more. This month, the EXCITE program is highlighting how an immunization education program in Virginia implemented a hotline phone registration system that now receives 28% of all vaccination registrants in the county, and how a team in Louisiana is using social media to promote COVID-19 vaccination fact sheets.

The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), through an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. This initiative is called the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE).

The EXCITE program serves all land-grant universities through two-phases of activities: system-wide engagement with the CDC’s Vaccinate with Confidence communication campaign, and adult immunization education pilot projects.

Those across Cooperative Extension working in the area of Immunization Education have been registering their programs in the National Registry of Cooperative Extension Programs and Assets (NRCEPA). The NRCEPA is a new tool made available through the Extension Foundation to create a living database of Cooperative Extension programs, projects, and curriculums to rapidly identify existing work across the system for national funding opportunities. Currently, the NRCEPA is in pilot with the EXCITE program.

For May 2021, EXCITE is highlighting two programs registered in the NRCEPA that are working in the area of immunization education:

Madison County COVID Vaccination Clinics

The Virginia Cooperative Extension in Madison County worked with the local health districts and hospitals to create a county-wide COVID Vaccine hotline registration system and vaccine clinic to target the county’s underserved population. By implementing a hotline phone registration system, they were able to decrease registration barriers which allowed for farmworkers, elderly with limited or no internet access, and those with limited English proficiency to register for vaccines. Due to this innovative and efficient effort, Madison county has now administered 4466 vaccines at the clinic with 28% of the registrants coming through the vaccine hotline. The Virginia Cooperative Extension will continue to build on its trusted relationship with the public to implement strategies to vaccinate hard to reach and hesitant populations.

In the NRCEPA, this program has offered several digital assets to assist other Cooperative Extension programs. This includes their vaccine appointment form template, COVID-19 Vaccine 101 factsheets, infographics, and sample advertisements.

COVID-19 Vaccine Education/Outreach Initiative – Southern University

In Louisiana, Southern University Extension Agency was facing the issue of low vaccine registration turnout due to medical mistrust among their community members. Being a trusted community resource, Southern University was able to combat this issue by utilizing their social platforms and website to inform and educate on COVID-19 and vaccinations. Southern University used pre-existing information and data from the CDC to create fact-sheets for their website, as well as the CDC social media guide to launch campaigns and webinars on the COVID-19 vaccine. This outreach and education program was an initiative created to educate and advise their underserved population on vaccines and the need for immunization.

In the NRCEPA, this program has offered several digital assets to assist other Cooperative Extension programs. This includes several infographics and fact sheets.

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RFA: Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) Immunization Education Pilot Projects (Activity 2)

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Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, Health Innovation Task Force
Extension Foundation

EXTENSION COLLABORATIVE ON IMMUNIZATION TEACHING AND ENGAGEMENT (EXCITE) IMMUNIZATION EDUCATION PILOT PROJECTS (ACTIVITY 2)

DATES: MAY 1, 2021 – APRIL 30, 2023

ELIGIBILITY: The RFA for EXCITE Activity 2 is open to all Land Grant University CES professionals. Each LGU may apply as part of an unlimited number of lead and collaborating applications for EXCITE Activity 2. At most, one project per institution will be funded, whether the institution is lead or collaborating institution on the application. There is no limit to the number of projects as part of which a principal investigator or team member may apply. EXCITE Activity 2 is a competitive process. 

TIMELINE:

  • Activity 2 RFA Published: upon receipt of the NIFA award notification
  • Activity 2 Application Due: May 14, 2021
  • Activity 2 Applications Review Process May 17-21, 2021 
  • Activity 2 Award Notification: May 24-28, 2021
  • Activity 2 Funds Distribution to Subawardees: May 31-June 4, 2021

FUNDING LIMITS: Up to $200,000 per award for 2 years. 

APPLICATION ACCESS: The application is available at https://applyextension.smapply.io/. The Application Guide and other information is available on the website at https://extension.org/immunization. 

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Michelle Rodgers

Associate Dean and Director

University of Delaware

EXCITE Project Director

michellerodgers@extension.org

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), through an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. (AWARD NO: 2021-77041-34831)

The Extension network as a trusted leader in communities across the nation is a key factor in the selection of Extension as a CDC partner. On behalf of the Cooperative Extension System and in collaboration with ECOP, the Extension Foundation serves as Principal Investigator; provides grants administration; fiscal, operational, and technological services; system-wide communication; innovation processes; wrap-around services for projects; data collection and dashboards; and partnership development. Goals of the EXCITE Program include:

 

  1. Address barriers and concerns and increase acceptability about COVID-19, flu and other vaccinations among rural and medically underserved audiences.
  2. Increase connection and communication between targeted communities and healthcare systems.
  3. Increase accessibility of local COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccinations and vaccination clinics.
  4. Inform CDC, USDA-NIFA, Cooperative Extension and health partners to implement public health programs to reduce health disparities.

 

Activity 2 Immunization Education Pilots are competitive and support up to 20 pilots, testing various methodologies to conduct immunization education programs with priority populations for all types of adult vaccinations. Funded projects will work cooperatively with the CDC, local health professionals and programs to improve immunization rates with priority populations.

 

The purpose is to create and test innovative delivery methods for each pilot project and inform future immunization education methodologies of best practices.Immunization Education Pilots will be developed to not only further message testing, but to learn from the selected communities about how CES, CDC, and local health professionals could work together to educate and reach PP for improved adult immunization rates in general.  Pilot projects selected for funding will ideally be diverse in geographic region, scope and delivery cost, and methods  to meet a range  of rural and other medically underserved at-risk areas and communities around COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccinations.

 

  • Participation in a pre-application assist workshop to develop a project including targeted population, a unique value proposition, plan for message testing implementation, and community engagement plan. Application developed with input from CDC key informants with a focus on innovative interventions.  Pilot programs will include at least 1 health partner to collaboratively develop the intervention. Approximately 20 Pilot projects to be selected
  • Awardees conduct intervention activities designed for their priority population.   Market Research will be conducted as a part of the intervention  to understand priority population views and perspectives.  Results will be shared among all Pilot projects. This will  inform a second iteration of the intervention. Teams will engage with technical assistance, key informants and team coaches. Innovative delivery methods will be dependent on the priority population and may include worksite education, train the trainer, media campaigns, development of community leaders as messengers, use of volunteers for local program delivery.  

 

Award and Funding Decisions–Funding decisions will be considered final.  Award decisions will be published on the EXCITE Website and emailed to each institution individually.

Training Awardees–Successful applicants will attend periodic training provided by the Project Director, Assistant Project Director and the Extension Foundation in conjunction with the CDC to ensure all funded applicants have the data and input they may need to implement their projects, and ensure proper fiscal accountability, time and content of progress reports, final reports and any other information that will assist them to successfully manage their projects.

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Our mission is to help Cooperative Extension generate a more visible, measurable, local impact.

We achieve this through our nationally funded programs made possible by member dollars and cooperative agreements with federal agencies, and through partnering on state, regional, and national initiatives with Cooperative Extension and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). We serve all Land Grant Universities, regardless of membership status.

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The Extension Foundation is a nonprofit established by Extension Directors and Administrators nationwide. Extension Foundation is embedded in the U.S. Cooperative Extension System and serves on Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP).

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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