Helping Communities in EPA Region 8 Seek Environmental Justice
August 5th, 2024 | news
Partnering with Community Health Centers (CHCs), JSI is set to coordinate an exciting new grant program that will help communities develop environmental justice-related projects and programs.
Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program will award nonprofit and tribal organizations across the country at least $600 million to address environmental justice and public health issues in underserved communities. JSI’s Colorado office will coordinate the grant program for EPA Region 8 (Mountains and Plains); the Community Health Association of Mountains/Plains States (CHAMPS) is a partner.
Health professionals are perfectly positioned to advance climate action and educate their patients and communities about the effects of climate change, especially on more vulnerable populations. CHCs are also uniquely positioned to do so,” notes Julie Hulstein, executive director of CHAMPS.
Grant funds will pay for a variety of projects including air quality monitoring, water quality sampling, assessment of stormwater issues, development of green infrastructure, strengthening of emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency, and education and outreach about illegal dumping.
The most harmful effects of climate change fall disproportionately on underserved communities, who are least able to prepare for and recover from them. Racial and ethnic minority communities are particularly vulnerable to the greatest impacts of climate change, and CHCs serve many of these communities.
“CHCs are trusted members of their communities as well as trusted messengers. These qualities, coupled with their focus on the holistic well-being of their patients and communities, perfectly position CHCs to work on climate change initiatives,” says Hulstein. “CHAMPS is grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this groundbreaking work. We are hopeful that our partnership with JSI and other identified partners will advance our commitments to address health disparities, build community capacity, and promote the tenets of environmental justice, particularly in historically under-resourced communities.”
Grant applications will be available this fall. More information is available.
