Community Driven Outreach Initiative

The Community-Driven Outreach Initiative builds on the accomplishments of the Community Media Outreach program, implemented October 2020 through January 2023, which specifically focused on connecting with priority communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and that experienced access barriers to COVID-19 information, resources and vaccines.

The COVID-19 Community-Driven Outreach Initiative's goal is to ensure that Washington communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 continue to have access to the same critical health and safety information and resources as the rest of the general public. DOH and community organizations partner to improve COVID-19 information access and equity; develop meaningful and culturally appropriate and accessible communications; grow existing communications and engagement infrastructure; and strengthen relationships between communities and public health while addressing the social determinants of health amplified by the pandemic.

DOH recognizes that community-rooted and community-led organizations and groups are better positioned and equipped to respond to community needs to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 information, education, vaccines, and resources. Community-rooted and community-led organizations have a unique understanding of the importance of a trauma-informed approach, logistical and access barriers, context, cultural beliefs, risk perceptions, and norms that impact vaccine confidence and uptake in their communities.

Priority Communities:

• Black/African American
• Hispanic/Latinx
• African Diaspora 
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
• American Indians/Alaska Natives/Urban Indians

Priority Intersections:

• People living in rural areas
• People with disabilities
• Religious groups
• LGBTQ+ people
• People over 65 years old
• People adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality, including:
  • People who are incarcerated
  • Immigrant and refugee communities
  • People with limited English proficiency
  • Agricultural workers
  • Unhoused people/people experiencing homelessness

DOH contracts with these organizations to support its communities of focus:

See also

DOH's Initiative to Address Health Disparities Across Washington State

Building Community Capacity for Equitable COVID-19 Recovery

Urban Indian initiatives