RHF Receives $10,000 Grant to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Education as part of CDC Vaccine Equity and Access Program

UCC-related Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF), with headquarters in Long Beach, Calif., has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Equity and Access Program (VEAP) to increase COVID-19 and influenza vaccine confidence and access among older adults.

“RHF is committed to enhancing the quality of life for its residents,” said Stephanie Titus, RHF’s vice president of philanthropy. “We are proud to partner with LeadingAge in this initiative to keep older adults informed of vaccination benefits and encourage those who need a vaccination to get one.”

The $10,000 grant was offered as part of a national partnership between LeadingAge, a national association of nonprofit aging services providers, and CDC partner Community Catalyst to strengthen vaccine education through community outreach and community-provider coalitions. RHF, a LeadingAge member, will use the grant to encourage residents in its senior affordable housing communities to get vaccinated.

“Flu vaccines have long been a critical tool for long-term care providers—and the COVID vaccine has been the most important development of the pandemic,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge. “LeadingAge is committed to increasing vaccination rates using every available resource, which is why we are pleased to partner with Community Catalyst on the Vaccine Access and Equity Program. Our mission-driven members are working hard to ensure that everyone who needs a vaccine can get one — particularly people in communities of color, who have been disproportionately impacted throughout the pandemic. This initiative brings us one step closer to achieving this goal.”

RHF is one of 42 LeadingAge members that have received a grant via an application process earlier this year. Clinics will be held throughout the first quarter of 2022.