Greetings Everyone,

I have three words to begin with: Operation Warp Speed! It is so impressive that we have a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus in such a short timeframe.  The vaccine has been released, and first responders and long-term care facilities residents and personnel are already getting their vaccines.  What an amazing response we have had to this pandemic.  But it is too early to relax our vigilance with masks and social distancing…

What a year it has been. I am sure many if not all of you have seen the clever marketing materials referencing 2020 and how glad we are to be nearing its close.  It has been an unbelievable year of change on a global scale, with many, many sad stories of defeat, but some critical victories, like the vaccine. Even with the vaccine, it is a time to regroup and recommit to the health and wellbeing of our loved ones, ourselves, and the members of our community.  As our holidays approach, we all must consider how we will celebrate this time. It is not easy to hold off or change our holiday get-together plans…so please review the COVID-19 information from the CDC, the Department of Health, and one of our state news outlets for help, guidelines, and reminders before you make your decision. The links to the information are provided at the bottom of this newsletter.

Please continue to browse the short notes about our initiatives…..the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida has been able to remain flexible throughout this crisis and continue to help our community in many ways…..as you will see below.

Thank you for your support and shared goal of improving the health and lives of the members of our community.

The Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida (HPCNEF) is partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (FDOH-Duval) on a three-year opioid grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HPCNEF is pleased to announce the second round of calls for innovative project proposals. Projects will be chosen on their potential to curb the tide of the opioid epidemic in Duval County. Award amounts are between $75,000 - $175,000. The deadline for the White Paper response is 5:00 pm EST, Friday, December 18, 2020. For more information, contact OD2A.

The Northeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (NEFCCC) provided a virtual training session on cultural competency and health disparities on October 27, 2020. This educational opportunity was provided to approximately 30 Health Insurance Marketplace Navigators during their statewide USF Covering Florida Consortium Partners monthly meeting. For more information about NEFCCC, contact Kim Millrood.

The St. Johns River Rural Health Network (SJRRHN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that HPCNEF administers through the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Office of Rural Health. SJRRHN partnered with Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare in Nassau County on the HRSA Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program. SJRRHN will provide sustainability planning and CLAS Standards monitoring for the project. For more information about SJRRHN, contact Flora Davis.

HPCNEF's Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education program partnered with the NASCAR Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia / Flagler in mid-October to host three Speediatrics Fun Day Festivals across Volusia County. More than 200 children participated in hands-on NASCAR-themed activities, bicycle safety, and helmet fittings guided by HPCNEF and NASCAR staff alongside volunteers, local community leaders, business people, and law enforcement from across the area.