President Preckwinkle Announces $12 Million Investment to Launch Building Healthy Communities Initiative

Funds available for local organizations to advance COVID-19 recovery and health equity

Today, President Preckwinkle announced new investments to launch the Building Healthy Communities (BHC) initiative in partnership with Cook County Health (CCH) and the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). Building Healthy Communities aims to support COVID-19 resiliency and recovery, especially for Cook County communities hardest hit by COVID-19.

Twelve million dollars in grants will be made available using a combination of funds provided to Cook County by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to support local organizations in expanding programs promoting mental health, food security, and positive youth development across Cook County.

“The Building Healthy Communities Initiative will lessen the impact of COVID-19, stimulate the economy and build healthier and more resilient communities throughout our region,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “I encourage community-based organizations to apply for funding so that we can collectively advance solutions toward racial and health equity in Cook County.”

Eleven million dollars in grants will be made available through a Request for Proposal (RFP) led by the Cook County Department of Public Health. These grants are being made available for organizations serving the Cook County suburbs. Eligible activities include:

• COVID-19 education, prevention and treatment
• Chronic disease self-management programs for older adults
• Worker rights, health and safety
• Deployment of Community Health Workers
• Health Equity in All Policies
• Organizational health literacy
• Organizational sustainability for advancing racial equity and well-being

“We are grateful to Cook County government for their commitment to funding grassroots organizations doing good in our communities,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, Co-Lead and Senior Medical Officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health. “By bringing together several funding streams, our department is maximizing resources for local organizations to implement community-driven programs that advance racial and health equity in the region.”

One million dollars in grants will also be made available to support community-based organizations serving the City of Chicago for mental health, food insecurity and positive youth development. Organizations can apply for funding through a separate RFP led by Cook County Health.

Israel Rocha, Jr, CEO of Cook County Health added, “We are thrilled to make these resources available across the county to address some of our communities most pressing health needs. This is what commitment to health equity looks like.”

Interested organizations can find RFP #H22-0027 (BHC in Suburban Cook) and RFP #H22-0028 (BHC in the City of Chicago) on the Bids and RFPs webpage hosted on the Cook County Health website.