Health equity learning cohort

Mobilizing communities to improve regional health and well-being.

The Health Equity Learning Cohort is an exciting initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among organizations and communities to collectively create a shared vision for regional health and well-being

Overview

Over the span of seven months, participants in the Cohort will engage in a journey of listening, learning, and connecting with local leadership and communities. Through monthly meetings and focus area workgroups, we'll dive into discussions guided by the Vital Conditions of Health and Well-being framework to help us identify and connect cross-sector efforts, ultimately leading to recommendations for a regional health equity improvement plan. This plan will be dynamic, responsive to evolving community needs, and serve as a valuable resource for future funding opportunities and ongoing systems transformation efforts.

Funding

CHOICE will award $35,000 to each organization to support their attendance at monthly meetings and engagement in at least one focus area workgroup.

Awardee commitment

Organizations must have one dedicated person who can commit at least 4-5 hours per month (not including travel) to participate in Cohort activities. Activities include attending monthly meetings (a combination of in-person and remote), as well as contributing to agreed-upon tasks throughout the duration of the initiative.

Key dates

Application launch: March 14
Informational webinar: March 27, 1-2 p.m.
- View presentation
Application deadline: April 15, 5 p.m.
Application review: April 16 - May 6
Awardees notified: May 13
Cohort contract period: June 1 - December 31

Who should apply?

We welcome applications from a diverse range of organizations representing various sectors such as healthcare, social work, technology, transportation, education, research, workforce development, racial and social justice, and more. Community-based organizations, for-profit businesses, government agencies, policy, advocacy, faith-based, and cultural groups are all encouraged to apply. We are seeking organizations with a commitment to improving health equity in our region and a willingness to collaborate and learn with other cohort members.

Eligibility criteria

Organizations eligible to participate must operate within central western Washington, including the geographic boundaries of various counties and indigenous nations. These include Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties, as well as the Chinook Indian Nation, Confederated Tribes of Chehalis, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Skokomish Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, and Quinault Indian Nation.

Equity focus (20%)

Evaluate the depth and breadth of how equity is integrated into the organization’s mission, programs, and practices.
Criteria: clarity of equity definition, examples of equity-focused initiatives, and impact measurement.

Community engagement and data utilization (25%)

Assess the methods and effectiveness of community engagement.
Criteria: engagement strategies, feedback mechanisms, utilization of community voice, data collection, and usage to inform practices.

Collaboration for equity improvement (10%)

Examine the extent and impact of collaboration with other organizations on equity.
Criteria: partnerships, collaborative projects, and shared outcomes focused on equity.

Organizational lead’s contribution and capacity (30%)

Evaluate the proposed lead’s experience, role, and unique contributions to the cohort.
Assess the lead’s availability and commitment to participate in cohort activities.
Criteria: experience relevant to health equity, leadership role, unique value add to the cohort, and commitment to time requirements.

Additional interests/needs (15%)

Consider what unique interests or needs the organization has that could enrich the cohort or indicate specific support they might require.
Criteria: alignment with cohort goals, potential to benefit from and contribute to the cohort, and articulation of specific needs or interests.

APPLICATION

Do we need to submit data as part of the application process?

No. We understand that different organizations have different capacities for collecting data. We’re interested in learning what data collection or community engagement efforts are currently informing your work.

Our service area only covers two of the eligible counties within central western Washington. Are we still eligible to apply?

Absolutely! Organizations are eligible to apply as long as they serve at least one community within the geographic boundaries of Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties, as well as the Chinook Indian Nation, Confederated Tribes of Chehalis, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Skokomish Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, and Quinault Indian Nation.

Is there a limit on how many organizations can be awarded from each county?

No, there is no specific limit on the number of organizations that can be awarded from each county. However, our goal is to ensure that the Cohort represents the full geographic makeup of our region.

COHORT ACTIVITIES

How will cohort participants be expected to engage in data?

Data is critical to understanding the story of, and identifying solutions to, health equity in our region. However, it is just one piece of the puzzle. While we will provide opportunities and resources to help guide data exploration and understanding, the Cohort will ultimately determine how much, and to what extent, they will engage in these activities.

How will information and resources be shared among cohort participants?

We will provide all participants with free access to a collaboration platform called Basecamp, where you can post messages, share and receive resources, and manage files.

Are meeting dates already established?

Yes, they will be the first Tuesday of every month, except for the first kick-off meeting which will be held on Wednesday, June 5. We will solicit feedback from Cohort participants to determine meeting times that will best work for everyone’s schedule.

The application indicates an organization must designate a “lead” – does that mean that the $35,000 funding can only cover their participation time? Would an organization be able to use the funds to support multiple staff who may also be involved in the work?

The $35,000 award is unrestricted, so organizations may spend the funds however they see fit.

If the organization’s “lead” person cannot attend a meeting, can the organization send another person to take their place?

Absolutely!

Will participants be expected to provide any kind of reporting back to CHOICE throughout the Cohort?
Participants will not be required to create or provide any reporting. CHOICE staff will attend meetings to help capture conversations, themes, notes, etc.

Will participants be organized by any geographic sub-specialization, for example, folks from Cowlitz County might be grouped with others from the same area?

No. The Cohort will comprise of ten organizations across the central western Washington region, and the two workgroups will be organized by focus topic. A critical component of this Cohort is providing participants the opportunity to engage in regional health equity improvement work through cross-sector collaboration, listening, and learning.

WORKGROUPS

Can you share a little bit more about the workgroups?

Data and community engagement: discussions will center data collection methods and strategies, data gaps, and how community voice and data inform decisions and solutions.
Care delivery: discussions will center opportunities to strengthen local and regional health systems, reducing barriers, and improving access to care.

Do we need to select a workgroup that aligns with our organization’s primary function (for example, if we’re direct service, should we be selecting the “care delivery” workgroup)?

Yes, participants are encouraged to select the workgroup where they feel they can contribute the most effectively. While aligning with your organization's primary function can be beneficial, the key is to engage in the workgroup where you believe you can make the greatest impact.

ADDITIONAL

Will this pilot project end in seven months, or is there a goal to make it an ongoing effort?

At this stage, we haven't made a definitive decision on whether the pilot project will conclude after the initial seven months, or if there's a goal to transition it into an ongoing effort. We're keeping an open mind and remaining flexible. Our priority is to gather insights, evaluate outcomes, and learn from the pilot to inform future planning and action. This adaptive approach ensures that whatever decision we make is well-informed and aligned with our overarching objectives in addressing health disparities and promoting health equity.

Has CHOICE led this type of Cohort work in the past?

No. CHOICE had previously partnered with county-specific “Local Forums,” to support local health improvement work, but these were not specifically tied to equity.