Routine Immunization through Community Engagement (RICE) Grant Program

Routine Immunization through Community Engagement (RICE) Grant Program is sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). This program supports community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout Wisconsin in their efforts to increase vaccine equity and to bolster routine vaccination efforts in communities most impacted by low vaccination rates, including communities of color, low socioeconomic status …

Immunizations: Routine Immunizations Through Community Engagement (RICE) Grant | Wisconsin Department of Health Services The RICE grant provides funding to support organizations, such as community-based organizations, local and Tribal health departments, and pharmacies, build a network of vaccinators, increase vaccine access, and fund culturally relevant and sensitive research.

RICE grant funding has been used for: providing one-on-one outreach creating vaccine clinics to meet special needs, doing podcasts, translating materials about vaccines, and much more. RICE 4. 0 grantees – grant period August 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Chippewa Valley Health Clinic Robin Kranig: robin@cvfreeclinic.

org Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Chippewa Valley Health Clinic project overview: Provide vaccination education at clinics. Promote and distribute education materials in the community. Promote vaccine program at area community schools and local university system.

Update vaccination materials for distribution. Clark County Health Department Kelsey Wussow: Kelsey. Wussow@co.

clark. wi. us Location: Neillsville, Wisconsin Clark County Health Department project overview: Conduct in-person outreach to Plain Community schools to develop tailored reminder and recall letters.

Assist Plain Community schools with completing and submitting 40-day reports. Facilitate off-site immunization clinics at Plain Community homes throughout county. Establish new off-site Plain Community clinic locations to replace existing site with low attendance or those too close to other clinics.

Provide immunization education through quarterly hard copy (mailed) Plain Community newsletters. Offer community-based childhood immunization clinics targeting areas with identified immunization gaps. Establish a dedicated school-based vaccination clinic in partnership with a local neighboring health department.

Engage with a dairy farm to deliver no-cost healthcare services. Conduct a windshield survey to gather data on community perceptions, knowledge, and concerns regarding the MMR vaccine. Coordinate and host a hybrid town hall focused on increasing awareness, education, and community dialogue around the HPV vaccine.

Conduct a virtual lunch-and-learn session for providers serving rural communities. Enhance community awareness of local influenza and COVID-19 vaccination clinics through weekly boosted Facebook posts. Forest County Health Department Tammi Boers: TammiBoersDirector@co.

forest. wi. us Location: Crandon, Wisconsin Forest County Health Department project overview: Immunize older adults throughout the county in ways that will eliminate transportation and financial barriers, and build trust in public health and strengthen partnerships.

Work with local community partners to provide immunization education and clinic logistics. Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center Melissa Ugland: MUgland@gliihc.

net Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center project overview: Conduct internal review of vaccination numbers and rates. Send Care Message messages to parents and caregivers.

Provide vaccination outreach to local partners and groups with a large number of Native American families. Provide information at events to promote and encourage vaccination. Share information about the sliding fee scale and free vaccination programs for lower-income families.

Healthy Opportunities for Latin Americans Francisco Guerrero: Francisco. Guerrero@holawisc. org Location: Wausau, Wisconsin Healthy Opportunities for Latin Americans project overview: Conduct targeted flu and immunization clinics across Marathon, Shawano, Clark, and Lincoln counties using a mobile unit.

Locations include worksites such as restaurants and dairy farms, and a health fair. Jefferson County Health Department Elizabeth McGeary: EMcGeary@jeffersoncountywi. gov Location: Jefferson, Wisconsin Jefferson County Health Department project overview: Reach underserved adults, including those who are uninsured or underinsured, especially Plain Communities, Spanish-speaking communities, and older adults.

Provide culturally and linguistically tailored adult immunization education and resources information to underserved individuals. Improve community interactions by conducting face-to-face conversations about adult vaccines at on-site clinic appoints and community events. Combat vaccine hesitancy through collaborations with the local Immunization Coalition.

Educate the general population on adult immunizations. Leverage vaccine reminders for clinic associated children as an outreach tool for adults. Lincoln County Health Department Kristi Krombholz: kristi.

krombholz@co. lincoln. wi.

us Location: Merrill, Wisconsin Lincoln County Health Department project overview: Partner with community agencies and worksites to promote and offer adult vaccinations while addressing barriers. Conduct a public health outreach campaign to provide awareness and education on vaccines, including recommendations for travel vaccines. Manitowoc County Health Department Korina Aghmar: KorinaAghmar@manitowoccountywi.

gov Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Manitowoc County Health Department project overview: Improve vaccine access using onsite interpreters for children and adolescents. Replace aging vaccine storage equipment. Strengthen community partnerships to implement a “Vaccinate Before You Graduate” campaign.

Sustain bilingual health aide services for interpretation and coalition engagement. Host a flu clinic with a local library. Partner with Manitowoc County Immunization Coalition for National Adolescent Immunization Action Week.

Marinette County Public Health Molly Bonjean: Molly. Bonjeacn@marinettecountywi. gov Location: Marinette County, Wisconsin Marinette County Public Health project overview: Launch a pilot initiative, Marinette County Mobile Resources.

Enhance access to pediatric immunizations in underserved and rural communities throughout the county. Implement school-based influenza vaccination clinics across all eight public school districts. Meadowood Health Partnership Meadowood Health Partnership: mhpresources001@gmail.

com Location: Madison, Wisconsin Meadowood Health Partnership project overview: Host monthly community-based vaccination clinics. Educate people at table talks and provide vaccine resources. Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health Helen Hermus: HHmermus@mkehmonghealth.

org Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health program overview: Organize a minimum of three vaccination clinics for the southeast Asian and Hispanic communities in Milwaukee County. Partner with Milwaukee Health Department and Hayat Pharmacy to provide vaccinations to Burmese, Kachin, Karenni, Karen, Hmong, Laotian, and Spanish speaking clients.

Perform intensive outreach to community members at social engagements, by phone calls and text messages to promote vaccination clinics. Create narrated visual media (video or PowerPoint) to be posted on YouTube in Burmese, Karenni, Karen, and Hmong languages to encourage vaccine uptake. Add information on the importance of Hepatitis B and HPV vaccinations to Public Health Worker cancer prevention education presentations.

Muslim Community Health Center of Wisconsin Salma Akhter: Salma@mchcwi. org Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Muslim Community and Health Center of Wisconsin Inc . (MCHC) program overview: Engage trusted community and faith leaders as vaccine ambassadors.

Provide culturally competent interpretation services. Pierce County Public Health Department Kelsi Winter: Kelsi. Winter@co.

pierce. wi. us Location: Pierce County, Wisconsin Pierce County Public Health (PCPH) project overview: Work with Western Wisconsin Health to build local capacity to vaccine children.

Educate families about vaccination and make it easy for eligible families to catch up on vaccines. Vaccinate community members at the Free Clinic of Pierce & St. Croix Counties site, rural school districts, and employment locations for migrant workers.

Progressive Community Health Centers Candice Cole-Smith: Candice. Cole@progressivechc. org Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Progressive Community Health Centers (PCHC) project overview: Increase childhood immunization rates by integrating vaccine education and referral support into both school-based and in-clinic dental services.

A CHW (community health worker) will complete Vaccinate Your Family’s Vaccination Community Navigator Training and serve as a trusted resource for parents and caregivers. Distribute educational flyers outlining the childhood immunization schedule. A CHW’s contact information will be distributed through pediatric dental after-visit summaries at PCHC’s Lisbon Avenue clinic and through Seal-A-Smile programs in seven Milwaukee schools.

A CHW will provide vaccine information, address misconceptions, assist with insurance and scheduling, and connect families to pediatric care. Sawyer County Health Department Julie McCallum: jmccallum@sawyercounty. gov Location: Hayward, Wisconsin Sawyer County Public Health project overview: Increase awareness of routine immunizations for children 18 years of age and younger within our community.

Staff will work with school and daycare staff to provide education for families and offer options within the community to receive vaccinations. Hold immunization clinics in schools, daycares, and clinics for children who are American Indian or Alaskan Native, Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, or underinsured. RICE 3.

0 grantees – grant period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 RICE 3. 0 grantees. Each black dot represents a grantee.

Access Community Health Centers Judy Keel: Judy. Keel@accesshealthwi. org Location: Madison, Wisconsin Access Community Health Centers is using the RICE 3.

0 funds to offer 20 – 30 vaccine clinics in fall 2024 to increase children's access to routine immunizations and vaccinations. Access will also participate in two community events and provide information on the importance of vaccinations to participants. Ashland County Health and Human Services Elizabeth Szot: Elizabeth.

Szot@ashlandcountywi. gov Location: Ashland, Wisconsin Ashland County Health and Human Services is using the RICE 3. 0 funds to hold vaccine clinics and provide vaccine reminders.

Vaccine clinics will include all Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)-recommended childhood immunizations. Ashland County Health and Human Services will be working with school districts throughout Ashland County to survey parents and responsible parties to determine the preferred location for children to receive vaccinations and hold clinics accordingly.

Vaccination clinics will be supporting populations of children who are 18 years or younger and American Indian or Alaskan Native, Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, or underinsured. To improve the vaccination experience at clinics, Ashland County Public Health has partnered with the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin in their Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI).

The VEI training provides the knowledge, understanding, and resources needed to meet the diverse communication, sensory, social, and cognitive needs for people with autism and all neurodiverse individuals. Chippewa Valley Free Clinic Robin Kranig: Robin@cvfreeclinic. org Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Chippewa Valley Free Clinic is using the RICE 3.

0 funds to continue to grow and expand vaccine outreach to the rural and Hispanic communities in the greater Chippewa Valley. They will hire a bilingual Vaccine Education Coordinator with a community health or nursing background to serve as the project manager.

This individual will work with the Partners in Health program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to coordinate visits at rural farms and provide education on routine adult vaccinations. The Vaccine Educator will also work directly with the clinic's Hispanic Case Manager in community outreach efforts in both the agriculture and service industries.

The Vaccine Educator will conduct vaccine educational outreach to their clients, as well as ensuring that they are aware of other services that they may be eligible to receive at no cost, such as medical and dental care, vision, mental health counseling, and medications.

In addition to external outreach, education will be provided for all new and existing patients on routine adult vaccines that are recommended for their age and/or health condition(s), as well as seasonal vaccines as recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Willie Ojo: WillieOjo@gmail.

com Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Short-term initiatives include distribution of informational flyers door-to-door ahead of vaccination events, educational programs on the benefits of vaccination, appointment scheduling for residents who lack digital access, and coordination of home visits for homebound individuals to receive vaccinations.

Long-term objectives include establishing temporary vaccination clinics in collaboration with state-approved vaccinators, offering translation and interpretation services to assist non-English speaking residents, providing culturally sensitive health outreach for refugees and bilingual communities, developing unbiased marketing and communication materials, and advancing an aggressive digital campaign to enhance vaccine awareness.

Clark County Health Department Kesley Wussow: Kelsey. Wussow@co. clark.

wi. us , Corrine Spencer: Corrine. Spencer@co.

clark. wi. us Location: Neillsville, Wisconsin The Clark County Health Department (CCHD) has a close partnership with the Clark County Jail.

Utilizing RICE 3. 0 funds, CCHD's goal is to provide access to immunizations for individuals within the Clark County Jail by establishing an immunization status and screening process during routine health assessments conducted by the jail health nurse. Clark County jail inmates are at a higher risk of contracting and spreading communicable diseases, putting the jail at a higher risk for experiencing disease outbreaks.

Currently, immunizations statuses are not assessed as part of routine health assessment for jail inmates. These funds will help establish a foundation for a jail health immunization program that can continue into the future, helping to protect not only incarcerated individuals, but also jail staff and the community as a whole. Dane County Immunization Coalition Brian Stamm: dcicimmunize@gmail.

com Location: Madison, Wisconsin The Dane County Immunization Coalition (DCIC), in partnership with SSM Health’s mobile vaccine unit and the "Back to School Haircutz" event hosted by JP Hair Design, aims to provide childhood vaccinations to underserved communities in Dane County.

Building on the success of previous collaborations, DCIC plans to set up a vaccination booth at the 2024 event, targeting over 1,000 children with free haircuts. Utilizing the Wisconsin Immunization Registry, children will be assessed for required vaccinations for school entry. Incentives such as gift cards and a prize wheel will encourage participation, while vaccine educational materials will be distributed to all attendees.

By leveraging existing relationships and expertise, DCIC seeks to improve vaccination rates among low-income Black and Hispanic children, addressing systemic barriers to healthcare access and education while fostering community trust and engagement. Fond Du Lac County Health Department Lisa Tollard: Lisa. Tollard@fdlco.

wi. gov Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Lindsey Purl: lpurl@gruw. org Location: Onalaska, Wisconsin Great Rivers United Way is using RICE 3.

0 funds to partner with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and local health departments across three counties (La Crosse, Monroe, and Jackson). CHW partners will implement the evidence-based Pathways Community HUB model to address health and social determinant of health needs. RICE funds will specifically support one-on-one education between CHWs and parents on the importance of vaccinations for their children.

CHWs will create a safe space to discuss any concerns, address myths, and assist in setting up appointments. CHWs will also help connect children to a primary care provider and stay on track with well-child visits to ensure children are up-to-date on immunizations.

Great Rivers will also partner with local health departments to facilitate community-based vaccine events for those unable or unwilling to access vaccines within a healthcare setting. Funding will also support CHWs assisting with transportation to either appointments or vaccine events. Fauzia Qureshi: fqureshi@hayatrx.

com Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Hayat Pharmacy is using the RICE 3. 0 funds to co-host 50 mobile vaccination clinics in underserved Milwaukee areas which will distribute multilingual educational materials. Hayat Pharmacy aims to administer 5,000 vaccinations and offer 110 home-based vaccinations to high-risk individuals.

Additionally, the pharmacy will train over 30 Community Health Workers (CHWs) to advocate for vaccinations, supported by targeted outreach campaigns and new partnerships. Hayat Pharmacy's mission is to empower communities by removing barriers and promoting routine vaccination acceptance for all. Ericka Sinclair: ESinclair@hcmke.

org Location: Glendale, Wisconsin Health Connections Inc. (HCI) will provide routine vaccine education, resources and administer routine vaccinations to adults throughout the Milwaukee County area.

HCI will host vaccine education and resource fairs with the opportunity for routine vaccination administration on a regular rotational basis to the following populations and sites: senior living apartment residents, senior meal sites, homebound individuals, churches, and college campuses.

HCI will create an online podcast and bring in guests to address health care access and health equity, with messaging centered on preventive measures, including routine immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases.

HCI will host a large-scale community engagement event with a culturally relevant health promotion strategy addressing vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, health care distrust and designed to intentionally engage vulnerable populations to actively overcome these barriers.

All of HCI's activities will include the creation of culturally relevant and socially accessible media campaigns that direct audiences to education, resources, and access to get immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Indianhead Community Action Agency Darlene Grotzinger: Darlene. Grotzinger@indianheadcaa.

org Location: Ladysmith, Wisconsin Indianhead Community Action Agency is using the RICE 3. 0 funds to support adult routine immunization through community education in Burnett, Clark, Rusk, Taylor, Sawyer, and Washburn Counties. ICAA’s outreach staff will partner with community service providers, attend community events, and join community meetings to support community vaccination education.

Education topics will include routine immunization schedules for adults, community and individual benefits of receiving routine immunizations, and locations or programs within the community where adults can receive vaccinations. ICAA’s program is designed to raise awareness and break down existing vaccination barriers for adults in ICAA's rural communities through community outreach and education.

Iowa County Health Department Carly Tibbits: Carly. Tibbits@iowacounty. org Location: Dodgeville, Wisconsin Iowa County Health Department is using the RICE 3.

0 funds to support their health department’s infrastructure to further strengthen key partnerships in efforts to provide vaccines to uninsured patients.

A specific focus is utilizing their partnership with the Community Connections Free Clinic (CCFC) to expand mobile clinic services to large farms in the region with intent to build trust, decrease the risk of vaccine preventable and communicable disease threats, and improve the health of their community. The health department administers VFA vaccinations and provides education while CCFC provides screening and health care services.

Funding supports planning efforts and outreach to creatively develop and foster relationships with farm owners and workers. Jefferson County Health Department Elizabeth Chilsen: ElizabethC@jeffersoncountywi. gov Location: Jefferson, Wisconsin Over the past year, the Jefferson County Health Department has experienced a major shift in patient populations, specifically in pediatric patients who are seeking vaccination services.

Interventions aim to decrease vaccination barriers by improving overall vaccination experience and providing targeted outreach efforts to Jefferson County's underserved pediatric Spanish speaking and immigrant populations.

Important changes include increasing weekly clinic hours to correlate with Women's, Infants and Children's (WIC) clinics in an effort to prevent missed vaccination opportunities and holding evening vaccine clinics during the fall to prevent school required exclusions.

Three internal clinical interventions include improving the health department's appointment text reminder system, providing in-person interpreters, and using a screening tool for vaccine anxieties or fears, then implementing interventions based on screening results. This includes offering a Shotblocker tool, ice packs, and calming music during appointments.

Targeted outreach efforts in collaboration with local schools, Jefferson County’s WIC program and Federally Qualified Health Centers will all play a role in promoting campaigning efforts.

Partnering with schools and importing student vaccination records that originate from out-of-state into the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) will be essential to increase accessibility of records for families and increase continuity of care for children within Wisconsin Healthcare systems. A final focus will be on providing transportation vouchers to those who have limited or non-reliable transportation options.

Lake Superior Community Health Center Barbara Caskey: BCaskey@lschc. org Location: Douglas County, Wisconsin Lake Superior Community Health Center is using the RICE 3. 0 funds to plan, promote, and conduct five childhood vaccination events in schools in Douglas County.

Funding will also be used to support convening monthly childhood vaccination coordination meetings with stakeholders, including county, school district, city, Head Start, childcare providers, public housing, and other medical providers.

This stakeholder group will coordinate vaccination efforts to avoid duplication and/or gaps and ensure that all populations and communities are identified and have access to routine childhood vaccinations in the community or clinic locations. Monroe County Health Department Kelsey Hanson: Kelsey. Hanson@co.

monroe. wi. us Location: Sparta, Wisconsin The Monroe County Health Department is using the RICE 3.

0 funds to focus on youth vaccinations of tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), and meningococcal within rural, marginalized communities. The health department plans to provide increased access and outreach within rural communities and groups, providing culturally appropriate materials and services in the English and Spanish language.

They plan to participate in a resource fair or educational event focusing on the need for these vaccines during and beyond high school. They also plan to collaborate with other local health care partners to provide additional services to families during immunization clinics, such as well child checks and sports physicals.

Funds will also be used to train staff and incorporate a more sensory friendly clinic setting for those with autism spectrum disorder. By making some adjustments to their space, changing their approach and being conscious about interactions with clients, the health department hopes that patients will have a less stressful and more pleasant experience when receiving vaccines.

Ultimately, Monroe County Health Department feels that this will also encourage more parents to bring their children into a clinic setting that is inclusive of neurodivergent children. Multicultural Coalition Inc. Lisa Cruz: Lisa@ourmci. org Location: Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties, Wisconsin Multicultural Coalition, Inc. (MCI) is using RICE 3.

0 funds to continue work in health equity in Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago Counties. Working alongside culturally based, grassroots organizations, MCI will host events which aim to provide health information, resources, basic needs, vaccination education and more.

These events include health information events in strategically chosen locations in which marginalized populations feel safe, monthly educational series, back-to-school events and more. Trust is at the center of our work. What makes our approach impactful is our commitment to listening and learning from the communities we serve.

We prioritize understanding their needs and collaborate to find solutions rather than imposing predetermined responses. While we serve all who seek assistance and information, our approach is centered in barrier-free access for communities of color, refugee families, immigrants, non-English speakers and other groups who face obstacles in accessing the wealth of resources in our community.

Muslim Community and Health Center Salma Aktar: Salma@mchcwi. org Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin The RICE 3. 0 grant allows the Muslim Community and Health Center of Wisconsin to expand its reach into the Milwaukee community and beyond, striving to increase routine immunization uptake, especially amongst underserved vulnerable populations including low-income individuals, refugees, and immigrants.

MCHC has strong collaborations with community organizations and businesses that they work with to achieve the mission of the grant by providing education, tackling vaccine fatigue and hesitancy, and removing barriers.

Funding allows MCHC to have targeted focus groups and educational workshops, outreach events and vaccine clinics at community locations, provide incentives for immunizations, and develop community immunization ambassadors who can then educate their respective communities and create a ripple effect. Oconto County Health and Human Services, Public Health Division Amy Longsine: Amy. Longsine@co.

oconto. wi. us Location: Oconto, Wisconsin Oconto County Health and Human Services, Public Health Division is using the RICE 3.

0 funds to increase awareness and education regarding the importance of routine immunizations. The department plans on offering immunization clinics in various spots of the county that are more accessible to underserved populations. Public Health is also translating materials to Spanish.

The division hopes this will increase vaccination rates in their seasonal and migrant worker population. Polk County Health Department Helen Swanson: Helen. Swanson@polkcountywi.

gov Location: Balsam Lake, Wisconsin Polk County Health Department is partnering with Burnett County Health Department and St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin to use the RICE 3. 0 funds to share vaccine information with the public and increase access to routine childhood immunization in rural communities.

With this grant funding, at least 16 immunization clinics at local districts in Polk and Burnett Counties will be held to reduce transportation and time and scheduling barriers by bringing immunizations and vaccine information directly to where guardians and students are already gathering. Families with transportation barriers will be provided gas cards to enable travel to Polk County Public Health or St.

Croix Tribal Health Center to receive immunizations. United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start will be offered support to ensure that their students have access to immunizations. Portage Community School District Valerie Hon: HonV@portage.

k12. wi. us Location: Portage, Wisconsin Portage Community School District values a student and staff population that is highly immunized to lower the risk of disease and illness in the school setting.

The RICE 3. 0 grant funds for the Up To Date project and will focus efforts to provide school located vaccine clinics in the schools for ease of access for families in a safe and familiar environment alongside education on the importance and safe use of vaccines. A cornerstone to this project is community partnerships and spreading the word with families, agencies, and businesses.

This will expand existing collaborations with the area health clinics and local health departments. Language barriers will be lessened using interpreter services and more translated documents. Case management of those behind with immunizations is anticipated to improve the number of individuals who are up to date.

Scenic Bluffs Health Center Sara Cook: SCook@scenicbluffs. org Location: Cashton, Wisconsin Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers (SBCHC) aims to address low childhood vaccination rates and disparities in access to health care services in the southwestern region of Wisconsin. Leveraging both new and existing partnerships with community organizations, school districts, Head Start programs, and county health departments, RICE 3.

0 funds will be used to support mobile vaccination clinics in Vernon and Crawford counties. The project's primary focus is providing accessible vaccination to children, especially in underserved communities, including free vaccinations to those without insurance or with Medicaid and Medicare coverage, or who otherwise qualify through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Megan Timm: Megan.

Timm@ssmhealth. com Location: Madison, Wisconsin SSM Health in Wisconsin is a health care network that encompasses SSM Health facilities throughout Wisconsin. SSM Health Wisconsin has extensive experience in providing mobile vaccine clinics in the fall of 2023 and held 13 clinics at schools, community events, sporting events, museums, senior centers, and other community centers.

With the RICE 3. 0 grant funds, SSM Health Wisconsin will hold 10 mobile vaccine clinics in collaboration with school systems and community organizations focused on individuals with barriers to traditional health care settings or vaccine hesitancy. SW Suburban Health Department Carolyn Haass: CHaass@westalliswi.

gov Location: West Allis, Wisconsin Southwestern Suburban Health Department is using the RICE 3. 0 funds to increase immunization rates among school-aged children in the West Allis, West Milwaukee, and Greenfield communities. They will be using the state immunization data to target those schools with the lowest vaccination rates.

The health department hopes to work with local school districts to provide vaccination clinics within the schools to provide better access to care for parents whose children need vaccinations. Additionally, they will hold vaccination clinics at the health department outside of normal working hours to provide appointments at times that are most convenient to working families. Taylor County Health Department Melissa Moore: Melissa.

Moore@co. taylor. wi.

us , Rhianna Schmidt: Rhianna. Schmidt@co. taylor.

wi. us Location: Medford, Wisconsin Taylor County Health Department is using the RICE 3. 0 funds to build upon the success and lessons learned from the RICE 2.

0 grant opportunity to move the needle towards achieving the following Healthy People 2030 and DHS targets related to routine adult immunizations: increase the proportion of residents who get their annual flu shots (HP2030 70%, 2023-2024 Wisconsin 35%, 2023-2024 Taylor County 21.

4%); increase the proportion of residents who are up-to-date on recommended vaccines; increase the number of residents who utilize local public health departments for their immunization needs; and increase utilization of Taylor County services throughout the calendar year for all routine vaccinations and maximize resources during high demand times such as annual flu clinics which primarily align with Wisconsin trends of late September through early November.

In addition to continuing to raise awareness of the importance of routine vaccinations, including influenza and Tdap, the health department is better understanding community norms through data collection and coalition building, increasing access to immunization opportunities, especially for high risk populations in rural areas; developing and maintaining partnerships to advocate for preventative programs; and strengthening department infrastructure to ensure health equity goals are met through effective policies, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.

Winnebago County Public Health Lindsey Uecker: LUecker@winnebagocountywi. gov Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin Winnebago County Public Health is using the funds to launch a multimedia campaign promoting the importance of vaccinations. Their target populations are low-income, houseless or housing insecure, refugees, and people with a lack of transportation.

They will be collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club, Tiny Home Village, World Relief, and NE Wisconsin Immunization Coalition. Additionally, to help increase the accessibility to vaccinations, Winnebago County Public Health will use the funds to provide several on-site vaccination clinics. RICE 2.

0 grantees – grant period September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 RICE 2. 0 grantees. Each black dot represents a grantee.

Access Community Health Centers Judy Keel: Judy. Keel@accesshealthwi. org Location: Madison, Wisconsin Access Community Health Centers is using funds to hold vaccine clinics and provide vaccine reminders.

Vaccine clinics in the fall focused on flu and COVID-19 and continued routine vaccine clinics will occur for the rest of the grant period. Translation services will also be offered as well as $10 gas cards, which are being provided from another funding source, to alleviate transportation barriers. Target populations are the under or uninsured pediatric population in Dane County, in the Southern region.

They will be partnering with the Madison Metropolitan School District and Public Health Madison Dane County. Angelic Assistance Community Care Co. Yinka Olapo: info@angelicassistance.

org Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Chippewa Valley Free Clinic Robin Kranig: Robin@cvfreeclinic. org Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Chippewa Valley Free Clinic is using funds to hire an intern to be a project manager and Hispanic outreach case manager, provide clinical reminders for vaccine appointments, provide routine immunization education in clinics, and complete educational outreach outside of the clinics.

Their target populations are Latinx and Hispanic, low income, migrant workers, farm workers, houseless or housing insecure, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+, low literacy, rural, and adult populations in Eau Claire, Trempealeau, Clark, Pepin, Buffalo, and Chippewa Counties, in the Western region. They will be partnering with UW-Eau Claire, LE Philips Library, Hmong Association, Hispanic grocery stores, food banks.

Clark County Health Department Kesley Wussow: Kelsey. Wussow@co. clark.

wi. us Location: Neillsville, Wisconsin The Clark County Health Department is using the funds to help focus immunization efforts not only in the general public, but also in the Plain Community (Amish and/or Mennonites), Hispanic population, schools, and child-care centers.

Efforts include monthly vaccine spotlights, promoting routine immunization clinics through all types of promotional avenues, establishing new routine immunization clinics in gap areas, conducting vaccine hesitancy surveys, increasing learning opportunities for their local immunization coalition, and much more. Dodge County Health and Human Services Roman Mullen: RMullen@co. dodge.

wi.

us Location: Juneau, Wisconsin Dodge County Human Services and Health Department is using funds to hold school-based, flu immunization clinics at participating Dodge County elementary, middle, and high schools, offer off-site flu vaccination clinics, develop curriculum on VPD to send home with school aged children, expand vaccine clinic hours past 9-5 for increased access, and conduct vaccine hesitancy surveys for adults with school-aged children to direct future vaccine outreach.

Their target populations are Latinx and Hispanic, low income, migrant workers, farm workers, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+, low literacy, rural, and pediatric populations in Dodge County, in the Southern region. They will be partnering with school nurses, county Emergency Management team, NGOs, and neighboring county health departments.

Fond du Lac County Health Department Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Fond du Lac County Health Department is using funds to offer VFA and VFC and provide Spanish interpreter services at all clinics. Their target populations are Hispanic and Latinx, low income, migrant workers, farm workers, low literacy, rural, houseless or housing insecure, and adult populations in Fond du Lac County, in the Western region.

They will be partnering with NE Wisconsin Immunization Coalition, Fond du Lac School District, Immunize Wisconsin, the faith community, homeless shelters, and Latinos Unidos. Green County Public Health Joni Marty: JMarty@greencountywi. org Location: