EXCITE Bridge Access Project RFA

 The EXCITE program has a fully executed agreement for an additional $6 million for the purpose of increasing awareness of the Bridge Access program for COVID-19 vaccine for uninsured and underinsured individuals. The Request for Application (RFA) for Implementation teams and EFNEP is announced HERE is open to ALL institutions receiving EFNEP funding and to existing EXCITE implementation teams. 

The downloadable RFA guide is found HERE. The deadline to apply is April 24. Michelle Rodgers, EXCITE Program Director, calls attention to the requirement of a letter from Extension Directors or Administrators to accompany each application, and expresses deep gratitude to ECOP, CDC, NIFA and Extension Foundation for the continued support. 

There is a multi-pronged approach in place.

• Current EXCITE Implementation teams can apply for $30,000 to augment their ongoing work;
  
  
• EFNEP programs at each LGU can apply for $70,000 to incorporate an awareness campaign regarding the free Bridge vaccination program;
  
  
• 1994 Institutions will coordinate with Ruth Hursman, 1994 Engagement Coordinator, to participate a mixed media campaign designed for tribal communities; and
  
  
• A social media campaign regarding Bridge vaccinations will be provided to targeted areas of the states not covered by any of the above efforts through a national marketing firm.

With this funding, EXCITE Immunization Education which is a part of the Health and Well-Being PAT, has received $23 million dollars. The impact of this funding is stated in the Extension Foundation annual report.




Food Waste Prevention Week Webinar - This week is Food Waste Prevention Week, an annual week committed to educating and encouraging culture change around wasted food. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from noon to 1:00 pm ET, USDA will host its own webinar titled, USDA Programs, Investments, and Innovations to Prevent and Reduce Food Loss and Waste, to learn about some of the different ways USDA is advancing and engaging with food loss and waste prevention and/or reduction efforts. Registration for the webinar is required.

ECOP Liaison to EDEN Executive Committee - The ECOP Executive Committee recently appointed Amanda Marney (pictured left) as the Section’s representative to the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Executive Committee. Dr. Marney, “Mandy,” has served as the Associate Director of University of Wyoming Extension since January of 2000. She previously served as district director for research and extension at Kansas State University and a program Director for the University of Missouri’s Agricultural Experiment Station. The ECOP National Office engages with Mandy and many others with national appointments with partnering entities at least three times annually to help fulfill their liaison roles and responsibilities. 

Soils in the City Webinar - The National Urban Research & Extension Center (NUREC) invites interested parties to attend the Urban Underground: Agroecological Functions of Soils in the City Webinar to be presented on April 17 at 12:00 PM ET. Attendance is free and registration here is required. To learn more, visit the webinar announcement here.

National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Annual Meeting - Registration is now open for the 2024 NACDEP Annual Conference, which will take place June 17-20, 2024, in Houston, TX. Hosted by Prairie View A&M University Extension in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, this conference offers a unique opportunity for community development extension professionals to collaborate, grow professionally, and network. Held in downtown Houston at the prestigious Marriott Marquis-Houston, TX, attendees can expect engaging sessions and discussions focused on leveraging "The Power of Together" to enhance the impact of land-grant institutions on research, teaching, and Extension.