In an attempt to strengthen the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) network, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) for the first time awarded $50 million to 33 states and jurisdictions.
The money, pulled from the American Rescue Plan, was cobbled together as the MRC State, Territory and Tribal Nations, Representative Organizations for Next Generation grant program. All told, it will use a targeted approach to building community health and health equity, supplying the foundations for improvement to a national network of 300,000 volunteers. Under the banner of the MRC, these volunteers help local efforts to improve emergency response capabilities, reduce vulnerabilities and expand community preparedness and resilience.
“MRC units are a force multiplier for local emergency responses,” Dawn O’Connell, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, said. “The ARP-funded awards announced today will bolster response efforts in communities across the nation, building on the invaluable role that the MRC played during our fight against COVID-19.”
From the competitive compensation, the largest award amount was $2.5 million, which was the size granted to the Ohio Department of Health and the Oregon Health Authority. On the opposite end of the spectrum, just over $376,287 went to the Hawaii State Department of Health. Other recipients included everything from the CNMI Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, to counties, state health departments and more.
MRC volunteers supported by this initiative aid community preparedness to reduce everyday public health risks and improve local health. They also backup emergency shelter operations and medical care during extreme weather, aid vaccine drives – as seen during COVID-19 – and more.