Georgia, Tennessee small businesses eligible for up to $2,000 to increase vaccine confidence among employees, community

ATLANTA, Ga. – Up to 200 minority-owned businesses in Georgia and Tennessee can receive up to $2,000 for helping to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence among their workers and in their communities.

Minority-Owned Businesses (MBEs) participating in the HealthWorks program must have at least two employees and assign one person from their organization to serve as a Small Business Health Ambassador (SBHA). The ambassador will complete an online training program about how to implement an effective COVID-19 resilience program in their company.

HealthWorks is a partnership that unites the broad expertise of Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and ASHLIN Management Group. The program aims to reach individuals in the most vulnerable and medically underserved communities, which often have high levels of COVID-19 infections and lower than average vaccination rates. Community Outreach Workers involved in the program can work with participating businesses to conduct COVID-19 education sessions and arrange vaccination events.

MBEs that participate in the HealthWorks program will have an opportunity to enroll in training cohorts that begin on June 6 and July 11. Businesses are eligible to receive $1,000 for completing the online training and participating in digital regional collaboration hubs. MBEs can receive an additional $1,000 for providing proof of 100 vaccinations among their staff, family members, and community members during the engagement period. Interested businesses can sign up immediately at <www.ashlininc.com/healthworks/>.

HealthWorks is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of its Community-Based Workforce for COVID-19 Vaccine Program. The program will be conducted statewide in Georgia, with particular emphasis on Fulton and Clayton Counties in metro Atlanta. In Tennessee, socially vulnerable populations that live in 95 counties across three Grand Divisions will be targeted.

Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission—the creation and advancement of health equity. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master’s degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, visit <www.msm.edu> or call 404-752-1500.

Meharry Medical College, founded in 1876, is the nation’s largest private, independent historically Black academic health sciences center dedicated to educating minority and other health professionals. True to its heritage, it is a United Methodist Church-related institution. The college is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; emerging preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services, and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce. Meharry is a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences.

ASHLIN was founded in 1996 by CEO/owner Linda Botts, who remains committed to the company’s core principles of creating appropriate, culturally conscious solutions using data and technology to aid clients and serve the public sector.