Recovery and Resiliency
When people and communities experience a crisis together, they often are not impacted in the same way. BIPOC communities usually fare worse in crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, due to systemic health, economic and social inequities exacerbated by disasters.
NC Counts Coalition helps communities recover from unforeseen crises by working with government and community partners to understand the true needs of our communities to develop appropriate responses to crisis.
We are growing initiatives that connect public sector needs to private sector capacities and are proud of our growing role as a critical strategic partner to decision-makers at all levels of government.
Initiatives
Healthier Together Initiative
Healthier Together, a public-private partnership between NC Counts Coalition and NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), emerged as a powerful force addressing systemic barriers and reaching often-overlooked marginalized communities in North Carolina. Leveraging NC Counts Coalition’s established network of trusted messengers within BIPOC communities, the program advanced health equity through targeted outreach, culturally competent messaging, and community engagement. This collaboration dismantled barriers to vaccine access and countered misinformation, exemplifying the transformative power of inclusivity in addressing health disparities. By harnessing the collective strengths of its partners and embracing diversity, this initiative not only saved lives but also paved the way for a more equitable and resilient future for all North Carolinians.
Behavioral Health
NC Counts Coalition created a behavioral health pilot assessment, funded under the Healthier Together public-private partnership with NC DHHS. The purpose of this assessment was to guide the expansion of community-based organizations’ capabilities in addressing the behavioral health needs of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ children/students in grades K-12 affected by COVID-19. This was critical in helping these specific communities recover from the pandemic, as research showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated the growing behavioral health crisis among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ children and adolescents.
Health Lit4Wake
Health Lit4Wake is a partnership between Wake County Human Services (WCHS) and NC Counts to advance health literacy to enhance equitable community responses to COVID-19 in 35 census tracts in urban areas throughout Wake County, NC. In line with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (ODPHP) Healthy People 2030, WCHS and NC Counts are leading a coalition of diverse organizations, government agencies and individuals to:
- Advance health literacy among racial and ethnic minorities, and other socially vulnerable groups most impacted by COVID-19
- Expand complimentary services to address social determinants of health, and
- Utilize data for decision making
Connect Me NC
In an increasingly digital world, access to technology and digital skills are critical for individuals and communities to thrive. NC Counts Coalition recognizes the importance of digital equity in ensuring that all North Carolinians can fully participate in and benefit from the digital age. “Connect Me NC” is a statewide campaign that aims to bridge North Carolina’s digital divide.
Additional Resources
