February 2022 Newsletter

Virginia Partners in Prayer & Prevention continues to work with, support and be a resource to our places of worship, faith and interfaith-based communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia P3 recognizes that faith-based and community partners eagerly and actively step in to fulfill the needs of their community, especially during a crisis. As a result, we aim to equip our partners to respond to the present opioid health crisis with Opioid Response Toolkits.

In This Issue

Get free at-home COVID-19 tests

Black History Month

COVID-19 Townhall

Heart Health Month

Free N95 Masks

Protecting Places of Worship

Empowering Healthy Families Program (EHF)

COVID-19 Treatments

WWE & CDSMP Class

Training & Webinars
Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order #4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.

Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
During February, the Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is celebrating the achievements of Black Americans and honoring the significant role and impact they have made on all facets of life and society throughout U.S. history.

This year’s theme, Black Health and Wellness acknowledges the legacy of Black scholars, medical practitioners, and health care workers whose activities and initiatives have positively impacted the health and wellness of racial and ethnic minority communities. Focusing on the overall wellness of Black communities is particularly important now because of the high risk for COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and death faced by this community and the impact COVID-19 has on people with underlying medical conditions. Learn more.
February is Heart Health Month
Heart Attack Symptoms

CHEST DISCOMFORT
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

DISCOMFORT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UPPER BODY
Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

SHORTNESS OF BREATH
with or without chest discomfort.

OTHER SIGNS
may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Stroke Symptoms
Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.

FACE DROOPING
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

ARM WEAKNESS
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH DIFFICULTY
Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

TIME TO CALL 911
If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.

Free N95 Masks Available for Pick Up at Local Pharmacies and Community Health Centers
Wearing a mask is a critical way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks and respirators, when worn consistently and correctly, are effective at reducing the transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. The Biden Administration is making available 400 million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile for free to the public.

Free N95 masks are available to pick up at local pharmacies and community health center sites across the country. Every person is allowed up to 3 free masks pending availability. Learn More
Empowering Healthy Families Program (EHF)
Empowering Healthy Families Program (EHF) is recruiting churches for Spring 2022! EHF is hosted in partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Virginia (BGCVA), Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and Cooperative Extension. We are excited to help families throughout Virginia improve their healthy eating and financial wellness habits. “Open Enrollment” is an opportunity for churches to share their interest to host the program. Once registered with “Open Enrollment,” the EHF team will follow-up with additional information. Churches must recruit at least 10 families, a Program Coordinator, and 2 people that will be trained to teach program classes. 

Open enrollment ends February 11th, 2022. All churches must confirm their participation along with recruitment of families and church team by February 18th. 

Please find the following information about the EHF program. Feel free to share this email and information with others. For immediate assistance, please email Beverly Vaden at bevden@vt.edu.
Resources on Protecting Houses of Worship
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is committed to supporting efforts to maintain safe and secure houses of worship and related facilities while sustaining an open and welcoming environment.

CISA aims to provide a first stop for guidance and resources that will inform FOB-HOW security-based decisions. Included below are numerous resources, including a Guide and Self-Assessment Tool, which provide building blocks for effective safety and security programs. The resources include assessment, training, planning, exercises, and other materials focused on a wide range of man-made threats (e.g., bombing, active shooter, vehicle ramming, etc.) that could be used against the FBO-HOW community. Obtain resources for Faith Based Organizations - Houses of Worship | CISA

Learn more on protecting Houses of Worship | CISA
WHEN IS IT SAFE TO BE AROUND OTHERS: ISOLATION and WHEN TO END ISOLATION

Update 2/1/22

The Arthritis Foundation’s program, Walk 
With Ease reduces the pain of arthritis and improve your overall health. No matter if you need relief from arthritis pain or just want to be active, the Arthritis Foundation’s six week 
Walk With Ease program can teach you how to safely make physical activity part of your everyday life. The program includes a guidebook and a walking schedule to get you safely moving toward better health.
Thursday March 3, 2022, 1:30-2:30 PM
CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM CLASSES

What is CDSMP?
CDSMP is 6-week program that meets for two hours once a week. CDSMP helps people learn ways to control pain and other symptoms, get around better, and stay independent.

Classes are offered through in-person, virtual via Zoom, or by phone with toolkit sessions.

February 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM
Contact: Mona Burwell, VDH Arthritis Program Coordinator at: mona.burwell@vdh.virginia.gov
Game Day Food Safety Tips

What You Need to Know
  • Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after preparing food and before eating.
  • Separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods like vegetables when preparing, serving, or storing foods.
  • Make sure food is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
  • Keep hot foods hot (140°F or warmer) and cold foods cold (40°F or colder).
  • Throw out perishable food that has been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours (more than 1 hour if it has been exposed to temperatures above 90°F).

We all are working together to Building Equity and Promoting Health and Wellness. Great newsletter, DC Health, Places of Worship Advisory Board!!!
Teen Dating Violence Awareness: Rights, Roles, Responsibilities and Resources

Tuesday, February 8th 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm

An education forum sponsored by the DMV Faith in Action Community Connections
Make Mental Wellbeing a Priority During COVID-19

Many of us have suffered mental health challenges as a result of the pandemic. If the pandemic has caused you to feel lonely, anxious or depressed, it’s important to acknowledge those feelings and seek support. As a Mental Health First Aider, it’s essential to take care of yourself, so you can be better equipped to take care of others.

Learning to manage your mental wellbeing in a healthy way will not only make you more resilient, but will also help your loved ones take care of their own mental wellbeing and resilience. As a Mental Health First Aider, taking care of yourself can better equip you to take care of others.. Read more.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), although there has been substantial progress in cancer prevention over the past several decades, cancer health disparities persist, including:
  • higher incidence of aggressive breast cancer among Black women
  • higher rates of prostate cancer incidence and death among Black men
  • higher rates of cervical cancer incidence and death among Black and Hispanic/Latina women
  • higher rates of kidney cancer among American Indians/Alaska Natives
  • higher rates of liver cancer among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Visit the CDC National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program webpage to learn about projects that promote healthy lifestyles, support recommended cancer screenings, educate people about cancer symptoms, increase access to quality cancer care, and enhance cancer survivors' quality of life.

Keeping weight, body mass stable could benefit brain health

Older adults who maintain a steady weight and body mass index (BMI) as they age are less likely to experience rapid cognitive decline, new research published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia®: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association suggests. In a study of more than 16,000 people age 60 or older, all participants showed some degree of mental decline, but the decline was more than 60% faster in those with fluctuating BMIs. Learn more.
Additional Community Resources
The Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP) is designed to support and ensure housing stability across the commonwealth during the coronavirus pandemic. Tenants and landlords can easily check their eligibility for Virginia Rent Relief. Tenants interested in applying can check their eligibility by completing the self-assessment at https://dhcd.virginia.gov/rrp or by dialing 2-1-1 on their phones. Property owners, managers and landlords visit the Virginia Housing website http://virginiahousing.com/rentrelief
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
For more information about this assistance, visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov. Get answers to frequently asked questions about the application process on FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQ page. Watch the video, Providing Financial Assistance for COVID-19-related Funeral Expenses or share this flyer.
Line Number: (844)-684-6333 | TTY: (800)-462-7585
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time
Get COVIDWISE today!
Have you added your phone to the COVID fight yet? Download Virginia’s free COVIDWISE Exposure Notifications app today to help protect your community while protecting your privacy!
Vaccine Now!
Get Your 1st, 2nd or 3rd Dose
Trainings & Webinars

Mental Health First Aid Training. February 26, 2022,  9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Virtual)

Charlottesville Alzheimer's Community Forum. Thursday, March 3, 2022 | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST

Funding Opportunities
The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity is now accepting applications for the Virginia Partners in Prayer & Prevention Disparities Grant funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The purpose of the program is to advance health equity and address COVID-19 related health disparities by partnering with Faith-Based Institutions/Organizations to address social determinants of health as they relate to COVID-19 health disparities.

This grant program supports future projects in response to COVID-19 efforts to ensure equitable access to COVID-19-related services, addressing COVID-19-related health disparities among populations at higher risk, underserved, and disproportionately impacted by this pandemic.

Approximately, 50 awards will be funded up to $20,000 per recipient.


Costco Wholesale is offering grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations that focus on children, education, health or human services in the communities Costco does business. Throughout the year they receive a large number of requests from nonprofit organizations striving to make a positive impact and provide support to a variety of organizations and causes.


Grants to support community-based organizations providing direct services, education, or research in the areas of HIV and AIDS, with priority given to smaller communities and rural areas.

Letter of Intent (Required): March 4, 2022
Application Deadline: April 1, 2022

Lyft is offering in-kind grants of up to $3,000 to Nonprofit Organizations as part of their Community Grants program. Lyft is willing to support the following program areas: Arts and Culture, Civic Advocacy, Education, Employment Services and Job Readiness, Environment and Sustainability, Food Access and Security, Healthcare, Social and Legal Services. If you haven't applied already, go here now.


Virginia Partners in Prayer & Prevention
For more information on Virginia P3, visit us here.
Stay Connected with VDH Updates from the Office of Health Equity.
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).