The Asian American Health Initiative has determined that sustained funding is needed to facilitate community-based organizations (CBOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs) providing linguistically and culturally appropriate services to the diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Asian American Health Initiative has launched Healthy Communities Fund to accomplish this goal. In partnership with the Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County Maryland Inc. (PCC), AAHI and PCC seek to fund programs in behavioral health, senior wellness, and health & social support services.
The Healthy Communities Fund solicited applications from eligible organizations to provide health services to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Montgomery County Maryland. The solicitation was from August 23, 2022 to October 2, 2022. Applicants can provide services in 3 funding categories: behavioral health, senior wellness, and health & social support services. Community organizations of all sizes were encouraged to apply as there is no minimum award amount to apply.
After a competitive application and review process, Montgomery County’s Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) announced awards to 10 local organizations totaling of $830,000. The funding will be used to develop new and sustain existing culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services in behavioral health, senior wellness and health and social support services for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.
AAPI communities are very diverse and have unique challenges collectively and individually. With 15 different Asian American subgroups in the community, and unique needs in each subgroup, programing must be tailored for each subgroup with consideration to the language and culture of the population being served.
“One of the hallmarks of Montgomery County’s success during the pandemic has been our focus and emphasis on equity and community engagement,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Our County is one of the best performing jurisdictions in the nation responding to COVID and our success has been equitably distributed thanks to working with our many partners. I congratulate all the awardees of these grants and I look forward to seeing these investments improve the lives of families throughout our County.”
Recognizing the need for tailored services and outreach, AAHI partnered with the Primary Care Coalition (PCC) of Montgomery County, to administer the Healthy Communities Fund for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Through a competitive grants process, AAHI and PCC requested proposals from eligible organizations to provide behavioral health, senior wellness and health and social support services for the AAPI communities.
A total of 20 organizations submitted proposals requesting more than $1.7 million. Grant-funded services provided by these organizations began on Nov. 1 and will continue through June 30.
The following organizations are FY23 Healthy Communities Fund recipients:
| Organization (alphabetical order) | Award Amount |
| American Diversity Group (ADG) | $85,000 |
| American Muslim Senior Society (AMSS) | $80,000 |
| Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) | $85,000 |
| Chinese American Community Health Services (CACHS) | $44,990 |
| Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, (CCACC) | $99,999.68 |
| Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) | $100,000 |
| Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA) | $83,489.02 |
| Muslim Community Center (MCC) Medical Clinic | $77,525.80 |
| Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan DC (PNAMDC) | $74,000 |
| Vietnamese American Services (VAS) | $99,995.50 |