Richland County’s Black and Brown Community Input Needed

Richland County, Ohio –Count On Me Richland County is seeking the input from Richland County’s Black and Brown community through a readily available survey. Survey results will be used to create tailored educational materials about COVID-19 so individuals can make the best decisions about their health. Results could also lead to additional services that make it easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are on a mission to educate, advocate for, and serve our Black and Brown community members during this pandemic and our main goal is to reduce the incidence of disease and death from COVID-19 through prevention,” said Dr. Julie Chaya, Director of Community Health & Prevention Sciences at Richland Public Health and leader of the Count On Me Richland County initiative. “But, in order for us and our community partners to allocate our resources effectively for upcoming initiatives, we need to hear directly from our Black and Brown community members to tell us what they know and how they feel about COVID-19 and the vaccine.”

Paper surveys can be completed at the Friendly House, Mansfield UMADAOP, the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) office, Maddox Memorial Church of God in Christ, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, the YMCA, or by calling 419-774-4761. Flyers promoting the survey will feature a quick-access QR code for an electronic version, which can also be found atwww.surveymonkey.com/r/RichlandBB. Individuals can also complete the survey by phone at 419-774-4761.

Responses to the survey are anonymous and participants are eligible to win one of 65 gift cards. This includes five (5) $50 gift cards to the YMCA, forty (40) $25 gift cards, ten (10) $75 gift cards, and ten (10) $100 gift cards to a local establishment of your choosing. Gift cards will be raffled off in a random drawing on May 3, 2021.

“Unfortunately, racial and ethnic minorities here and throughout the world have experienced higher rates of COVID infection, hospitalization, and death, but we are trying to do something about that locally,” explained Deanna West-Torrence, Founder and Executive Director of NECIC. “Please, let us know what your needs are so we can help you and make a real difference in our communities.”

The survey is called “Richland County Black & Brown Community COVID-19 Needs Assessment” and can be completed throughout the month of April. For more details, visitwww.richlandhealth.org/RichlandBB. Winners of the gift cards will be contacted the first week of May.

*This initiative is supported and sponsored by Richland Public Health, the Black & Brown Coalition of Mansfield Ohio, Destination Mansfield Richland County, The Friendly House, Maddox Memorial Church of God in Christ, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, Mansfield UMADAOP, Minority Health & Wellness Project, North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC), OhioHealth, Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission (OHCAC), Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, Richland County Foundation, Richland County NAACP, Richland COVID Vaccination Initiative, Third Street Family Health Services, We Act, and the YMCA.

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