February 2021

NACDD recently awarded funds to 20 states funding and technical assistance to implement the BRIC Program. BRIC will work through partnerships at the national, state, and community levels to implement actions supporting nutrition security, physical activity access, and social connectedness to reduce isolation. This program specifically focuses on activities currently being implemented in 15 of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity’s SPAN programs as well as in five Ambassador states. These states will collaborate to ensure resiliency and inclusive strategies are incorporated into these existing programs to support the state and community efforts in the time of COVID. Including a strong focus on health equity and social justice is critical to reach those persons in the states and communities who are experiencing the highest burden of disease.

Through technical assistance and training opportunities, NACDD will work with the BRIC States to assist in program implementation. This support includes access to and expertise by NACDD’s National Technical Assistance Partnership. Experts will provide training on best practices and innovative approaches to overcoming the barriers COVID-19 imposes on healthy living. These partners include Leavitt Partners, LLC, Healthy Places by Design, Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, Dr. Odoms-Young (in collaboration with Feeding America and the University of Illinois/Chicago), Mental Health America, and Charles Brown with Equitable Cities. Each partner brings an abundance of expertise to support public health and state partners as they lead these efforts in their communities. 

On Jan. 19-21, 2021, more than 100 people participated in the BRIC Kickoff Workshop that was intended to orient the new states to the program as well as provide guidance and direction on the three strategies: nutrition security, physical activity access, and social connectedness. 
 
BRIC-funded states and organizations include:

• Alaska Division of Public Health
• Arkansas Department of Health
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Connecticut Department of Public Health
• Hawaii Department of Health
• Illinois Public Health Institute
• Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
• Louisiana Department of Health 
• Minnesota Department of Health
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services through an agreement with the Prevention Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis
• Mississippi State Department of Health
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• New York State Department of Health/Health Research, Inc.
• Ohio Department of Health
• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
• Texas Department of State Health Services through an agreement with Feeding Texas
• Utah Department of Health
• Washington State Department of Health
• West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services

For questions about BRIC, please email BRICINFO@chronicdisease.org
Read more about BRIC at www.chronicdisease.org/BRIC

Read more from the February 2021 issue of Impact Brief below.

• NACDD Launches Coordinating Center for Public Health Practice 2021 Fellowship Program
  February 2021 Last month, NACDD welcomed 20 chronic disease prevention and health promotion leaders from 14 states into the inaugural cohort of the Coordinating Center for Public Health Practice Fellowship. Over the next several months, these fellows will work with our NACDD STAR team and the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to take a deep… Read more: NACDD Launches Coordinating Center for Public Health Practice 2021 Fellowship Program
• NACDD Celebrates Cancer Prevention Month, Launches Campaign to Encourage Regular Screenings During Pandemic
  A coalition of cancer prevention organizations including the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) celebrated National Cancer Prevention Month this February by releasing a video public service announcement campaign, “Cancer Doesn’t Wait,” that encourages the public to resume regular preventative cancer screenings despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• NACDD Awards Funds to States for Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC)
  February 2021 NACDD recently awarded funds to 20 states funding and technical assistance to implement the BRIC Program. BRIC will work through partnerships at the national, state, and community levels to implement actions supporting nutrition security, physical activity access, and social connectedness to reduce isolation. This program specifically focuses on activities currently being implemented in… Read more: NACDD Awards Funds to States for Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC)
• Improving Patient Care by Standardized Testing
  February 2021 NACDD is collaborating with the CDC’s Clinical Standardization Programs, the Endocrine Society, and the Partnership for the Accurate Testing of Hormones to improve patient care and public health by promoting the use of accurate and reliable laboratory measurements for chronic disease biomarkers in healthcare and research. The project uses a multi-pronged approach, including working to increase the… Read more: Improving Patient Care by Standardized Testing
• Creating Healthier Communities for Military Families
  February 2021 NACDD continues to support Chronic Disease Units and military stakeholders in cross-industry partnerships to create healthier communities that support the health and well-being of military service members and their families. The Military Partnerships Pilot, funded by CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) and the Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), is working… Read more: Creating Healthier Communities for Military Families