The Institute for Family Health Joins NYC’s “Test and Trace” Efforts as a Community Partner

New York, NY (July 23, 2020) — The Institute for Family Health was awarded a four-month, $50,000 grant through New York City’s “Test and Trace,” or T2, Initiative. In this role, the Institute’s Bronx Health REACH program will collaborate with their extensive network of community partners (including faith-based organizations, schools and food retail settings) to support Bronx residents in preventing new cases of COVID-19 in their neighborhoods.

The T2 Initiative, also known as “Test and Trace,” is a major New York City project to minimize the spread of COVID-19 throughout the five boroughs. T2 operates under the management of New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation (H+H).  The program aims to provide widespread COVID-19 testing, support and services for individuals with a positive test result who need to quarantine, and outreach to the close contacts of those who test positive (known as “contact tracing”).

The Bronx was especially hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many residents and community institutions are eager to work together to prevent further COVID-19 spread in the community. Bronx Health REACH’s coalition includes faith-based organizations, educational institutions, food retailers, and other community partners, all of whom interact with Bronx residents who may face barriers to accessing public health information and resources. Through this network, using both virtual and in-person outreach methods, Institute staff will promote COVID-19 prevention methods, COVID-19 testing, and contact tracing services.

“We are delighted to join New York City’s Test and Trace initiative,” said Charmaine Ruddock, project director for Bronx Health REACH. “As a longstanding advocate for health equity in the Bronx, we know how critical it is to make sure that all community members have the information and resources they need to participate in ongoing COVID-19 prevention efforts.”

Since 1999, Bronx Health REACH has worked to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes in Bronx communities and now consists of over 70 community-based organizations, health care providers, faith-based institutions, housing and social service agencies. Bronx Health REACH is operated by the Institute for Family Health, a federally qualified health center network in New York City and the Hudson Valley that offers top-quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

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The Institute for Family Health (www.institute.org) is a federally qualified health center network that operates 32 practices in New York State serving 115,000 patients annually.  Services are available to people of all ages, regardless of ability to pay.