DPH proposes education materials, weighs continuation grants versus mini grants for final BRACE year

Department of Public Health staff (referred to in the meeting as Hannah) said the education component of Connecticut’s BRACE work will focus on operationalizing existing curriculum material rather than reinventing it: "we sort of abandoned that work but it was still a great research and data project," she said, referring to a DPH‑developed curriculum and the American Planning Association’s recently published curriculum.

DPH proposed quick, downloadable one‑page materials, hazard‑specific web pages, and translated content written to an accessible reading level; staff suggested linking to First Street climate projections and adding a splash page or interactive filters so users can quickly reach guidance relevant to pregnant people, children, occupational groups or clinicians.

Participants pressed for practical distribution channels. Dr. Mitchell recommended fact sheets tying asthma to indoor and outdoor air pollution triggers and suggested QR codes in pharmacies and clinic waiting rooms. Ryan urged messages for both directly impacted groups (workers, athletes) and intermediaries (employers, coaches) who make operational decisions.

The meeting also addressed how additional, limited funding should be allocated in the final BRACE year (Aug. 2026–Aug. 2027). DPH staff said federal guidance will restrict work to pre‑approved activities (local planning and education); staff noted administrative timelines make continuation grants administratively easier to implement than new contracts. The group discussed two options: continuation/implementation grants to sustain work in the four funded LHDs, or spreading funds as mini grants to additional municipalities and community organizations. Participants representing Waterberry and other local health departments advocated continuation grants to finish and implement plans; others argued mini grants could broaden reach. DPH staff noted a practical contract threshold for mini grants around $24,500 to avoid extra procurement scrutiny.

DPH staff said they are finalizing a reapplication to BRACE due by the end of the month and expected CDC notification of funding this summer but offered no guarantees; the next full meeting is scheduled for July.