The Climate and Health Adaptation Initiative (CHAI) is a partnership among state, federal, and academic partners to address community-identified needs to support community health in a changing climate. CHAI supports communities across Washington state who have climate change-related action plans, but may need additional resources or capacity to implement those plans.
Advancing climate justice is CHAI’s goal. The initiative is intentionally designed to have a grassroots approach: community and regional partners share their climate and health priorities, and the CHAI planning team works with communities to find resources, funding, staffing capacity, and tangible environmental and community benefits to achieve those priorities. CHAI is specifically focused on protecting and promoting the health of communities who are experiencing the harmful consequences of climate change first and worst.
New Grant Opportunity
The Climate and Health Adaptation Initiative Community Capacity Building Grant Program will be accepting applications through January 26th, 2024 at 11:59pm PST. There are eight awards of approximately $80,000 to $120,000 available. Eligible organizations are community-based organizations with communities or populations disproportionately impacted by climate injustice OR a tribal government or organization OR an academic or local government agency applying in partnership with a CBO or tribe.
- Details About the Grant (PDF) | Detalles sobre la subvención (PDF)
- Request for Application - RFA (PDF) | Pedido de solicitudes - RFA (PDF)
- Informational webinar occurred January 4, 2024 - Recording of the webinar
Current Community and Regional Partners
CHAI is currently partnering with the City of Spokane, Jefferson and Clallam Counties, and Tacoma and Pierce County, Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment. Partners will likely expand to other regions of Washington state.
Current CHAI Planning Team
The CHAI planning team is subject to change.
- Washington State Department of Health
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- University of Washington’s Center for Health and the Global Environment
- Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10
- Health & Human Services, Region 10
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 10
- Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment
What the CHAI Planning Team Offers
- Public health & climate expertise.
- Technical assistance with funding opportunities, data needs, and other climate and health priorities.
- Co-organize and convene practitioners, local partners and communities, and cover site expenses for in-person events.
- Identify resource providers to fund implementation of climate action plans.
- Grow staff capacity in local governments and other organizations focused on climate justice and health equity.
- Connect people and partners who are addressing health needs in a changing climate.
- Other needs identified by community and regional partners.