The Department of Health (DOH) consulted with Tribes to develop two grant programs, the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Tribal Capacity Grant and the Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant. The legislature based these grant programs on Environmental Justice Council suggestions from their Climate Commitment Act funding recommendations (PDF) and budget priorities (PDF).
We are excited to announce we have awarded funding to 22 Tribes for the HEAL Tribal Capacity grant and 24 Tribes for the Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change grant. Funding was awarded through a non-competitive process.
Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Tribal Capacity Grant
The Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act was passed in 2021 to reduce environmental and health disparities, equitably distribute environmental benefits, and improve the health of all people in Washington state. The Department of Health (DOH) is one of seven named state agencies, along with the Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Ecology, and Puget Sound Partnership, committed to reducing environmental health disparities across Washington State through the implementation of HEAL.
These are non-competitive grants awarded to eligible Tribes to provide guidance and input to:
- The Environmental Justice Council about how to implement the HEAL Act.
- DOH regarding updates to the Environmental Health Disparities Map.
- State agencies about how to implement the HEAL Act (including environmental justice assessments, budgeting and funding, and community and Tribal engagement).
Eligible Project Activities
- Develop and market a youth HEAL gathering to increase knowledge and understanding of the HEAL Act and environmental justice.
- Host a First Food Summit with state agencies and the Environmental Justice Council to discuss the implementation of the HEAL Act, impact of climate change and access to first foods.
- Develop/conduct environmental health assessments or community health assessments.
- Engage with tribal community such as hosting events on related topics including tribal food sovereignty.
- Fund staff positions to engage with state agencies on topics related to the HEAL Act, tribal consultations. Example: Hire an environmental policy analyst to engage with state agencies about the HEAL Act and make environmental policy recommendations.
- Develop a plan for providing guidance on updating the Environmental Health Disparities Map.
Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change
The Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant program focuses on the workplace health and safety of workers who are affected by climate impacts like extreme heat and cold, wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding.
Funding from this grant program can be used to purchase and distribute equipment and resources for outdoor workers in fields like fisheries, treaty rights, and first foods cultivating and harvesting. This is an ongoing grant program.
Eligible Project Activities
- Procurement and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Host distribution events for supplies.
- Host worker safety trainings and education or climate-specific emergency preparedness trainings.
- Upgrade HVAC equipment that will protect outdoor workers from climate-related hazards.
Related Links
The Tribal Capacity Grant is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
