COVID-19 Vaccine Projects

What are the COVID-19 Projects?

There are three COVID projects at Partners. One, the COVID-19 Response Project, focuses on providing supports to people with disabilities and elderly Arkansans to assist with technology connectivity, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and social isolation created or worsened by the pandemic. The other two projects are focused specifically on vaccine dissemination.  The purpose of these COVID-19 Vaccine Projects is to facilitate the dissemination and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine across the state, with particular emphasis on individuals with disabilities and those who are elderly.

Who funds these projects?

The COVID-19 Response Project is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through grant # 90NWC30050-01-03.

There are two specific grants that focus on COVID-19 vaccine access in Arkansas. Both projects are designed to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine and increase acceptance within targeted groups, specifically individuals with disabilities and those who are elderly.

  • The ADRC/NWD CONIV-19 Vaccine Access Supplemental Funding Opportunity, is a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) under grant # 90NWC50005-01-01.
  • The Expanding Disabilities Network (UCEDD) Access to COVID-19 Vaccinesfrom the Administration for Community Living (ACL) under grant #90NWC30050.

What services are offered through the projects?

These projects:

  • Provide resources to support activities related to vaccine access, such as scheduling vaccine appointments, transportation to vaccine sites, direct support services needed to attend vaccine appointments, connection to in-home vaccination options, and providing education to older people and people with disabilities about the importance of receiving the vaccine.
  • Additionally, support can be provided to local health departments, community providers and community-based organizations to assist them in making their vaccine activities more accessible.

We partner with trusted community-based organizations and faith communities to: 

  • Share information and dispel the myths and misinformation about the vaccine and
  • Increase access to the vaccine in local communities around the state.

Do you need help getting a vaccine OR have questions about the vaccine? 

Are you still hesitant to get the vaccine?

Check out these videos.

A Faith-Based Perspective

Jarvis Smith
Reverend Jarvis Smith
Pastor, 2nd Baptist Park Street 
Helena-West Helena, AR

Transcript: This is Pastor Jarvis Smith of the Delta Network Association, connected to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. However, today I’m speaking on my own behalf. Have you taken the vaccination for Covid-19? Reminding you that the shot is not a sign of some evil domination of the world to come. Certainly, we can ill afford to forget our past victimization, as it concerns past vaccinations. This is not that. I took the shot because I didn’t want a person to say to me, that I was the reason that they were infected with the deadly, Covid virus. Remember, faith has defeated fear, doubt, disillusion; it all disappears in the confidence of the Lord. Make a sacrifice. Save a life. Take the shot.

Sharing Our Stories:
Disability Perspectives

Sherice Smith
Sherice Smith
Disability Project Specialist (previous)

“As a person with a disability I understand I’m at a higher risk for COVID and other life threatening illness. So when the pandemic hit I was afraid and unable to leave my apartment. When the world started slowing opening up in late 2020 I still didn’t feel comfortable until they had a cure for COVID-19. When the vaccine became available I was both scared and excited! Scared because I didn’t know enough about the vaccine to know how it would affect my disability but excited I would get back to being around my friends and loved ones safely. After much thought and getting the education I decided to get the vaccine because positives outweighed in negatives and I knew it would give me what I needed to regain my life and independence.” – Sherice Donte’ Smith, Disability Program Specialist

Julie Petty
Julie Petty
Project Trainer, Initiatives on Access and Justice

“It was important for me and others to get the COVID vaccination to protect ourselves and others around us.  People with disabilities are at a higher risk because sometimes we can have other conditions like diabetes. I wanted to get the COVID vaccination to keep me safe and my family safe. I was not worried about side effects because it would be better than getting sick.  I have had friends that have died from COVID. I know many people who had no problems with the COVID vaccination and others have had side effects. It is different for everyone, but all in all I felt safer after getting the shot. I am still cautious but i have done what i can to stay safe as possible.”  – Julie Petty, Project Trainer, Initiatives on Access and Justice