WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement after introducing the Grant Assistance and Technical Education (GATE) Act, which would support community-based organizations by providing access to federal funding and offering technical assistance to navigate the federal grantmaking process. Community-based organizations provide critical public health services to marginalized communities across the country but often lack the capacity to apply for and obtain funding, including from the federal government.

“It is in our best interest to support community-based organizations because of the invaluable work they do to provide quality and affordable health care to our most vulnerable and underserved communities. These organizations are essential to our nation’s public health system, but many do not receive the funding they deserve because they lack the capacity to apply for and obtain funding. The GATE Act would create a position at the Department of Health and Human Services focused on helping community-based organizations secure federal funding and provide grants to support community-based organizations. Community-based organizations are closing the health equity gap in Washington’s Ninth District and across the country – this important legislation would help ensure that these organizations have the resources they need to continue and expand upon that vital work.”

Background

The GATE Act is endorsed by several organizations, including the Somali Health Board, Pacific Islander Health Board, and Refugees Northwest Counseling.

The GATE Act would:

• Create the position of Outreach Coordinator in the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services to focus on assisting community-based organizations navigating the federal grantmaking process; and
• Provide grants to state and local public health entities for the specific purpose of directing those funds to build capacity in local community-based organizations focused on addressing health inequities. Funneling funding through state and local public health entities will help reduce the burden on community-based organizations of applying for funding directly to the federal government.

A fact sheet of the bill can be found here.
The full text of the bill can be found here.

###