We are very concerned about the ongoing, systems-wide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities. We recognize that a robust response as well as long-term recovery and mitigation will require an “all hands on deck approach” with collaboration and coordination across multiple systems and partners. We also recognize that proactive and timely decision-making is crucial in these uncertain times while leveraging existing successes, investments, capacities, and finding innovative and effective ways to adapt them for greater impact.

To that end, we are committed to optimizing and leveraging our dynamic public health institute model. As the state’s public health institute, we are committed to leveraging our expertise, capacity, network, and infrastructure to facilitate and support the development and implementation of a coordinated response.

To achieve the aforementioned objective of a systems-oriented, collective, and coordinated approach, we envision a phased approach with an increased emphasis on addressing immediate needs while systematically planning and developing a long-term recovery and mitigation plan. To the end, we have envisioned to lead and/or support the following activities across the three phases:

Immediate (at present)
Build and facilitate online Community of Practice (CoP)*
Virtually convene funders and cross-sectoral partners to assess impact and coordinate implementation efforts
Leverage e-Training and Project ECHO infrastructure for capacity building*
Assist organizations with reprioritization and financial reallocation needs

Short-term (post peak and immediate recovery period)
Conduct state and local health, equity, and economic impact assessment
Systemic prioritization of upstream issues
Review, leverage, and coordinate public and private resources
Coordinate funding strategies for optimizing impact

Long-term (recovery and preparedness)
Technical assistance for continuum of pre-COVID efforts, build preparedness capacity, etc.
Facilitate and co-lead health systems focused recovery, resilience, and planning efforts/taskforce*

*Already being developed and/or used

We are eager to learn more about your efforts and continue to refine our strategic approach. Again, unprecedented times call for unprecedented efforts and our team stands committed to join forces alongside you and our partners. On behalf of our team, I want to express our sincerest appreciation for your leadership and commitment to health of all Texans.

Together in health,

Ankit Sanghavi
Executive Director,
Texas Health Institute