1) Register for your state bid system and those of neighboring states (example: https://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado). You can bid for contracts within your state where eligible. Think of it like a grant but a different portal for applying and now that you’re up against for profit business. 2) Apply for foundation grants like your life depends on it (it might). These are already incredibly competitive and will continue to get more competitive but many funders recognize the need to step in based on the federal vacuum situation and have responded as champions of our work.3) Begin to think about private contracts for services. You and your team have a skillset. As potential recession looms, anxiety among the community increases, potential public health outbreaks occur, local/state governments, agencies and private business will need you. Reach out to your chamber, grab coffee with your city planner and get outside of your regular network. Take one-pagers with you and make an impression so even if there isn’t a need today, they will remember you tomorrow.
We don’t know what will happen minute to minute and it often feels so threatening and uncertain, we can freeze. I know I have several times the last few months. But in my experience, it can help to know that you’re not alone. We are in this together. As I tell my young kids from time to time, things can be scary but we always have each other and we don’t have to always do big things when things are tough or scary. Let’s just take the right next step away from where we are right now.
Rachel Blanton
Rachel Harris Blanton is a dedicated public health professional and consultant based in Fort Collins, CO. With a Master of Health Administration from Colorado State University, Rachel has built a distinguished career focusing on healthcare transformation, community health initiatives, and grant management. Her expertise spans collaborative development, strategic planning, project evaluation, and human-centered design, making her a pivotal figure in advancing healthcare models across rural communities. Rachel's commitment to advancing public health is underscored by her leadership roles in various consortia and her advocacy for innovative healthcare solutions in rural and underserved communities. She continues to drive impactful change through her consulting work and active involvement in healthcare innovation networks.