One of the most important steps to lifting some of the social distancing measures currently in place is increasing access to rapid testing throughout Philadelphia. Hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices and health centers across the city have increased testing for COVID-19 during this pandemic, but there are still barriers to getting tested for many Philadelphians.
The City of Philadelphia, in partnership with PMHCC, Inc., has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide funding to organizations that are interested in establishing Community Testing Programs. The goal of the Community Testing Program is to make it easier for individuals who have limited access to healthcare to get tested. The City is looking for organizations that can provide consistent and accessible testing in neighborhoods throughout the city.
In order to receive funding, organizations must:
- Establish test sites for underserved populations
- Provide COVID-19 testing using Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) criteria and approved testing methodologies
- Provide test results to patients and advise individuals who test positive
- Manage billing for public and private health insurance
- Collect data and submit required reporting as instructed by PDPH
Ideal candidates for funding should have:
- Experience with community outreach and strong connections with underserved and vulnerable populations
- Experience providing direct patient care
- Familiarity with safety protocols
- Willingness to learn and understand HIPAA compliance
- Adherence to testing criteria based on resource constraints and PDPH guidelines
- Experience with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
You can review the entire RFP here, which details the expectations of a Community Testing Program and outlines how to apply for funding from the City. Please note that this funding is not currently available but the City is preparing to quickly open Community Testing Programs if the funding becomes available. The City of Philadelphia has convened a diverse selection committee to review applications and will notify your organization if you have been selected within one week of applying.
