UofM鈥檚 School of Public Health to share $10 Million Grant from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and RTI International
May 8, 2023 鈥� 榴莲直播 School of Public Health and seven other highly respected universities will partner with nonprofit research institute RTI International after being awarded a $10 million grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
RTI will coordinate an environmental justice center 鈥淩esource for Assistance and Community Training 鈥� Region 4 (REACT4EJ)鈥� in EPA Region 4, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and six Tribal Nations.
The University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of South Carolina, Alabama A&M University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University and North Carolina Central University will partner with the University of Memphis and RTI across the Southeast.
The UofM鈥檚 effort has been led by Dr. Chunrong Jia, professor of environmental health in the School of Public Health (SPH). The UofM co-investigators include Dr. Ashish Joshi, professor and dean of SPH, Dr. Naser Titu, assistant professor of Environmental Health in SPH and Dr. Arleen Hill, professor and chair of Earth Sciences.
鈥淩EACT4E is a very important partnership bringing together regional partners to establish an innovative, multidisciplinary, cross sector Environmental Justice Center that will help advance environmental justice by supporting individuals living especially in under-resourced and underserved settings in Memphis and the State of Tennessee,鈥� said Joshi.
REACT4EJ is one of 17 centers selected by the EPA to coordinate a new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC) program to help communities access funding opportunities to advance environmental justice.
REACT4EJ will be jointly led by RTI鈥檚 experts in climate, environmental sciences and in transformative research for equity (TRUE). REACT4EJ also builds upon a strategic partnership between RTI and NCCU 鈥� the Center for Applied Research in Environmental Sciences (CARES) 鈥� that supports health and environmental justice research.
鈥淭his partnership reflects UofM researchers鈥� strong technical capabilities of and commitment to addressing EJ concerns in underserved communities in Memphis and the entire State of Tennessee,鈥� said Jia.
RTI will use the $10 million grant to serve communities throughout the EPA Region 4. REACT4EJ will provide training and assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals and effectively managing grant funding.
鈥淭he region has a diverse racial and socioeconomic makeup and several environmental challenges that disproportionately impact underserved communities and communities of color,鈥� said Dr. James Harrington, a research chemist at RTI and co-director of the EJ TCTAC. 鈥淪ome of those challenges include low air quality, contaminated drinking water, coastal flooding, access to healthy food and living spaces and access to resources to address these issues.鈥�
In addition, the center will provide guidance on community engagement, meeting facilitation and translation and interpretation services for limited English-speaking participants, thus removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns.
鈥淲e will hold listening sessions and networking events in rural and remote areas to connect community organizations and leaders with government officials and subject matter experts in climate resilience, alternative energy technologies and environmental exposures,鈥� said Dr. Janelle Armstrong-Brown, a research public health analyst at RTI and co-director of the EJ TCTAC. 鈥淥ur network鈥檚 partnerships and efforts will help provide money to under-resourced, under-served communities and help them to develop the skills to address environmental injustices in the long-term and live longer, healthier lives.鈥�