COVID-19 remains a public health concern, and confinement facilities should continue to take measures to protect those at highest risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remain dedicated to preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19 for those that live, work, and visit confinement facilities.
BJA’s COVID-19 Detection and Mitigation in Confinement Facilities (CDMCF) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Center assists state, local, and territorial health departments and corrections authorities in their COVID-19 response efforts, including how best to utilize federal funding, collaboration between health departments and state and local facilities, and implementing strategies informed by CDC guidelines, criminal justice standards and practices, and innovations in the field.
Background
CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases Program established the CDMCF program using funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This program’s goal is to assist health departments and correctional authorities in implementing COVID-19 detection and mitigation strategies in confinement facilities. $700 million dollars in funding was provided to 64 state, local, and territorial health department recipients. More information can be found in Detection & Mitigation of COVID-19 in Confinement Facilities Guidance.
The CDC has partnered with BJA to provide training and technical assistance through the CDMCF TTA Center.
Partners
BJA has contracted with CNA, a nonprofit research and analysis organization, to stand up and operate the CDMCF TTA Center. CNA has 80 years of experience working with government agencies to solve complex problems and supports many BJA programs across the country, as well as public health emergency preparedness initiatives. CNA has partnered with the American Correctional Association, American Jail Association, and Correctional Leaders Association to support BJA’s CDMCF TTA Center.
