Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Tribal Capacity Grants

The Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Tribal Capacity Grants aim to empower federally recognized tribes in Washington state by providing essential funding to address environmental and health disparities. These non-competitive grants support projects that enhance community engagement, promote environmental justice, and improve public health. Eligible activities include hosting educational events, conducting assessments, and collaborating with state agencies to ensure effective implementation of the HEAL Act. This initiative fosters a healthier environment for all tribal communities.

Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Tribal Capacity Grants
The Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act was passed in 2021 to reduce environmental and health disparities, equitably distribute environmental benefits, and improve the health of all people in Washington state. The Department of Health (DOH) is one of seven named state agencies, along with the Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Ecology, and Puget Sound Partnership, committed to reducing environmental health disparities across Washington State through the implementation of HEAL.
Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Tribal Capacity Grants are non-competitive grants awarded to eligible tribes to provide guidance and input to:

• Agencies on implementation of the HEAL Act,
• The Environmental Justice Council on implementation of the HEAL Act, and
• The Department of Health on updates to the Environmental Health Disparities Map.
• Eligible Project Activities

Develop and market a youth HEAL gathering to increase knowledge and understanding of the HEAL Act and environmental justice.Host a First Food Summit with state agencies and the Environmental Justice Council to discuss the implementation of the HEAL Act, impact of climate change and access to first foods.Develop/conduct environmental health assessments or community health assessments.Engage with tribal community such as hosting events on related topics including tribal food sovereignty.Fund staff positions to engage with state agencies on topics related to the HEAL Act, tribal consultations. Example: Hire an environmental policy analyst to engage with state agencies about the HEAL Act and make environmental policy recommendations.Develop a plan for providing guidance on updating the Environmental Health Disparities Map.