A team of UNC public health experts created a new initiative and research study to provide free technical assistance and recommendations to help reduce local businesses’ exposure to COVID-19.
As employers develop ways to stay open safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, UNC has created Carolina PROSPER to help small, local businesses maintain proper health and safety practices.
Laura Linnan, a professor of health behavior at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, said while Carolina PROSPER was created in wake of the pandemic, it is actually part of a larger initiative at Carolina.
“It’s part of the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Education Research Center that exists on campus and has for 40 years,” Linnan said. “The mission is to train individuals to go out and help employers create safe and healthy work environments. So, Carolina PROSPER is within that larger group, and we had the opportunity to apply for special funds that became available during the pandemic back in the summer.”
Through CARES Act funding, Carolina PROSPER has allocated money to provide free assistance to local businesses in 10 counties surrounding Chapel Hill from now until December 31.
To do this, Carolina PROSPER is operating in three phases. In Phase 1, local business desiring assistance completed a brief survey to help the team at UNC understand COVID-related safety needs and interests.
At the end of Phase 1, the 50 businesses that filled out the survey and asked for more advice will receive individualized plans and recommendations to improve their operations during the pandemic.
During Phase 2, three to six businesses will receive hands-on support from a team of industrial hygienists, health educators on infection control and ventilation experts to create the safest work environment possible.
Linnan said these select businesses that will be given extra support were chosen based on size, business sector and those who are considered the most at-risk.
“So by size, by business sector – and then we were also interested on really on focusing in on minority-owned businesses because we know that those businesses may have more minority employees that could be at higher risk due to the COVID disproportionate associations with minority populations,” Linnan said.
Finally, during Phase 3 of Carolina PROSPER, businesses will receive tailored, evidence-based plans to promote safe and healthy work environments. Linnan said they hope to provide recommendations and resources to as many people as possible in order to better support small businesses as they work to keep staff and the community safe.
“I think in general, local businesses and particularly small businesses owners are just amazing,” Linnan said. “They are doing all they can to keep their business afloat and that is such a priority for them and they truly care about their workers. So, I think we’re finding that they just need a little support. They need some help and so we’re really so pleased that this CARES Act funding has been allocated to allow us to provide some support and help during this really challenging time.”
For more information on Carolina PROSPER, click here.
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