Bridge Assessment now optional in FY22

Thank you again to those grantees who provided thoughtful feedback and suggestions as we refined the Bridge Assessment (BA). As you know, CEPEG developed the draft BA in partnership with STEPP Leadership and other TA providers in response to grantee requests for tools to help them refocus their work after significant disruptions as a result of COVID, and as a means to develop solid plans for tobacco work during the final two years of this grant cycle. Unfortunately, COVID is not winding down yet. As a result, the BA will be optional in FY22 and FY23; it is up to each grantee to decide for themselves whether this is a useful tool to guide their tobacco work. Grantees wishing to move forward with the BA this fiscal year should contact Vladka Kovar and Abigail Harris at CEPEG (EvaluationTA@ucdenver.edu). They will provide working templates, as well as guidance on the process, and technical assistance. Once the BA is completed, send it to your STEPP Project Officer (formerly POC; Point of Contact) so you can discuss your learnings during your regular contract monitoring calls together. We anticipate that lessons learned will be useful in guiding your tobacco work and will also inform the next grant cycle’s Tobacco-Focused Community Profile process.