We are seeking $500,000 in grant funding to support the launch of GoVia: ThGoVia: Highlight A Hero (A Community Police Safety App) and to enhance Govia’s telehealth platform. GoVia is an innovative technology designed to protect the basic human civil rights of all citizens, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or orientation. The app aims to reduce police profiling, brutality, and wrongful arrests, while halting the prison pipeline through a secure, integrated platform that ensures transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions. By providing real-time data, encryption for cybersecurity, and checks and balances that safeguard both citizens and law enforcement, GoVia will serve as a transformative tool in advancing civil rights, enhancing community relations, and promoting justice.
The enhancement of Govia’s telehealth platform will focus on real-time communication technology for addressing mental health crises, police encounters, and legal collaboration. Drawing on successful federal initiatives like the University of Arkansas’ medical sciences grant, CMS programs, and Alabama’s mental health services expansion, the platform will provide secure, HIPAA-compliant data-sharing features that enable patients to safely connect with healthcare providers and legal professionals during critical situations. These enhancements will support underserved communities, ensuring they receive timely and secure telehealth services while maintaining privacy and legal protections.
Project Objectives
1. Enhance Real-Time Communication Technology
Inspired by mental health initiatives, such as the $1.2 million award for Jefferson County’s substance use treatment program, Govia will upgrade its communication infrastructure to deliver high-quality, secure virtual consultations. These improvements will enable real-time interactions between patients, medical professionals, and legal representatives, ensuring citizens can address crises (e.g., mental health or police encounters) in a timely and secure manner.
2. Ensure Full HIPAA Compliance
Following best practices seen in a $2.2 million study at the University of Arkansas, Govia will implement protocols for HIPAA-compliant data management. The platform will ensure secure storage, transmission, and release of sensitive health data, allowing users to authorize the release of information only to approved medical or legal personnel, enhancing privacy and compliance with federal health regulations.
3. Develop Legal and Medical Data Sharing Features
Building on the model of Henry Lim, MD’s “DermImpact” grant, Govia will provide tools for secure data-sharing between users and legal professionals, ensuring HIPAA compliance. This feature is crucial for marginalized communities, streamlining the process of managing both healthcare and legal cases, especially during police interactions or mental health crises.
4. Expand Crisis Management and Mental Health Tools
In line with the $500,000 awarded to the Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Department, Govia will integrate tools for crisis management and anticipatory responses. These tools will offer users real-time communication with medical and legal professionals, providing vital support during emergencies, such as police encounters or mental health crises.
Project Impact
Govia’s platform will have a transformative effect on underserved and remote communities, ensuring they have access to secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth services. The project will enable real-time coordination between patients, medical providers, and legal representatives, offering critical support during crises. By integrating privacy features and legal collaboration tools, Govia will ensure that marginalized groups receive both mental health and legal support, reinforcing the protection of civil rights during interactions with law enforcement.
This initiative will build on the success of similar grants, such as the Department of Defense’s $500 million commitment to women’s health research and the NIH’s $27 million awards for genomics research, reflecting a commitment to advancing healthcare services and compliance standards. With this project, Govia aims to lead the future of telehealth in providing secure, accessible care to vulnerable populations.
Budget Request
Govia requests $500,000 to fund the following areas:
Technology Upgrades: Investments in secure, real-time video chat and data-sharing infrastructure to enable consultations during emergencies.
HIPAA Compliance Features: Development and implementation of encryption protocols and authorization tools for sensitive health data.
Crisis Management Tools: Integration of mental health response systems to support citizens during crises, including police encounters.
This funding is in alignment with grants such as the NCPDP Foundation’s $149,123 award for healthcare technology improvements and Alabama’s $1.2 million mental health program, demonstrating the need for innovative telehealth solutions.
Appeal for Support
The current political and social climate demands urgent action to protect civil rights and provide equitable healthcare access. Govia’s real-time crisis response system aims to bridge the gap between healthcare providers, legal representatives, and citizens, especially those vulnerable to profiling and wrongful arrests. Like the Department of Defense’s funding for women’s health and the NIH’s $27 million for health systems, this project reflects a growing movement to use technology to ensure transparency, privacy, and accountability in healthcare and law enforcement interactions.
By securing this grant, Govia will enhance the delivery of secure and HIPAA-compliant telehealth services, providing critical support for individuals facing mental health challenges and those requiring coordination with legal services. Like the CMS grant programs funding essential health initiatives, this project underscores the importance of accessible, confidential healthcare solutions for underserved communities.
