3/27/2020 UPDATE:
Here’s the link to the official resource guide for faith leaders
sent by the Governor’s office and the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity.
Here’s the link to the official resource guide for faith leaders
sent by the Governor’s office and the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity.
This is a SYNOPSIS of a statewide webinar for faith leaders on Monday, March 23, 6:30 pm, hosted by the Office of Governor Ralph Northam and the Office of Health Equity of the Virginia Department of Health. (I cannot vouch for the 100% accuracy of my notes. Please contact the persons who presented this information to fact-check or confirm.)
On March 23, Northam issued Executive Order Fifty-Three that orders the closure of certain non-essential businesses, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, and closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year. Governor Northam is also urging all Virginians to avoid non-essential travel outside the home, if and when possible. This order goes into effect at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 and will remain in place until 11:59 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2020. This order applies to houses of worship.
Dr. Vanessa Walker-Harris - Deputy Secretary of Health
Explained the salient points of that Executive Order.
This executive order:
Dr. Megan Healy talked about Unemployment Benefits
If you are laid off and/or NOT getting a paycheck, you are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits here. (This advice applies to faith-based workers whose organizations have not paid payroll taxes in the past. Currently, these workers are NOT eligible to receive benefits, but that rule may change in the coming days.)
Karen Kimsey - Virginia Medicaid is Taking Action to Fight COVID-19
Heidi Hertz - Feeding Virginia during COVID19
Students and children:
Tracey Wiley - Financial Resources Update -
Visit https://www.sbsd.virginia.gov/ for information about low-interest loans for small businesses and non-profits.
Curtis Brown, VA Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Disaster Funding Available through FEMA
CULTURAL IMPACT - Suja Amir, who is on the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Board - member of Asian Latino Solidarity Alliance of Central VA
CALL TO ACTION -
On March 23, Northam issued Executive Order Fifty-Three that orders the closure of certain non-essential businesses, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, and closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year. Governor Northam is also urging all Virginians to avoid non-essential travel outside the home, if and when possible. This order goes into effect at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 and will remain in place until 11:59 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2020. This order applies to houses of worship.
Dr. Vanessa Walker-Harris - Deputy Secretary of Health
Explained the salient points of that Executive Order.
This executive order:
- Closes public and private K-12 schools through the end of school year.
- Closes non-essential ‘Brick and mortar” businesses for 30 days
- Bans public gatherings of more than 10 people.
- Urges Virginians to avoid non-essential travel outside the home.
Dr. Megan Healy talked about Unemployment Benefits
If you are laid off and/or NOT getting a paycheck, you are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits here. (This advice applies to faith-based workers whose organizations have not paid payroll taxes in the past. Currently, these workers are NOT eligible to receive benefits, but that rule may change in the coming days.)
Karen Kimsey - Virginia Medicaid is Taking Action to Fight COVID-19
- Ensuring members do not lose coverage due to lapses in paperwork or a change in circumstances
- No co-pays for any Medicaid
- 90 days supply of many routine prescriptions
- No pre-approvals needed and automatic approval extensions for manu critical medical services
- Outreach to higher risk and older members to receive critical needs
- Encouraging use of telehealth
Heidi Hertz - Feeding Virginia during COVID19
Students and children:
- 100% of schools providing meals to children 0-18 yrs old
- Innovative strategies being used such as drive up and bus routes deliveries
- Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 (for closest feeding sites & times to you)
- Longer breaks means additional need
- Food banks and pantries are frontlines;
- visit www.211virginia.org to access services
Tracey Wiley - Financial Resources Update -
Visit https://www.sbsd.virginia.gov/ for information about low-interest loans for small businesses and non-profits.
Curtis Brown, VA Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Disaster Funding Available through FEMA
CULTURAL IMPACT - Suja Amir, who is on the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Board - member of Asian Latino Solidarity Alliance of Central VA
- Census is now more important than ever - online or by paper
- Increasing hostile sentiments toward Asians - verbal and physical attacks
- Spike in white supremacists toward Jewish communities
CALL TO ACTION -
- If you have a service (clothes closet, food pantry, etc), please register it with 211.org, so that you’re part of the collective impact in supporting your community.
- Subscribe for email updates from Governor Northam. (Look for “Subscribe for Email Updates” light blue box on the bottom right of the webpage.
- Fill out the Faith Leader Survey - very important to let Governor’s office know the following:
- What are your biggest concerns/needs that you are hearing from your congregation/community as it relates to the COVID-19 crisis?
- What resources does your congregation/community provide that could support the COVID-19 crisis response?
- How can the government/governor assist you in your congregation/community response to the COVID-19 crisis?
- Contact United Way (Virginia) and Urban League if you need help. They are your allies!
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