Newsletter
We are excited to announce a partnership with 
to help show our
local businesses some love!

$10 from each shirt purchased goes to the Claremont Area Business of YOUR CHOICE.

Learn more and order online here.
Please visit our COVID-19 Page which includes links to area resources for both individuals and businesses as well as a listing of area businesses hours of operation.

New Information Added Includes:




Message from the Chamber Director
Like many of you I am working remotely in order to do my part of social distancing. I can be reached by phone (603-543-1296) or email and will continue working to enhance, promote and support economic stability and growth in our community.

I invite you, individuals, businesses and organizations, to reach out to me with any questions, comments or concerns you might have. If I don't have the answers I will do my absolute best to find them for you.

In addition to standard phone service the Chamber also has Zoom video conferencing available if you'd like to connect face to face while maintaining social distancing.

While we all navigate these uncertain times lets all remember to be kind.

Elyse Crossman, Executive Director
Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce
NH Business & Industry Association Webinar Info
FRIDAY!
LIVE WEBINAR
Paid Leave, Tax Credits and
Stimulus Checks, OH MY!
What Employers Need to Know About
"Families First and the CARES Act
April 3, 2020
1:00 p.m.- 2:15 p.m.
Join BIA, in partnership with the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants and the HR State Council of New Hampshire, for a no-cost webinar providing the latest information on employer responsibilities to provide
COVID-19 related paid family leave and paid sick time.

Our panel of experts will also drill down on:
New Tax Credits Available to Employers
Business-Related Financing Provisions included CARES
NH DES Updates to COVID-19 Related Unemployment Benefits

Participation is limited to 100.
There is no cost to participate, but registration is required.

MONDAY!
LIVE WEBINAR
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Explained
April 6, 2020
1:00 p.m.
Join SBA New Hampshire Director Rachael Roderick and David Cassidy, senior vice president and New Hampshire division head for Eastern Bank, for a BIA webinar discussion on the newly created Paycheck Protection Program passed by Congress as part of the COVID-19 stimulus legislation.

The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds are provided in the form of loans that may be fully forgiven. Webinar panelists will describe the program, how to access it, through whom, qualification criteria, and more.

There is no-cost to participate in the webinar, but registration is required. Maximum participation = 1,000.


LIVE WEBINAR
SBA Economic Injury Loan Program
Overview and Live Q&A
DAILY
9:00 a.m.
and
2:00 p.m.
The SBA office is holding daily webinars at 9 am and 2 pm via Skype to
give an overview of the program and to answer any questions.



Join by Phone
Toll number: +1 (202) 765-1264, 522409519# (Dial-in Number)
Conference ID: 522409519

Effective March 24, 2020 the Valley Regional COVID Hotline phones,
603-542-7850, will be answered from 8a-12p. Any patient that meets the criteria for testing will be given a testing time slot between 12p-4p.
This will be 7 days per week.
Attention COVID-19 Impacted Organisations
Attention COVID-19 Impacted Organizations in the Greater Sullivan County NH Area:   At a special meeting of the Sullivan County Board of Commissioners (BOC), BOC members approved the receipt of a generous $30,000 grant award from Dartmouth-Hitchcock (Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital). Sullivan County will act as fiscal agent for these funds and is committed to an expedited release process to support community organizations struggling with new constraints due to pandemic response. These monies, under the oversight of the Greater Sullivan County COVID-19 Community Response Coalition, a newly formed multi-stakeholder group comprised of membership from numerous Sullivan county based community organizations, county and municipal governance administrators and others.
 
Initial available funds will be used to support organizations addressing 3 major areas of concern in the Greater Sullivan County service region due to COVID-19 response:
1. Access and Expansion of Technology/ Telecommuting Needs for Organizations and Schools
2. Medical Supplies for First Responders and Healthcare
3. Essential Worker
 
We are encouraging all community support organizations in need to complete a request and apply regardless if the needs requested fall outside of the major areas of concern noted above. The Community Response Coalition is working to determine the broader needs of the community to access additional funds.
If your organization has a critical need, please complete the form and scan and email it to the email on the form:  https://www.sullivancountynh.gov/…/Fillable-GSCPHN-COVID-19…
 
DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !  If you would like to make a financial donation or volunteer during this time, please contact me via email or phone info below, and let us know how you’d like to help.  Thank you!
 
Sharon Callum | Administrative Assistant
County Manager & Board of Commissioners Offices
Sullivan County NH, 14 Main Street, Newport NH 03773
T. (603) 863-2560  E.  sharonjc@sullivancountynh.gov
New Community Disscussion List
Vital Communities is launching a new Community Discussion List (CDL) or list-serv, to create a forum for businesses and those involved in the Upper Valley economy to share ideas, resources, challenges, successes, and other information during this economic emergency. This list is open to all businesses, organizations, community-builders, and economic development service providers who want to participate and work together for a vital Upper Valley economy. 

As we all adapt to social isolation, CDLs (list-servs) can provide a central space to share resources, information, and support. We are stronger together and the hope is that this new CDL will make it easier to engage, connect, and share during this crisis in support of our Upper Valley businesses and economy.

To SUBSCRIBE to this group send a blank message to  vitaleconomyuv-subscribe@lists.vitalcommunities.org

Once you are a subscriber: To POST a message to this list, simply email your message to  vitaleconomyuv@lists.vitalcommunities.org
You can contact the list manager at  vitaleconom yuv-request@lists.vitalcommunities.org
State Calls on Business Community to Help Address COVID-19 Crisis
 
CONCORD – New Hampshire companies and manufacturers with the capacity to meet the critical demand COVID19 is placing on the nation’s healthcare centers can now connect with the State of New Hampshire for coordination.
 
The State seeks companies that can donate or produce lab, testing or diagnostic supplies, personal protection equipment (PPE), or medical expertise.
 
“New Hampshire companies are nimble, innovative and ready to produce for critically needed supplies in the fight against COVID19,” said Gov. Chris Sununu. “This portal will help us assess the capabilities of companies and make sure their products reach the medical professionals who need them.”
 
Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) Commissioner Taylor Caswell said he wants to hear from companies that can immediately produce PPEs, including N95 and medical face masks; surgical gowns; face shields; ventilators; latex gloves, and swabs.
 
“I’ve already heard from dozens of companies who are ready to adapt and adjust their operations to provide the protection, equipment and knowledge base to stop the spread of COVID19,” he said. “I am confident our companies can make a significant contribution to this effort.”
 
On  www.nheconomy.com/covid19 , companies will find a link to a list of the needed products and links to the Center for Disease Control guidelines for their production. BEA will work with companies to coordinate and facilitate distribution.
Amcomm Wireless - Verizon Wireless
Updated Hours
Monday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm, 
Sundays will be 12:00pm-4:00pm

 
What’s the best way to communicate during such an epidemic? Your smartphone, and we know that; and we want to help as much as we can. 
Starting today, Verizon is waiving Upgrade Fees, Activation Fees & Setup Fees. Activation fees & Set up fees are automatically waived, while the upgrade fee is credited through a Bill Incentive Credit. *This will be for a limited time.
 
Working remotely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- available via email and phone at (603) 276-5132
TPN Cancels 14th
Annual Steppin’ Up to End Violence
5K Walk & Fun Run

With consideration for everyone’s safety, as well as the economic impact of COVID-19, Turning Points Network has made the difficult decision to cancel our annual fundraiser, Steppin’ Up to End Violence 5K Walk & Fun Run May 2nd.

“And, in light of the uncertainty ahead – medically, financially and socially for our entire community -- we will not be rescheduling the event this year” said Deb Mozden, TPN Executive Director.

“We want to extend a huge thank you to the team leaders who have already reached out to us and asked if they can continue to fundraise for Steppin’ Up, even if the event is cancelled. Our response to you is a resounding yes!” said Jenn Ucci, Development Director.

Steppin’ Up was expected to raise $85,000 to support TPN programs through June 30th. Without Steppin’ Up, TPN is now vulnerable to a budget deficit that could impact vital services.

Any fundraising that teams and sponsors can continue to pledge in spite of the event cancellation will be deeply appreciated. Six advocates continue to work every day to meet the needs of survivors because domestic and sexual violence continue and may even increase because of forced isolation during this health pandemic.

To our teams, sponsors, volunteers and community, we will miss your comaraderie and your excitement to be part of such a meaningful and fun community event. Perhaps we will all come together in a myriad of other ways instead to help members of our community who are extremely impacted by this pandemic – those who will lose their income, their housing, their health. We look forward to seeing you there.

For more information, please call 603-543-0155 or email .
West Central Behavior Health
What We’re Doing To Help

These are unsettling times for our clients, our staff, and all of us involved in healthcare service delivery. Given our focus on mental health, our present objectives are to protect the health and safety of our staff and our clients. This means our Senior Leadership Team is meeting regularly (via videoconferencing) to assess and respond to daily changes locally, state-wide, and at the national level. Our offices remain open at this time, but staffing is reduced due to our initiative to encourage people to work from home whenever possible. Clients, please consult with your clinician or team to talk about video conferencing or phone conferencing. We are here. Please call on us.
 
Our current agency goals in this time of COVID-19 include:  
  • Use of telehealth and telephone to deliver services to clients whenever possible and as soon as possible.
  • Minimizing face-to-face contact between work colleagues and between staff and clients.
  • Working from home whenever possible to eliminate the spread of the virus.
  • Increased cleaning of our facilities.
  • Encouraging social distancing and good hygiene habits like frequent hand washing.
  • Postponing events or activities for larger group gatherings.
  • Posting regular updates on our website and on our Facebook page: @WestCentralBehavioralHealth
  • Proactively reaching out to clients who need our help and support now, more than ever.

In a time where nothing feels normal or routine, we are striving to ensure that we continue our services to clients and implement, no matter how temporary, a creative and effective means to do so. The only way for us to remain available to our clients is to ensure our own staff's physical and emotional safety. Technology and tools for telehealth are being disseminated to establish as many options as possible for remote work.

West Central staff are pulling together to maintain their steadfast commitment to our mission. It is not easy in times like these when the landscape changes daily. Yet we’re making continual adjustments to be nimble, and to react quickly as information and resources change. Above all, staying healthy while delivering essential services to our clients drives our efforts.  

How to Cope During This Stressful Time

Remain calm and know that the entire health system is working to respond and keep all of us safe.   Coping with stress and anxiety during the outbreak may be difficult. 
To learn more about how to cope with anxiety and stress, visit:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html .
 
To learn about Coronavirus symptoms and how to protect yourself, visit the CDC website at:  https://www.cdc.gov .
For continuously updated local information, visit the NH DHHS website at: 

We are all doing our best during this unprecedented and stressful time. We remain dedicated to our clients and our mission to provide mental illness and substance use disorder treatment to individuals, families, and our communities while helping to reduce the stigma associated with these conditions.

Thank you. Stay healthy. Practice social distancing. Please wash your hands often. 
Our Emergency Services crisis team is taking calls at:
1-800-564-2578
Stevens High School Alumni Association News
"To each and every one of my alumni friends,

It is with sadness and regret that after thinking long and hard about this coronavirus, and discussing with board members, we have decided that for the safety and health of all people, Stevens Alumni, for the first time ever, will cancel Alumni Weekend. Believe me, this decision has not been easy to make, but I feel this decision is in the best interest of all of us, and is for the safety and wellbeing of alumni as well as citizens of Claremont and surrounding areas to cancel all planned alumni events the weekend of June 13th.

I leave it up to 5 year classes to make their own decisions as to whether to have their own parties and functions or to move forward and plan for next year.

I have talked to some that have to come from other locations and they have stated that with travel at a standstill and the added burden of possibly renting a car and reserving a room, some are not sure what they will do. Others have already decided to wait it out and not come home this year.

There are many people out of work and funds are low and they most certainly don’t have extra to come home for parties and other functions.

As much fun and enjoyment as we have, I don’t feel it is worth the risk.

I think we should move forward and start planning our 150th. The five year classes such as 50 and 51, 55 and 56 and so on could double up on celebrations. The 5 yr classes from this year could still work with the 2020 float theme and 2021 could chose from whatever new theme is picked for the 150th. We would have a spectacular parade and other special functions to celebrate 150 years. What do you think? I can only hope that we are all on the same page.

We still need to have an annual meeting, choose next year’s theme for our 150th, and of course the scholarship awards will have to distributed. We’re just not sure how yet.

My phone is open for questions and comments: 603-504-5702 or you can email the office at alumni@stevensalumninh.com or at my home email nhsno@comcast.net If you have parade questions please call Dick Girard at 603-543-6398

Any dues and donations you can spare this year will be much appreciated. If you buy the parade fund raiser tickets enclosed in the newsletter, that money will be held to help with parade expenses in 2021. The winners will be announced in the fall.

We will keep everyone updated as best we can through Facebook , the website , the newspaper and emails.

Take care, stay healthy and safe!
Doug, class of 1963
Stevens Alumni President
Newsletter Content
If you'd like to have an item appear in the newsletter please email it by noon on Monday to appear in that week's regular issue. If you've previously submitted an item you didn't see in this issue please resend it. With many cancellations we decided to not include any items that were not received in the last five days. We apologize for the inconvenience but hope you can understand that we only want to share current up to date information.