NC DHHS Stakeholder Update
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS NCDHHS will soon be releasing a Request for Applications for organizations who can directly provide or coordinate for the provision of NCDHHS-funded social supports to enable individuals who are directed to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 to effectively and safely do so. These supports will be limited to targeted regions of the state with particularly high COVID-19 case rates per capita and will focus on five key social supports: nutrition assistance, financial assistance, transportation assistance, medication delivery, and COVID-related supplies.  
 
Selected organizations will be responsible for providing or coordinating with other community-based organizations to provide the full range of support services in a linguistically and culturally appropriate manner and; manage invoicing and reimbursement; and reporting on service delivery. Selected organizations will also work closely with other entities identified by the Department, such as Local Health Departments to ensure individuals quarantining or isolating receive the services they need.
 
Due to the immediacy of this need, this procurement process will have a rapid timeline once it is released. Upon release, the RFA will be available on the DHHS website.
 
PRESS RELEASES since the last update include:
NEW  Water Fountain Signs in English and Spanish posted in   Schools Guidance and in Phase 2 guidance under Youth Sports, child care
 
22 NEW  community testing sites (10 CHAMP sites) added
 
UPDATED Contact Tracing numbers are now available
 
NEW VIDEO available on Vimeo in English and Spanish from DHHS COVID-19 Historically Marginalized Populations Workgroup added   here and will be added to the Prevent and Protect toolkit
 
UPDATED self-isolation information based on new CDC guidance on the testing, symptoms and treatment pages:
    • Has it been at least 10 days since your symptoms started?
    • Has it been 24 hours since you last had fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications?
    • Have your symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, improved? 
UPDATED Symptom Screening Checklist in English,  Spanish in Phase 2 guidance
 
UPDATED  What to Do If You Feel Sick Fact sheet in English and Spanish
 
UPDATED guidance since the last update include:
UPDATED reports since the last update include:

Repost: Video of Benchmarks' Friday Membership Update
(We were made aware that the link to Friday's recording may not have been working as expected, so just in case, we shall try again.)

Benchmarks' Membership Webinar: July 24, 2020
Benchmarks' Membership Webinar: July 24, 2020
Child Welfare:  COVID-19 Supplemental Pay
Many members have wondered how the $100 for foster families was intended to be handled.  Karen reached out to Lisa Cauley to request additional clarification be shared with the counties.  

Lisa agreed and we should begin to see a more streamlined process at some point this week.  In the meantime, Lisa also shared the letter that had gone out previously that our members can use to help guide county DSS' that may be confused.

Upcoming Events
Friday:  July 24, 2020
Parents as Changemakers: Effective Policy Advocacy

Time: 3:00 pm thru 4:30 pm
Monday:  July 27, 2020 
Joint DMHDDSAS and DHB (NC Medicaid) COVID-19 Update Call  For BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders
(After this meeting, it will continue once per month, on the 4th Monday of each month)

Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm
Monday:  July 27, 2020 
New Webinar to Support Medicaid Providers Applying for Federal Relief Funds

Time: 3:00 pm 
Tuesday:  July 28, 2020
On the Frontline: Promoting Self-Care Practices and Psychological Well-Being During a Crisis

Time:  9:00 am thru 10:00 am
Tuesday:  July 28, 2020
An Introduction to Youth Problem Gambling

Time:  10:00 am thu 2:30 pm
New:  Tuesday:  July 28, 2020
USDA to Host Farmers to Families Food Box Program Webinar on July 28 with Details about a New Solicitation Opportunity  
With some changes to the government's requirements and the solicitation process, USDA plans to purchase additional combination boxes and enhance coverage to underserved areas. Food boxes will contain fresh produce, dairy products, fluid milk, and meat products.

Eligibility for participation in the food box program will be open to entities who can meet the government's requirements and specifications.

Proposals will be expected to illustrate how coverage will be provided in opportunity zones and address costs incurred delivering products into the hands of recipients, among other factors.

Time:  3:00 pm
Wednesday:  July 29, 2020
Human Service Provision in High Stress Environments, Skills and Strategies for Provider Self-Care

Time:  10:00 am thu 11:30 am
Wednesday:  July 29, 2020
On the Frontline: How to Manage Anxiety and Worry During a Crisis (New Time)

Time:  10:00 am thu 11:00
Wednesday:  July 29, 2020
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience-Focused Skills Lab

Time:  10:00 am thu 2:30 pm
Wednesday:  July 29, 2020
NCCARE360 Overview

Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm
Wednesday:  July 29, 2020
A to Zs of COVID-19 for Families and Individuals
with I-DD 

Time:  12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Wednesday:  July 29, 2020
Series:  Hurricane Season and COVID-19: How Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Can Be Prepared

Part 3:  Recovery, Resources, and Questions Answered about Preparing during COVID-19

Time:  1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm EST
Wednesday:  July 29, 2020
Accreditation for the Changing Face of Addiction Treatment

Time:  1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm EST
Thursday:  July 30, 2020
If you are 5-10 years away from retirement, join
the Dept. of Labor  for a webcast on retirement planning.  
Retirement: Are You Ready?

Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
Thursday:  July 30, 2020
Human Service Provision in High Stress Environments, Skills and Strategies for Provider Self-Care

Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
Friday:  July 31, 2020
Benchmarks' Friday Membership Call Featuring 
Dave Richard & Karen McLeod

Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am
Tuesday:  August 4, 2020
Addressing the Intersection of Substance Use and Suicide: Strategies for Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment

Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
Wednesday: August 5, 2020
Parents Can We Talk: IEP & Disability Rights (ONLY FOR NC FAMILIES)

Time:  10:00 am thru 11:30 am
LME/MCO Updates
Please click on each of the following links to view details sent out from each LME/MCO.

Benchmarks' wants to be sure to make the following list handy for our members to visit and suggests a peek at least once per week to find information that may be pertinent to your agency and contracts.