Join us for the Dillard University Community Relations Day of Health Service at Bethany United Methodist Church. COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations, Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bethany UMC is located at 4533 Mendez Street in Pontchartrain Park. 

Register for COVID-19 Testing by clicking this link:

Contact Nick Harris at nharris@dillard.edu for additional information.  

Dr. Ford has served as a pediatrician and advocate for families for over 8 years and has been a go-to voice for children’s health during the pandemic. This national campaign is by moms and for moms who have concerns about vaccinating their children. She recently addressed important questions about vaccinating children ages 5-11.

To learn more about the We Can Do This campaign and to access helpful resources, please visit COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children aged 5 plus. 

NEW ORLEANS (Jan 12, 2022) - Our KN95(N95) mask giveaway will continue tomorrow at Orleans Parish Libraries. Below is the updated list of locations available for pick up. Masks are part of the multi-layer mitigation measure that help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. NOHD recommends the use of a tightly fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth like the N95, KN95 or surgical masks offer better protection against very small particles such as droplets that are generated by everyday activities like breathing and talking.

All of the locations have masks with the exception of Mid-City and Nix that are both are closed.

219 Loyola Ave.

596-2570

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

3014 Holiday Dr.

596-2641

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

913 Alvar St.

596-2667

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

Allie Mae Williams Center

2020 Jackson Ave.

Suite 139

596-3110

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

913 Napoleon Ave.

596-2628

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

5641 Read Blvd.

596-0200

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

725 Pelican Ave.

596-3113

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

4300 S. Broad St.

596-2660

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

1611 Caffin Ave.

596-2695

Monday- Friday 10 am to 5 pm

5120 St. Charles Ave.

596-2625

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

3001 Gentilly Blvd.

596-3100

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

1902 St. Bernard Ave.

596-3118

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

6301 Canal Blvd.

596-2638

Monday- Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday- Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

Join The Black Women Leaders and Allies this week for a call to action to protect our voting rights! Now is the time to urge Congress to protect your right to vote by ending the filibuster and passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act & the Freedom to Vote Act NOW!

Click here to download the toolkit for graphics and captions to post.

1/11/2022 - As part of its ongoing efforts across many channels to expand Americans’ access to free testing, the Biden-Harris Administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests, so people with private health coverage can get them for free starting January 15th. The new coverage requirement means that most consumers with private health coverage can go online or to a pharmacy or store, buy a test, and either get it paid for up front by their health plan, or get reimbursed for the cost by submitting a claim to their plan. This requirement incentivizes insurers to cover these costs up front and ensures individuals do not need an order from their health care provider to access these tests for free.

Beginning January 15, 2022, individuals with private health insurance coverage or covered by a group health plan who purchase an over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test authorized, cleared, or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be able to have those test costs covered by their plan or insurance. Insurance companies and health plans are required to cover 8 free over-the-counter at-home tests per covered individual per month. That means a family of four, all on the same plan, would be able to get up to 32 of these tests covered by their health plan per month. There is no limit on the number of tests, including at-home tests, that are covered if ordered or administered by a health care provider following an individualized clinical assessment, including for those who may need them due to underlying medical conditions.

“Under President Biden’s leadership, we are requiring insurers and group health plans to make tests free for millions of Americans. This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp-up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Since we took office, we have more than tripled the number of sites where people can get COVID-19 tests for free, and we’re also purchasing half a billion at-home, rapid tests to send for free to Americans who need them. By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans’ ability to get tests for free when they need them.”

Over-the-counter test purchases will be covered in the commercial market without the need for a health care provider’s order or individualized clinical assessment, and without any cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles, co-payments or coinsurance, prior authorization, or other medical management requirements.

As part of the requirement, the Administration is incentivizing insurers and group health plans to set up programs that allow people to get the over-the-counter tests directly through preferred pharmacies, retailers or other entities with no out-of-pocket costs. Insurers and plans would cover the costs upfront, eliminating the need for consumers to submit a claim for reimbursement. When plans and insurers make tests available for upfront coverage through preferred pharmacies or retailers, they are still required to reimburse tests purchased by consumers outside of that network, at a rate of up to $12 per individual test (or the cost of the test, if less than $12). For example, if an individual has a plan that offers direct coverage through their preferred pharmacy but that individual instead purchases tests through an online retailer, the plan is still required to reimburse them up to $12 per individual test. Consumers can find out more information from their plan about how their plan or insurer will cover over-the-counter tests.

“Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, as well as to quickly diagnose COVID-19 so that it can be effectively treated. Today’s action further removes financial barriers and expands access to COVID-19 tests for millions of people,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.

State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs are currently required to cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests without cost-sharing. In 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration issued guidance explaining that State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs must cover all types of FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests without cost sharing under CMS’s interpretation of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2019 (ARP). Medicare pays for COVID-19 diagnostic tests performed by a laboratory, such as PCR and antigen tests, with no beneficiary cost sharing when the test is ordered by a physician, non-physician practitioner, pharmacist, or other authorized health care professional. People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan should check with their plan to see if their plan offers coverage and payment for at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.

This effort is in addition to a number of actions the Biden Administration is taking to expand access to testing for all Americans. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing up to 50 million free, at-home tests to community health centers and Medicare-certified health clinics for distribution at no cost to patients and community members. The program is intended to ensure COVID-19 tests are made available to populations and settings in need of testing. HHS also has established more than 10,000 free community-based pharmacy testing sites around the country. To respond to the Omicron surge, HHS and FEMA are creating surge testing sites in states across the nation.

For more information, please see these Frequently Asked Questions, https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free.html.

For additional details on the requirements, visit https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free

NEW ORLEANS (1/11/2022) — The city of New Orleans is reinstating its indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday.

New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno announced the decision Tuesday during an update on the city's response to COVID-19.

The decision comes as the city's percent positivity rate is over 30 percent, and hospitalizations are strained, according to Avegno.

According to Avegno, hospital emergency rooms have wait times of up to 10 hours and are also suffering from staff shortages.

Avegno said schools are also being affected by omicron, with many schools having to move to virtual options due to staff becoming sick from COVID-19.

Avegno said the mask mandate is a simple way to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The mandate will go into place at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Avegno suggests residents should wear a KN95 or N95 mask.

This comes as New Orleans prepares for an influx of visitors during Carnival Season.

Today, Black women and our allies are taking action to demand our freedom to vote! Join us by calling your U.S. Senators TODAY at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to pass federal voting rights legislation NOW! It's time to #BreaktheSwitchboard!

#BlackWomenTakeAction  #VotingRightsAct

With this fellowship opportunity, Citizen SHE will grant $3,000 to 10 Black women led/focused Organizations across the state of Louisiana. This Fellowship will last for the duration of 6 months, and will require a time commitment of 8 hours a month. This time would be used for group discussion, biweekly check-in’s, project planning and execution, and local organizing and outreach. If you have any questions, please contact mlgraves@my.loyno.edu

What is the Purpose of this Fellowship?

Citizen SHE’ s is building an aligned base of Black women who inform, advocate for, and enact a collective policy agenda to address the needs of Black women across the state of Louisiana. SHE's work reorganizes Louisiana's political power structures to recognize Black women as activists, leaders and elected officials who represent a crucial base of power. SHE's strategy includes leadership development, policy creation, collective advocacy, cultivating candidates, training campaigners, mobilizing Black voters and engaging elected officials. We have always navigated our civic engagement strategy from a vantage point that centers the reality of how Black Women have to navigate, constantly giving voice highlighting and validating experience. Our goal is to increase voter participation among black women in Louisiana from 157k to 300k. (#Roadto300k).  However, we recognize how Black Women’s reality and experience may look different depending on the parish they reside, and it is members of those communities, who are best equipped to highlight those experiences.

The purpose of this fellowship is to give Black women, Led/Focused organizations the opportunity to increase civic engagement within their parish/community by providing $3000 in funding to create an event that organizes your people/community through advocacy, policy creation by participating in the legislative session, and hosting a virtual “day at the capitol event” in addition to organizational training and development.

In addition to funding, fellowship participants will have the opportunity to:

Please fill out the attached application by January 15th, 2022. 

Nia Weeks Esq.

To register to vote in Louisiana you must:

Registering to vote or changing your registration is easy using the GeauxVote Online Registration System.

Voting is your right! Ensure you are #VoteReady at unitycampaign.org. #VoterRegistrationDay #FreedomtoVote

Louisiana Unity Coalition/Black Women's Roundtable encourage you to Register Today.

Dear Readers,

This past year has been one of the immense challenges. It was one marked by loss, pain and a series of events that tested our nation’s moral character. Despite the unprecedented turbulence, we also experienced glimmers of hope as our nation, led by Black women, elected the first Black and South Asian Vice President of the United States; and saw black women in Georgia, and throughout the country, lead a historic shift in political power.

Our 2021 BWR Report, “Black Women in the U. S. 2020: Priorities, Policy & Power,” is focused on lifting up the issues and policy priorities that impact the lives of Black women, our families and communities. The contributors represent an intergenerational group of some of our nation’s most powerful

Black women leaders and experts in their fields---who not only outline the problems facing Black women, but also share solutions and policies designed to address them at their core. This year’s report also includes a special section where Black women share their personal stories of the impact COVID19 is having on their lives.

The findings of this year’s report could not be any more timely. As we enter a

new chapter in our nation’s history, we have an unprecedented opportunity to shape the health and wealth of our communities. The Honorable Barbara

Jordan once said “What the people want is simple. They want an America

as Good as it’s promise.” --The ideas and solutions laid out in this report are designed to deliver on that promise by recognizing our collective power to engage and shape the national agenda under the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s 45th Anniversary and Black Women’s Roundtable 2021 Theme---Rebuilding Hope, Justice, Equity and Equality!

As we read through the various essays in this report, we are reminded of the influence of Black women’s leadership, knowledge and political power that gives life to these policies. In the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis and nefarious challenges to our democracy that saw our communities disproportionately impacted, we stood together to protect our communities and exercise our right to vote. We advocated for the issues that were most important to us and we executed strategies to lift ourselves and overcome the

policies that have left us marginalized and disenfranchised.

This report is published with the knowledge of what we accomplished over the past year and optimism for the new opportunities that present themselves in the New Biden-Harris Administration and 117th Congress. As you read this report, know that we stand at the beginning of a new chapter. The decisions we make, the policies we commit to and the strategies we design, will set a

trajectory for our nation and the world community for decades to come.

If this past election has confirmed anything, it is that whenever there is a crossroads in history---black women will always come to the frontlines and answer the call. Not only did Black women show up, but we also organized, led, advocated and shifted power.

So, as we look to change the world, let’s follow the ideas and influence of

Black women.

In Solidarity,

Melanie L. Campbell

President & CEO, NCBCP & Convener,

Black Women’s Roundtable

@coalitionbuildr

...

A. Avis Jones-DeWeever, Ph.D.

Co-Editor, 2021 BWR Annual Report

Board Member and Senior Policy

Advisor, NCBCP/BW

CEO, The Exceptional Leadership Institute for Women

Dr. Elsie Scott

Co-Editor, 2021 BWR Annual Report

Secretary of the Board, NCBCP

Founding Director, Ronald W. Walters

Leadership & Public Policy Center @ Howard University

Call your U. S. Senator at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to pass the For the People Act now! Let's break the switchboard to protect our vote and save our democracy. Join the movement at BlackWomenTakeAction.org for updates, upcoming events, and ways to amplify the message.

The Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) is the women and girls leadership development, mentoring, intergenerational empowerment & power building arm of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

The BWR promotes health and wellness, economic security & sustainability, education and global empowerment as key elements for success. BWR established its Intergenerational Policy Network in 2008, which is comprised of a diverse group of Black women civic leaders representing international, national, regional, and state-based organizations and institutions. Together, the BWR membership represents the issues and concerns of women and girls who live across the United States and around the world.

To learn more about the Louisiana Unity Coalition's Black Women's Roundtable, contact Louisiana's BWR Convener Gwendolyn Hughes at GwendolynBWR@gmail.com.

The Louisiana Unity Coalition is an affiliate of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), is a 501©3, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement and voter participation in Black and underserved communities. The National Coalition has a national membership of organizations representing a diverse constituency base including civil rights, labor, and business organizations; fraternities and sororities; women, youth, educators, faith leaders, public policy makers, researchers, and others.

The National Coalition was founded on May 6, 1976. For nearly 40 years, The National Coalition has served as an effective convener and facilitator at the local, state, and national levels of efforts to address the disenfranchisement of underserved and other marginalized communities through civic engagement including: ​

As a State affiliate, we serve as the lead entity for NCBCP's local initiatives which engage state-based organizations to lead, organize and implement non-partisan efforts centered around Voter Engagement, Registration, Assistance & Voter Protection. Activities include Field & Online Outreach; Poll Monitor Recruitment Drive; Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Campaign; Debate Watch Parties, Spill the Tea & Field Outreach events among others.

The National Coalition strives to create an enlightened community by engaging people in all aspects of public life through service/volunteerism, advocacy, leadership development, and voting.

Black Youth Vote! (BYV) is the youth-led civic engagement arm of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. Black Youth Vote’s mission is to train, invest and provide Black youth and young adults with civic engagement, organizing and civic leadership opportunities------focused on Millennials, Generation Z and Returning Citizens (18 – 35 yrs. old). Black Youth Vote! is focused on leveraging the power of the black youth electorate to make positive social change and win on the issues they care about in their communities, including: racial & economic justice, college affordability, criminal justice/policing reform, affordable health care, workers’ rights, voting rights, human rights and more! For more information visit:

www.unitycampaign.org.

Now that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act) as become law, it includes a new program to help eligible households afford high-speed internet. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the Infrastructure Act's new long-term, $14 billion program will replace the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) launched in 2021 to help households afford high-speed internet service during the pandemic.

The ACP will retain the basic structure of the EBB, with some changes. A major change is that the ACP reduces the discount for home broadband internet service from the EBB's $50/month to $30/month.

The ACP will permanently replace the EBB on Friday, December 31, 2021. For the over eight million EBB participants, Congress has created a 60-day transition period beginning on December 31, 2021. During the transition, households fully enrolled in the EBB as of December 31, 2021, will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022. EBB applications can be submitted at GetEmergencyBroadband.org.