United Way of Hampshire County has regularly updated COVID-19 resource pages. Find them HERE .

Your clients can find resources through Mass 2-1-1 HERE .
Look4Help has updated information about services that are available HERE .

For Hampshire County Food Resources , click HERE . For information about food access resources throughout Franklin County .Click HERE .

Email updates to Mary McClintock at Community Action.
Next UWHC-COSA Call is June 16th at 10am.

United Way of Hampshire County-COSA Resource Calls are happening every other Tuesday at 10am-11am. Join us for a conversation about resources, planning, and reopening.

Get the Zoom call information HERE.
UWHC-COSA Calls are now biweekly on
Tuesdays at 10am:

June 16
June 30
Many thanks to Joanne Marqusee from Cooley Dickinson Health Care for joining our UWHC-COSA resources call on Tuesday! She provided an informative and insightful update about the current situation in our community and thanked everyone for the support and encouragement they have offered to front line staff during the pandemic.
Community Legal Aid has some exciting news to share about the expansion of Community Legal Aid’s Education Law Project into Franklin, Hampshire, and Berkshire Counties. Our education law attorney will provide advice and assistance with the myriad Covid-related and other education issues families face now and in the future as schools reopen, including:
 
  • accessing technological devices and internet connection for remote learning;
  • accessing materials and information in the parent’s preferred language (information, notices, and academic materials);
  • accessing special education instruction, accommodations, and services for students who are struggling, whether or not they have been diagnosed with a disability; 
  • disciplinary proceedings (such as suspensions and expulsions) or other removals from learning time;
  • bullying; and
  • barriers to school enrollment (such as lack of necessary documentation).
  
Families can apply for services by calling 855-CLA-LEGAL (855-252-5342) or applying on line at   https://communitylegal.org/get-help/ .
2-minute PSA from Census 2020 to help ensure kids get counted.
MassHire Update: Info Sessions
for Skills Training in September

From Andrew Baker: Attached is the latest version of the recruiting flyer HERE for the Manufacturing Skills Initiative (MSI) trainings in Foundational Manufacturing (4 weeks) and CNC Operator (8 weeks). The entry point for those interested in applying and securing state or federal job training funds that can pay the full cost of the training is to attend a monthly online 1-hour free Information & Application session. 
 
Participants can sign up for a seat in an Info Session by calling MassHire FHCC at (413) 774-4361 or registering online at:   https://gcc.mass.edu/manufacturing
 
We are now recruiting for the Foundational Manufacturing training that runs in September, 2020. Those who complete FM successfully can go right to work in entry level production and assembly jobs and/or can apply to continue on to the CNC Operator training in October.  Please spread the word and feel free to forward this flyer to anyone you think might be interested.
 
Thanks for your help! (With your help, Carol Hayes and I have assembled a good cohort of 10-11 people preparing to start the FM class that runs in June. 4-5 will be WIOA co-enrolled.)
National Alliance
to End Homelessness Webinar:
Communities Using Data to Analyze Racial Disparities During the Pandemic - Here's Where You Can Start.

Register for this June 9 webinar HERE.
Valley Community Development is running a live webinar about reopening businesses in the area on June 8. Get registration details HERE.

Find their updated list of grants and loans for local businesses HERE.
New Bereavement Support Groups thru
Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice
For adults remembering a parent who has died. Details HERE . Weekly beginning on Mon, June 1.
For adults remembering a spouse or partner who has died. Details HERE . Weekly beginning on Wed, June 3.
Western Mass Network to End Homelessness Event
Friday, June 5 from 10am-11am

WMNEH Annual Resource Fair/Legislator Gathering provides you with the opportunity to hear from our state leaders about housing and ending homelessness during this crisis and beyond. 

WMNEH will be joined by: Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox, MA Dept of Housing and Community Development and Sen. Jo Comerford, Rep. Natalie Blais, Rep. Dan Carey, Rep. Mindy Domb, Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, and Rep. Susannah Whipps, as well as other state and local leaders.

Get details and register HERE .
New ADA Self-Evaluation Survey from Town of Amherst:

In keeping with its ongoing efforts to serve all members of the public, The Town of Amherst is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan. The project is grant funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The existing Self Evaluation Plan & Transition Plan was last prepared in 2006 and is now outdated.

Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Town of Amherst is required to complete a self-evaluation of the Town’s public facilities, programs, services, activities and events to determine compliance with the ADA and any barriers to accessibility. Once the Self-Evaluation is complete, the Town will develop a Transition Plan to prioritize the identified barriers and how they will be corrected. The Town has hired Disability Access Consultants, LLC (DAC) to assist with the self-evaluation and transition plan process.

As part of this project, the Town of Amherst is seeking input from various stakeholders, including  members of the public and organizations assisting persons with disabilities . Your feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs. 

To access the surveys, click on the links below: 
Public Input:  Online Survey   |  Survey (PDF)   |  Survey (Word Doc)
Organizations Assisting Persons with Disabilities:  Online Survey  |  Survey (PDF)  |  Survey (Word Doc) Paper copies may be mailed, upon request. 

Surveys are due by Friday, July 11th

For more information, click on the Project Page:  https://www.amherstma.gov/3530/ADA-Self-Evaluation-Transition-Plan
If you have any questions or comments about the Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan, please contact Maureen Pollock, Planner at  pollockm@amherstma.gov  or at (413) 259-3120.
There's a new website detailing the MA Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer Card ( P-EBT Program ). Find updates right HERE .

Check out the FAQ page HERE .
Wrong time for a new charitable tax deduction ? HERE

COVID-19 and the MA State budget is HERE .

FAQs about Early Education and Care HERE .

Community Legal Aid has started a project, using trained volunteers, including lawyers and law students, to file claims for people not able to manage the complex online UI process on their own. 
 
English and Spanish language flyers or call 855-252-5342 or applying for services online ( www.communitylegal.org ). 
 
Want to volunteer or to offer interpretation services? Email Jen Dieringer HERE .
This Healthy Incentives Program document is updated each month, so you can expect this link to be useful through the year. Here is the updated listing of all of the HIP locations throughout the Pioneer Valley. And check out HIP Facebook updates HERE .
ACT Volunteer Center

Catch the latest ACT volunteer Newsletter for June 2020. What to Say, What to Send: Strategic Communications to Volunteers Amid the Pandemic. Read it HERE.
Collaborative for Educational Resources

The Collaborative has a great list of resources for educational opportunities and resources during COVID-19. You can find it on their website HERE.
Download: Chronicle of Philanthropy Virtual Forum on COVID-19 and Nonprofits
On-Demand: NonProfit Times Rebooting and Managing After COVID-19

Jun 09: Nat'l Alliance to End Homelessness Racial Disparities Data Webinar
Jun 11: N'ton Recovery Center Peer Grief Support after Overdose Death
Jun 23: HSF June Breakfast is online!
Jun 24: MNN Nonprofit Awareness Day, A Celebration of Nonprofit Excellence
Jul 22: HSF Administrative Professionals Day in JULY !
Massachusetts Counts in 2020.

Census 2020 is still counting on you to complete your census information. Here's a link to a flyer that can be distributed to clients through various services such as food pantries. Don't let western Massachusetts go undercounted! Ensure local communities receive needed resources for everyone.

Complete the 2020 Census ONLINE.

Complete the 2020 Census by PHONE.

Multilingual support is available in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Japanese, Tagalog, French, and other languages.
Northampton Survival Center in collaboration with Grow Food Northampton and Community Action Pioneer Valley has a temporary pantry site at Jackson St. School and bags available at several Northampton locations. Get current information about services HERE .
Amherst Survival Center onsite open hours changed May 4.
See details HERE .

Amherst Survival Center is seeking partners for food delivery options . Please see the message from their director HERE .
Easthampton Community Center continues to serve individuals and families from 22 communities and has modified food pickup to observe social distancing.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has updated its services. Get information HERE .

Pantry and Meals updates HERE .
Please note that the National Low Income Housing Coalition will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness every Monday afternoon. The next call is Monday, May 18 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET.

You can register HERE .
Mass DHCD has a new website related to COVID-19. Find resources and guidance about RAFT, public housing, rental vouchers, guidelines for shelter providers, the eviction moratorium and loads more.

Get it all on Mass.gov HERE .
CENSUS 2020: Make It Count!

You and your clients can complete the 2020 census by phone! There is multi-lingual support available including Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and more HERE .

Find your home town on a live map of response rates HERE .


Complete the Census 2020 ONLINE
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Neighbor, meet Neighbor.

The Western Massachusetts Community Aid is a grassroots movement that provides opportunities to post updates about support and requests for assistance.

How can I help? What if I need help? Learn more HERE .
Learn more about resources for your organization at Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Get the details on their COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley HERE .
Many thanks to Massachusetts Nonprofit Network for assembling a helpful list of links to support your nonprofit during this outbreak. Look HERE .
Rep. Mindy Domb has news about the response to COVID-19, legislative efforts, the 2020 Census, and more on her Facebook feed HERE.
Sen. Jo Comerford has updates on COVID-19 for constituents HERE. There is information about the state and federal response HERE.
Check out Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa 's Twitter feed HERE for the latest. Join in her virtual office hours HERE .
Rep. Dan Carey posts about ways MA state government is working on COVID-19. He's got a Facebook feed HERE .
Congressman Jim McGovern has an updated page about COVID-19 HERE with information for constituents. For tips and updates, try Facebook HERE.
Rep. Natalie Blais updates regularly on Facebook HERE about COVID-19, info, and legislative responses to the public health crisis.
Partners HealthCare COVID-19 Multi-Lingual Information Page in English, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish HERE
Baystate Health regularly updates information about coronavirus in our area. They include a glossary of terms.

Does your organization have additional supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)? They welcome your donations of this life-saving equipment.
Call 413-794-6552 or email COVID19PPE@baystatehealth.org .
Cooley Dickinson Health Care updated information page HERE .

Cooley Dickinson has a COVID-19 Call Center for questions about symptoms or general inquiries.

Call 888-554-4234

Cooley Dickinson is accepting cloth masks that will be washed, packaged, and distributed to patients in need.
CDC Coronavirus Resources , includes map of US cases to date and downloads

includes downloads
Massachusetts Form PC Filing Deadline Extended by six months: Get the update HERE.
Mass.gov video PSA about following the mandatory masks rule HERE.
Mass.gov Resources on COVID-19 including How to Make Your Own Mask, Quarantine and Isolation info in multiple languages, emergency orders, plus more HERE.
Federal Disaster Declaration for Massachusetts: On March 27, 2020, the President  declared  a Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, DR-4496, related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. This declaration supersedes the previous Emergency Declaration, EM-3438, granted to the Commonwealth of MA by the President on March 13, 2020. The Major Disaster Declaration, like the Emergency Declaration, authorizes only Category B, Emergency Protective Measures; making federal funding available to local governments, state agencies, and eligible private non-profit organizations in all counties. The incident period is from January 20, 2020 and continuing.
3 County CoC

COVID-19 Prevention and Response for Homeless Providers: Daily Resource Digest. Get full information HERE .

Friday afternoon office hours for providers info HERE .

CDC Checklist for Homeless Service Providers During Community Reopening HERE.

National Alliance to End Homelessness COVID-19 Webinar Series Info HERE .
COSA MEMBERS
Roger Anderson
Jan Klausner - Wise
Renee Moss
Jeff Roth - Howe