In This Edition:
News:
FDA Approves Rutgers Home Saliva Test for COVID-19
--------------
Community Planning Development
Funding Matrix
Local & State
Dashboard Reports Posted
--------------
COVID-19 Resources from NJHMFA for Owners
--------------
New Jersey Receives $31.5 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funding Through CARES Act
--------------
Partnership Across Federal Agencies Issues Guidance:
US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
--------------
SAMHSA & HHS Affirm Mental Health Care and SUD Treatment Essential; Validates Procurement of PPE
--------------
NJ Dept of Labor Introduces
New Feature to Improve FAQ Responses
--------------
SSA Updates Info on COVID-19 and Stimulus Payments
Webinars:
DRNJ & CHLP Present:
How the Stimulus Bill (Economic Impact Payment)
Affects SSI & More
May 13, 2020
--------------
Learn About Available Assistance from DHS
May 13, 2020
--------------
DD Network Partners Virtual Town Halls:
Continuing the Conversation - COVID-19
with a Focus on Children
May 14, 2020
--------------
Free Webinar From Withum:
Adapting Business Process
to Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness
May 15, 2020
--------------
New Division on Developmental Disabilities Webinar
Transitioning into Adulthood:
Information on DDD Services for 2020 Graduates
May 19, 2020
--------------
National Council for Behavioral Health Webinar:
Imagining Behavioral Health Delivery Post-COVID-19
May 20, 2020
--------------
NJAMHAA: Free Webinar
Coping with
Provider-Related Grief and Loss
May 28, 2020
|
|
FDA Approves Rutgers Home Saliva Test for COVID-19
|
|
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved a COVID-19 take-home saliva test created by Rutgers University. This means that testing can now be done without physically going to one of the state testing centers and it allows for personal protective equipment to be directed elsewhere. Governor Phil Murphy also announced that the test would be administered to 1,250 residents and 4,300 staff at five developmental centers across the state. (NJ Biz, May 8, 2020)
Click
here
to read more.
|
|
Community Planning Development
Funding Matrix
Local & State
Dashboard Reports Posted
|
|
These reports provide funding information for each city and state that receive CPD program funds, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Continuum of Care (CoC), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), HOME, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and Housing Trust Fund (HTF). Reports detail the size of each grant received over the past several years, as well as the total amount of funds currently available to be spent on affordable housing and community and economic development activities.
|
|
COVID-19 Resources from NJHMFA for Owners
|
|
Attention Owners and Managers of Affordable Housing:
In order to assist affordable housing properties during this unprecedented situation, the Agency has compiled a list of resources that you and your staff may find helpful.
GENERAL RESOURCES
FREE COUNSELING FOR RENTERS
If any of your residents are concerned about making rent payments as a result of COVID-19, the Agency is now offering free housing counseling to renters. A list of HUD-certified housing counselors can be
found here
or visit
njhousing.gov/foreclosure
for more information.
RESOURCES FOR SENIOR and SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS
The Division on Aging Services (DoAS) is available to assist you and/ or your senior residents. Many have offered their services to assist with wellness calls to residents. DoAS has provided the following resources:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SENIOR
and SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Many find social distancing to be isolating and lonely. During this time, residents may want to speak to someone about their concerns and feelings. Recently, Medicare has expanded telehealth services to include allied health professionals such as therapists and social workers. Medicare recipients may be eligible for telehealth services including phone consultation if they do not have access to technology. You can find more information on other resources from the
Mental Health Association of NJ
.
The toll-free number to call for the NJMentalHealthCares
hotline is 1-866-202-HELP (4357).
The hotline is open 7 days per week, 8am to 8pm.
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
The Agency is available to assist you and your staff with questions regarding the availability and coordination of services to ensure the emotional, physical and mental well-being of your residents. Please contact Maria DiMaggio, Social Services Administrator at
mdimaggio@njhmfa.gov
or Anne Hamlin, Director of Tax Credit Services at
ahamlin@njhmfa.gov
if there are unmet needs at your properties.
|
|
New Jersey Receives $31.5 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funding Through CARES Act
|
|
TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
announced that the State of New Jersey received $31,511,487
from the second round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act funding allocated by the federal government. Today’s CDBG funding allocation is in addition to the $4 million the State of New Jersey received on April 2, 2020. Both funding rounds are helping the State respond to public health, housing, and economic disruption needs that have arisen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The second round of allocations can be used for such activities as buildings and improvements, assistance to businesses, rental assistance, increased public services, planning, capacity building, and technical assistance. (Insider NJ, May 11, 2020)
|
|
Partnership Across Federal Agencies Issues Guidance:
US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
|
|
The recent emergence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) calls for enhanced cooperation between public health authorities, homeless service systems, and other partners at the local level. To support these partnerships and the vulnerable households served, relevant federal agencies are issuing guidance from subject matter experts on lessons learned from previous response efforts to infectious diseases.
- NEW: Homeless System Response: Changes to Coordinated Entry Prioritization to Support and Respond to COVID-19, HUD (May 7)
- NEW: Medical Respite Care and Alternate Care Sites, National Health Care for the Homeless Council (May 6)
- NEW: COVID-19 Dislocated Worker Grants, DOL (May 5)
- NEW: A Framework for COVID-19 Homelessness Response: Responding to the Intersecting Crises of Homelessness and COVID-19, NAEH (May 1)
|
|
SAMHSA & HHS Affirm Mental Health Care and SUD Treatment Essential; Validates Procurement of PPE
|
|
The
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
stated that SAMHSA and the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
have a formal agreement that the services provided in mental and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs across the country are essential medical services.
|
|
NJ Dept of Labor Introduces
New Feature to Improve FAQ Responses
|
|
TRENTON — In an ongoing commitment to enhance customer service during a time of historically high volume, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has launched a chat feature, or “chatbot,” on its website to answer customers’ unemployment questions. The feature simulates a human text response to provide real-time responses to the 20 most frequently asked unemployment-related questions. It was developed in partnership with the New Jersey Office of Innovation, and uses Google technology.
Many of the inquiries NJDOL receives are for general information, such as:
- Am I eligible for benefits?
- How do I reset my pin?
- How do I check my claim status?
- What do I do to qualify for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)?, or
- How do I certify for weekly benefits?
|
|
SSA Updates Info on COVID-19 and Stimulus Payments
|
|
Recently,
Jonathan Seifried,
Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Developmental Disabilities
reviewed updated
information on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA)
Social Security and COVID-19
page about the economic impact payments for SSA benefit recipients. If you are experiencing any issues in receiving your economic impact payment or need additional information, review the above page to learn the latest information.
|
|
DRNJ & CHLP Present:
How the Stimulus Bill (Economic Impact Payment)
Affects SSI & More
|
|
Please join staff and council members from
Disability Rights New Jersey,
along with staff from
Community Health Law Project,
for a virtual town hall on:
Wednesday, May 13th | 3:00 - 4:00 PM EDT
To discuss issues for people with mental illness regarding COVID stimulus payments from the federal government, including:
- Who is entitled to receive stimulus payments
- Stimulus checks & Medicaid/SSI
- Where stimulus checks will be sent
- Representative payee obligations
This Q&A and listening session is an opportunity for individuals with serious mental illness, their advocates, and family members to speak to DRNJ and one another, and to promote the sharing of resources, information, and experiences and learn more about DRNJ's Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program.
|
|
Learn About Available Assistance from DHS - May 13th
|
|
May 13, 2020 | 7:00 PM EDT
Do you have any concerns or questions in wake of
the
Coronavirus
pandemic? Join NJ Human Services on our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/NJDHS/
this Wednesday (May 13, 2020) at 7:00 PM EDT for a live discussion on the available services that could help you and your family.
|
|
DD Network Partners Virtual Town Halls:
Continuing the Conversation - COVID-19
with a Focus on Children
|
|
Please join
Disability Rights New Jersey
and developmental disabilities network partners,
The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
and T
he Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities
, along with invited guests from the
Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families
, for another virtual town hall to continue our conversation on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday, May 14, 2020 | 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Speakers include Dr. Kim Buxenbaum, Director of the Office of Special Education and Dominic Rota, Director of the Office of Special Education Policy and Dispute Resolution. DRNJ staff attorney Robert Robinson and DRNJ Legal Director Rebecca Shore will also be on hand to answer your questions.
|
|
Free Webinar From Withum:
Adapting Business Process
to Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness
|
|
Friday, May 15 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
COVID 19 has forced many organizations to rethink the way they do business. We need to adapt and overcome. Processes at organizations, such as AP/payment, AR/receipts, payroll, etc. have in many cases, not changed substantially; however, we’re now required to rethink the way things are done. For example, did we always get paper invoices that were collected by a receptionist? Did we have signors on checks come to our office to sign things? In many cases, these processes need to now become more virtual, more automated and more electronic. And we are going to help you make that happen!
|
|
New Division on Developmental Disabilities Webinar
Transitioning into Adulthood:
Information on DDD Services for 2020 Graduates
|
|
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 | 1:00 PM EDT
Presenter:
Jennifer Joyce, Director of the Division’s Employment and Transition to 21 Unit
This webinar will provide information about accessing Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) services for students exiting the school system. It will include an overview of DDD, information about the eligibility process, and accessing services. The discussion will also include information about services during the current situation related to COVID-19 and ideas of some planning that can be done during this time when we are staying at home.
|
|
National Council for Behavioral Health Webinar:
Imagining Behavioral Health Delivery Post-COVID-19
|
|
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 | 12:00-1:00 PM EDT
To meet the enduring challenges of COVID-19, behavioral health providers across the country will have to adapt to meet the needs of their communities – and keep their doors open. Many are rapidly deploying innovative solutions to maintain their accessibility and delivery of behavioral health care. Still others are struggling to embrace the “new normal,” wondering:
- Can, and should, we ever go back to the way we practiced before?
- What will behavioral health care look like in the future?
These questions will be explored, with highlights of provider best practices in “
Imagining Behavioral Health Delivery Post-COVID-19.” What does behavioral health care look like, post-COVID-19? Contribute to the conversation, hear from visionaries and explore a potential new blueprint.
|
|
NJAMHAA: Free Webinar
Coping with
Provider-Related Grief and Loss
|
|
May 28, 2020 | 10-11 AM EDT
Losses of life, job, routine and freedom of movement have made this a devastating pandemic for many clients and providers. As a consequence, many are and will be struggling with feelings of grief. In this interactive workshop with Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and healthcare consultant, personal and agency practices for healing from grief will be shared. These include distinguishing between normal and complicated bereavement, utilizing and creating rituals for community-sanctioned emotional expression and resolution, and implementing supportive policies and practices.
Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD, is a Pennsylvania clinical psychologist,family therapist and a Principal in the Philadelphia office of Health Management Associates, a national healthcare consulting firm. He specializes in working with individuals and families coping with medical illnesses in his clinical practice in Media, PA. He is the author of two books on family caregiving and writes a self-help column for family caregivers for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP.org).
Registrants will receive a link to join the training 1 day prior to session.
|
|
Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
|
|
Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
