Darkness marked with an arching tree of hope....
Thanks to John Yrchik and Eileen Sypher!
DECD's COVID-19
BUSINESS EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has created a COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources and develop new resources. A dedicated phone line is available at
860-500-2333
to provide assistance to Connecticut's small businesses for this purpose.
THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS'S GUIDE TO THE
CARES ACT
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business
owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will
be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. Read the guide
here
.
The (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Connecticut Children’s new Virtual Health page is now live
at
www.connecticutchildrens.org/virtualhealth
. Families can use this site to schedule telehealth visits for their children, read our telehealth FAQs, and learn how to prepare for a telehealth visit.
As a reminder, Connecticut Children’s also has a COVID-19 pediatric hotline. Parents and pediatricians can call the number 24/7 to speak with a Connecticut Children’s clinician and ask their coronavirus questions. The hotline number is
833-226-2362.
Governor Lamont urges volunteers from the general public to participate in Connecticut’s COVID-19 response efforts
Governor Lamont and a large number of state officials and nonprofit providers are urging Connecticut residents to consider taking on a volunteer role in their communities to help respond to the COVID-19 crisis. While the state already began a campaign seeking out volunteers who have health care experience, today the state is launching a campaign seeking volunteers from the general public who are needed for other services at many different types of providers, such as food banks, deliveries to the elderly, shelters, and more.
Volunteers from the general public will be matched with a community provider in need. Here are the basics:
· Volunteers must be 18 or older, and should not volunteer if at risk or compromised. Those who are immunocompromised, over 60, showing symptoms of COVID-19, or live with or care for someone in any of those categories should avoid being in public, including for volunteer efforts. Please stay safe, stay home.
· Volunteers do not need to be health care workers. In addition to calling on physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals who may be retired, the state needs community members to help out at food banks, food deliveries to the elderly, and at shelters in a number of ways.
· For those who do have a background in health care, the state’s medical community has specific needs at this time. Hospitals have advised the state that they have a high need for critical care nurses and repository therapists.
· Every effort is being made to keep volunteers safe. The state and all of the organizations involved are working hard to make sure that everyone helping out can do so as safely as possible. If any volunteers have concerns, they are strongly urged to ask about the safety protocols of the organization they are volunteering.
· Volunteers will be sent where they are most needed and feel most comfortable. The volunteer process is centralized so that the state and participating organizations have a clear picture of everyone who can help, and everything that is needed. That way, volunteers can be matched with an opportunity that is most in need of that person’s skillset.
The Lamont administration and the State of Connecticut are grateful to the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), which has made the Disaster Assistance Response Technology database available to help manage the statewide volunteer effort for this emergency, as well as the Connecticut VOAD chapter for their support.
Those interested in volunteering should visit
ct.gov/coronavirus
for information on how to register.
Fun Stuff:
The Chester Town Hall, although closed to the public, remains open Monday - Thursday, 9-12 and 1-4 and Friday from 9-12 for the time being. We are not working on Tuesday evenings at this time. Please call 860-526-0013 for an appointment.
Be well,
Lauren
