This fund is managed by Pacific County Immigrant Support. It is supported and funded by the All In WA COVID-19 Relief Fund and donations to Pacific County Immigrant Support.
One-time direct payments will be made: • $500 for Households with children under 18 • $250 for Households without children under 18 MIXED STATUS HOUSEHOLDS: As of 12/21/20 all households with adults of mixed legal immigration status are eligible for the new federal stimulus payments – as well as the original 2020 payments. These families need at least one adult member with a Social Security Number and can claim the original stimulus payment when they file their 2020 tax return. To apply for the relief fund, you must: • Be a Pacific County resident • Be at least 18 years old • Experienced hardship due to the pandemic • You and other household members are not eligible to receive federal stimulus funds or unemployment insurance Your information will not be shared with any other entities. You can apply by: Calling (360) 783-6003 between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM Print Application, complete and mail it to: Pacific County Immigrant Support PO Box 156 Long Beach WA 98631 DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FEBRUARY 7, 2021 News Release
For immediate release: December 16, 2020 (20-251) Media contact: Ginny Streeter, Communications, 360-810-1628 Public inquiries: State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline, 1-800-525-0127 A new back-to-school plan: State releases updated guidance around in-person learning OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released updated metrics to help local leaders and school officials make decisions about in-person learning and the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the school environment. Changes to the metrics include revisions to the COVID-19 incidence rates to consider when making decisions about who to prioritize for in-person learning. We’ve also included further clarification that local leaders also should consider test positivity and trends in cases and hospitalizations to inform decisions about expansion of in-person learning “The changes to our school metrics are based on emerging research and data gathered by state and national health education officials and the early experiences of schools in Washington state and the nation,” said Deputy Secretary of Health for COVID-19 Response Lacy Fehrenbach. “The changes recognize with robust health and safety measures in place, transmission in the school setting appears to be limited.” “Today we are taking a step forward in getting school children back in the classroom,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “The science has shown, and our school officials have proven that with diligent focus on health and safety measures, it is possible to bring children back to the classroom while also protecting our students, staff and community from further transmission of COVID-19.” In addition to the updated metrics, DOH announced an increased focus on the health and safety measures that are required by law for the provision of any in-person learning in private or public K-12 schools. Some of those measures include:
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection. ### For immediate release: December 14, 2020 (20-247)
Media contact: Public Information Desk, 360-236-3529 Public inquiries: State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline, 1-800-525-0127 Washington state to host webinars on safety, development of COVID-19 vaccinesExperts to answer most common questions ahead of vaccine availability OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health today announced that we, in partnership with The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Latino Center for Health, will host two online panel discussions to answer frequently asked questions about vaccines in the era of COVID-19. The webinars will feature trusted medical experts from around Washington state, such as virologist Dr. Larry Corey, M.D., who has been integral to Fred Hutch’s COVID-19 vaccine research and Phase III trials, along with physicians who administer vaccines every day. “Thanks to dedicated scientists around the world including here in Washington, we have our first COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Kathy Lofy, State Health Officer. “These presentations are one of the many ways we can help Washingtonians get scientifically accurate information so they can make well-informed decisions about the vaccine.” The 60-minute webinars, one presented in English and one in Spanish, will take place at the following times: English Language Event Making Sense of Vaccines During COVID-19 December 15, 5:00 p.m. Partner: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Panelists: Dr. Larry Corey Dr. Ben Danielson Dr. Gretchen LaSalle Moderator: Louis Shackelford Registration: Link here Spanish Language Event Vacunas contra el COVID: Verdades, mitos y preguntas December 17, 6:30 p.m. Partner: Latino Center for Health Panelists: Leo Morales, MD, PhD Matías Valenzuela, PhD Julian Perez, MD Santiago Neme, MD, MPH Moderator: Pablo Gaviria Registration: Link here Washington residents can register for each webinar in advance and submit their vaccine questions. For those unable to attend, a link to a recording of the webinar will be emailed to those who registered. In partnership with the federal government, the department will begin distributing COVID-19 vaccine this week. The department is currently working with local health jurisdictions and tribal entities along with vaccination clinics, additional vendors and many others to begin making the vaccine accessible to Washingtonians. Washington residents can read the latest version of Washington’s distribution plan here, along with the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines and safety measures. The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection. Washington State Department of Health
Nov 10 · 3 min read When Susan was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Spring, she was a healthy woman in her late 30s with no underlying health conditions. Six months later, she’s still experiencing symptoms. Stories like hers are part of the landscape shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Susan’s symptoms began in mid-March, when she developed a low-grade fever. When she didn’t feel better within a week, she made a virtual appointment with a local clinic. The provider diagnosed a sinus infection and prescribed antibiotics. Her fever went away for a few days and she felt better. Five days later Susan’s fever returned. Soon she was having trouble breathing. “My voice was crackly, my chest hurt when breathing,” she said. However, she didn’t feel tired or weak. She then developed a significant, crushing pain in her chest. “It felt like an elephant sitting on my chest.” Susan called a health care provider, but they weren’t seeing patients with COVID-19 symptoms. She found a clinic offering virtual appointments and they prescribed albuterol, an asthma medicine. By April 1, Susan was getting worse. She was finally tested for COVID-19. During the eight-day wait for test results she said she felt like “it was the end of my days.” Not getting any better, she went to a local emergency room and was isolated. Susan wasn’t given a COVID-19 test in the ER because one was pending with another provider. They sent her home and advised her again to take the albuterol. Her test came back positive a few days later. The COVID-19 diagnosis and persistent symptoms left Susan feeling constant anxiety. “I was panicking day in and day out because of my husband and kids, wondering how COVID will affect them, knowing that some of them have underlying health conditions,” she said. Susan’s husband and three young children contracted COVID-19 in March, just after her symptoms appeared. All had a fever, sore throat, and muscle and body aches, but they recovered by the end of the month. Susan’s low-grade fever lasted 45 days, well into April. Despite her concern for her family, Susan’s children and husband have regained their health and are doing well. Not so for Susan. She still struggles to breathe. An x-ray of her lungs five months after her diagnosis showed that her lungs are clear. She was referred to a pulmonologist for further follow-up. “What if I get a cold or flu now?” she said. “Could I be more susceptible to something like that since I still have lingering COVID effects? Knowing that there’s still something going on with my breathing makes me wonder.” Susan also received a variety of reactions from people during her illness. Some friends and acquaintances think the pandemic is a political hoax. While most have been respectful, others have disregarded the seriousness of her illness. It’s thoughts like these that prompted Susan to share her story. Her hope is that those who doubt the seriousness of this disease will see things from a different perspective and follow the masking, social distancing, and other public health guidelines to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. It can impact anyone, young or old, whether you have underlying health conditions or not. COVID-19: Stories from the FieldOur COVID-19: Stories from the Field series highlights the efforts of public health professionals and public servants who serve and collaborate to support a healthy Washington during the COVID-19 pandemic. More informationStay tuned to our blog for more information on how you can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles. Information in this blog changes rapidly. Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable info at coronavirus.wa.gov. Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact our the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday — Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday — Sunday. Language assistance is available. Please note that this call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. For testing inquiries or results, please contact your health care provider. FOR BUSINESSES & NON-PROFITS
Pacific County CARES Grant Assistance for Small Business & Non Profit Organizations Affected by COVID-19 Up to $10,000 grants to for small business and nonprofits in Pacific County. Please note this is the 2nd round of CARES Grants from Pacific County. Those who applied the first time and who submitted a COMPLETE application do not have to re-apply. Full details: https://co.pacific.wa.us/covid-19/cares/index.html CARES Act Provider Relief Fund: For Health Care Providers The Provider Relief Fund supports healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPCHE), the federal government has allocated $175 billion in payments to be distributed through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). Qualified providers of health care, services, and support may receive Provider Relief Fund payments for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue due to COVID-19. Separately, the COVID-19 Uninsured Program reimburses providers for testing and treating uninsured individuals with COVID-19. These distributions do not need to be repaid to the US government, assuming providers comply with the terms and conditions. Full details: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-providers/index.html#how-to-apply Washington Youth Development Nonprofit Relief Fund The Washington State Dept of Commerce is partnering with School’s Out Washington to implement the Washington Youth Development Nonprofit Relieve Fund. This one time investment will provide 9.3 million to youth development programs/organizations that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and which support young people who are furthest from educational justice. Applicants must be Washington-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations or be fiscally sponsored by a 501 (c)(3). Applicants must have provided youth development services to youth (ages 5 to 24) prior to March 2020; and are currently providing or plan to provide services to youth through in-person, virtual, or direct support through December 2020. Applicants must be experiencing a negative fiscal impact as a result of COVID-19. Full details: https://youthdevrelief.schoolsoutwashington.org/ Washington Arts Commission CAREs Act Funding The Washington State Department of Commerce and the Washington Arts Commission have partnered to provided federal CARES Act funding to art and cultural organizations impacted by COVID-19. Grants are available up to $10,000 each, no funding match is required. -Applications will be accepted between September 28, 2020 and October 23, 2020 -Funds must be expended by December 31, 2020 Full Details: https://www.arts.wa.gov/cares-act-grants/ FOR INDIVIDUALS Eviction Rental Assistance (ERAP) Rental Assistance to help pay up to 3 months of rent. Must have missed one rent payment since March 1st and be under 50% of the Area Median Income to qualify. All funds must be spent by the end of December. More info: rentassistance@co.pacific.wa.us Emergency Solutions Grant COVID (ESD-CV) Additional funds expected in October to provide emergency shelter, rental assistance, utility assistance, application fees, eviction prevention. More information to come soon. By Rubina Kapil on September 16, 2020
Starting a new school year is an exciting time but can also be a stressful one. Preparing for a new grade level, joining a new classroom and making new friends can cause feelings of anxiety and fear. This year adds COVID-19 to the mix, as children and youth face challenges such as physical distancing in schools and virtual learning. That’s why it is important that as a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you are prepared to support the youth around you as they begin the next school year. Use these tips from the Youth Mental Health First Aid Curriculum to help young people take care of their mental health when going back to school.
For more information on how to support young people, please visit these resources:
If you are worried that your child may be experiencing overwhelming feelings of anxiety or depression, consider reaching out to a primary care physician or mental health professional for additional information and support. Learn more about how you can #BeTheDifference with Youth Mental Health First Aid. Halloween is looking a little different this year.... Some of our favorite events and activities have been identified as HIGH RISK by the CDC. While trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating and indoor haunted houses are Halloween traditions, it is important that we maintain social distancing this Halloween season. Not forever. Just for now. My kids LOVE Halloween! And so do I. |
Have a Halloween movie marathon with household members OR virtually with friendsGrab the popcorn and have a movie marathon of all your spooky favorites! Did you know that Netflix offers virtual Netflix parties?! This allows you to watch your favorite movies with friends and family that do not share a household with you. Learn more here! |
Healthy Halloween CountdownWho says you can't celebrate Halloween all month long?! Have fun every day with this Healthy Halloween Countdown from Snohomish Health District. Click here for the full version. |
These are some great ideas! Are there any activities we should avoid?
Due to their high-risk nature, the following activities are discourage by the Washington State Department of Health. Learn more here.
Gatherings | Halloween gatherings, events, or parties with non-household members that violate the gathering limitations outlined in Governor Inslee's Safe Start Plan. |
Traditional trick-or-treating (handing candy to kids who knock on your door) and large groups of trick-or-treaters | Trick-or-Treating |
Trunk-or-Treat | Trunk-or-treat gatherings with multiple households that facilitate crowding around treats and violate the gathering limitations outlined in Governor Inslee's Safe Start Plan |
Indoor haunted houses are not permitted. Haunted houses must be designed as a no-touch outdoor activity with a one-way path. | Indoor Haunted Houses |
Have more questions about COVID-19? Call the Washington State Department of Health hotline: 1-800-525-0127, Monday - Friday, 6am - 10pm, weekends 8am 0 6pm. For interpretive services, press # when they answer and say your language. For questions about your own health, COVID-19 testing or testing results, please contact your health care provider.