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May 11, 2020
Emergency Food & Shelter Program – Grant Application
The deadline to submit all applications and all materials is Friday, May 22 at 6:00PM. Click here to start a new application as a new grantee. Click here to submit an application as a returning grantee. Please note that the online applications do not have an option to save and return later. To view a PDF copy of the online form to help prepare your agency's application, please click here for the new grantee application or click here for the returning grantee application. These PDFs can be used to prepare your answers, but all responses must be submitted using the online surveys linked in the relevant yellow button above. RESOURCES FOR APPLICANTS Quick Reference Guide for Served Meals Quick Reference Guide for Other Food Quick Reference Guide for Rent/Mortgage Quick Reference Guide for Utilities - Metered Quick Reference Guide for Utilities - Non-metered Quick Reference Guide for Supplies/Equipment Quick Reference Guide for Mass Shelter Key Dates - Phase 37 & CARES Act Phase 37 and CARES Addendum Program Overview CARES (FY20) Program Overview 37 (FY19) Phases 37 and CARES Clarification Guidance FOR NEW APPLICANTS Thank you for your interest in the HWCLI Emergency Food and Shelter Program Grant. This application process has two components: Complete the online application, and Email the following supplemental documents to efsp@hwcli.com with the subject line "EFSP APP - [your agency name]" A brief history of your organization. A brief statement of the emergency needs in your community and a description of the program your agency currently operates to meet these needs. Describe agency’s internal accounting system that will monitor spending in the program. Agency's ability to serve entire jurisdiction (entire county) if providing rent/mortgage/utility payments, food vouchers, food baskets or food pantry on premises. How money spent will be accounted for, in specific terms. Copy of agency’s 501(C)(3) Internal Revenue Service charitable determination. A list of the volunteer Board of Directors, indicating addresses and officers. Operating budget for current and prior year – Breakdown of Revenues and Expenses. Audited Financial Statements – most recent. Form 990 – most recent. Please read the material carefully and submit all application materials by 6:00PM on Friday, May 22. Below are additional criteria and key information pertaining to the EFSP Grant Applications: EFSP funds must supplement CURRENT EMERGENCY feeding, sheltering and rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts only (startup funding for a new service is prohibited). Eligible programs must serve the entire county jurisdiction. The information included on the application is required by the EFSP National Board and must be provided to be considered for participation in the program by the Local EFSP Board. All complete applications will be considered at the next meeting of the Oversight Committee and the Local Board. A notice will be sent to inform agencies of the Local Board's decision. Criteria for selection are in accordance with the National Board's guidelines and availability of funds. Thank you for carefully reading the enclosed material. Any questions about your application can be directed to Lori Andrade at HWCLI at landrade@hwcli.com. Thank you. FOR RETURNING APPLICANTS Please complete this online application. Any questions can be directed to Lori Andrade at landrade@hwcli.com.
News
May 6, 2020
Happy National Nurse’s Day from HWCLI
At the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, we would like to offer our sincere thanks to the incredible nurses and health care workers for the extraordinary dedication they have displayed during our current health pandemic. While the care, compassion and self-sacrifice can never be repaid,this National Nurse's Day we would like to invite Long Island nurses to enter for a chance to win a gift basket as a token of our appreciation for their selfless efforts. Send this link to a Long Island nurse on the front lines so they can enter to win! The drawing will be held on May 7th!
LIVOAD News
March 24, 2020
COVID-19 Resource Guide Food Resources SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)- The Department of Social Services will continue to process SNAP applications and assist clients. Local districts are reminded of the requirement to grant good cause when a participant’s failure to meet program requirements is due to factors beyond the participant’s control. However, in an effort to assist in the restriction of spreading COVID-19 SNAP offices will conduct phone interviews (including application and recertification interviews). Please click here for more information. Moreover, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law on March 18, includes a temporary nationwide suspension of the ABAWD 3-month time limit rule that will go into effect on April 1. For that reason, local districts in NYS will grant good cause to any ABAWD unable to meet the time-limit work requirement during the month of March. SNAP/EBT can be used for online grocery purchases in NY and other participating states-Current participating retailers include Amazon, Walmart and ShopRite. Amazon is available statewide; Walmart and ShopRite participate in specific zip codes. SNAP/EBT cards can be used as a payment method on Amazon.com. You will receive access to Prime Pantry and Amazon Fresh once a SNAP/EBT card is added to your account. To receive access to Prime Pantry and Amazon Fresh selection or to pay using SNAP EBT, simply add a valid SNAP EBT card issued by a participating state to your account as a payment method. Please click here for more information. WIC (Women, Infants & Children)- Most WIC clinics are still open. However, some WIC clinics will close temporarily to protect the health of WIC participants and staff. Your local WIC clinic will contact clients if they are closing. WIC appointments can be done over the phone if clients. Please click here for more information. Schools Meals- The summer nutrition programs (the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through the National School Lunch Program) are available to provide meals during school closures. For more information, please click here. Food-delivery App Carriers- Uber-Eats, Doordash, and Postmates will still operate and deliver food. Uber Eats is waiving delivery fees on all applicable orders from local restaurants. Please click here for more information. Housing & Utility Resources Mortgage Payments- Governor Cuomo announced he will be implementing a 90-day relief on mortgage payments amid the coronavirus pandemic.This relief plan will waive mortgage payments based on financial hardship and will allow a grace period for loan modifications. PSEG Long Island- PSEG Long Island is temporarily suspending shut-offs of electric service to residential customers for non-payment. This policy is effective immediately.PSEG Long Island customers experiencing financial difficulty as a result of issues related to the coronavirus should contact PSEG Long Island via My Account (https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount) or by calling 800-490-0025 to enter into a deferred payment arrangement. This policy will be in place through the end of April. National Grid- National Grid has a variety of programs that can help Long Islanders both in the short term and in extended circumstances. Whether it’s a homeowner, renter, or landlord, they can take control of their monthly gas bills through these programs and services. Please click here for more information. Project Warmth- Anyone in need of emergency heating assistance, please call United Way’s 2-1-1 Long Island information and referral call center by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-888-774-7633) 7 days a week, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, for referrals to an intake site. In lieu of the current circumstances, Project Warmth applications can be taken over the phone. Home Internet Access- Altice USA is committed to helping schools and students stay connected during this unprecedented time. For households with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access, Altice will offer an Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within their footprint. Eligible households can call 1-866-200-9522 to enroll in the optimum region. Please click here for more information. Senior Resources Long Island Senior Centers-Some senior centers on Long Island are delivering meals or food packages to senior members. However, some services are limited due to a lack of volunteers. Please call your local town or visit their websites for more information. Are there any general numbers to get information for both Nassau and Suffolk County? Grocery Stores- Stop & Shop will be opening earlier at 6 am exclusively for seniors to shop in a less crowded environment. Use this link to obtain further information. Medicare Telehealth Services- Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to the current Public Health Emergency. These services expand the current telehealth covered services, to help consumers have access from more places (including their home), with a wider range of communication tools (including smartphones), to interact with a range of providers (such as doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers).Please visit Medicare.gov for more information. Healthcare Resources Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers- the NY State of Health, together with the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), made a Special Enrollment Period available to New Yorkers during which eligible individuals will be able to enroll in insurance coverage through NY State of Health, New York’s official health plan Marketplace, and directly through insurers. Individuals who enroll in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health or directly through insurers between March 16 and April 15, 2020, will have coverage effective starting April 1, 2020. Individuals who are eligible for other NY State of Health programs – Medicaid, Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus – can enroll year-round. consumers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health on-line at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 855-355-5777, and working with enrollment assistors. COVID-19 Testing Cost-Sharing- a new directive by the State Department of Financial Services requiring New York health insurers to waive cost-sharing associated with testing for novel coronavirus including emergency room, urgent care, and office visits. New Yorkers receiving Medicaid coverage will not be expected to pay a copay for any testing related to COVID-19. Please click here for more information. Medicare Resources- Medicare covers the lab tests for COVID-19. Medicare consumers pay no out-of-pocket costs. Medicare covers all medically necessary hospitalizations; this includes COVID-19 diagnosis. At this time, there's no vaccine for COVID-19. However, if one becomes available, it will be covered by all Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). If consumers have a Medicare Advantage Plan, they have access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Many plans offer additional telehealth benefits beyond the ones described below. Please advise clients to check with their plan about coverage and costs. Please visit Medicare.gov for more information. Resources for People with Disabilities? Mental Health Resources Peer Support Services- In response to this need, MHAW will be offering extended hours for their Peer Support Line and Healing Connections Peer Support Groups to Suffolk County residents. These services are staffed by trained and experienced Certified Peer Specialists. New operating hours for the Peer Support Line: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Saturday, 5:00pm-10:00pm Sunday, 2:00pm-7:00pm The Peer Support Line can be accessed by calling 631-471-7242 ext. 1217. Online Peer Support Groups can be accessed through this link: http://mhaw.org/programs/online-peer-support-groups Disaster Distress Helpline- Contact the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (800) 985- 5990 that provides 24/7, 365-day-a- year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Stress and Coping Resources- The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Please visit this link to access resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other Resources Child Care-Any families in need of Child Care, please call the following numbers: Child Care Council of Nassau: (516) 358-9250 For emergency responders who need Child Care: (516) 727-0331 Child Care Council of Suffolk: (631) 462-0303. Student Loans- the White House waived interest on federal student loans. Anyone affected by COVID-19 directly or indirectly and need of support has options to reduce or postpone payments by applying for a deferment, forbearance and/or by changing their repayment plans. Please click here for more information Unemployment Insurance Benefits- NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines. Please click here for more information. Filing a new Unemployment Insurance claim? The day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name. Last names starting with A - F, file on Monday. Last names starting with G - N, file on Tuesday. Last names starting with O - Z, file on Wednesday. If you missed your filing day, file on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Filing later in the week will not delay your payments or affect the date of your claim; all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan: Upon a request received from a state’s Governor, the SBA has announced it will issue an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration for that state. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will make low-interest loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. Once the SBA has approved New York State’s request, information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available at SBA.gov/disaster. For more information, please see the SBA fact sheet.
VITA
September 25, 2019
Everything You Need to Know About HWCLI’s VITA Program
Are you interested in receiving free tax preparation through HWCLI’s Virtual VITA Program? You’ve come to the right place! HWCLI’s Virtual VITA program is generously supported by Citi Community Development. Additional support is provided by Bank of America, Capital 1, and Bridgehampton National Bank. Here is everything you need to know about HWCLI’s 2019 Virtual VITA Program: When Does It Start? You can prepare your 2018 taxes with us starting January 29, 2019. You can prepare taxes from 2015, 2016, 2017 starting March 1, 2019. Eligibility: If your household income was less than $55,000 in 2018, you could qualify for completely free tax preparation! How Does it Work? The Virtual VITA program utilizes technology to connect the taxpayer and tax preparer. The process is quick and simple. Make an appointment at our main office in Melville or any of our intake sites across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. 1. HWCLI staff will scan your tax documents to our secure online system and assist you in completing the intake forms. 2. Documents are uploaded to our secure online system. 3. An offsite tax preparer from the Food Bank for NYC will call you within three business days to complete your return over the phone. They will confirm your identity, discuss your income, expenses, any money owed, as well as if you qualify for a refund or tax credits. 4. If you have an email address, you can sign your return right from your smartphone or tablet. Or, return to the site to sign and file your return. What Do I Bring? Here are all the documents you need to bring to file your taxes through HWCLI’s Virtual VITA Program. *Joint returns require both filers to be present to sign the return* You MUST bring Social Security Cards or ITIN for all people on the tax return Valid Photo Identification (You and your spouse, if you are filing jointly) W-2 for all jobs you had in 2018 Voided check and/or savings account number if you want direct deposit of your refund. (Optional) Form 1099-R or SSA if you receive a pension or Social Security Form 1099-G if you received unemployment benefits If you have educational expenses, bring the 1098-T or 1098-E form Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099– DIV or INT) Total paid for child care & child care providers tax ID or Social Security Number of child care provider Form 1098—Mortgage interest and property taxes NEW: If you purchased health insurance through the New York State of Health Marketplace, bring form 1095-A or B Limitations: We cannot prepare your taxes if you have: Any of the following income: rent income (Scheduled E), royalties, partnerships, trust or farm income. Tax returns for ministers or members of the clergy. Moving expenses or HSA. Form 4797 Sales of Business Property. Self-employed health insurance deductions. Domestic production activities (form 8903). Credits from forms 2439, 8839 and 8885. Federal tax fuel Scheduled for 4136. Household employment Scheduled H. PR income, Foreign Earned Income exemption (forms 2555/2555-EZ). Adoption Credit. Out of state returns or part-year residents of NYS.
VITA
September 25, 2019
If you made less than $54,000 in 2017, you may be eligible for free tax preparation assistance through the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island’s Virtual VITA program. It’s fast, easy and free! For more information or for times and locations call 516-505-4430.
Halloween Ball
September 25, 2019
Thank you again to everybody who came out to Oheka Castle to make the HWCLI’s 1st Annual Halloween Ball a spooktacular success! We are thrilled that so many guests participated in the raffle, and it was so fun to see the winners’ excited faces. The full list of winning tickets is below, so please contact gdorso@hwcli.com if you won but did not take home your prize.
VITA
September 25, 2019
Virtual VITA Season is officially upon us! If you made less than $54,000 in 2017, you may be eligible for free tax preparation assistance through the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island’s Virtual VITA program. It’s fast, easy and free! For more information or for times and locations call 516-505-4430. See below for bilingual flyers and resources. The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island has the ability to assist individuals in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole.
COVID-19
July 15, 2020
Huntington Station, NY (July 15, 2020) – The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) has created a partnership between international, national and local non-profit organizations to help address the growing crisis of hunger on Long Island by bringing fresh, hot meals to families in Roosevelt and Huntington Station. Through its role as leader of a 150 agency disaster relief coalition helping families recover from COVID-19 and the economic fall-out, HWCLI helped to secure a donation of $100,000 from the Hispanic Federation, a national non-profit empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, and $100,000 match donated from World Central Kitchen, an international non-profit addressing hunger by working with local restaurants by providing jobs for their staff and meals for those in need. Through World Central Kitchen’s Restaurants for the People Program, four local food establishments, the Imperial Diner in Freeport, El Sueño Mexican Grill in Huntington Station and Danny’s Deli in Huntington Station and Sangria 71 will provide thousands of Long Islanders with individually packaged, fresh meals this summer, specifically families and seniors in need. Family Service League in Huntington Station and Choice for All in Roosevelt, two local community non-profits in HWCLI’s network, are assisting with the food delivery and distribution, as are Helping Hands Rescue Mission and the Huntington Assembly of God Church. “As COVID-19 ravaged our communities and the economic fall-out implodes, we’ve been seeing more and more Long Islanders not be able to provide enough food to their families. There is a need like we have never seen before that requires new and creative solutions,” says Rebecca Sanin, President/CEO. “This generous support and innovative partnership with the Hispanic Federation and World Central Kitchen brings new resources and an internationally proven program model to work with local partners in the community.” “The needs our families and communities are facing in Long Island are great and growing, and the scope of this crisis requires innovative partnerships that leverage the resources and collective strength of local and national institutions,” said Frankie Miranda, President of the Hispanic Federation. “We could not be prouder and more grateful to join this effort to address food insecurity in Nassau and Suffolk County with the Health Welfare Council of Long Island and World Central Kitchen.” Traditional safety nets like school feeding programs and food banks are struggling to meet basic needs. Seniors, who are isolated for their safety, are unable to access meal services. The World Central Kitchen internationally recognized model is now also on Long Island activating local restaurants to help meet this demand by providing jobs for their staff and meals for those in need. “We are so thankful to World Central Kitchen and Hispanic Federation for recognizing the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on our suburban region and bringing a model and resources that are often used in cities but not thought of for suburban regions like Long Island,” says Sanin. “With suburban poverty increasing on Long Island, we plan to expand this partnership and bring in other non-traditional programs and partners. We’ve learned that we have to think out of the box when it comes to COVID-19 and Long Island’s existing and growing poverty.” The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island is a not for profit, health and human services planning, education, and advocacy organization that serves Long Island's individuals and families. ###
COVID-19
July 1, 2020
Latino advocates say COVID-19 stats don’t include immigrants who avoid tests, die at home
By Jean-Paul Salamanca Updated July 1, 2020 7:56 AM Read on Newsday.com Latino advocates are worried that the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on immigrants on Long Island is greater than what state statistics reveal because of their reluctance to seek hospital care due to fear of deportation, medical costs and other concerns. In Nassau County, the death toll from COVID-19 is 2,182, including 236 Hispanics, with their death rate per 100,000 people at 133.5, second-highest behind Blacks, according to the most recent data from the New York State Department of Health. In Suffolk County, 1,979 have died of the virus, 212 of them Hispanics, with a death rate of 113.8, also the second-highest behind Blacks. The Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution says the age-adjusted death rate from COVID-19 among Hispanics and Latinos is 2.5 times that of whites. Gil Bernardino, founder of Long Beach-based Hispanic immigrant advocacy group Circulo de La Hispanidad, said immigrant families living in the country without legal permission face tough decisions when a relative is diagnosed with COVID-19. “The fear is real,” Bernardino said. “People in the community, when you’re working and you are facing deportation and you have your wife and children, you’re living in fear, the entire family. When you have this kind of health crisis, you’re not going to go to the hospital just because you have the virus, even though the test is free.” Cheryl Keshner, a senior paralegal and community advocate with the Empire Justice Center, a statewide nonprofit law firm advocating for low-income families, agrees. The center has an office in Central Islip. “We know that the pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of color, particularly people who are low-income,” Keshner said. “A lot of people can’t socially distance if they’re living in super-crowded conditions, which a lot of people are because we don’t have enough rent regulations on Long Island. And a lot of Black and Latino workers are essential workers.” According to data from the Brookings Institution, only 16% of Hispanic Americans can work from home. And the CDC has acknowledged in its guidance that “people living in densely populated areas and homes may find it harder to practice social distancing.” Patients with severe cases of the virus that require admission to the intensive care unit, intubation and lengthy hospital stays can have bills that exceed $300,000. The median cost of a coronavirus hospitalization is about $14,366, according to a study from The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. The Trump administration announced in April that through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, federal aid would be given to help hospitals with costs of treating uninsured COVID-19 patients. However, additional coverage and funds for testing and treatment — such as Medicaid, pandemic unemployment assistance or direct cash payments provided under the bill — are not available for nonresidents who don’t have green cards, are not work authorized, or haven’t been physically present here long enough to establish “substantial presence." Martha Maffei, the executive director of the Patchogue-based organization Sepa Mujer. Credit: Martha Maffei Martha Maffei, executive director of Patchogue-based Latina immigrant advocacy group SEPA Mujer, said a woman from one family who is living in the country without legal permission said her elderly father was diagnosed with COVID-19 and they simply isolated him at home because they were concerned about potentially high hospital bills if they sought treatment. Despite the separation, the family remained worried that they could contract the virus themselves within the small apartment. “Unless they see it’s really very bad and try to go to the hospital, they are just dying at home,” Maffei said. She and other advocates said they have heard from several Latino immigrants that they have been using home remedies such as herbs, gargling salt water, special teas and natural medications to treat the virus, which are not viable. Rebecca Sanin, president and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, said the challenges facing not only Latino immigrants, but all other immigrant communities on Long Island during the pandemic, involve two major factors. One is that a large portion of the immigrant community works as essential workers in grocery stores and hospitals, and the other is that immigrants in certain areas tend to live together in “higher density,” or with multiple people inside a household. “What has changed is that the trajectory of this disease is so frightening that a lot of people who have been living in the shadows and who have been socially isolated aren’t coming out to get tested because they are concerned about the safety of their family and their future,” Sanin said. She noted that as a result of the Trump administration’s hard-line policies on immigration, fewer immigrants had been applying before the pandemic for services such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “The fear of scrutiny and family dissolution is so severe that people are forgoing basic needs and have been for several years,” she said. “I don’t think that’s different now. I think there has been a very cruel targeting of the immigrant community, and the response to that is that people have moved further into the shadows, particularly our really low-income immigrant community that is struggling.” Maffei said her group had been doing outreach through several measures, including a Spanish-language hotline, to answer immigrants’ questions about seeking treatment. In addition, SEPA Mujer has put out a resource guide for immigrants pointing out testing sites, food drives and deliveries and unemployment and temporary assistance services available for them. SEPA Mujer also provides rent assistance to single immigrant mothers who are living in the country without legal permission and also has brought cases to Suffolk County regarding employment and worker abuse involving immigrants being forced to stay on the job despite being infected with COVID-19, Maffei said. Keshner said immigrants need to know they could qualify for certain kinds of insurance such as emergency Medicaid and other financial assistance available through hospitals that would offset the costs of being treated for the virus. Bernardino said more needs to be done across Long Island to send the message that residents who are living in the country without legal permission are welcome to take a free coronavirus test, and potentially save their lives or others. “We need to have this kind of information reaching out to communities in a very clear way, that they can get the test without any repercussions,” Bernardino said.
COVID-19
June 23, 2020
Business Council webinars to focus on nonprofits, construction
Updated June 22, 2020 4:50 PM By James T. Madore james.madore@newsday.com @JamesTMadore Click here to read on Newsday.com The Long Island Business Council is launching a webinar series on Tuesday about recovering from the coronavirus-induced recession. The first one-hour webinar is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m. and will feature nonprofit leaders Rebecca Sanin of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island; Renee Flagler of Girl Scouts Inc., and Randi Shubin Dresner of Long Island Harvest. The construction industry will be the focus for Friday’s 11 a.m. webinar with Kyle Strober of the Association for a Better Long Island; Mitch Pally of the Long Island Builders Institute, and council co-chair Richard Bivone. Each webinar will be moderated by council executive director Michael Harrison. The council lobbies government on behalf of entrepreneurs. More information can be found at libcny.org.
2020 Census COVID-19
June 18, 2020
Census Bureau-takers get ‘creative in the midst of the COVID pandemic’
Mimi Pierre Johnson, a community activist in Elmont involved in census outreach, mailed informational postcards to Elmont residents. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin By Olivia Winslow olivia.winslow@newsday.com Updated June 18, 2020 4:57 PM Click here to read on Newsday.com The coronavirus pandemic put on pause Census 2020 in-person outreach efforts, with nonprofit, volunteer and government efforts shifting largely to virtual means of promoting the census, or by distributing informational flyers at food distribution sites, virus testing sites and through mailings. "We’ve had to be creative in the midst of the COVID pandemic," said Vanessa Baird-Streeter, Suffolk County's deputy county executive for community recovery. For example, Baird-Streeter said people who were tested for the coronavirus at the county's six "hot spot" testing sites in heavily populated minority communities received a resource packet. "We've tested 8,400 individuals, and they got census information," she said. George Siberon, executive director of the Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association, said he has attended all of the food distribution sites hosted by Nassau County and Island Harvest food bank to pass out flyers. As of Wednesday morning, the Census Bureau's self-response rate map showed New York's overall rate was 56.7%, below the national rate of 61.4%. There's great variation in response rates across New York's 62 counties, with Nassau having the highest: 67.5%. Suffolk's rate was 61.3%. "It is paramount that New Yorkers complete their census questionnaire so that New York is fully represented in Congress and we receive our full share of federal funding," said Kristin Devoe, spokeswoman for the Empire State Development Corp. Those involved in outreach said the census — a once-a-decade count of the nation's population — ensures that localities across Long Island get the financial resources for about 100 programs, spanning health care, education, transportation and more. The census dictates the distribution of an estimated $675 billion in federal funding annually to the states and their municipalities. The virus caused the Census Bureau to suspend field operations in April. Some operations resumed earlier this month. The bureau's counting of people who haven't filled out a census form — which can be done online, by phone or by mailing in the questionnaire — was delayed from May until Aug. 11. Jeff T. Behler, the U.S. Census Bureau’s regional director for New York, said he was encouraged by New Yorkers' response. "As things reopen, New York has, at times, been leading the nation in the growth in self-response rates. I'm amazed," he said. Mimi Pierre Johnson, a community activist in Elmont involved in census outreach, said she has printed informational postcards and mailed them to Elmont residents. "I don’t want to be called hard to count any more," Johnson said. Concerned about the disparity in resources between heavily populated minority communities, considered hard to count in the census compared with predominantly white ones, Johnson said her goal was to get residents of minority communities to understand how the census "is your opportunity to change all that … I want to be equal to the North Shore and Garden City. " Many nonprofits and county officials note the East End of Suffolk has many communities that don't receive mail delivery at their home addresses, but only at post office boxes. The Census Bureau does not deliver to post office boxes. As a result, many haven't received their Census 2020 invitation, and census self-response rates are low. Behler said staff is now dropping off census materials, including the paper questionnaire, to those East End addresses, and elsewhere on the Island. The Census Bureau only delivers census materials to home addresses, not post office boxes, to ensure accuracy, Behler said. Bureau staff had begun about two weeks ago, he said, to hand-deliver census packets to about 28,000 addresses in Suffolk, and about 1,500 in Nassau. The City University of New York Center for Urban Research Graduate Center's mapping service also provides a census self-response rates map, which showed large swaths of the East End had only a 10% self-response rate. Officials with the towns of Southampton and East Hampton said they are aware of the low response rate, which they attributed to the post office box issue, and were considering sending census postcards to residents to boost awareness. "Census data is used to fund emergency services desperately needed during this pandemic. We cannot possibly leave any dollar on the table," said Rebecca Sanin, president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, who is coordinating the Complete Count Committee effort for Nassau and Suffolk counties.
2020 Census
June 16, 2020
Curran Announces Nassau County Leads State In Census Response
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced that Nassau County leads New York in self-responses to the Census online, by phone or mail. According to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau as of May 22, 65.7 percent of Nassau County residents have responded to the Census, the highest percentage collected statewide to date. Click here to read on the Massapequa Observer. Curran encourages residents to fill our the Census to ensure residents are properly accounted for.(Photo courtesy of Laura Curran’s office) Although the county has demonstrated significant progress compared to a decade ago, Curran highlighted disparities in response rates in predominantly black and brown communities as a remaining concern. Speaking at Nassau’s Office of Hispanic Affairs, Curran noted that the Village of Hempstead had a 47 percent response rate, a figure which can still be improved before the new Oct. 31 deadline for self-responses. Pointing to COVID-19’s devastating impact on communities of color and Nassau’s urgent need for federal funding, Curran announced a renewed, multi-lingual public awareness campaign urging residents to respond to the Census. “When it comes to the Census, the stakes have never been higher for Nassau,” Curran said. “I’m renewing our push to encourage every resident who calls Nassau home to Complete The Count. This Census is about more than just ensuring we finally get our fair share of federal government dollars when we need it most. The next five months are a once-in-a-decade opportunity for us to directly combat the inequities this crisis has laid bare.” In 2010, 75 percent of county residents self-responded to the Census after the initial questionnaire was mailed to households. An undercount of a region’s population results in a reduction of funding for schools, infrastructure, health care services and economic development for an entire decade. The U.S. Census Bureau had calculated Nassau as the fifth “hardest-to-count” county in New York State because of its high proportion of traditionally undercounted groups, such as communities of color, immigrants, children under 5 and renters. In February 2019, Curran took action by launching the Complete County Committee (CCC). In partnership with the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, CCC engaged key constituencies to increase awareness and motivate residents to complete the Census. Subcommittees focused on outreach to businesses, local government, seniors, early childhood providers, education, faith-based outreach, people of color and immigrants. The county held several Census job fairs and internal initiatives promoting the Census. Curran mobilized the Offices of Hispanic Affairs, Asian-American Affairs, and Office of Minority Affairs in particular to lead outreach efforts across communities in Nassau. Since early 2019, Curran has led a public awareness push highlighting the importance of the Census through press conferences, press statements, video PSAs (English and Spanish), workshops, an info panel, millennial chat and public testimony. The census is used to fund $675 billion in federal programs, including for hospitals, roads and bridges, public schools, disaster assistance, food assistance (including SNAP and the National School Lunch Program), Section 8 Housing, Head Start and the Community Development Block Grants. Census data determines political representation on the federal and local level. This includes the electoral votes each state receives. Businesses also use Census data to make investment, hiring and re-location decisions.
Coalitions COVID-19 LIVOAD
May 24, 2020
Whole new set of people reaching out for food stamps to put food on the table
By Craig Schneider Click here to view on Newsday.com They are the faces on the food lines, the callers on hold for hours to get benefits, the mothers and fathers breaking down and asking for help. The coronavirus pandemic cut their lifeline to a salary and benefits, sending many plummeting into Long Island's safety net of food pantries, food stamps and unemployment benefits. They are the first wave of Long Islanders hit the hardest by the COVID-19 shutdown. Some were already on the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder. But there are those who were doing well who lost their jobs and, after a few months, no longer have the savings to sustain them, said Rebecca Sanin, president of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island. “We’re seeing issues of hunger explode,” Sanin said. “There’s a whole new set of people reaching out for food stamps to put food on the table.” Applications for food stamps have doubled on Long Island — to 17,717 in February through April — compared with this time last year. One food bank, Island Harvest Food Bank, has distributed more than 1 million pounds of food during the crisis. Over the past two months, more than 287,000 Long Islanders — roughly a fifth of all working residents — filed for unemployment. Worse, those running the food banks and other charities said they see tougher times ahead. Adrian Fassett, chief executive officer for the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, said people have received protections from the government, but "wait for three or four months when people have to pay rent and mortgages. It's going to get worse." Here are their stories. Michelle Acompora, 36, Brentwood March was a cruel month for Acompora and her kids. Because of the shutdown, the freelance hair stylist saw her income blow away. In addition, her father had a heart attack March 25 and remained in a coma for 18 days before he died. Even as she grieved the loss, Acompora, a single mom, was having trouble putting food on the table for her two children, Karter, 5, and Krisette, 9. “So much has changed in so little time,” she said. “It’s so hard to think about the future.” Acompora applied for unemployment insurance but was denied because she was self-employed, she said. She said she's trying to reverse that, but it's so hard getting through on the phone. She received a stimulus check for $2,200, but much of that went to her father’s cremation. He had no life insurance, she said. She couldn’t afford a funeral service. The bills, however, keep coming. Her savings of about $5,000 shrank quickly. She’s already late on a month’s worth of bills for the utilities, car insurance and mortgage. “You get a three-month grace period,” she said of the mortgage protections put in place by the state. “But you still have to pay it back.” In April, she applied for food stamps and is now receiving $500 a month. Friends have helped out with cash here and there. The kids are getting free breakfasts and lunches through the schools. “I’m not at rock bottom,” she said. “Actually, I probably am at rock bottom.” Acompora said she tries to hide the stress from the children, but it comes through, sometimes in odd ways. “I’ll start crying — anytime,” she said. The stress of the coronavirus has taken a toll on her son, Karter. He’s used to giving everyone a hug and going outside. For her daughter, Krisette, the stress has expressed itself differently. “She’s taught herself how to pray,” Acompora said. “She asks to be strong, for her grandpa to watch over us.” Patrick McAlevey, 59, Lindenhurst Since McAlevey was furloughed from his job as a truck driver two months ago, he largely has been sitting in his rented room watching TV. He’s bored and hates it, he said. Like many people, he’s applied for unemployment benefits but hasn’t seen a dime. When he finally got someone on the phone, they said the money would be coming in the mail. That was on Easter. To make matters worse, the engine in his 2005 Jeep Cherokee died in March, further stranding him in the rented room. “I have nowhere to go. I’m broke, I’m bored,” he said, adding that he hasn’t paid the weekly rent of $280 in eight weeks. Most of his food comes from the 7-Eleven store and diner down the street. His mother and daughter cook for him as well. He's also considering applying for food stamps. "At first I said no" to applying for food stamps, he said. "But now I'm thinking about it. I was kind of too proud." A trucker for 30 years, he knows there are jobs out there, but they seem unreachable. “I don’t have a computer, and I don’t know how to use one,” he said. A Navy veteran, McAlevey said the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk is looking to find him a place in veterans housing. "I think they may have found me a place in Huntington," he said. "I can get out of this place." His savings are down to a couple of hundred dollars in a checking account, he said. “I’m not proud of all this,” he said. “I’m not some irresponsible 19-year-old.” John Finn, 57, Riverhead Finn is waiting. Waiting for his first unemployment check. Waiting for construction to start up again. Waiting for his boss to call him back to his job as an electrician. Living in a rented room, his rent paid by a local nonprofit, he has little to do — and little money to do it with, he said. “I’m as down as I’ve ever been,” he said. “I’m a skilled laborer, but it doesn’t really matter.” His life was coming together in the months before the COVID-19 shutdown. After bouncing around from place to place, the Navy combat veteran, who had tracked submarines during the conflicts in Nicaragua and Panama, had settled into a new job. He was working full time for an electrical company in the Hamptons. “God willing, it’s going to come back very soon,” he said. As for affording food, he said the occasional job has provided that pocket money. For now, he spends a lot of his time writing. He’s working on a pulp fiction novel, and he’s writing poems. Here’s part of one, called “Virus.” "A new awareness of fragility for us all And an anger for the anguish of this awful squall The world now practices social distancing God only knows what this spring will bring." Aretha Alonzo, 50, Medford The good people come forward. Alonzo has seen that first hand. Before the COVID-19 shutdown, she was successfully juggling three jobs — a food service worker, a home aide, and a teacher's assistant at a preschool — all paying about minimum wage. She estimates she was making between $35,000 and $40,000 a year. It wasn't a fortune, but for a single woman living with two grown children going to college, she was getting by. When the shutdown hit in mid-March, she was placed on furlough from the teacher's assistant job, and she now estimates she's making about $22,000 a year. Two months on, and she's behind on her rent, car insurance and utilities. She received her stimulus check of $1,200, but that went to the landlord. She still owes him $2,000 in rent. "I had no money to buy food," she said. Her pastor heard about her plight, and he showed up last week at her door with box of groceries. The people at the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk gave her gift cards to Stop & Shop, but those are gone. Friends and family helped, $30 or $40 at a time, so she had gas money to go to work. Meanwhile, the summer tuition is due soon for college. Alonzo had taken pride in paying for her kids' college tuition, so they could attend full time, but this year is going to be tough. Her daughter, Tashea, 30, had been working in the same preschool and also lost her job. Alonzo can't obtain unemployment benefits since she's still working the two jobs. She said she's going to look into obtaining food stamps. "I've had to learn to shop with coupons pretty fast," Alonzo said. "It's no longer Welch's grape juice; it's the $1.99 off brand." The people at the preschool have told her that she'll be rehired once the economy opens back up. "Furloughed?" she said. "I've never known these terms." The stress of the financial struggle comes on top of the fears of the coronavirus, she said. "It's like living in a caution zone," she said. She added, "I have good days and bad. When you think about all you're going through, and all you can't do, it affects you. It's like that old saying, 'You smile to keep from crying.'" Correction: The Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk is working to find Patrick McAlevey a place in veterans housing. An earlier version of this story misstated the name of the council.
Uncategorized
May 12, 2020
Community Members Can Call 631-761-7198 or Visit www.tourolaw.edu/tlcresponse For Free Help Central Islip, NY (May 12, 2020)– In conjunction with the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD), a coalition run by the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI), Touro Law has launched a legal helpline that will be open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Students and attorneys will provide community members with free assistance or referrals on a myriad of issues including landlord-tenant, civil liberties, bankruptcy, employee rights, unemployment, stimulus payment, insurance, and more by calling 631-761-7198 or visiting www.tourolaw.edu/tlcresponse. Touro Law is coordinating with the non-profit community and has a leadership role in Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (LIVOAD). Community members will be referred to Touro’s clinical program as well as pro bono partners including the practicing bar and not for profit legal and human service organizations. The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island coordinates a disaster planning and response coalition of government, nonprofit, and private sector partners who collaboratively address disasters on Long Island. This coalition, known as the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD), was formed by HWCLI in 2001 after the September 11 attacks and has worked for almost two decades as an umbrella structure for disaster planning and recovery. This broad coalition is a local version of the National VOAD which is comprised of agencies working through Collaboration, Cooperation, Coordination, and Communication (4 C’s) to respond regionally. The LIVOAD was officially activated by HWCLI to address the current COVID-19 global pandemic and has been holding bi-weekly convening calls with its partners as well as weekly calls with its subcommittees including: Domestic & Family Violence, Emergency Food, Behavioral Health, Philanthropy, and Legal Needs, which leadership from Touro Law runs. Providers and community members alike can find a clearinghouse of resources, updates, and information on its webpage: www.hwcli.com/covid-19. The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island is a not for profit, health and human services planning, education, and advocacy organization that serves Long Island's at-risk and vulnerable individuals and families. ###
COVID-19 LIVOAD
May 8, 2020
Gov. Cuomo extends eviction moratorium until Aug. 20, bans fees for late payments
http://longisland.news12.com/story/42102599/gov-cuomo-extends-eviction-moratorium-until-aug-20-bans-fees-for-late-payments?fbclid=IwAR2nSTMqwSP0eZ_jUlRkPOpVMUfcQ8HC2dCytLkEydz7n-fDqNl0rC069oc (AP) - New York’s moratorium on outbreak-related evictions was extended Thursday for two more months by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The governor in March had issued a moratorium that lasted through June but said he wanted to reduce the anxiety of families struggling through the economic shutdown. It is now extended until Aug. 20. “I hope it gives families a deep breath,” Cuomo said at his daily briefing. The executive order will also ban late payment fees for missed payments and allow renters to apply their security deposit to a payment, though they’d have to pay it back over time. New York tallied 231 virus-related deaths on Wednesday. Though hospitalizations continue to decrease slowly, the daily death toll has hovered around 230 for four days. Briefing Notes: There are 8,600 COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York. The net change in hospitalizations, intubations and the 3-day rolling average of hospitalizations are all down. 231 New Yorkers died on Wednesday due to the virus. The results of a hospital antibody survey shows that the infection rate among health care workers is lower than it is for the general population. Gov. Cuomo says the results show that masks, gloves and sanitizer work. Gov. Cuomo outlines the $25 million Nourish New York Initiative "to provide relief by purchasing food and products from upstate farms and directing them to food banks across the state." The state in March banned tenants from being evicted. In added relief, it is banning late payments or fees for missed payments during the eviction moratorium. The rent relief moratorium period has been extended an additional 60 days until Aug. 20.
Healthcare Access
May 4, 2020
State of Health special enrollment period extends through May 15
S.C. Leg. Jason Richberg reminds residents there is still time to obtain health insurance, as New York State of Health's special enrollment period extends through May 15, 2020. Residents can apply online: nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ individual or by phone 855-355-5777. Free enrollment assistance is available through Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI). “While most New Yorkers have health insurance coverage, millions do not; this extension provides a timely opportunity for people to obtain health insurance,” said Richberg. “The CV19 pandemic underscores the need for access to healthcare.” HWCLI President/CEO Rebecca Sanin said as COVID-19 continues to impact the economy, many Suffolk County residents are finding themselves unemployed and missing their employer sponsored health insurance. Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, helps people enroll in health insurance remotely and offers these services in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. For assistance, call 516-505-4426. https://www.amityvillerecord.com/articles/state-of-health-special-enrollment-period-extends-through-may-15/
LIVOAD
April 30, 2020
FOR RELEASE Contact: Media Relations Pager April. 30, 2020 516.229.7248 mediarelationsLI@pseg.com PSEG Long Island and PSEG Foundation Support Health and Welfare Council of Long Island’s Disaster Relief Coalition PSEG Foundation provides $25,000 grant to address critical needs of children and families (UNIONDALE, N.Y. – April 30, 2020) — PSEG Long Island and the PSEG Foundation are supporting the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island with a $25,000 grant to the organization’s Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD) Coalition. This coalition is made up of government, nonprofit, and private sector partners who come together to address disasters on Long Island, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition was first activated in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks. Visit https://hwcli.com/work-we-do/coalition-grassroots-organizing/livoad/ for more information. “PSEG Long Island has been proud to partner with and support the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island for many years,” said Daniel Eichhorn, president and COO of PSEG Long Island. “During this difficult time, we are grateful that the PSEG Foundation is able to provide this grant to continue our support for their important efforts.” “In times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that the nonprofit sector, private sector, government and community work collaboratively to address emergent needs and gaps in services in order to help families recover and to build a more resilient Long Island,” said Health and Welfare Council of Long Island President and CEO Rebecca Sanin, J.D., M.A. “We are thankful to the PSEG Foundation for this funding to help make this possible.” PSEG Long Island customers who are experiencing difficulties as a result of the outbreak and need additional time to pay bills are encouraged to visit www.psegliny.com/myaccount. To stay connected with PSEG Long Island and manage their accounts, customers can also use web chat or email, register for MyAlerts for text and email updates, download the free PSEG Long Island mobile app, and follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and Twitter. The PSEG Foundation is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that aims to build sustainable and thriving communities by fostering equity, safety, and diversity and inclusion, as well as supporting the environment, education and workforce development in the communities we serve. The PSEG Foundation provides grants to groups in communities served by PSEG and its subsidiaries; Foundation giving is separate and distinct from PSEG Long Island’s operational budget. The mission of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island is to help vulnerable people on Long Island by convening, representing, and supporting the organizations that serve them; and through illuminating the issues that critically impact them. Since 1947, HWCLI has served as the umbrella for health and human service agencies serving Long Island’s families. As a regional human service provider, convener and leader with a 200 organization network, HWCLI responds to needs through direct services and advocacy. # # # PSEG Long Island PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company. Visit PSEG Long Island at: www.psegliny.com PSEG Long Island on Facebook PSEG Long Island on Twitter PSEG Long Island on YouTube PSEG Long Island on Flickr Health & Welfare Council of Long Island The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization. HWCLI serves the interests of poor and vulnerable people on Long Island by convening, representing, and supporting the organizations that serve them and by promoting the development of public policies and programs.
Coalitions COVID-19 LIVOAD
April 24, 2020
Huntington Station, NY(April 24, 2020)- Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer virtually joined the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) to deliver a breakdown of the CARES Act and its impact on our region to over 240 executives from Long Island’s health & human service sector. HWCLI’s President/CEO, Rebecca Sanin, moderated a discussion in which Senator Schumer addressed questions and concerns about Long Island’s present crisis and future recovery. The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island coordinates a disaster planning and response coalition of government, nonprofit, and private sector partners who collaboratively address disasters on Long Island. This coalition, known as the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD), was formed by HWCLI in 2001 after the September 11 attacks and has worked for almost two decades as an umbrella structure for disaster planning and recovery. This broad coalition is a local version of the National VOAD which is comprised of agencies working through Collaboration, Cooperation, Coordination, and Communication (4 C’s) to respond regionally. The LIVOAD was officially activated by HWCLI to address the current COVID-19 global pandemic and has been holding bi-weekly convening calls with its partners as well as weekly calls with its subcommittees including: Legal Needs, Domestic & Family Violence, Emergency Food, Behavioral Health, and Philanthropy. Providers and community members alike can find a clearinghouse of resources, updates, and information on its webpage: www.hwcli.com/covid-19. The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island is a not for profit, health and human services planning, education, and advocacy organization that serves Long Island's at-risk and vulnerable individuals and families. ###
2020 Census COVID-19
April 15, 2020
Census 2020 operations delayed by coronavirus, start in June
If you're a census slacker and have not filled out the form for the 2020 head count, the federal government is trying another way to get in touch with you. Starting Wednesday, the U.S. Census Bureau is mailing out millions of paper forms to homes whose residents have yet to answer. Credit: AP/Paul Sancya By Olivia Winslow olivia.winslow@newsday.com Updated April 14, 2020, 5:32 PM Newsday is opening this story to all readers so Long Islanders have access to important information about the coronavirus outbreak. All readers can learn the latest news at newsday.com/LiveUpdates. The U.S. Census Bureau, citing impact from the coronavirus pandemic, has delayed its field operations for the 2020 Census until June 1. The bureau has also asked Congress permission to postpone reporting state population totals, used for congressional apportionment, until April 2021--a four-month delay. "In order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress of 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts," the bureau said in a statement Monday. If Congress approves, it would mean the state population counts the bureau would normally deliver to the president on Dec. 31, 2020, would be delivered by April 30, 2021. The requested delay would also mean that redistricting data delivered to the states would be pushed back as well. The bureau's statement said that data would be delivered to the states "no later than July 31, 2021." The revised operational schedule does not require congressional approval. Originally, field operations were set to start Wednesday, already a delayed start because of the coronavirus outbreak. "The Census Bureau temporarily suspended 2020 Census field data collection activities in March," the statement said. "Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field data collection operations as quickly as possible following June 1." Rebecca Sanin, president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, who is coordinating the Island's 2020 Census outreach, praised the delay, noting census activities in communities can't begin until "it's safe to do so." Sanin's plea to Long Islanders: "My call to action is please complete this census now," noting it can be done online, by phone or mailing the paper questionnaire. "Take the time to complete the census now, while you are in your homes … because it is something you can do that will affect your future, your family's future and the entire Long Island region." Jeffrey Wice, a New York Law School adjunct professor and senior fellow who heads the school's New York Census and Redistricting Institute, said while the delay in field operations was no doubt necessary, he saw challenges for the states. "I’m pleased that the census bureau is going to extend the people counting period," Wice said. "But extending the reapportionment deadline and delivery of census data to the states then runs up against different statutory state deadlines." He added: "I'm hoping states don’t use this delay to keep themselves in power on the old lines drawn a few years ago. This is all uncharted, unprecedented. It will play out different in each state." Wice said New York might not be adversely affected because the State Legislature is not required to finalize redistricting until 2022.
COVID-19 LIVOAD
April 9, 2020
Data: Hispanic communities suffering some of the highest rates of coronavirus on LI
On Monday, Newsday's Sandra Peddie spoke with New York State Sen. Monica Martinez about the most recent COVID-19 statistics that show a growth of confirmed cases in dense Hispanic communities. Credit: Newsday / Susan Yale By Sandra Peddie and Paul LaRocco sandra.peddie@newsday.com, paul.larocco@newsday.com @SandraPeddie Updated April 8, 2020 9:11 AM Long Island’s Hispanic population centers are suffering some of the highest rates of coronavirus cases on the Island, according to a Newsday analysis of county and state data. Six heavily Hispanic communities in Suffolk and five in Nassau are among the Island’s hardest hit based on the prevalence of infections, the speed at which the number of cases has risen or their gross numbers of cases. “The numbers are just staggering,” said Jorge Guadron, president of the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce of Long Island who lives in Central Islip, one of the communities that has borne the brunt of the disease. Suffolk data released April 9. Nassau data released April 7. The total number of cases assigned to Long Island communities by Nassau and Suffolk officials is less than countywide totals because of issues with patient addresses. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Suffolk County GIS and Nassau County. In addition to Central Islip, which has tallied 587 confirmed cases, the Suffolk communities include Brentwood, 1,118; Wyandanch, 250; Huntington Station, 552; North Bay Shore, 340; and North Amityville, 304. The communities have Hispanic populations that range from 67% in Brentwood to 34% in North Amityville. In Nassau, most affected communities include Hempstead, 363; Uniondale, 211; Freeport, 199; Glen Cove, 164; and New Cassel, 106. The Hispanic population ranges from 53% in New Cassel to 27% in Glen Cove. On average, Nassau communities have experienced 56 cases and Suffolk communities 77, the analysis shows. Local leaders say the high caseloads are driven by factors including difficulty engaging in social distancing because of household sizes and relatively high levels of residents who are working, thus risking exposure, either because they have been deemed essential employees or have comparatively low income levels and cannot get by without work. The six Suffolk communities rank in the top 10 in the county in the gross number of cases, the day-to-day rate of increase in cases and the per capita rate of infections. Three of the Nassau communities – Hempstead, Uniondale and Freeport – rank in the top 10 for gross number of cases and day-over-day change in cases. Health experts and government leaders have championed social distancing, including working from home, as key to slowing the spread of the virus. But experts interviewed this week said working from home isn’t an option for many of Long Island’s Hispanic residents. See more coverage One significant reason for the spread of the virus in those communities is that many residents have had to continue working, said State Sen. Monica Martinez, a Democrat who represents Brentwood and Central Islip. Many are first responders, transporting sick patients to the hospital; and others are considered essential employees – working in grocery stores, pharmacies, cleaning companies, transit and landscaping. “These individuals are literally on the front lines. They are all considered essential workers,” she said. Many of them also work multiple jobs, said Rebecca Sanin, president and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, an umbrella organization for nonprofits. “If you’re an essential worker, you’re absolutely more at risk,” she said. Xavier Palacios, a Huntington Station attorney and member of the Huntington School Board, said it took some time for residents to understand the seriousness of the situation and need for social distancing. “They work a lot. They’re not necessarily glued to the TV news,” he said. All the Suffolk communities have an average household size that is larger than the county average of three people per household, according to U.S. Census data. In other words, more people live together in single residences. In Brentwood, there are an average of 4.5 people per household. That contributes to their risk, said the Rev. Stanislaw Wadowski, pastor of St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in Brentwood, because multiple families may share a kitchen or bathroom. “People stick to the rules (of social distancing),” he said, but, “They are living closer.” In North Bay Shore, where 65% of the population is Hispanic, an average of 4.8 people live in a household. Huntington Station, where 39% of the population is Hispanic, has an average household size of 3.3. Census data show that all six communities also have a significant portion of residents living below poverty level. In Central Islip, where about 46% of the population is Hispanic, nearly 12% are below poverty level. Guadron said that might have been a factor in some of the spread of the virus in Central Islip. A number of children qualify for the free breakfast and lunch programs provided by the school district. Guadron’s wife, a Central Islip school district cafeteria worker, was called back to work March 23 to serve meals to children in the program. Central Islip has converted to a “grab and go” program in which families stay in their cars and are given meals, district spokeswoman Barbara LaMonica said. In Brentwood, the district has asked families to pick up two days of food every other day to limit contact, according to district spokesman David Chauvin. Sean Clouston, an associate professor at Stony Brook’s Program in Public Health who researches social inequalities in health, said the fact that minority communities are getting hit hard by the virus is not surprising because of the “long-term vulnerability of living in poverty.” He said three factors are critical: Residents of those communities need to continue working, tend to live in bigger households and have higher rates of underlying medical conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that result in them developing more severe symptoms of the virus. “This disease is very risky for disadvantaged populations,” he said. To address the higher number of cases in Brentwood, Central Islip and other communities with higher immigrant populations, Suffolk officials said last week that they would work with area religious leaders, record Spanish language public service announcements and use Suffolk police vehicles to broadcast messages about social distancing and staying home. Still, County Executive Steve Bellone said Saturday that he remained concerned over the numbers from those communities and acknowledged that more needed to be done. “We're looking at additional messaging and targeted testing in certain areas that will allow us to deliver the messaging that just may not be getting through,” he said. Daniel Altschuler, director of civic engagement for Make the Road New York, a Brentwood-based immigrant advocacy group, said the higher number of cases in the Brentwood/Central Islip area shows that the virus is disproportionately affecting a population with less access to health care, higher-paying jobs and safe, affordable housing. “On the one hand, the virus doesn’t discriminate, and everyone is vulnerable to it,” he said in an interview. “On the other hand, the virus does discriminate against the same communities who have been the most vulnerable for a long time.”
COVID-19 LIVOAD
April 9, 2020
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — With this fight against coronavirus comes a constant need for protective equipment for those on the front lines, and the supplies are coming from unlikely sources. Healthcare workers have sounded the alarm about the dire need for protective personal equipment (PPEs), like surgical gowns, masks, and gloves. “We’re working hard every day to make sure each and every hospital gets what they need, distribute it effectively, constantly gets resupplied with it needs it,” Mayor Bill d Blasio said. And constantly gets resupplied when they need it. CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Resources, Hotlines, Unemployment & Covering Bills Remote Learning Tools For Parents Teaching At Home Ask Dr. Max Your Health Questions How Make Your Own DIY Face Mask How To Safely Remove Disposable Gloves Complete Coronavirus Coverage But hospitals like Saint Barnabas has had to depend heavily on the kindness of strangers to get the supplies to keep the staff safe, CBS2’s Aundrea Cline-Thomas reported Wednesday. Everyone from the Ford Motor Company, which donated 3,000 face shields, to Fordham Prep, which donated supplies from its science lab. Emergency room Dr. Ernest Patti said he is grateful, but knows the supply could run out. “Every time I go to work I get fresh PPE to put on, which is very valuable. But all of us are also cognizant of the fact that our supply may not last forever,” Dr. Patti said. CORONAVIRUS: NY Health Dept. | NY Call 1-(888)-364-3065 | NYC Health Dept. | NYC Call 311, Text COVID to 692692 | NJ COVID-19 Info Hub | NJ Call 1-(800)-222-1222 or 211, Text NJCOVID to 898211 | CT Health Dept. | CT Call 211 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention This week, Mount Sinai Health System launched a campaign to raise money for supplies, among other mounting needs. Meanwhile, Rebecca Sanin is addressing similar concerns for front-line workers as the president of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island. “What I’m hearing across the board is that people are having to use garbage bags to create protection,” Sanin said. That’s why the Council is partnering with Massachusetts nonprofit All Hands and Hearts to raise money for PPE. “Because they are an international disaster relief organization, they have connections to be able to procure PPE and to be able to get it to Long Island as quickly as possible,” Sanin said. Businesses and organizations are having to stand in the gap when the government can’t fulfill the dire needs of those on the front lines of the crisis.
2020 Census
April 6, 2020
Census Day 2020 comes with a new reality because of coronavirus
By Olivia Winslow olivia.winslow@newsday.com Updated March 31, 2020, 6:31 PM Newsday is opening this story to all readers so Long Islanders have access to important information about the coronavirus outbreak. All readers can learn the latest news at newsday.com/LiveUpdates.Wednesday is Census Day, when the U.S. Census Bureau wants the nation to respond to the 2020 census, either online, by phone or by mail, telling the bureau where they live and other information about themselves and their families. But this Census Day comes with a new reality because of the coronavirus pandemic, forcing the bureau, and its many "partners" around the country, to make adjustments. The bureau has delayed fieldwork by census takers from April 1 to April 15 and has turned to collecting administrative records from some facilities in light of the disruptions caused by the virus. Meanwhile, local groups and governments seeking to promote 2020 census participation have turned to online communication instead of public gatherings. Jeff Behler, the bureau's New York regional director, said in an interview Tuesday that the delayed fieldwork involved two operations: sending census takers to remote areas — Alaska, Northern Maine and to tribal lands — to conduct the actual census. The other involved going to communities that only use post office boxes, where census takers would "leave the census packet at the doorstep." Behler said the bureau also can obtain administrative records from facilities for its census of "group quarters," such as college dorms, nursing homes and prisons. In the meantime, Behler said, "We're still collecting information online." Behler said that from April 8 through April 16, the bureau will be "mailing out the paper questionnaire to every address that has yet to respond to the census." "Self-response" rates to the 2020 census can be tracked on the bureau's 2020census.gov website. New York State's rate was 31.1% Tuesday, lower than the national rate of 36.2%. Nassau County's rate was 36.6%, and Suffolk County's was 33.9%. Behler said while officials would like the response rates to be higher, he noted the "challenges" the coronavirus posed, particularly in New York. "We understand the current environment we're in." He praised bureau "partners" with coming up with creative ways to engage with the public. One such partner, Rebecca Sanin, president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, which coordinates the Island's Complete Count Committee, said the council is "still convening 11 subcommittee meetings remotely" and "pivoting our strategy," noting the virus "is creating a new and uncertain normal for all of us." She said the strategy involves "strengthening social media platforms," inviting people to go on Facebook and choosing frames for the profile pictures that have census slogans, such as "Be Home. Be Safe. Be Counted." Another program is putting flyers promoting the census in "grab and go meals" and food deliveries that various nonprofits are doing. Sanin said, "April 1 being Census Day, from my perspective, it’s a call to action to our neighbors on Long Island … That by completing the 2020 census, they will impact funding for our region for the next 10 years, which now more than ever are dollars Long Island is going to need to be resilient and recover" from the coronavirus crisis.
2020 Census
April 6, 2020
Time to be counted: Pandemic won’t stop 2020 Census
News 12 Time to be counted: Pandemic won’t stop 2020 Census It's time to be counted – Wednesday, April 1 is National Census Day, and pandemic or not, officials are urging everyone to fill out the 2020 Census form. The federal government uses that information to determine how many seats in Congress each state should have. If a state loses population, it might lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. If its population is growing, it might gain a seat Census numbers also help decide how to divvy up more than $675 billion in federal money each year. Those funds help states and communities build roads, schools, hospitals and fire departments. Programs, including Head Start and food assistance for low-income people, also rely on the Census to direct funds to where they are needed most. Rebecca Sanin, of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, says the COVID-19 pandemic makes this Census more important. be so critical during this time of economic recession that we know is following this public health emergency,” she says. Officials have tried to simplify this year's process. For the first time, responses can be made online, as well as by phone and mail. It will determine funding for the next 10 years, until the 2030 Census. “This is something you can do that will have a very meaningful impact on the future of Long Island,” says Sanin. To help people who speak little or no English, officials have guides available in 60 languages, plus Braille for the blind.
LIVOAD
March 24, 2020
COVID-19 Resource Guide Food Resources SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)- The Department of Social Services will continue to process SNAP applications and assist clients. Local districts are reminded of the requirement to grant good cause when a participant’s failure to meet program requirements is due to factors beyond the participant’s control. However, in an effort to assist in the restriction of spreading COVID-19 SNAP offices will conduct phone interviews (including application and recertification interviews). Please click here for more information. Moreover, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law on March 18, includes a temporary nationwide suspension of the ABAWD 3-month time limit rule that will go into effect on April 1. For that reason, local districts in NYS will grant good cause to any ABAWD unable to meet the time-limit work requirement during the month of March. SNAP/EBT can be used for online grocery purchases in NY and other participating states-Current participating retailers include Amazon, Walmart and ShopRite. Amazon is available statewide; Walmart and ShopRite participate in specific zip codes. SNAP/EBT cards can be used as a payment method on Amazon.com. You will receive access to Prime Pantry and Amazon Fresh once a SNAP/EBT card is added to your account. To receive access to Prime Pantry and Amazon Fresh selection or to pay using SNAP EBT, simply add a valid SNAP EBT card issued by a participating state to your account as a payment method. Please click here for more information. WIC (Women, Infants & Children)- Most WIC clinics are still open. However, some WIC clinics will close temporarily to protect the health of WIC participants and staff. Your local WIC clinic will contact clients if they are closing. WIC appointments can be done over the phone if clients. Please click here for more information. Schools Meals- The summer nutrition programs (the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through the National School Lunch Program) are available to provide meals during school closures. For more information, please click here. Food-delivery App Carriers- Uber-Eats, Doordash, and Postmates will still operate and deliver food. Uber Eats is waiving delivery fees on all applicable orders from local restaurants. Please click here for more information. Housing & Utility Resources Mortgage Payments- Governor Cuomo announced he will be implementing a 90-day relief on mortgage payments amid the coronavirus pandemic.This relief plan will waive mortgage payments based on financial hardship and will allow a grace period for loan modifications. PSEG Long Island- PSEG Long Island is temporarily suspending shut-offs of electric service to residential customers for non-payment. This policy is effective immediately.PSEG Long Island customers experiencing financial difficulty as a result of issues related to the coronavirus should contact PSEG Long Island via My Account (https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount) or by calling 800-490-0025 to enter into a deferred payment arrangement. This policy will be in place through the end of April. National Grid- National Grid has a variety of programs that can help Long Islanders both in the short term and in extended circumstances. Whether it’s a homeowner, renter, or landlord, they can take control of their monthly gas bills through these programs and services. Please click here for more information. Project Warmth- Anyone in need of emergency heating assistance, please call United Way’s 2-1-1 Long Island information and referral call center by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-888-774-7633) 7 days a week, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, for referrals to an intake site. In lieu of the current circumstances, Project Warmth applications can be taken over the phone. Home Internet Access- Altice USA is committed to helping schools and students stay connected during this unprecedented time. For households with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access, Altice will offer an Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within their footprint. Eligible households can call 1-866-200-9522 to enroll in the optimum region. Please click here for more information. Senior Resources Long Island Senior Centers-Some senior centers on Long Island are delivering meals or food packages to senior members. However, some services are limited due to a lack of volunteers. Please call your local town or visit their websites for more information. Are there any general numbers to get information for both Nassau and Suffolk County? Grocery Stores- Stop & Shop will be opening earlier at 6 am exclusively for seniors to shop in a less crowded environment. Use this link to obtain further information. Medicare Telehealth Services- Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to the current Public Health Emergency. These services expand the current telehealth covered services, to help consumers have access from more places (including their home), with a wider range of communication tools (including smartphones), to interact with a range of providers (such as doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers).Please visit Medicare.gov for more information. Healthcare Resources Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers- the NY State of Health, together with the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), made a Special Enrollment Period available to New Yorkers during which eligible individuals will be able to enroll in insurance coverage through NY State of Health, New York’s official health plan Marketplace, and directly through insurers. Individuals who enroll in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health or directly through insurers between March 16 and April 15, 2020, will have coverage effective starting April 1, 2020. Individuals who are eligible for other NY State of Health programs – Medicaid, Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus – can enroll year-round. consumers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health on-line at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 855-355-5777, and working with enrollment assistors. COVID-19 Testing Cost-Sharing- a new directive by the State Department of Financial Services requiring New York health insurers to waive cost-sharing associated with testing for novel coronavirus including emergency room, urgent care, and office visits. New Yorkers receiving Medicaid coverage will not be expected to pay a copay for any testing related to COVID-19. Please click here for more information. Medicare Resources- Medicare covers the lab tests for COVID-19. Medicare consumers pay no out-of-pocket costs. Medicare covers all medically necessary hospitalizations; this includes COVID-19 diagnosis. At this time, there's no vaccine for COVID-19. However, if one becomes available, it will be covered by all Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). If consumers have a Medicare Advantage Plan, they have access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Many plans offer additional telehealth benefits beyond the ones described below. Please advise clients to check with their plan about coverage and costs. Please visit Medicare.gov for more information. Resources for People with Disabilities? Mental Health Resources Peer Support Services- In response to this need, MHAW will be offering extended hours for their Peer Support Line and Healing Connections Peer Support Groups to Suffolk County residents. These services are staffed by trained and experienced Certified Peer Specialists. New operating hours for the Peer Support Line: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Saturday, 5:00pm-10:00pm Sunday, 2:00pm-7:00pm The Peer Support Line can be accessed by calling 631-471-7242 ext. 1217. Online Peer Support Groups can be accessed through this link: http://mhaw.org/programs/online-peer-support-groups Disaster Distress Helpline- Contact the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (800) 985- 5990 that provides 24/7, 365-day-a- year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Stress and Coping Resources- The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Please visit this link to access resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other Resources Child Care-Any families in need of Child Care, please call the following numbers: Child Care Council of Nassau: (516) 358-9250 For emergency responders who need Child Care: (516) 727-0331 Child Care Council of Suffolk: (631) 462-0303. Student Loans- the White House waived interest on federal student loans. Anyone affected by COVID-19 directly or indirectly and need of support has options to reduce or postpone payments by applying for a deferment, forbearance and/or by changing their repayment plans. Please click here for more information Unemployment Insurance Benefits- NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines. Please click here for more information. Filing a new Unemployment Insurance claim? The day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name. Last names starting with A - F, file on Monday. Last names starting with G - N, file on Tuesday. Last names starting with O - Z, file on Wednesday. If you missed your filing day, file on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Filing later in the week will not delay your payments or affect the date of your claim; all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan: Upon a request received from a state’s Governor, the SBA has announced it will issue an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration for that state. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will make low-interest loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. Once the SBA has approved New York State’s request, information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available at SBA.gov/disaster. For more information, please see the SBA fact sheet.
HWCLI
March 13, 2020
The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, May 8th, due to an abundance of caution given recent public health concerns. Our staff is working remotely and is still available to assist with any inquires you may have. For general inquires, please contact Mary Hallowell at 516-505-4427 or mhallowell@hwcli.com. If you are looking for assistance with health insurance enrollment, please call 516-505-4426 and leave a message. One of our health care navigators will get back to you within 2 business days. Our free tax program will be closed to new clients from March 13th- March 31st. If you are looking for assistance with free tax preparation services, please call 516-738-0447 or email taxhelp@hwcli.com. If you are looking for assistance with SNAP applications in Suffolk County please call, 631-579-7051. For assistance in Nassau County, call 516-508-6940. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients and our partners during this time. Sincerely, The team at HWCLI
HWCLI LIVOAD
March 12, 2020
3/24/2020: NEW COVID-19 PAGE ON THE HWCLI WEBSITE HWCLI is now maintaining a separate page with all COVID-19 information and resources. Click here. 3/12/2020: COVID-19: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NONPROFITS ON THE LAW, PROTECTING YOUR EMPLOYERS, AND UNDERSTANDING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Critical Legal Information that Nonprofit Employers Need to Know Regarding COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic is in many ways a completely unprecedented situation, and as such, many individuals and organizations may feel unsure or unprepared about how to respond and proceed. This is especially true for nonprofits who have complicated legal and financial bylaws and mandates. The Lawyer's Alliance of New York has compiled this document, outlining legal considerations regarding sick employees, duties to provide safe and healthy workplaces, what employers can and can't do, and rules around quarantine and sickness. Additionally, the Human Services Council has developed a COVID-19 Resources for Human Services Providers page, and is hosting a webinar tomorrow (Friday, March 13) from 12 - 1p for human services providers on COVID-19. Click here for more information and to register. Suffolk State of Emergency Declaration and What It Means Today, Suffolk County declared a State of Emergency, which lifts some restrictions and provides powers including bypassing purchasing regulations, thus allowing the county to act more quickly. A State of Emergency declaration shouldn't cause panic, but instead can be seen as a measure that our local governments are taking to ensure they have the tools to respond to COVID-19 needs more quickly and effectively. Suffolk County Steve Bellone "said the declaration will 'allow county government to more quickly respond to the emergency,' including by purchasing 'critical supplies' like hand sanitizer, protective gear, gowns, masks and moving staff as needed." For more on what a State of Emergency means, here's an article from the Patch published yesterday. Better Understanding "Imminent Public Threat" in Nassau As of Thursday Afternoon, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran declared an "Imminent Threat to Public Health" in Nassau County. This is an interim step toward declaring a State of Emergency: "We are having ongoing conversations with the state about what kind of measures can be taken if there are any clusters that emerge," Curran said. "At this moment, it is too soon to say what that looks like, however by declaring an imminent threat to public health, it does pave the way for us to declare a state of emergency." Although it seems intimidating, residents should remember that a state of emergency is a strategic move to allow county governments to allocate resources, and respond more quickly and efficiently than they would normally. For more on what a State of Emergency means, here's an article from the Patch published yesterday. Limiting Mass Gatherings in New York State Governor Cuomo announced a ban on gatherings of 500 or more people on Thursday. For gatherings under 500 people and for venues, capacity has been cut by half. This does not, however, apply to schools, hospitals, mass transit, and nursing homes. While this can sound quite alarming, it's vital to remember that it is a preventative measure-critical to limiting the potential effects of COVID-19. By reducing the volume of individuals at public gatherings, the risk of transmission decreases, and thus helps reduce the number of critically ill COVID-19 patients so that hospitals can maintain the capacity to treat them. Separating Fact from Fear There is an overabundance of misinformation, rumors, and fear-laden language being employed to discuss COVID-19. As always, we urge you to seek information from reliable sources such as: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) World Health Organization (WHO) Suffolk County Government Nassau County Government Avoid watching, reading or listening to news that cause you to feel anxious or distressed; seek information mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones. COVID-19 has and is likely to affect people from many countries, in many geographical locations. Don't attach it to any ethnicity or nationality. Be empathetic to those who got affected, in and from any country, those with the disease have not done anything wrong. Mental Health The mental health effects of COVID-19 should be taken seriously. Even for those unaffected by the disease, the constant stream of alarming updates from news media can be overwhelming. Stress Mitigation and Mental Health Guidance from WHO Seek information updates, and practical guidance at specific times during the day once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried. Get the facts. Gather information at regular intervals, from WHO website and local health authorities' platforms, in order to help you distinguish facts from rumors. During times of stress, pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy food. Keep things in perspective. Public health agencies and experts in all countries are working on the outbreak to ensure the availability of the best care to those affected. Stay connected and maintain your social networks. Even in situations of isolations, try as much as possible to keep your personal daily routines Protect yourself and be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper For health workers, feeling stressed is an experience that you and many of your health worker colleagues are likely going through; in fact, it is quite normal to be feeling this way in the current situation. Stress and the feelings associated with it are by no means a reflection that you cannot do your job or that you are weak. Managing your stress and psycho-social well-being during this time is as important as managing your physical health. Disaster Distress Helpline The Disaster Distress Helpline remains open 24/7/265 for those who may be experiencing psychological distress related to COVID-19. News of COVID-19 cases on Long Island as well as state of emergency declarations may understandably be a cause of stress for many people. It as important a time as ever to be mindful of the ways in which information may be impacting our mental health. SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline is available and can provide immediate support to those in need. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. The helpline is available 24/7/365. If you, or someone you care for is prone to anxiety or depression, you can also see these tips from the WHO on anxiety management for caregivers and individuals. Deaf/Hard of Hearing Text TalkWithUs to 66746 Use your preferred relay service to call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 TTY 1-800-846-8517 Spanish Speakers Call 1-800-985-5990 and press "2" From the 50 States, text Hablanos to 66746 From Puerto Rico, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663 En Español 3/10/2020: SPECIALIZED INFORMATION FOR NONPROFITS REGARDING COVID-19 Although the COVID-19 pandemic is not currently an emergency on Long Island, many of our partners have requested guidance as we plan, prepare, and respond, especially in light of the World Health Organization now officially designating the virus as a global pandemic. We have enclosed up-to-date resources on risk mitigation, contingency planning. We are asking partner organizations to complete this brief capacity survey and needs assessment, indicating what services you are able to provide in the event of a wider outbreak as well as what needs your organization or community has related to COVID-19. Please complete this as soon as possible. Statement from the LIVOAD (Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster): In light of the recent declaration of a State of Emergency by Governor Cuomo, the LIVOAD has reached out to County and State Offices of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. There are no directives or requests for assistance to share at this time. We will continue to provide regular updates as they become available. At this time, we are on standby, monitoring the situation and awaiting further instruction. There is no change in our state EOC Status at this time. Please help us ensure that accurate and useful information is disseminated throughout our communities. Although there seems to be an abundance of live updates, predictions, and coverage, please only consult reputable sources such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Local Government Resources Nassau County: Nassau County DoH: Coronavirus/COVID-19 Website (Click here) Nassau County Coronavirus Call Center Number: 516-227-9570 Suffolk County: Suffolk County DoH Coronavirus/COVID19 Website (Click here) Suffolk County Call Center: Call 311 A few key resources from the CDC and the WHO: What You Need To Know (PDF - CDC): English (Click here) Simplified Chinese (Click here) Spanish (Click here) Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (CDC) What To Do If You Are Sick With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC) World Health Organization (WHO) Prevention The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases: Avoid close contact with people who are sick Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility) Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. Interim Guidance for Community- and Faith-Based Organizations This interim guidance is to help community- and faith-based organizations (CFBOs), whose members may include vulnerable populations, plan for community transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages CFBOs to prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their local communities. Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders Community- and faith-based organizations are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in their communities. Use this checklist to protect the health of those you serve and staff in your care. Special Considerations For Nonprofit Employers In the nonprofit sector, we generally depend on our staff to wear many hats in the course of a day. With limited funds, our human resources are beyond precious. This article outlines several employee-centric strategies for employers including how to gauge needs with an ADA Compliant Pandemic Survey, as well as tips to reduce workplace stress. Due to the unique nature of our funding streams through grants, CEO's may want to reach out to their funders to check in about deliverables, outcomes, and timelines. This guidance philanthropy.com outlines several important considerations. Interim Guidelines for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19 As with any disasters, it's best to have plans in place for how to respond. The CDC offers guidelines for employers on how to manage in the event that COVID-19 significantly impacts employees and business functions. To learn more about this, please click here. Telecommuting Resources Many workplaces are opting to have employees work from home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here is information to consider as well as tools that are available to you and your organization to facilitate remote work. GoToMeeting by LogMeIn (click here) is offering eligible non-profits and other entities free Emergency Remote Work kits to allow organiation-wide use of many LogMeIn products for three months. Cisco WebEx (click here) is offering free WebEx meetings for non-profits, the education sector, and nonprofits. Stigma Related to COVID-19 From the CDC: "Fear and anxiety can lead to social stigma towards Chinese or other Asian Americans. Stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease (for example, Chinese-Americans and other Asian-Americans living in the United States). Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem. We can fight stigma and help not hurt others by providing social support. We can communicate the facts that being Chinese or Asian American does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19." From the WHO: COVID-19 has and is likely to affect people from many countries, in many geographical locations. Don't attach it to any ethnicity or nationality. Be empathetic to those who got affected, in and from any country, those with the disease have not done anything wrong. Don't refer to people with the disease as "COVID-19 cases", "victims" "COVID-19 families" or the "diseased". They are "people who have COVID-19", "people who are being treated for COVID-19", "people who are recovering from COVID-19" and after recovering from COVID-19 their life will go on with their jobs, families and loved ones. Mental Health News of COVID-19 cases on Long Island as well as the state of emergency declaration in New York State may understandably be a cause of stress for many people. It as important a time as ever to be mindful of the ways in which information may be impacting our mental health. SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline is available and can provide immediate support to those in need. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. The helpline is available 24/7/365. If you, or someone you care for is prone to anxiety or depression, you can also see these tips from the WHO on anxiety management for caregivers and individuals.
Direct Services Healthcare Access
January 29, 2020
State officials: No premium increase for most under Affordable Care Act in 2020
All but a few New Yorkers enrolling for 2020 coverage under the Affordable Care Act will not see an increase in their premiums, state officials said. Enrollment in the state health insurance marketplace begins Friday. Only those who earn too much money to qualify for subsidies under the law — more than $103,000 a year for a family of four — will see increases in premiums, said Danielle Holahan, deputy director of the state’s marketplace, New York State of Health. Those people, who comprise less than 2% of New Yorkers who receive coverage under the law, will see an average 6.8% increase, she said. The new enrollment comes as the Trump administration is asking a federal appeals court in New Orleans to declare the ACA — commonly known as Obamacare — unconstitutional. Trump ran in 2016 on a promise to repeal the law, but efforts in Congress to do so have failed. Even so, the Trump administration slashed funding to promote ACA enrollment. New York, on the other hand, will spend $43 million on promotion for 2020 and on “navigators,” who help people apply for coverage, under the ACA, Medicaid or Child Health Plus, the state’s insurance program for children. “We’re more committed than ever, with all these attacks from Washington on the ACA,” Holahan said. Navigator Donna Vargas, with the Melville-based Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, said many people have little knowledge about subsidies. “I try to evaluate their situation, their household size and their income, and we try to find out what programs they’re eligible for,” she said as she sat with a client Thursday at the Family Service League’s Manor Field Family Center in Huntington Station. The client, Michael Reyes, 21, of Huntington Station, said he was there in part to seek coverage for his son, Matheo, 2. Vargas enrolled Matheo on the spot in Child Health Plus. Health care premiums are on a sliding scale. For example, according to the state: A Long Islander with an annual income of $30,000 could obtain individual insurance for as little as $25 a month for a high-deductible plan, or for as little as $198 a month for a plan with lower deductibles. A Long Island family of four with an annual income of $75,000 would be eligible for coverage under the ACA and Child Health Plus. The parents would pay as little as $249 a month for a high-deductible ACA plan for themselves and as little as $596 a month for a plan with lower deductibles. Monthly premiums would be $30 for each child. People with incomes up to $18,735 for an individual and $38,625 for a family of four are eligible for free coverage under Medicaid or with the “essential plan” under the ACA. New York is one of only two states with an “essential plan,” which is for people with relatively low incomes but who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, Holahan said. They pay either no premiums or, for those who earn up to $51,500 a year for a family of four, $20 monthly premiums. The “essential plan” is key because some people who can afford premiums under lower-cost ACA insurance cannot afford the high deductibles and copays, said Dr. Arthur Fougner, president of the Westbury-based Medical Society of the State of New York and a Manhasset OB-GYN. The essential plan has no annual deductibles. The stabilization of ACA premiums statewide and nationally came after a spike in premiums some years as insurers figured out who was enrolling in ACA plans, and their risk levels, said Sara Collins, a vice president at the Commonwealth Fund, a Manhattan-based health care foundation. With that experience, “What is likely going to happen over the next several years is premiums will rise at the rate of health care cost inflation,” she said. Yet the Trump administration’s efforts to overturn the ACA and the national rhetoric against the law is confusing some people who may be eligible for ACA subsidies, said Rebecca Sanin, president and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council. Some may not apply, thinking the program is dead or dying. Others currently with ACA coverage may fear the program is ending, “And they will start thinking about rationing their medications so they last longer,” she said. AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins Friday. It continues until Dec. 15 for those who want coverage beginning Jan. 1 and until Jan. 31 for those who want coverage beginning March 1. Subsidies are available to many applicants, based on income and household size. Some people are eligible for free coverage. To find out more about monthly premiums and what programs and subsidies you may be eligible for, go to nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855-355-5777.
2020 Census Coalitions
January 29, 2020
Online hiring practices, 2020 Census loom large for LI
Ah, the start of a new year, when people (and companies) consider some major decisions that could improve both prosperity and quality of life (or business). If entire regions could make New Year’s Resolutions, I’d recommend these two workforce development-related commitments for Long Island: develop and deploy an Island-wide strategy that helps employers clear barriers created by online applications (more skills-based hiring, less “degree inflation”), and leverage the networking capabilities of those same Island employers to help achieve an accurate count for the 2020 U.S. Census. These two actions will widen Long Island’s talent pipeline, foster new workforce-training resources and otherwise remove barriers to regional employment. One of the single-biggest barriers to employment is the online hiring process. The Internet and social media make it easy to inform more candidates about open positions and have certainly eased the burden of sorting through résumés; they’ve also had the unintended consequence of creating real employment hurdles. Online applications rely on employers selecting the criteria that help identify whether a candidate should be considered. Employers often use college-degree requirements to weed out lesser candidates – but many in the HR world will tell you a degree isn’t always required, simply an artificial barrier that often eliminates experienced candidates with the right skills. Further, many people with college degrees can’t get jobs because the work “requires” specific degree types, or some precise work experience. Military veterans cite similar challenges aligning their service experiences with specific industry requirements. Skills- and competency-based hiring strategies directly address these challenges, benefitting companies and job seekers both with and without degrees. And with a clearer understanding of specific industry competency requirements, educators and community-based organizations can expand their ability to recruit for larger employers. Harvard Business School’s Managing the Future of Work project explores this in depth, engaging various partners with the tools needed to bolster their workforces. According to “Dismissed by Degrees,” an article published by project, “reversing degree inflation requires the company to design new tools that value a non-graduate candidate’s work experience, competencies and potential.” Among the recommended steps for employers: adjust job descriptions to focus on core competencies, explore resources provided by Washington-based Grads of Life and other global partners, and reconsider the entire candidate-vetting process. Long Island has a robust workforce-development ecosystem, including our educational institutions, various job centers and plenty of community-based organizations. Funding for new programs that develop skills in the emerging workforce will be driven by the 2020 Census. The census helps with the equitable distribution of federal and state funds for educational programs, community healthcare efforts, new law enforcement officers and highway construction. Funding for public schools and regional workforce-development programs is tied directly to population – not just the number of people, which is critical, but demographic specifics. Workforce legislation prioritizes “target populations” for training resources. Without an accurate count that reflects how many people actually live on Long Island, where they live and who they are, critical education and workforce-development funding may be reduced. “The campaign for a Complete Count is motivated by the simple truth that every single one of us counts,” notes Rebecca Sanin, CEO of the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island. “We get one chance every 10 years to ensure that Long Island receives its fair share of funding, resources and representation … the stakes couldn’t be higher. “If we don’t count our families, we render them invisible for the next 10 years,” Sanin adds, “and we can count on overcrowded classrooms, congested and neglected highways, underfunded hospitals and empty storefronts.” Businesses are in the perfect position to educate employees on the importance of the census, and even help them complete it. Tens of thousands of Long Islanders already trust their employers with their personal information – and make a mental connection between that information and their livelihood. To that end, businesses can dedicate a computer terminal in the lunchroom to census instruction and completion, hold information sessions, provide copies of Long Island Counts – the HWCLI and Nassau County Comptroller Office’s July 2019 census preview – and even provide incentives for census participation. Removing barriers between employers and Long Island’s extraordinary talent pool, and making sure the Island gets its fair share of federal funding via the 2020 Census, couldn’t be more important. In the words of my favorite green guru, “Do or do not, Long Island … there is no try.” The actions we take right now, the priorities we set, will shape the next decade. Rosalie Drago is Long Island regional director for the Workforce Development Institute, a statewide nonprofit focused on job creation and retention.
2020 Census Coalitions
January 29, 2020
Nonprofits gear up for 2020 Census
With two months to go before the U.S. Census Bureau begins inviting residents to respond to the 2020 Census, government officials in Nassau and Suffolk counties, hundreds of organizations and a local philanthropic group are collaborating on a strategy to motivate Long Islanders to answer that call. The once-a-decade census is mandated by the Constitution and affects the distribution of $675 billion annually in federal funding for a myriad of programs, as well as the number of each state's congressional representatives. "People are going to start hearing from the Census Bureau in March," said Rebecca Sanin, who is coordinating Long Island's "Complete Count" effort. Change is coming in the way people can interact with the census. For the first time, people will have three options: mail, phone or online. Government and philanthropic organizations have money designated to educate and help the public with the census. New York plans to make $20 million available to localities — $15 million of which already has been earmarked for the state's 62 counties — as part of a $60 million campaign involving dozens of state agencies, public authorities and SUNY and CUNY, said Jack Sterne, press secretary for Empire State Development. Long Island is poised to get $1.6 million of that money — just over $1.019 million for Suffolk and $664,109 for Nassau, Sterne said. In addition, a philanthropic entity, The New York State Census Equity Fund, housed at the New York Community Trust, has distributed nearly $2 million to nonprofits across the state, including Long Island. And the Census Bureau this month started a $500 million public education and outreach campaign. "Census Day is April 1, and the census is going to go through August … so we have to do everything in our power to make sure people are ready and are excited, because we've created a culture of momentum to get people to complete the 2020 Census," Sanin said at a People of Color subcommittee meeting at her office earlier this month. Sanin is president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, a nonprofit that advocates for and assists poor and vulnerable people, as well as the agencies that help them. That subcommittee — one of 11 — is planning far-reaching census outreach campaigns, from media ads to encourage people to apply for census taker jobs, to enlisting local colleges and universities, fraternities and sororities, even barber shops and hair salons for help. Tracey Edwards, Long Island regional director of the NAACP, who is a member of the People of Color subcommittee, called barbershops and hair salons "key influencers, because we all know that when you go to the barber shop and hair salon, lots of stuff gets talked about in there. And they are our unsung community leaders," which brought a chorus of agreement from nearly 20 subcommittee members gathered in a conference room in the Huntington Station office of the Health and Welfare Council. Other subcommittees are targeting other groups, such as immigrants. "We have built a census army of over 300 organizations that include business leaders, education leaders, faith-based leaders and associations, nonprofits. It's a multi-stakeholder army," Sanin said in a later interview. According to census data, Suffolk and Nassau are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, of the hardest-to-count counties in the state because of a high proportion of groups that are typically undercounted: minorities, children under age 5, and immigrants. "Census Ambassadors" from local groups are crucial. "They are the trusted messengers in the communities," Vanessa Baird-Streeter, Suffolk's assistant deputy county executive, said in an interview. That's why we've been working with them for the past year, making sure everyone is up to speed, understanding the importance of the census. "Now you need boots on the ground," added Baird-Streeter, who also participated in the People of Color subcommittee meeting. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said in an interview: The "nonprofits are really our partners. We are relying on them to reassure people who might not trust government that it's incredibly important to be counted … We want to indicate to our community what's in it for them" to answer the census. "We could lose out on school dollars, SNAP benefits. We also could lose out on congressional representation." New York lost two congressional seats after the 2010 census and now has 27. Both Curran and Baird-Streeter noted their counties had updated the Census Bureau's master address lists with thousands of additional addresses in preparation of the count. The bureau accepted nearly 4,500 addresses in Nassau and 9,400 in Suffolk, they said. Long Island officials are now waiting on the state to send the counties the application for census grants. Sterne, the Empire State Development press secretary, said in an emailed statement that the state's "Census Agencies," naming ESD and the departments of labor and state, "are working to finalize the funding process with counties for the $15 [million] for hard-to-count communities as quickly as possible." Also involved in census efforts is the philanthropic community, which "really has kind of stepped in to try to help organizations across the state to raise awareness to try to get these historically undercounted populations to be counted and not be afraid to be counted," said Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones, senior program officer with the Long Island Community Foundation, an affiliate of the New York Community Trust. Alfonso-Jones said $425,000 of the nearly $2 million census equity fund went to Long Island, with the LICF putting in an additional $25,000 for the establishment of complete count committees. Baird-Streeter said Suffolk legislators have approved using the LICF as the conduit through which to distribute the state census grants to nonprofits, which also needs state approval. Curran said Nassau is "looking at the Suffolk model to see how, if and when we get the grant, we can best get it out to the groups." WHAT'S AT STAKE IN 2020 CENSUS $675 billion annually in federal funds each year for many programs, including: Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Section 8 Housing Vouchers, Highway planning and construction, Special Education grants, Childhood Health Insurance Program, National School Lunch Program, Head Start/Early Head Start, and Foster Care. An undercount can mean programs are underfunded for people who need them, according to the Long Island Counts 2020 Census Report. Each state's congressional apportionment. New York lost two congressional seats after redistricting, based on the 2010 Census. New York now has 27 congressional representatives.
LIVOAD
October 1, 2019
It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 15-21)
The Northern Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, is right around the corner, and the 2016 hurricane season is expected to be the most active since 2012 – the year that Superstorm Sandy hit Long Island. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that “it only takes one storm to change your life and community”, and so this week – Hurricane Preparedness Week – NOAA offers daily tips focusing on specific preparedness measures everyone should take. Sunday, May 15: Determine your risk Monday, May 16: Develop an evacuation plan Tuesday, May 17: Secure an insurance check-up Wednesday, May 18: Assemble disaster supplies Thursday, May 19: Strengthen your home Friday, May 20: Identify your trusted source of information for a hurricane event Saturday, May 21: Complete your written hurricane plan NOAA also offers pre-written text as well as images that you can share on your social media platforms. View them by clicking here. An example of their shareable content, “5 Things to Know About Hurricane Hazard Risks” is embedded below.
HWCLI
September 24, 2019
HWCLI Honors Young Stewards of Social Justice
We are very excited to announce that we will be honoring two young stewards of social justice on Long Island at our first-ever Halloween Ball at Oheka Castle. 10-year-old Jack McNamara and 16-year-old Myrka Argueta are actively trying to make their communities and Long Island as a whole, a better place. We could not be happier to honor these two young movers and shakers. Image Source: https://www.hwcli.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HWCLIs-Halloween-Ball-Honorees-1-724x1024.jpg
2020 Census
September 13, 2019
HWCLI’s 2020 Census Logo Contest!
We Have a Winner! After 133 submissions and over 1,300 votes- we have a winner and two runners-up for the 2020 Census Logo Contest! All of the logo submissions we received were overflowing with creativity and we are so grateful to all of the young artists who shared their vision for the 2020 Census with us! Nicole's winning logo will be used across all of our regional branding materials as we work together to get out the word about the 2020 Census and everything it impacts. In recognition of her work, Nicole will win a day of professional shadowing at Rubenstein Public Relations, a premier PR firm located in New York City. We are proud to also celebrate Gabby Palumbo and Eduardo Ruela Dutra, whose designs qualified as runner-ups! Thank you to all of the students who participated and to all who helped make this contest a success! We are excited to continue our work together to raise awareness and build enthusiasm around the 2020 Census to ensure that our region is fully and accurately counted next year. First Runner Up: Gabby Palumbo, Grade 12, Mineola High School Second Runner Up: Eduardo Ruela Dutra, Grade 10, Mineola High School
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Established in 1947, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) is a regional, nonprofit umbrella organization for health and human service providers. We are dedicated to improving the lives of Long Island’s most vulnerable residents by responding to their needs through the promotion and development of public policies and direct services.
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