Resource Update: January 11, 2021

photo: morguefile.com

Wolf Administration Provides a COVID-19 Update

Governor Tom Wolf and Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine shared an update on the vaccine, stressing its safety and efficacy. The governor encouraged utilizing the various websites provided by the Commonwealth to fact check and become informed. 

Vaccine related information can be accessed here:

FEMA offers Individual and Community Preparedness Resources

Individuals and communities can work together to improve preparedness and respond to disasters and emergencies. Get involved in your community today, to help build capacity and plan for the unexpected.

For resources and research, click here: Individual and Community Preparedness

For Faith-based Community preparedness, click here: Faith-based Preparedness

FEMA Disaster Preparedness Webinars

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regularly offers webinars on disaster preparedness and response topics. These webinars are meant to assist individuals and communities with disaster planning, preparedness, and response.

Addressing Mental Health of Young Adults during COVID-19

  • Tuesday, January 12, 2020 from 12:00 – 1:00pm ET (English)
  • Thursday, January 14, 2020 from 12:00 – 1:00pm ET (Spanish)

Discussing the impacts of COVID-19 and quarantine on the mental health of young adults. Due to changes in plans and missed significant life events, youth are facing isolation, anxiety and depression. Learn symptoms, warning signs and how to help young adults manage these challenging times.

To register:

Continuity Planning for Houses of Worship

  • Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 from 11:00am-12:30pm ET (English)
  • Thursday, January 28th, 2021 from 11:00am-12:30pm ET (Spanish)

Providing communities of Faith and their constituencies with the knowledge and tools to develop a continuity plan and sustain continuity of operations  before, during and after an incident or emergency. The webinar will discuss the essential elements and key planning considerations for a viable continuity capability.

To register:

Previously recorded Preparedness Webinars

COVID-19 vaccine: Beware of Phishing

Cybercriminals are using e-mail and other methods to conduct phishing campaigns that take advantage of developments on the COVID vaccine distribution campaign. Analysts have identified three different campaigns and expect many more in the coming weeks and months that target both organizations and individuals as vaccine distribution gains momentum.

For additional information, click here: COVID Vaccine Phishing Scams

Small Business Owners Targeted with COVID Scam

A new coronavirus-related scam is targeting small businesses. It starts with an email that claims to come from the “Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance” and suggests your eligibility for a loan of up to $250,000 and asks for personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission offers more about the scam and information on how to protect yourself by clicking here: COVID Business Owners Scam

Coronavirus, COVID-19, and EEO Laws

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has established a website to consolidate relevant coronavirus and COVID-19 information and to answer questions from the public about the EEO laws and COVID-19.

Access that site here: Coronavirus and EEO

Did you know, employers can require the COVID vaccine for all employees and bar them from coming to work if they refuse.

The ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws

PA Department of Human Services Announces Statewide Resource and Referral Tool

Resource Information and Services Enterprise – or RISE PA – is a collaborative effort between multiple state agencies, counties, and local non-profits and community organizations, health care, and social services providers. The interactive online platform will serve as a care coordination system for providers including, health care and social services organizations and a closed-loop referral system that will report on the outcomes of the referrals.

Once implemented, anyone in Pennsylvania will be able to access this tool from their personal computers, tablets, and mobile devices to find information about services and resources, and self-refer to participating agencies.

For more information, click here: RISE PA

Doug Hoy
Disaster Response Coordinator
drc@susumc.org 717-766-7441 ext. 3402

Popular posts from this blog

Knoxville Yoked Church Receives Grant from UM Foundation

Image
L to R:  Ed Stuart, Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist II, Sharon Heck, Gene Heck Impact of Tropical Storm Debby on Local Communities The destruction caused by Tropical Storm Debby in Tioga, Potter, Lycoming, and Union Counties was significant, leading FEMA to issue disaster declarations for these areas. Numerous residents and businesses faced damage and are currently striving to restore their properties.  One church in Knoxville, PA, suffered particularly devastating losses, as an entire wall was washed away due to the flooding. In addition to the wall, they also lost their ADA ramp. Despite these challenges, the community rallied together.  The Cowanesque Church extended an invitation for the Knoxville Yoked Church to join them for Sunday services while repairs were underway.  During this period, the UM Foundation provided a grant of $5,000 to support survivors affected by Tropical Storm Debby, which was awarded to the Knoxville Yoked Church by the Disaster Response Minis...
Read more

IRS Tax Relief after Major Disasters

Image
IRS offers tax relief after major disasters Disaster relief can be authorized by the IRS when certain criteria from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are met. Generally, the IRS will authorize disaster tax relief to all areas identified on a major disaster declaration if FEMA identifies at least one area qualifying for their Individual Assistance program. Those who have been affected by a disaster can visit Tax relief in disaster situations on IRS.gov for information on what tax relief applies to them and other resources that will help them recover. Tax relief The following types of tax relief are a few of the ways the IRS helps after a major disaster. The IRS gives taxpayers more time to file and pay: Taxpayers whose address of record is in an area qualifying for IRS disaster tax relief will automatically receive extra time from the IRS to file returns and pay taxes. The IRS's disaster assistance page provides updates and links to resources. Information is also availabl...
Read more

Central PA Counties affected by Tropical Storm Debbie

Image
There have been many homes in our conference that have been damaged by TS Debby. As of Friday, September 13, 2024, the number is around 140 homes that have qualified as needing major repair or destroyed. This amount of destitution has caused FEMA to issue a Declaration of Individual Assistance to Tioga, Potter, Lycoming, and Union County. We continue to give our support to those areas. If you are in those areas and need assistance, you should call 211. There will also be five Disaster Recovery Centers that will be scheduled to be of assistance. Once those locations, dates, and times are released, I will provide those to you. If you have the desire and skills to help with this recovery, please contact me at drc@susumc.org or 717-766-5376. Deb Currinder Disaster Response Coordinator Susquehanna Conference UMC drc@susumc.org office: 717-766-7441, extension 3402 www.susmb.org
Read more