Health & Safety Community Updates
April 2020 Updates
April 17, 2020
Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week: April 11 - 17
You can also find these podcasts on our social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to catch up on our daily posts.
Click the following link to listen to today's episode: https://soundcloud.com/user-699046318/podcast-9-36-40-weeks-stories-of-deliveries?in=user-699046318/sets/the-gift-black-pregnancy
CIL Food Distribution Sites
Recipe for Food Boxes
Food Literacy Center
Online Classes This Week
Tune in to Facebook for live cooking classes for kids! Each week, we'll share two recipes, lessons, and activities.
- Kids Cooking Tools Skillset - now live!
- Wednesday, April 15, 11:30 am
Veggie Tostada and Premade vs. Homemade Lesson
Needed Supplies List - Friday, April 17, 11:30 am
Dried Beans recipe and Skillset
Needed Supplies List
Videos will be loaded to YouTube following the live feed.
Black Maternal Health Updates
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris Highlights Black Maternal Health Week
Check out the video below as Senator Kamala Harris discusses racial health disparities in our health care system for Black communities. As we step into Black Maternal Health Week, it is important that we continue to bring to light the health crisis that is afflicting Black mothers and their babies.
"If we want systems to change, there has to be funding to back up those things. So I believe it's imperative, that this bill is supported, not just for the policy to be implemented, but for our moms' lives to be saved."
Click the following link to watch the video on twitter: https://twitter.com/SenKamalaHarris/status/1249053138541318145
As we continue to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week, check out this news story published by Sac Cultural Hub that discusses the round table session that was held on February 18, 2020 with U.S. Senator Kamala Harris in partnership with the California Breastfeeding Coalition in San Francisco. This round table discussed the Black maternal mortality crisis and Senator Harris' legislation to address persistent biases and shortcomings in our nation’s medical system.
Check out the link below to read more: http://www.sacculturalhub.com/item/14985-were-you-there-black-women-and-the-maternal-mortality-crisis-roundtable-stories-from-the-community
Webinar: Are You in the Resilient Zone? How to be Your Best Self During and After the COVID-19 Crisis
The Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a 90-minute webinar Friday, April 17: Are You in the Resilient Zone? How to be Your Best Self During and After the COVID-19 Crisis.
Learn about the common human reactions to stressful/traumatic events, such as the COVID-19 crisis that affect the mind, body, and spirit and how to apply Community Resiliency Model® (CRM) skills.
Dr. Ernie Navarro, DM, LCSW, BCC, CDWF, will be the featured speaker. Dr. Navarro is the Manager of Community Programs and Services at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley. The webinar takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. More information is available online.
The Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition also offers a COVID-19 resources page on its website that includes access to additional trainings related to the current pandemic.
Local COVID-19 Responses and Resources
An Update from Sacramento County Public Health on COVID-19 Testing
Sacramento County Public Health (SCPH) is not currently seeing the racial/ethnic disparities among Blacks in the number of COVID-19 cases or deaths that has been observed in other geographic areas of the Country. However, we want to make every effort to ensure equitable access to testing to the extent possible, and to keep these disparities from impacting our communities in the future. Please share the information below as you see appropriate.
SCPH, in partnership with Verily (a Google sister company) began offering drive thru COVID-19 testing at Cal Expo in mid-March. The intent of this site is to reduce demand and burden on clinics and emergency departments by offering testing to residents with mild to moderate symptoms. It’s unclear how long the site will remain open, but SCPH will continue to operate it as long as there is both the demand and the availability of supplies needed to run it.
Residents can schedule an appointment online by going to https://www.projectbaseline.com/study/covid-19/.
A few notes:
· Those interested in testing will need to create an account and answer some online screening questions to determine eligibility (about a 15 minute process).
· Participants will receive an appointment when they register online. Appointments are scheduled about 1-3 days in advance.
· Participants must have an ID with their date of birth.
· Participants must arrive in a car with functioning windows that can roll up and down (no motorcycles, no Uber/Lyft, no pedestrians, no bikes, no public transit).
· Participants remain in their vehicle throughout their visit.
· Most participants are in and out of the testing facility in less than 20 minutes.
· Participants receive results a few days after testing.
· This testing option is NOT for individuals with severe symptoms such as severe cough, shortness of breath, severe fever, or other concerning symptoms that may need more immediate care.
· Only individuals age 18 or older can be tested at this site.
Questions about the project can be directed to COVID19@saccounty.net
CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings.
The changes focus on source control and include recommendations that everyone is actively screened for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 before they enter the healthcare facility.
The CDC has also released instructional information on how to wear cloth face coverings, and guidance on homemade cloth coverings.
Public Charge Resources
A Message from First5 Sacramento,
Here are some resources for families regarding public charge during the COVID-19 crisis. My staff have been reaching out to all sectors to find out how families can connect to information and services. First 5 is pushing these resources out to families via our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) where we can reach the most people and provide general info and connections to local resources. We’ll work it into next week’s content and then keep messages going every couple weeks.
CAPC and the Birth & Beyond partners are using this link to helpful fact sheets that World Relief created. They have been super helpful in understanding the complexity of public charge but also in understanding how to change the messaging so immigrant families know their rights.
https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-rights/
Catholic Charities has a huge supportive network for immigrants:
https://www.scd.org/catholic-charities-and-social-concerns/diocesan-immigrant-support-network
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF) and the Sacramento Family Unity, Education, and Legal (FUEL) Network for Immigrants are committed to supporting and serving immigrants during the 2019-2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They have compiled critical information and resources to help immigrant communities navigate this challenging time, including some great PDF’s on the link below:
https://www.crlaf.org/coronavirus
Public charge does not apply for emergency services. You can also contact the staff at CRLA for specific questions:
Nilsen Gomez ngomez@crlaf.org
Alfredo Rivas Gomez arivasgomez@crlaf.org
phone number: 916-234-3734
The Children’s Partnership based out of LA has overview resources explaining public charge along with social media posts. Here are some samples:
About Public Charge and who has to take the test:
https://www.keepyourbenefitsca.org/
5 Facts on Public Charge: https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/2019.08_public_charge_5_facts_final.pdf
Resources and toolkits from Protect Immigrant Families: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A7pH2GJROh8L7-YDdDgbPo3G2GAM5wZe5j2g7HGl9zk/edit
La Familia is definitely talking to families about this issue and has a partnership with the Mexican Consulate for a program called “Ventanilla de Salud” which includes information about Public Charge.
The school districts have all been educating parents on this and we have been checking in about the changes. However, we would hesitate to direct anyone to call a school right now, as many of them only have personnel around for meal delivery.
COVID-19 Info on Maternal and Mental Health
Direct Service Programs for African American Pregnant Mothers
Housing Resources
A Message From Sacramento Self-Help Housing
I hope this message finds you all well. The Covid-19 Virus is changing the way we do business, here is an important note for clients. Any client that is being effected by the Covid 19 virus regarding rent payment can file a Tenant Protection Program Tenant Delay of Rent Payment – Covid- 19 form. This form needs to be submitted with supporting documentation verifying loss of wages to the landlord please make sure the forms are emailed or certified mail to make sure our clients have proof. I have attached the link below where you can find the form. Please, advise clients they are still responsible for the rent and always encourage clients to pay at least a portion of the rent because they will be responsible for all backed up rent. If you have any questions or need assistance feel free to contact me. This form is only for families and individuals that live in City lines. For county lines please call Renters Helpline (916) 389-7877.
Funding Opportunities
Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act
We know many of you are working hard to keep your folks on payroll during this pandemic, and want to be sure you are able to take full advantage of federal dollars that are available to help nonprofits keep people employed.
The National Council of Nonprofits has put together this webinar and overview of the CARES Act—which makes loans available to nonprofits with 500 or fewer employees and, under certain conditions, a portion of the loan may be forgivable.
If you have any additional questions about how you can apply for these funds, please email me at sybil@policylink.org and I can connect you with the PolicyLink Finance team which has offered to answer any questions our ABMoC partners have regarding the application and necessary paperwork.
NOTE: 10% of the money was used the first day the application was available, so we recommend moving quickly to apply.
Asthma Mitigation Project Proposals due April 28
California College Student Emergency Support Fund Launches in Response to COVID-19
During these challenging times, it is more important than ever to help the most vulnerable students stay in school, earn their degrees, and build a better future for themselves and our communities.
The California College Student Emergency Support Fund has launched to give one-time $500 hardship grants to students. Administered by Mission Asset Fund (MAF), the Fund is a statewide philanthropic response to address emergency needs for the state’s low-income college students, including undocumented immigrants, foster youth, and those who are housing insecure.
As colleges and universities respond to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, students find themselves facing a wide variety of challenges and costs. The Fund was created to cover unplanned financial expenses such as housing, technology, and more to support educational continuity, persistence, and degree completion for California’s college students through this crisis.
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible for the California College Student Emergency Support Fund, students must:
- Be currently enrolled full-time (12+ units) as an undergraduate at a California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus
- Have earned at least 24 semester units or 36 quarter units (i.e., one academic year of coursework)
- Be low-income, with a maximum Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,576 (equivalent to eligibility for Pell Grant) or eligible for a California College Promise Grant Fee Waiver (formerly known as the BOG fee waiver)
After approval, students can expect to receive the money via electronic transfer within 72 hours.
Applications and grant payments to students will be processed by MAF. MAF is a well-established non-profit organization that carried out a similar emergency fund effort in 2017 to pay for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients’ renewal fees.
We encourage interested students to apply as quickly as possible as these funds will go fast.
It will help to have the following items at the ready: your transcript, financial aid eligibility (any financial aid statement or award letter that shows EFC or California College Promise Grant Fee Waiver), and electronic banking login information (not required).
Scholarship Opportunities
2020 California Legislative Black Caucus Frederick M. Roberts College Scholarship
2020 California Black Caucus’ annual Frederick M. Roberts Scholarship
Application DEADLINE: Monday, April 27, 2020 at 5:00 pm!!
ONLY complete applications will be considered.
*For more information, or to apply, please visit:
Educational Resources
The Community Homeschool Learning
With schools closed due to COVID-19 learn how to keep class in session with this online education resource:
“The Community Homeschool Learning is an online learning curriculum designed to address the educational needs of students and families after the closing of schools due to COVID-19. It is a FREE educational resource with content spanning 11 different subjects. The Community Homeschool contains an evolving curriculum. Content will continue to be added throughout the summer.”
Clink the following link to their website to check out their resources:
Health and Services Update
If you have any updates, available resources or other useful knowledge or tips to help our community out during this time, please feel free to send those to us through email: raacd@sierrahealth.org.
Email: raacd@sierrahealth.org
Website: http://blackchildlegacy.org/
Phone: (916) 993-7701
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RAACDSac/
Twitter: @RAACD_Sac