 |
|
COVID-19 RESOURCES & UPDATES
March 27, 2020
|
|
Reflections on the State of our Network
Reuben D. Rotman, President & CEO
Our colleagues from JFS Seattle shared with us this week that the novel Coronavirus was declared a public health emergency in Seattle on February 28th. One month later, the virus is now declared a global pandemic and is present, at alarming rates, in every US State, throughout every province in Canada and throughout the State of Israel. While the agencies of our Network are typically seen as front-line responders to crisis, most often those crises are local or regional and their impact is not seen in all aspects of every industry, in all aspects of everyone's life. COVID-19 is different.
Agencies in our Network have been forced, literally overnight, to upend the very nature of their operating models and transition entire service delivery systems from in-person, face to face contact to models which are now almost entirely virtual. The disruption has been dramatic. Agencies have closed physical offices and have transitioned staff to working from home. Agencies have either suspended or dramatically altered the use of volunteers. Agencies have cancelled fundraising events, resulting in significant unknowns as they contemplate their operating budgets. Agencies have struggled with access to personal protection equipment (PPE), basic caregiving supplies, leaving vulnerable clients and caregivers very much at grave risk. The disruption has been dramatic.
Still, with that disruption, our Network has become even closer. We have convened multiple zoom meetings and connected individually and via Affinity Group meetings to process together the profound implications of, and innovative responses to COVID-19. Our professionals and lay leadership have shared quickly developed protocols and policies, to pose challenges and receive guidance and support. As a Network grounded on the value of human connection, we have been supported by strengthening that essential connection through virtual platforms. That same level of connection has also been strengthened on the national and international level. Through our Network's active participation in the newly established
Continental Jewish Organizational Emergency Coalition, a forum of national Jewish agencies convened by the Jewish Federations of North America, the relevance and impact of the Jewish human service sector has been strengthened and new opportunities for greater impact and increased service delivery and financial support have already begun to be identified.
We all know that "this will pass", but I am heartened that when this does indeed pass, our Network will be that much more strengthened, and the critical relevance of our sector will continue to inspire meaningful and lasting partnerships; enabling NJHSA member agencies to serve their communities with the hallmark of excellence for which they are known.
Wishing us all a Shabbat of peace, good health and safety.
|
HOW TO ACCESS NETWORK COVID-19 RESOURCES
Access resources designed to assist you and your agency in the
Resource Library located in the
Members Only section of the NJHSA website.
- Visit the Members Only section - https://www.networkjhsa.org/members-only
- Login. Please email Megan for logins.
- Select the page Resource Library
- Expand the plus sign of the first category Search Resources by Operational Categories or Newsletters
- Select COVID-19 as the filter.
- View resources.
|
|
COVID-19 NETWORK CALLS & WEBINARS
|
Join Your Network for Timely Dialogue and Guidance on the Rapidly Evolving COVID-19 Pandemic and Implications for
NJHSA Member Agencies
Critical Issues Related to Human Resources Decision Making
3pm ET | REGISTER
Understanding implications of recently passed US Federal Families First Coronavirus Act, including changes in emergency paid sick leave and emergency paid family leave.
Presenter: Anita Patton, Director of Human Resources, C&A Benefits Group
Using our Volunteers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
4pm ET | REGISTER
Issues to be discussed include: f
ood pantry, g
rocery shopping and errands, f
ood delivery, v
irtual friendly visiting and t
ransportation.
______________________
Tuesday, March 31st
2020 Canadian Network Public Policy Agenda
3pm ET | REGISTER - webinar
One of our four core Pillars of Excellence, the Network's Advocacy Pillar develops and strengthens the advocacy efforts of The Network and in so doing advances the diverse needs of our member agencies and the client populations they serve. Join us to learn about the 2020 Canadian Policy Agendas, what they mean for your agency, and priority legislation you can weigh in on to make a difference.
Providing Emergency Financial Assistance During the COVID -19 Outbreak
4pm ET |
REGISTER
How are our NJHSA members managing and providing providing emergency financial assistance when offices are closed and there are shelter in place orders?
Let's learn from each other.
______________________
Wednesday, April 1st
Trauma-Informed Care is Wraparound Care in Communities of Faith
12pm ET | REGISTER
Trauma-Informed Care is an approach to addressing experiences of early adversity that emphasizes compassion and incorporates the belief that every person has intrinsic value and should be treated with dignity. It also promotes the understanding that negative behaviors may be typical responses to past traumatic experiences.
Peer Discussion Groups for Jewish Community Professionals
1pm ET | REGISTER
4 Wednesdays - 4/1, 4/18, 4/22, & 4/29 (1 - 1:45pm ET)
NJHSA and JPRO Network invite all those who work in Jewish organizations to take part in weekly peer-to-peer processing sessions. Participants will be placed in groups of up to ten. Groups will be moderated by a LSW with expertise in group work.
The purpose of these groups is to create a safe, confidential space to explore the challenges and opportunities the Coronavirus Pandemic has presented to us. (See details below.)
______________________
Monday, April 6th
Food Pantry Professionals Discussion Follow Up
Come connect with your peers to discuss issues the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 virus.
|
IN IT TOGETHER
Two New Wellness Programs Just Added:
Peer Discussions & Jewish Meditation
presented in partnership with JPRO, the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality
PEER DISCUSSION GROUPS FOR JEWISH COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS
Wednesdays, April 1st, 8th, 22nd, 29th
1-1:45pm ET / 12-12:45pm CT & 11-11:45am MT / 10-10:45am PT
You are invited to take part in weekly peer-to-peer processing sessions.
These sessions will be in small groups, moderated by a licensed social worker with expertise in group work.
|
|
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
** Act Immediately **
|
Request for Proposals from Organizations Serving Vulnerable Jewish Populations
The Center for Entrepreneurial Jewish Philanthropy is putting out a request for proposals from organizations that are serving Vulnerable Jewish Populations and need additional, one-time, emergency funding. The deadline is this Monday, March 30th at 5pm EDT. Learn more and apply here.
|
Major Jewish Organizations Form Emergency Pandemic Coalition
The Network joined seven other major Jewish organizations led by The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) to form an emergency coalition to help the Jewish community collectively respond rapidly and effectively to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on Jewish life.
Among the initial top priorities will be to:
- Clearly identify and broadly share the reality of short and long-term interruption of service to the Jewish community;
- Work together to obtain both public and private financial aid to ensure Jewish institutions can continue to provide critical services;
- Coordinate to leverage each member organization's resources;
- Collaborate to support Jewish communal professionals who have been impacted by layoffs or reduction of work; and
- Share other common challenges and best practices in responding to the crisis.
|
|
Your Input is Needed to Develop a Case for Giving in Response to COVID-19
As NJHSA member agencies continue their efforts to provide critical services during this unprecedented time, we understand that the continuing and worsening COVID-19 global pandemic has dramatically altered the way those services are delivered. Agencies have incurred unplanned expenses, while at the same time experiencing losses in client and fundraising revenue. To fully capture the full impact of this dynamic, NJHSA has worked with the research department of the Jewish Federations of North America to develop a brief survey on financial impact. We hope you will join us with this effort and respond to this survey so that we can develop a comprehensive profile which will be used to craft a meaningful Case for Giving to support our member agencies and the Jewish human service sector. Our plan is to utilize this information to advocate for government funding and to also make the case to funders within the Jewish philanthropic world, as well as the broader human service arena. Learn more here.
|
|
Managing "the new normal" at Jewish nonprofits
Leading Edge shares:
|
|
Virtual community and informative resources, powered by The Jewish Federations of North America
These are difficult times. Staying apart like this isn't easy. But through it all, we can still stay together with our Jewish community - it might just need to be virtual. So, JFNA has put together this website of curated resources experiences. Whether it's for yourself, your family or as a professional, we hope you'll find what you're looking for - from virtual Jewish events ways to connect, learn, share or help. If you're looking for something that's not here, please get in touch!
___________________________
Action Alert
SBA Loans Available to Nonprofits Through
COVID-19 Federal Aid Program
US AGENCIES ONLY
NJHSA and JFNA are working to assemble resources to help all Jewish nonprofit organizations access SBA Loans available to nonprofits through COVID-19 Federal Aid Program. T
rack and access resources as they become available at JFNA's COVID-19 online resource hub - www.JewishTogether.org.
Please start organizing your staff and leadership to assess this opportunity and get ready to move when the application process opens.
Learn more here.
|
JFNA Analysis: Families First Coronavirus Response Act
We are pleased to inform you that on March 18th Congress passed the bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This legislation, together with the $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus spending package signed into law earlier in March and President Trump's national emergency declaration releasing nearly $50 billion in funding to state and local governments, are significant steps to address the public health concerns and economic shock the nation is experiencing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Learn more here.
|
Emergency Funding through FEMA for Nonprofits
Click here to learn how nonprofit providers can have access to
emergency funding coordinated by HHS but through FEMA.
State and local governmental entities and private non-profits providing critical services (e.g., utilities, hospitals, educational providers, emergency, and custodial care facilities) or essential social services may be eligible to receive state and/or federal resources and funding under the President's emergency declaration - and possible major disaster declarations that may follow.
|
On March 24th the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $250 million in grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help communities provide meals for older adults.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020, provided the additional funding for the nutrition services programs authorized by the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965. These programs provide meals to more than 2.4 million older adults each year, both through home delivery and in places like community centers. The need for these services, particularly home-delivered and packaged meals, has increased as community measures to slow transmission of COVID-19 have closed meal sites and have left many family caregivers unable to assist their older loved ones. Learn more here.
|
NJHSA Sigsn NCJW & Mazon's Nutrition Assistance Petition
The Network signed our name to the Jewish community statement in support of increased and expanded nutrition assistance in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. More than 650 Jewish organizations and clergy called on the Administration and Congress to work together to provide federal nutrition assistance for food insecure Americans during this unprecedented time. The statement was sent to all 535 members of Congress as well as the US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, and the Administration for Community Living. Read the letter here.
|
|
Proposal Deadline Extended: National Community Care Corps
___________________________
A Renewed Commitment to our Nation's Older Adults
The US affirmed the rights, dignity, independence, and well-being of older adults when President Trump signed
HR4334
, the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 into law. The law reauthorizes critical Older Americans Act (OAA) programs through 2024. Since 1965, the OAA has provided critical services that have enabled millions of older Americans to stay in their own homes and communities. Continue reading here.
|
CIJA's COVID-19 Resource Guide
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has compiled a list of federal and provincial resources for Jewish Federations in Canada, which should also be of use to social services agencies and their constituents. There is a dedicated section of CIJA's website for these resources, which include both federal and provincial resources, and is updated daily. It has information on emergency funding available to Canadians and businesses, along with information on travel restrictions, school closures and public health guidelines.
|
|
Charities Directorate Update
|
|
Temporary Wage Subsidy
Charities and non-profits are eligible for the Temporary Wage Subsidy. The Subsidy is a three-month measure which is effective immediately, and allows eligible employers to reduce remittances of federal, provincial, and territorial income tax paid to the Canada Revenue Agency.
Further details on the Subsidy are available here.
|
Advocacy for Increased Funding
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs' (CIJA) core priority right now is advocating for increased funding for the not-for-profit sector, to allow them to continue serving those who rely on them. An op-ed, written by the heads of Federations in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver was published earlier this week in the Globe and Mail (
available here
). CIJA has also sent out an Action Alert, which is available here.
|
April Affinity Group Calls & Webinars
Thursday, April 2nd |
Holocaust Survivor Service Professionals Affinity Group Call
| 2:30pm ET
Monday, April 6th |
Clinical Service Professionals Affinity Group Call | 3pm ET
Tuesday, April 21st |
Disabilities Service Professionals Affinity Group Call | 3pm ET
Wednesday, April 22nd
- Workforce Development Professionals Affinity Group Call | 1pm ET
- Better Data, Less Work: Rethinking How We Use Technology to Engage with Clients and Generate Reports | 2pm | REGISTER
Thursday, April 23rd |
Mid-Size Agency Executives Affinity Group Call | 1:30pm ET
Tuesday, April 28th |
Emergency Financial Assistance & Case Management Professionals Affinity Group Call | 2pm ET
|
Cancel Annual Conference Travel Plans
Friendly reminder to please cancel your travel and hotel reservations for the NJHSA 2020 Conference.
_____________________________________
Special Cancellation Announcement
As NJHSA continues to monitor the evolving dynamics regarding COVID-19, and the daily restrictions which are being placed in each of our respective communities, we have decided to officially cancel the NJHSA 2020 Annual Conference: VISION 2020: CONVENE. CONNECT. COLLABORATE, which was scheduled for May 3-5, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. In the coming days, we will provide information about our plans to offer Continuing Education Units (CEU's) as well as registration refunds, hotel cancellation, and other logistical details as they become available. Read more here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
