Pass this on to those who lost a loved one to Covid: It’s official. If you’ve lost a loved one due to COVID-19, you will soon be able to get reimbursed up to $7,000 for the expenses of laying a loved one to rest.
Funeral COVID 19. Who’s it for n how to apply
Read the link entirely. More information is forthcoming.
Friends,
We hope this reaches you healthy and safe, and our hearts go out to those impacted by the pandemic, the severe weather in different parts of the country, and the multitude of challenges our country faces today. We know it will take all of us working together to move our country forward, and we are grateful for your partnership.
Thank you to everyone who was able to join our call last Thursday. If you missed it or if you would like to share it with others, a recording is available online here. Looking ahead, we want to invite you to our weekly faith and community engagement call this Thursday, February 25th, at 12pm ET. You can RSVP here (note: this call is closed press). Additionally, we want to let you know that tonight at 6pm ET, President Biden will give remarks and hold a moment of silence for the more than 500,000 Americans we have lost due to COVID-19, which will stream at www.whitehouse.gov/live. On Friday, February 26th, the White House will also hold a Black History Month Celebration, which will stream at www.whitehouse.gov/live.
Below is a snapshot of ways you and your organization can get involved in important administration initiatives, as well as resources for you to utilize and share.
Action items
- COVID-19 Vaccination Support
- IDENTIFY
- AND CONNECT: Testing and vaccine programs are managed locally. If your community doesn’t have a public health partner, now’s the time!
- Use the CDC’s locator to determine local vaccine efforts in your state or territory or contact your state or local health department to find out when, where, and how vaccines are being made available in your community.
- Identify your local Community Health Center. CHCs may serve as a trusted, long-term partner in addressing the health needs of your community, including COVID-19.
- GUIDE AND EDUCATE: Support local outreach and education efforts especially prevention practices and getting the vaccine. Share information about how to get vaccinated in your local community through your newsletters, popular apps (e.g., Nextdoor®, Facebook®, etc.) and community announcements. Invite local health professionals or those affiliated with your community or tradition to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and address common fears, myths, and misconceptions about the virus and vaccines.
- ACCESS = EQUITY: Support access to vaccination and health care. Team up with a clinical partner to host a vaccine event. Reach out to your local health provider or local public health authorities to explore the possibility of using your building and congregational resources to operate a neighborhood-based vaccination site. Work with public health and vaccine providers to assist those eligible to secure appointments and arrive there safely.
- VACCINATE AND VALIDATE: It’s important that trusted leaders of communities get vaccinated and then share it publicly to help encourage others in their community to get their vaccines, too!
- Special Enrollment Period for Health Coverage
- Let your community know about the special enrollment period for healthcare from now through May 15, 2021. People can get covered at www.HealthCare.gov.
Resources
- White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership Fact Sheet
- American Rescue Plan Fact Sheet
Webinars
CDC experts will present on two upcoming webinars presented entirely in Spanish. More information is provided below.
- Lo que las familias deben saber sobre las vacunas contra el COVID-19
Viernes, 26 de febrero de 2021, 2: 00-3: 00 p.m. EST, Regístrese aquí.
Únase a la Alianza Nacional de Pastores Hispanos y las Esposas de Pastores de América, en un seminario web sobre lo que las familias deben saber sobre el virus COVID-19 y las vacunas que ayudarán a frenar la propagación y salvar vidas.
El seminario web, organizado juntamente con el Centro de Alianzas (Partnerships Center) del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los EE. UU (HHS) y con expertos invitados del Centro para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de Los EE. UU (CDC) será en español. Por favor, Regístrese para asistir o recibir la grabación. - Lo que su comunidad necesita saber sobre las vacunas contra el COVID-19
Fecha/Hora: 2 de marzo de 2021, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST. Inscríbase aquí.
Únase a la Coalición Nacional Latina Evangélica (NaLEC) para un seminario-web sobre lo que las comunidades necesitan saber sobre el virus COVID-19 y las vacunas que ayudarán a frenar su propagación y contribuir a salvar vidas. El seminario web, co-auspiciado con el Centro de Asociación del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS, por sus siglas en inglés) de los Estados Unidos y con experiencia de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés), se presentará en español. Inscríbase para asistir o recibir la grabación.
Thank you, and we hope you can join us for Thursday’s call.
White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team
The COVID-19 pandemic has set a new paradigm and ways the world conduct business. For pastors and churches to survive the wave, there is a need for a rethinking, remapping, and strategy to address emerging issues impacting how should conduct ministry and services.
Faith leaders with smaller churches especially, those with 50 to 250, are slowly dying from financial frustration due to membership decrease caused by fear of the virus. Many faith leaders have mortgaged their houses and properties to survive the economic onslaught. Many have left ministry altogether because of ministry-related illnesses and family stress.
The question is, WHO IS COMING TO THE AID OF THESE CHURCHES? Unfortunately, many of them are LONELY VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS. They have been in this economic disparity for too long. THE HOUR HAS COME FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT, AND THE KEY IS CAPACITY BUILDING.
- Clergy can establish community development corporations.
- Clergy can access resources and create sustainable wealth that puts them and their congregation on a trajectory to maintain their homes, put food on the table, have life insurance, and send their children to college.
- Clergy can create employment through negotiation with local businesses and the establishment of social enterprises.
- Clergy can be fiscally responsible through financial literacy.
- Clergy can help maintain stability in the community through program development that addresses homelessness, housing, foreclosure, hunger, substance abuse, violence, suicide, gangs, illnesses, prematurity, illicit drug use, immigration, and human trafficking.
As we face this pandemic, HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR CONGREGATION? HOW CAN THE CLERGY’S AND THEIR CHURCHES BE OPENED AND BE ON SUSTAINED GROWTH PATH, WITH FISCAL EQUITY AND RESPONSIBILITY?
The United States Elect Chamber of Commerce is creating WAVES THAT BISHOPS, PASTORS, APOSTLES, AND MINISTERS WITH DYNAMIC VISIONS AND DREAMS can surf again, lifting their hands and giving glory to the Almighty God.
Most leaders working to bring about these changes are like Moses, Miriam, Aaron, Deborah, Samson, David, Paul, and Peter.
We are creating a movement that will enable WEAK AND STRUGGLING CHURCHES to be capable and vibrant.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER IN A UNITED AND COOPERATIVE SPIRIT to craft a future for our churches and ministries. THIS IS THE ROAD AHEAD. God bless you.
