Updated June 22, 2020
Advocating for a Justice-Based Response and Recovery
From our Members and Partners:
National News Related to the CARES Act:
On April 15, The Social Security Administration announced that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will automatically receive their Economic Impact Payments directly to their bank accounts through direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their SSI benefits. Treasury anticipates SSI recipients will receive these automatic payments no later than early May.
Advocates continue to analyze the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), the $2 trillion bill that provides economic relief for Americans, businesses and the health care industry in response to the pandemic. Included in the CARES Act are:
From our National Partners:
COVID-19 Resources
Advocating for a Justice-Based Response and Recovery
- Letter to California legislators opposing the elimination of safety net services in response to COVID-19 (May 25, 2020)
- Letter to Governor Newsom opposing long-term care facilities' request for blanket immunity (May 13, 2020)
- Letter to Governor Newsom on the spread of COVID-19 by long-term care employees who work in multiple facilities (April 13, 2020)
From our Members and Partners:
- In collaboration with community partners, Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda Counties held a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) “drive through” on April 15, providing 400 Contra Costa long term care facilities--including skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly-- with sanitizers, gowns and masks. Similar events, which are supported through various sources of emergency funding, are being held in other communities. Ombudsman programs are also pairing up with public health programs to collect data.
- Caregiver resource centers across the state are repurposing their respite funds to buy meals and groceries for family caregivers affected by the pandemic. CRCs are also collecting information about the financial impact of COVID-19 on family caregivers.
- Personnel from the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) are working at the county’s emergency operations center to move homeless shelter residents into hotels. The move comes as infections are spreading in shelters, with one facility reporting that 190 residents were exposed. DAAS is staffing the hotels with agency-based IHSS providers. Hotel staff are in urgent need of face shields and gowns. Another challenge is enlisting behavioral health clinicians to staff the hotel 24/7 to address the needs of residents are unable to abide by the shelter guidelines.
- The Elder Abuse Prevention Program at the Institute on Aging (EAP) is working with Open Door Legal Services to track COVID-19-related scams, develop fact sheets about them, and raise awareness through the media. Among their concerns is the emergence of voluntary mutual aid and support groups, some of which are being created by employees of companies like Facebook and Google. Few are doing background checks on participants raising the potential for abuse. The agencies are also working on resource for those who cannot pay their rent or other bills.
- Sean Do, Victim Witness Investigator/Consumer Mediator, Consumer Protection Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, reports that they’re seeing a rise in price gauging and hate crime complaints resulting from the epidemic. SFDA Chesa Boudin has formed a price gouging task force, and the office has just received guidance from the FBI on handling hate crimes.
- Sheltering in place orders are preventing some SRO residents from purchasing money orders for paying their rent. The method is used by tenants who don’t have access to online banking.
- Legal assistance providers are reporting increased concerns about access to nutrition and questions about eviction. Although evictions are on hold as the result of state rule changes, legal services providers are concerned that they’re kicking the can down the road as people are using their income and Care Act funds for other COVID-19 related emergency needs.
National News Related to the CARES Act:
On April 15, The Social Security Administration announced that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will automatically receive their Economic Impact Payments directly to their bank accounts through direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their SSI benefits. Treasury anticipates SSI recipients will receive these automatic payments no later than early May.
Advocates continue to analyze the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), the $2 trillion bill that provides economic relief for Americans, businesses and the health care industry in response to the pandemic. Included in the CARES Act are:
- $20 million in one-time-only relief for LTC Ombudsman programs for equipment that promotes resident access to their local Ombudsman representative. The funds must be spent by September 2020.
- $65 million in housing for older adults and persons with disabilities for rental assistance, service coordinators, and support services for the more than 114,000 affordable households for older adults and over 30,000 affordable households for low-income people with disabilities.
From our National Partners:
- The National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) is working to get funding for APS, including PPE, as part of the 4th package of bills in the COVID-19 stimulus/recovery packages.
- Elder Justice Coalition National Coordinator Bob Blancato and Policy and Media Coordinator Meredith Whitmire co-authored an article for Forbes/Next Avenue on aging programs' response to the COVID-19 crisis. It highlights efforts like that of the National Silver Haired Congress to donate PPE to long-term care facilities.
- The Alzheimer’s Association is urging Congress to protect/enhance resources for vulnerable populations and improve the nation’s public health response to COVID-19 by:
- Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act, which would require the Department of Justice to develop best practices materials for professionals to help protect elders with dementias from elder abuse.
- Increasing the use of the care planning benefit (S.880/H.R.1873) to educate clinicians on the Alzheimer’s and dementia care planning services available through Medicare.
- Expanding Access to Credit for Nonprofits through an exclusive fund to support nonprofit employers with between 500 and 10,000 employees, including loan forgiveness and other provisions to enable the Alzheimer’s Association and other large health charities to continue to effectively serve the communities that depend on our resources now and in the future.
- For more, see https://p2a.co/DlYZ3Tr?fbclid=IwAR14B0a7tcMW-Vo1f-zmo4cIJOb5HyrHjh_OHnjVaNyOn8KeJSmep_q8qnw
COVID-19 Resources
- The U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative has created a COVID-19 flyer for law enforcement. Please share with your law enforcement contacts.
- Southern California Grantmakers has compiled a breakdown of the CARES Bill and how it impacts the nonprofit sector.
- Community Partners, CEJC’s fiscal sponsor, provides information on small grants and resources for non-profits. Many are city or county specific:
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The Eisner Foundation has created a new Rapid Response grant program that will provide Los Angeles County-serving organizations with grants to serve older adults and combat social isolation. Ideally, these grants will invest in technological solutions or other logistical needs so that organizations can adapt quickly now, and have better infrastructure in place for their long-term work. We have allocated $500,000 toward this effort, and grants will range from $5,000-50,000 (one-year terms). The application process is streamlined and expedited, and funds will be made available immediately. Intergenerational solutions are preferred. Special consideration will be given to current or recent grantees, and current grant recipients are eligible. See Learn More and Apply.
Kern Community Foundation Deadline: Ongoing Amount: $5,000 to $30,000 Eligibility: Nonprofits and government agencies in Kern County Grants intended for California nonprofit organizations and government agencies in eligible locations to help local residents who are affected by COVID-19/Coronavirus. Funds can provide operating support to address the immediate and longer-term needs of vulnerable residents who are impacted by the health crisis. LEARN MORE. Orange County Charitable Ventures Deadline: Ongoing Amount:
Funding supports vulnerable communities that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Eligible organizations are those providing services to Orange County residents. LEARN MORE Sacramento Region Community Foundation Deadline: Ongoing Amount: $2,500 to $10,000 Eligibility: Nonprofits in Sacramento Region: El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties. Funding supports organizations providing direct assistance and basic needs to vulnerable populations. Grant funds may also be used for organizational support needs due to increased demand, lost revenue, and other acute challenges due to coronavirus. LEARN MORE The San Diego Foundation Deadline: Ongoing Amount: Not specified Eligibility: Nonprofits serving low-income or low-wage populations in San Diego County Grants to California nonprofit organizations in eligible regions to support local communities impacted by the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic and its economic consequences. The funding focus is on programs within the areas of food security, other essential living expenses, emergent needs, rent and utility payment support, and interest-free loans for nonprofit organizations. LEARN MORE United Way of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Foundation and Hutton Parker Foundation Deadline: Ongoing Amount: Up to $25,000 Eligibility: Nonprofits and individuals in Santa Barbara County Funding is intended to provide assistance to individuals and families, as well as to organizations actively engaged in assistance efforts for members of the community affected by the current health crisis. LEARN MORE El Dorado Community Foundation Deadline: Ongoing Amount: Not specified Eligibility: Nonprofits and agencies located in Western Slope of El Dorado County Funds for basic needs (i.e. food, water, shelter and clothing) as a direct result of sheltering in place or the inability to work or receive income due to the pandemic. Grants can also support food delivery, emergency assistance, essential needs, child support, older adult services, and more. LEARN MORE Peace Development Fund: De Colores Rapid Response Fund Deadline: Ongoing Amount: $500-$1,000 Eligibility: Nonprofits in the United States As the outbreak of COVID-19 presents growing and unprecedented challenges for organizers nationwide, the De Colores Rapid Response Fund, designed for strategic intervention in movement moments like this, offers grants to grassroots organizations working to make positive community interventions through strategic, organizing-focused approaches, especially in marginalized communities of color and working-class communities. LEARN MORE Funders Alliance of San Bernardino & Riverside Counties: IE Funders Alliance Rapid Response Fund Deadline: Not specified Amount: $10,000 - $25,000 Eligibility: Nonprofits serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties The IE Funders Alliance Rapid Response Fund provides critical and timely support for nonprofits providing services in Riverside and San Bernardino counties in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the negative impact it will have on vulnerable people and communities. LEARN MORE |