As the Vaccine becomes readily available to the general public, the most important thing you can do at the moment is to continue following the advice of healthcare professionals by wearing a mask and practicing social distance guidelines. By doing these things, we will all be in a better position to overcome this virus and keep our health care, essential workers, and at-risk populations safe.
For the full list of resources visit
covid19.colorado.gov and COHouseDems.com
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FRAUD WATCH
Be on the lookout for bogus products sold by scammers. At this time, information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Colorado can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine.
Remember, scammers follow headlines.
Visit StopFraudColorado.gov for more information.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: We’re fortunate to have several organizations in JeffCo that are working to provide food to those who need it. In order to continue providing this essential service, they need volunteers or donations. Stay-at-home and workplace restrictions do not apply to volunteers at these organizations. Please visit one or more of the following websites to see how you can help feed our community:
The Action Center * ECCHO * JeffCoEats * Mountain Resource Center * Food Bank of the Rockies * BgoldN
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If you are a medical or public health professional, you can sign up to volunteer here.
To donate or volunteer in another capacity, visit HelpColoradoNow.org.
If you have urgent questions regarding COVID-19, please contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE).
Phone: CO-HELP: 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911
Email: COHELP@RMPDC.org
COVID-19 symptoms include coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. If you have symptoms and believe that you may be exposed, please contact a health care provider immediately.
Resources: Power the Comeback
During the 2021 legislative session, House and Senate Democrats passed a historic stimulus package to boost Colorado’s economy, support Coloradans during these unprecedented times, and help the state recover faster from the COVID-19 pandemic.
These new programs are now offering services, funding, and other supports to businesses, individuals, local governments, and nonprofits across Colorado. More information about these programs can be found below.
- Agriculture
- Businesses
- Early Childhood, School Districts, and Higher Education
- Individuals, Workers, Families, and Students
- Local Governments
- Nonprofits
COVID-19 Resources for Colorado
- NEW: Vaccine Info
- Updates from the State
- Recommendations to Protect our Communities (CDPHE)
- Testing for COVID-19
FOOD - Food Resources | Food Assistance Info
- Hunger Colorado can help fill your pantry. Call toll free 855-855-4626
- Apply for P-EBT (P-EBT provides families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals with funds to help buy food since schools were closed this Spring due to the pandemic. You can receive up to $279 per eligible child to stretch your food budget.)
EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESSES, AND CHILDCARE - Ready to Rise: Connecting Individuals with Work and Education Stimulus Opportunities
- Small Business Relief: Energize CO Gap Fund
- Arts and Culture Business Relief
- Tax Relief for Bars, Restaurants, and Food Trucks
- Childcare Assistance
- Apply for Unemployment | Lose your job? Check out OnwardCo.org
- Request a Call Back from the Department of Labor and Unemployment
- OEDIT’s Economic Injury Hotline at 303-860-5881 and Small Business Navigator at oedit_sbnavigator@state.co.us
- Small Business Resources | Small Business Relief FAQs | More Business Resources
HOUSING - Renters Guide: English|Spanish
- Resources for those facing evictions, foreclosure, utility shut offs
- Emergency Housing Assistance
- End of the Eviction Moratorium: What does this mean for you?
FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder resources
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: available 24/7 in more than 200 languages at 1-800-799-SAFE or text LOVEIS to 22522.
- Tips for Dementia Caregivers during COVID-19 Outbreak and Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900
- How can I help a neighbor?
- Considering adopting or fostering a pet? Find a pet shelter near you.
- Other questions? Submit them here.
Jefferson County Resources
- Mental Health Resources | Jeffco Public Schools Mental Health Resources | Mental Health Emergency Hotline: 1-844-493-8255
- Jefferson County Emergency Contact
- JeffCo Public Schools COVID-19 Updates
- Cases of COVID-19 in JeffCo
- JeffCo Resources and Community Briefing
- JeffCoMakes! – ideas for family activities while everyone is social distancing
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Newsletter, March 16, 2020
Neighbors and Friends,
You’ve probably heard that Governor Polis declared a state of emergency in Colorado to address COVID-19 (coronavirus). The Colorado General Assembly has been doing everything in its power to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado and protect those who have come in contact with coronavirus. We are working closely with the Governor’s office to take swift and necessary actions as we continue to monitor COVID-19 in our communities, state, country, and across the world.
This is an uncertain time to say the least, and I know that most of us have never experienced anything like it in our lifetimes. That said, we will be able to minimize the harm and protect our most vulnerable populations by taking smart precautions and following the advice of experts. We will all need to make short-term sacrifices, but by working together, we’re going to pull through this together.
One of the measures that the General Assembly found necessary was pausing the legislative session for at least two weeks. We are scheduled to reconvene on March 30, 2020. The Capitol building is closed today and tomorrow for cleaning. It will reopen on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, but public tours are not available until further notice. The Lakewood legislators have also decided to cancel our Town Hall that was scheduled for March 28, 2020.
If you have urgent questions regarding COVID-19, please contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE).
- Phone: CO-HELP: 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911
- Email: COHELP@RMPDC.org
COVID-19 symptoms include coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. If you have symptoms and believe that you may be exposed, please contact a health care provider immediately.
According to the CDPHE, certain people are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, including:
- People over the age of 60, especially those over 80
- People who have chronic medical conditions (heart, lung, or kidney disease; diabetes)
Individuals who are at higher risk should avoid crowds and practice social distancing. Regardless of your risk level, please review the recommended prevention strategies below:
- Frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If no tissues are available, use your inner elbow or sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you’re sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
- Clean surfaces in your home and personal items such as cell phones.
We are facing this uncertainty together and it is crucial that we all do our part to protect each other. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns and questions: call (303) 866-2951 or email chris.kennedy.house@gmail.com.
Thank you for staying safe,
Chris
P.S. For any of you who were elected delegates to your county assembly/convention, the General Assembly passed emergency legislation to give the parties the ability to allow remote participation or mail voting. Please look for information from your county party soon on how to participate.