DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF Andrew M. …

[Pages:8]March 13, 2020

DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF

COMMUNITY SERVICES/CSBG

Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Rossana Rosado, Secretary of State

Please practice social distancing and wear a mask whenever possible for your safety and the safety of others.

June 2021

CSBG 2022-2023 State Plan Public Hearing and Public Comment Period

Dear CSBG Colleagues,

The New York State Department of State (DOS) encourages everyone to submit testimony and comments on the 2022-2023 CSBG State Plan. Your comments, concerns and recommendations are crucial to ensuring that our state plan is reflective of the partnership we seek to sustain while delivering vital services and assistance to the most vulnerable of our communities.

Please review the instructions below.

The NYS CSBG Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, July 8th at 11 AM via WebEx.

If you wish to testify at the public hearing, please complete the Public Hearing Reply form (available at NYS CSBG Public Hearing Form ) and email it to dosDCSInetInfo@dos.. Written comments on the proposed Plan may be submitted until the close of business on July 16, 2021. Submit written comments to dosDCSInetInfo@dos.. Copies of the Proposed State Application and Plan for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program for FFY 2022 and FFY 2023 are available at .

Additionally, as a reminder, the 200% FPL income eligibility for CSBG services, is set to expire on September 30, 2021. Unless there is congressional action to extend the 200% FPL, income eligibility for all CSBG services, including CARES, will revert back to 125% FPL.

For further information please call the Division of Community Services at (518)474-5741 or email dosDCSInetInfo@dos..

Thank you, and have a safe and enjoyable summer,

Manuel A. Rosa

Director, Division of Community Services

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

June 2021

Have you heard about Captain Public Intake Portal (PIP)?

COVID-19, and the year 2020, brought along many new obstacles for the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA) Staff and clients. Due to the pandemic, MVCAA noticed a considerable bump in clients who needed food, household items, PPE, diapers, and other hygiene products.

Due to social distancing, staff couldn't be in the office all at the same time, so our staff was supplied with laptops to make remote working easier. MVCAA staff were also able to "twin" their work phone with their personal phones (which allowed any outgoing calls to show up as the agency phone number) to communicate with our clients. Drop boxes were available for VITA appointments during the tax season and Head Start appointments were completed over the phone and paperwork was scanned and sent via email.

Our new Public Intake Portal (PIP), offered by CAPTAIN and made possible by the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties and the Henry T. Dorrance Memorial Fund and the Wesley and Marion Small Fund, officially launched on May 1, 2021. We are extremely excited to announce that our Public Intake Portal is offered in 49 different languages (including English and Spanish) which will directly benefit our diverse community! The PIP is a web application system that allows clients to access our services and program information. We anticipate our PIP to remove barriers for clients who cannot apply for programs inperson. This user-friendly system will also help our MVCAA staff save time, which means we will be able to serve more clients. CAPTAIN offers an integrated agency intake process, produces agency-wide family eligibility reports and assessments, and provides instant internal/external referrals during the application process. "We are very excited about the Public Intake Portal. It is a convenient, secure way for families to access the help they need, when they need it," Amy Turner, Executive Director. The application process is made simple thanks to our Public Intake Portal. Clients will simply visit the following link: Once they are on that webpage, firsttime users will have to register for the system, others will just have to log in to their account. Then, they will receive an email with an attachment of the programs and services offered here at MVCAA. After that, our users will simply log into their accounts, and complete the intake form for the program/service they need. Once the form is completed, the client will receive an email with a confirmation number and a message stating that a representative from our agency will call them within 48 hours.

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

June 2021

Albany Community Action Partnership

Dress for Success Albany program continued during the pandemic

Working remotely during the early stages of the pandemic was a challenge, especially when your work involves assisting women obtain interview and employment clothing. However, Dress for Success Albany, a proud program of Albany Community Action Partnership rose to the challenge and implemented a creative solution to provide virtual suiting and employment services.

Starting in June 2020, women who were fortunate enough to have an interview or accepted a job offer were able to receive professional interview or work attire, just not inperson. Zoom had become our new best resource, and we began offering virtual suitings. This new multi-step process included an initial phone conversation/screening where we explained the new process and how it worked.

We also learned about their personal style and preferences; where she was interviewing or had been hired; and basic questions about her clothing and shoe size, body shape, height, and if there were any concerns about body image. We then asked her to send a picture of herself for additional reference. Once we had the necessary information, we would then select clothing and accessories (including bras and makeup) from our boutique based on her information and what we had available. A Zoom meeting was then scheduled where she would select the pieces she wanted and schedule a time to come by and pick up the items curbside. Although the process took a bit longer than our typical 1-hour in-person suiting appointment, it worked. We were able to share our new virtual suiting process with other Dress for Success affiliates.

In-person appointments resumed in the beginning of September 2020, but virtual appointments are still offered.

Other virtual services and resources were available during this time as well including resume review, mock interviews, workshops, job leads, food distributions, mental health support, and unemployment information.

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

June 2021

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

The NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is accepting applications as of June 1, 2021. There are several important resources on the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website. The website provides links to informational videos to help navigate and become familiar with the ERAP system.

Get Help Applying for ERAP: Apply for the ERAP online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Contact by phone: 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368) 7 days a week from 8 a.m. -7 p.m. For the hearing impaired, TTY phone number: 1-833-843-8829. Contact us by Webchat: Chat with a representative

Eligibility Renter-Checklist Landlord-Checklist New York residents are eligible for ERAP if they meet all the following criteria: ? Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These

income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income that is at or below 80 percent AMI. ? On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ? The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020. ? The household must be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020. There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program. Households eligible for rental arrears may also be eligible for help paying utility arrears at the same rental unit.

Benefits Households approved for ERAP may receive: ? Up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020. ? Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30 percent

or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent. ? Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments for arrears that have accrued on or

after March 13, 2020.

Payments will be made directly to the landlord/property owner and utility company on behalf of the tenant. Tenant applicants will be notified of the amounts paid on their behalf. If a landlord is difficult to locate or does not otherwise provide information needed to complete the application, funds will be held for up to 180 days to allow sufficient time to locate the landlord and collect required information as well as to provide tenant protections and maximize landlord participation.

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

June 2021

June 2021 is Immigrant Heritage Month Immigrant Heritage Month proclamation

Office for New Americans (ONA) is committed to assisting all new Americans in accessing and navigating a variety of free services and supports their inclusion as an integral part of NYS's diverse cultural fabric.

For Immigrant Heritage Month 2021, ONA conducted a comprehensive outreach campaign via social media to highlight the cultural heritage of various individuals within the ONA network.

Each week in June was devoted to a different theme: 1. Reflections on Immigrant Heritage 2. Celebrating immigrant heritage through food 3. Celebrating immigrant heritage through cultural attire 4. Celebrating immigrant heritage through the arts

Since the beginning of June, ONA has been posted real life stories of immigrants and refugees throughout New York State, and has recognized the efforts of the community-based organizations in the network. One such example is a reflection by our own staff member, Melissa, on what Immigrant Heritage means to her: (Melissa's reflection).

An ONA Opportunity Center ESOL instructor, from Make the Road NY, shared her own reflections on Immigrant Heritage, and shared the success story of a client whose commitment to becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen was particularly impactful on her: (Marisol's reflection).

Aside from this, ONA recognizes the efforts of the community-based organizations in the networks, and driving the general public to NYS's newly redesigned website (Office for New Americans) and New Americans Hotline (1-866-566-7636) for further support and information.

To find more resources, online exhibits, articles, and publicized events held by our partners to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month visit ONA's website.

ONA Webinar: Celebrating New York State's Language Diversity

Tuesday, June 29th, 12pm - 1pm

RSVP here:

June is Immigrant Heritage Month. Join the New York State Office for New Americans for a webinar to learn about the rich diversity of languages in New York State and resources and services to facilitate language access for all New Yorkers

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

June 2021

Pool and Water Safety Tips from the NYS Division of Consumer Protection

Warmer days are ahead, and that means summer is here! Many will have the opportunity to go to a beach or visit a pool over the next few months. But fun times can be disrupted by if we are not keeping safe--children's drowning deaths occur most frequently in the months of May through August. An average of 6,600 youths under 15 years of age experience injuries from pool or spa submersions, too. Keep your loved ones safe with the following tips, offered by the Division of Consumer Protection:

? Always designate a "Water Watcher" when children are in the water to keep an eye on children, and never leave children unattended.

? Keep safety equipment by the pool and have a working telephone nearby in case of an emergency.

? At pools, ensure that pool drains have covers that follow VGB Act standards, and that children stay away from drains to avoid entrapments.

? Learn lifesaving skills such as CPR. ? Make sure pools have working barriers to prevent access when not in use. Drain portable pools

and put them away when not in use. ? Summer is the perfect time to learn to swim! Learn how to swim and teach children how to

swim, too! ? Teach your children about water safety. You can find fun games on the Pool Safely app at

. No matter where you choose to enjoy the summer sun, pool and water safety tips will make sure you have fun! For more information, check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission at . Learn more about consumer safety at dos.consumerprotection. The Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at dos.consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at nysconsumer.

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

June 2021

JUNETEENTH ? It's Officially a Federal Holiday

Juneteenth became a recognized federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of African Americans who had been enslaved. President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1862 officially outlawed slavery. Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1866, originating in Galveston, Texas, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.

New York State Governor's Press Office released the following statement:

"I commend the bipartisan work of the United States Congress and President Biden in recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. This important day -- which we declared an official holiday in New York State last year -- reminds us of the injustices our Black communities continue to face, while also serving as an opportunity to celebrate those who fought tirelessly for abolition throughout our history. May we all be inspired by those heroes who fought and scarified, so we can continue to make change in favor of a more fair and equal society."

Governor Cuomo Announces COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted

70% of adult New Yorkers have received their first COVID-19 vaccine "Not only do we have the lowest COVID positivity rate in the United States of America, we have hit 70 percent vaccination ahead of schedule. "- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that COVID-19 restrictions are lifted immediately as 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series. The State's health guidance and New York Forward industry specific guidelines--including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening, and contact information for tracing--are now optional for retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and personal care services, among other commercial settings.

Unvaccinated individuals continue to be responsible for wearing masks, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. Consistent with the State's implementation of the recent CDC guidance, masks are still required for unvaccinated individuals. Further, the State's health guidelines continue to be in effect for large-scale indoor event venues, pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings per CDC guidelines.

With the removal of the State's minimum standard for reopening, businesses are free to choose to lift all or some restrictions, continue to adhere to the State's archived guidance, or implement other health precautions for their employees and patrons. Businesses are also authorized to require masks and six feet of social distancing for employees and patrons within their establishments, regardless of vaccination status. Any mask requirements that businesses choose to implement must adhere to applicable federal and state laws and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

June 2021

COVID-19 Scam Alert and Vaccination Fraud

With all that is going on in the world today, the populations served by the Community Action Network is exposed to more than just COVID-19. To report the SCAM (complaint) ? Beware of COVID vaccine fraud

o To help minimize vaccination fraud or scams across the State, New York established a hotline that New Yorkers can call to report suspected fraud. It is a red flag if anyone is promising you the vaccine in exchange for payment. To make a report, call 1-833-VAX-SCAM (1-833-829-7226) or email STOPVAXFRAUD@health..

For more detailed information, please visit: .

Resources for responding to COVID-19

Community Action Partnership: COVID-19 Community Needs Assessment CAPLAW: Coronavirus Updates for the Community Action Network NASCSP Coronavirus Resources NYSCAA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources Food Pantries across New York State New York State Department of Health This publication is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $63.9 million with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirements.

The Newsletter Team invites everyone to share stories and pictures of interest via email. When sharing photos for the newsletter or DOS social media, please also send a completed Photo Release and Consent form.

New York State Department of State, Division of Community Services - P (518) 474-5741 F (518) 486-4663

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