10/9: Friday Briefing

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STATE

  • The governor has extended the residential eviction moratorium through December 31st.
    • Rent is not waived, and tenants will still be responsible for any rent owed, but tenants may not be evicted for failure to pay rent.
  • The governor also has issued safety guidelines for behavioral health facilities, long-term youth inpatient programs, residential treatment facilities, bringing them into alignment with rules issued for long-term care facilities.
    • The new rules allow for visitation to occur between residents and family members, subject to the use of all appropriate safety and health protocols.
    • The proclamation extends until November 9th.
  • Washington youth who aged out of extended foster care program at age 21 this year are now eligible for between $100 and $800 a month for each month they have been out of foster care through October, to support housing stability.
    • Applicants can email to dcyf.adolescentprograms@dcyf.wa.gov before Nov. 13, 2020, or call Sherrie Flores at 360-489-5280.
    • The Department of Children, Youth, and Families also is waiving co-payments for all families receiving child care subsidies through the end of December 2020
    • Anyone with questions can call the Child Care Provider Line at 1-800-394-4571 or email providerhelp@dcyf.wa.gov.
  • The office of the superintendent of public instruction is strongly encouraging families with students in public schools to see if they qualify to apply for free and reduced-price school meal programs
    • While all students may access free meals through the end of December, students will need to have completed Free/Reduced meal applications in order to keep receiving them for the rest of the school year.
    • Students who qualify may also access other supports such as college application fee waivers, and free/reduced rates help drive funding and other supports for schools.
    • The application process is confidential, with no citizenship requirements, and immigration status is not requested or disclosed.
    • Household that experience a change in income can apply, even if students previously were not eligible this year.
    • Tacoma families can visit tacomaschools.org/departments/nutrition to fill out an electronic application, and they can also call (253) 571-3370 or email nutritionservices@tacoma.k12.wa.us
    • Families in other districts should contact their school nutrition services departments for guidance.

REGIONAL

  • The University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center are recruiting patients for a Regeneron antibody trial.
    • Individuals who have been exposed to the the coronavirus or are living with someone who has it, and who are interested in participating, can call 206-773-7129.
  • Evergreen students enrolled for fall quarter can apply for Federal CARES Act funds through the college, which has $500,000 available to help students purchase computers and software, pay for internet access and more
  • Info and application available at Evergreen.edu/fiancialaid
  • There will be a free walk-up and drive thru childhood vaccine and family flu shot clinic on Saturday, Oct 10 at the ShoWare Center on James St. in Kent
    • Any community member over the age of 4 can get flu shots
    • Any child needing standard vaccines including TDAP, DTAP, MMR, HepB, varicella, and polio can receive them free of charge
    • Attendees should wear masks and have short sleeves
  • the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department is reminding residents that as the pandemic presents unique challenges to emotional and behavioral health, you’re not alone and help is available.
    • Emergency medical services, Call 911
    • Crisis Line (800) 273-8255 (Veterans, press 1)
    • Text 741741, then hit “Send.”
    • Suicide Lifeline (800) 273-8255 (TALK)
    • Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860
    • Trevor Project (for LGBTQ support) (866) 488-7386
    • Addiction recovery (866) 789-1511
    • Treatment referral (877) 726-4727
  • Families in-need can pick up a 3-day supply of diapers, once per month, at one of the Help Me Grow Pierce County Diaper Banks is available for all residents of Pierce County. Locations found by visiting helpmegrowpierce.org/diaperbank.

TACOMA

  • Tacoma’s Rental Housing Assistance Program is back, with funds still available to help those who cannot afford part or all of their rent due to hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Restrictions have be loosened and some households are able to re-apply for additional funds.
    • The Deadline to apply is October 12.
    • Learn more and apply at cityoftacoma.org/coronavirus
  • This week, the City Manager presented her 2021-2022 Proposed Biennial Budget, which can be viewed online atcityoftacoma.org/budgetdevelopment
    • A virtual City Council Town Hall will take place on Oct 21st to discuss it
    • Budget adoption is slated to occur in late November

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region:
  • This weekend’s and next week’s free pop-up testing events in Pierce County include:
    • Tomorrow, Oct 10th, Portland Avenue Park and the Salishan Community Health Center will be hold free testing events.
    • On Tuesday, Oct 13th, Testing will be held at Salvation Army located at 1110 S. Puget Sound Ave. in Tacoma, and also at Pierce College Puyallup and the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center in Tacoma.
    • On Wednesday, Oct 14, testing will be held at the Dupont City Building at 1700 Civic Dr., and at Pacific Lutheran University.
    • On Thursday, Oct 15, testing will take place at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood and at the Washington State Fair Grounds’ Blue Lot in Puyallup
    • On Friday, October 16, testing will be held at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA, at the Pierce County AIDS Foundation location in Tacoma, and at Tacoma Nazarene Church.
  • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone.
  • Many testing events run all day from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, but check TPCHD.org/covidtest for times.
  • Community Health Care, with locations in Tacoma, Spanaway, and Lakewood, is offering testing for COVID-19, even if you are not a Community Health Care patient.
    • Call (253) 722-2161 for a Tele-Health Screening Appointment