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Thank you for the incredible work you’re doing around this public health crisis. We’re working hard to support you in every way we can.

COVID Updates & Resources

Recent LeadingAge DC COVID-19 Updates:

Click here for all past LeadingAge DC COVID-19 Updates

LeadingAge Daily Briefing Calls:

Everyday at 3:30 pm - To join the call, register now.

LeadingAge Member Community COVID-19 Group:

Take a moment now to log into your my.leadingage.org account and join the group to stay connected.

LeadingAge DC in the News:

  • WAMU published an article highlighting the impact of ReOpening on DMV area nursing homes, including concerns around testing and the financial impact of the pandemic on aging service providers.
    • LeadingAge DC and LeadingAge DC's letter to Deputy Mayor Turnage highlighting the financial impact of the Public Health Emergency on our members were quoted in the article.
  • The DCist published an article highlighting LeadingAge DC member Knollwood's experience testing all residents and staff in April.
    • LeadingAge DC was quoted advocating on members' behalf for "adequate funding to cover the cost of regular, rapid-results testing; additional dollars to account for the strain on staffing that testing requires; and enough PPE to administer the tests safely.”

LeadingAge DC Advocacy Update:

  • LeadingAge DC sent a letter to Deputy Mayor Turnage on July 29th highlighting the financial impact of the Public Health Emergency on our members and advocating for the District to support aging service providers through emergency relief funds. I will keep you posted on the response.
  • LeadingAge DC wrote a letter to Mayor Bowser on June 25th advocating that all DC aging service providers receive PPE support from the District. I will keep you posted on the response.
  • As of 5/14/2020, data on Positive COVID-19 cases and deaths among residents and staff in DC Long-Term Care Facilities is being shared daily. On April 29th, LeadingAge DC reached out together with DCHCA to Dr. Nesbitt in a letter expressing concerns about how COVID positive resident and personnel data were being reported for LTC Facilities. We asked that the number of asymptomatic cases be shared alongside total cases, and that recovered cases be shared alongside deaths. We are grateful to Dr. Nesbitt for hearing our concerns.
  • LeadingAge DC reached out to Mayor Bowser in a letter sent on Thursday, May 7th urging her to prioritize the health and wellbeing of DC's older adults and their caregivers by not ReOpening DC until:
    • All aging service providers have ample PPE.
    • All aging service providers have on-demand access to rapid-results, accurate testing for older adults and their caregivers.
    • All aging service providers are prioritized for PPE and testing on the same tier as hospitals.
      *I will keep you posted on the response.
  • We received a quick and positive reply from Dr. Nesbitt in response to the letter LeadingAge DC sent on Wednesday, April 29th together with DCHCA expressing concerns about how COVID positive residents and personnel data are being reported for Long-Term Care Facilities.
    • Dr. Nesbitt replied: "Thank you for your letter and thoughtful feedback. I will share with our team and communications staff for incorporation in our presentations as we move forward."
    • LeadingAge DC expressed gratitude for the timely response and reiterated the request for a follow up conversation. I will keep you posted on the response.

DC Local Resources for Seniors and Aging Service Providers:

DC COVID-19 Related Orders, Legislation, and Guidance:

Noteworthy Items from Mayor Bowser's recent DC COVID-19 Situational Updates:

  • Read the September 17th DC Coronavirus Situational Update from Mayor Bowser for a 6-month retrospective on the pandemic in DC.
  • Coronavirus Situational Update from Mayor Bowser, August 26th.
    • Note, the mental health hotline (1-888-793-4357) staffed 24/7 by licensed clinicians has expanded to offer help to parents in real time.
  • August 17th's Coronavirus Situational Update from Mayor Bowser offers an overview of case studies from contact tracing and initial contact tracing findings/data.
  • Mayor Bowser's June 17th Coronavirus Situational Report reviews Phase Two Guidelines. Click here for more details on what Phase Two looks like.
  • June 15 DC Coronavirus Situational Update from Mayor Bowser announces free antibody testing now available.
  • June 10ths DC COVID-19 Situational Update from Mayor Bowser includes an in-depth overview of the Contact Tracing process.
  • Read Mayor Bowser's May 29th Coronavirus Situational Update, which gives updates on Phase One of ReOpening DC.
  • As of Friday, May 29th, DC's Stay-at-Home-Order will be lifted.
  • Read Mayor Bowser's 5/15 COVID-19 Situational Update. Note:
    • DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program is being extended:
      • Department of Housing & Community Development is making up to $800,000 available in grants up to $10,000 to small businesses in Ward 7 and Ward 8. Applications open Wednesday, 5/20 and close Friday, 5/29. More details to come.
    • Masks must be worn in essential businesses, on public transit, and in rideshares.
  • Mayor Bowser's 5/13/2020 COVID-19 Situational Update Report announced:
    • DC Stay At Home Order Extended through June 8, 2020.
    • District residents participating in SNAP may use their card to buy groceries through Amazon.com.
  • Mayor Bowser's 5/11/2020 DC COVID-19 Situational Update Report announced:
    • DC will conduct city-wide serology testing to assess rate of exposure in District. Survey will focus on health care workers and those living in congregate settings, together with first responders and essential workers.
    • Hospitals have each received a number of surge beds.
    • Walter E. Washington Convention Center is ready to accept low-acuity COVID-19 patients this week if needed.
  • Mayor Bowser's 5/4/2020 DC COVID-19 Situational Update Report lays out ReOpen DC metrics.
  • New testing site at Howard University Hospital, Ward 7. No prescription or symptoms necessary.
  • The Convention Center will be setup with 500 beds in planning for a medical surge. The goal is never to need these beds.
  • Learning at home will continue for the rest of the school year, which ends May 29 for DC public schools.
  • Face Masks Must be worn by:
    • Food sellers and customers.
    • Passengers in taxis, ride shares, and any other providers of private transportation.
    • Hotel workers, guests, visitors.
  • Face Masks Strongly recommended for:
    • Anyone riding public transit.
  • Bowser Administration and U.S. Army Corps Announce Set-Up of DC Convention Center into Alternate Care Facility.
  • Mayor Bowser Announces Sidewalk Extension Plan to Support Social Distancing Near Essential Businesses.

Noteworthy Items from Recent DC COVID-19 Presentations, Orders & Legislation:

  • Food-related:
    • Face masks must now be worn in grocery stores.
    • Grocery stores will have stricter protocols around social distancing.
  • Housing-related:
    • DC is freezing rent increases during the pandemic and for 30 days after the public health emergency has ended.
    • Local lenders must allow deferred mortgage payments for 90 days with no late fees.
    • Cable, phone, and internet cannot be cutoff for residents during the crisis.
  • Loans:
    • SBA loans received under the federal CARES act will not be taxed.
    • The District is providing technical assistance to businesses/nonprofits applying for SBA loans. Read more here.

Share Your Story:

  • The Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum believes in "amplifying the collective power of community" and "its ability to care for and comfort each other in this time of need."
    • Share your story of how communities are supporting each other day-to-day during the public health crisis. No story or gesture is too small. These stories remind us that "through unity we can conquer any adversity."

Trusted Links and Information:

  • LeadingAge is reaching out to suppliers of PPE in an effort to identify safe, reliable supply channels for members. Find out more on our Trusted Business Resources page.
  • Looking for staffing-related resources you can trust? LeadingAge is compiling business offers for members, including one free month with MyCNAjobs.com and special packages on background checks with GoodHire.
  • Looking for more education-related resources for your workforce? HealthcareSource is offering 25+ complimentary COVID-19 related courses, and Rouxbe Online Culinary Training is offering its food safety course for free. Learn more about these offer (and others!) here.
  • Advance care planning is more important than ever in the face of COVID-19. LeadingAge has gathered trusted tools, best practices, and advice on our new Advance Care and Serious Illness Resources page.

Do You Have Job Openings?

  • LeadingAge is partnering with major national employers and associations to reach displaced workers from fields such as dining, retail, and hospitality, etc. We are directing out-of-work staff to our job board to find positions in your communities.
  • LeadingAge’s Center for Workforce Solutions is collecting recruitment promising practices from members, including ideas for recruiting refugees and staff for non-certified duties.
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
NATIONAL UPDATES
  • Seema Verma sent a letter to all nursing home facility management and staff. Note the letter says if nursing homes need PPE and/or testing, they should contact their state health department immediately.
  • The Social Security Advisory Board has created a public information page linking to government resources that may be helpful to your residents/clients. Information includes:
    • How to receive delayed economic impact payments in 2021.
    • Guidance for representative payees.
    • Finding a local field office.
    • How to protect yourself from fraud.

Links to Relevant Federal Agencies and Organizations:

RESOURCES
INFORMATION FROM LEADINGAGE NATIONAL
INFORMATION FROM CMS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING/HUD
  • 3/17/2020 CMS Additional Emergency and Disaster-Related Policies and Procedures
  • Resources for Affordable Housing/HUD providers
  • 3/13/2020 - HUD published HUD published a joint letter from the offices of Public Housing and Multifamily Housing. The letter addresses concerns housing providers and residents may have related to COVID-19 and discusses actions the agency is taking to provide information to stakeholders. The letter:
    • Reiterates that REAC inspections have been postponed until further notice due to the virus, and explains how they will handle a health or safety situation where an in-unit inspection may still be required, with more information available in the just released PIH FAQ document, which complements MFH’s Q&A document;
    • Discusses HUD’s plan to avoid lapses in housing assistance payments, operations funding, and other HUD actions even in the event of a prolonged agency telework situation;
    • Establishes an email address for multifamily owners and PHAs for submitting questions related to COVID-19.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL RESOURCES

Webinars and Updated Resources from the CDC:

(WHO) WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SECTION
OTHER FUN HANDWASHING VIDEOS
OTHER RESOURCES
WEBINARS