COVID Response Update
Since publishing our COVID Response and resource roundup March 17th, we've continued to work with partners and community organizations during these difficult times.
SWACH and Partners Respond to COVID-19
As cases of COVID-19 rise in Southwest Washington, SWACH support of partners and community members continues to be a priority. We recognize that the program participants we serve are disproportionately affected by the challenges the virus presents.
Emergency Funding Available
To this end, SWACH partners are eligible for one-time funding to support their response efforts. Up to $300,000 of SWACH funding is allocated for this purpose. So far, fourteen partners have received a collective total of $213,533 since March. We continue to review requests on a weekly basis.
SWACH has also contributed $200,000 to the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington for their COVID-19 response fund.
Support for the Broader Community
Key projects during this unusual time have included supporting Clark County Public Health and the Council for the Homeless regarding the hotel for quarantine and isolation (Q&I Hotel). This includes the mobilization of SWACH staff to respond to the needs of clients staying in temporary housing, such as the Q&I Hotel, and provide referrals as appropriate to the HealthConnect Hub.
COVID -19 resources and information are also available through the HealthConnect platform. Resources are also being distributed to Clinical partners.
Partner Support and Alignment
We will continue to adjust the convening of meetings to align with the needs of our partners and the community. Sometimes, that will mean cancelling meetings. In other cases, it may mean using the time to address current needs and to offer time and space for sharing.
We plan to continue to use our collaborative infrastructure to reach out to partners and the broader community to understand the needs in the community, particularly among people whose voices are often missing from the conversation.
Training
SWACH offered the Department of Health Front-line Worker COVID-19 training in our region in late April. We will also assess training needs and opportunities to fill any gaps or provide support that may be needed.
On August 25th, SWACH will be offering "Community Based Workforce COVID-19 Training: Building Resilience", a training opportunity for Care Coordinating Agency partners to support Care Coordinators in virtual and telephonic environments. (A free training, but registration is required.)
Support for SWACH Staff
It’s been more important than ever to offer support to our staff. We’ve prioritized flexible work schedules to allow for self-care and care of family, and working from home to support stay-at-home orders and physical distancing. We have created a COVID-19 plan that supports a safe return to the office.