State of WI resources

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WI Governor Evers has placed a “safer-at-home” order
Please review the provisions carefully as there are implications for service providers, people experiencing homelessness & those fleeing or attempting to flee DV.    Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)  
(05.15.2020)  Here is a company that is local (Milwaukee) and a minority owned business making the facing shields in the photo.  Cost is $4.50 each and they pack 50 shields per box ($225 per box).
​Contact info:  Mario Costantini, La Lune Collection, Tel:  414-263-5300, mario@lalunecollection.com
​
(04.17.2020) Personal protective equipment (PPE) and supply needs should be reported to your local Emergency Manager(s). If you aren’t sure who that is, the County Emergency Manager Map provides contact information for every counties Emergency Manager


​Emergency FoodShare Approved  (04.09.20)
  • Emergency SNAP (FoodShare) benefits have been approved for Wisconsin. This means FoodShare participants that do not currently receive the maximum benefit will now be receiving the maximum amount. Benefits will be placed on eligible households’ QUEST cards on April 11, 2020.
  • FoodShare Wisconsin - A Recipe for Good Health                                         
  • COVID-19: ForwardHealth Program Updates        ​

DATCP approved an emergency rule prohibiting late fees or penalties for missed or late rent payments during COVID 19.  This prohibition continues for 90 days, ending September 21, 2020. 

Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs (WDVA)
WDVA COVID-19 Crisis Response for the Homeless Veteran

Non-Congregate Hotel
Below are Hilton hotels that are interested in speaking with someone about partnering on non-congregate sheltering.  
  1. The Doubletree by Hilton Appleton, 150 S Nicolet Rd, Appleton, WI
  2. Hampton Inn by Hilton Elkhorn, 40 West Hidden Trial, Elkhorn, WI
  3. Hampton Inn Stadium, 2840 Ramada Way, Green Bay, WI
  4. Doubletree by Hilton Neenah, 123 East Wisconsin, Neenah, WI
  5. Home2 Suites By Hilton, 4135 Oakwood Hills Parkway, Eau Claire, WI                                 
WI DEHCR
The Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources (DEHCR/Division) posted a draft Substantial Amendment to its 2019 Annual Action Plan to its website. The Public Comment Period is now open through May 20, 2020.  On April 2nd, 2020, the State of Wisconsin was notified it received CDBG-CV, ESG-CV and HOPWA-CV awards pursuant to Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  
The Public Hearing starts the 5-day Public Input period.  Copies are available for inspection at the link below, or in person at the Division office. To view the DRAFT 2019 Substantial Amendment #6, click the following link:   https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/ConsolidatedPlan.aspx. 

Under special provisions by HUD, the State of Wisconsin will take comments for 5 days and prepare a final submission to HUD.  HUD must approve the proposed change before the final application notice can be posted.   Please note that this Substantial Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan will appear as a narrative attachment until the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) modifies its automated Integrated Disbursement and Information System (Econ IDIS Suite.)  Public comments on the DRAFT Substantial Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan may be emailed to the Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources at DOADEHCR@wisconsin.gov, or, mailed. 

Please ensure that your comments are received by the Division by May 20, 2020. Comments received during the comment period will be considered as the Division prepares the final Substantial Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan document for submission.  A summary of the comments, both those accepted and those rejected, will be attached to the final document prior to submission to HUD for approval.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
Identifying & Serving Human Trafficking Survivors at Domestic Abuse Programs
Remote Training sessions
First Session: June 11
10am - 11am
We are developing one or more remote sessions, which will include presenters from the OVC Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center, WI Office on Crime Victims Services, and the Wisconsin Regional Anti-Trafficking Program.
Save the date: The first remote discussion focused on Human Trafficking and Native American Communities, will be on June 11 from 10-11am. Registration and details coming soon. 

Trauma Informed Practices During the Coronavirus Pandemic
"Trauma Informed Practices during the Coronavirus Workbook" from Chicago Torture Justice Center
Read more   issuu.com

Wisconsin Emergency Management-FEMA
Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) will be conducting multiple applicant briefings, beginning the week of May 4th and continuing into the week of May 11th. An applicant briefing usually occurs as soon as possible following a major disaster declaration, with WEM conducting briefings for ALL potential applicants. Normally these are in person briefings held in each county. For DR-4520 (COVID-19), they will all be virtual. During these briefings, WEM will provide high level information regarding the PA Program, such as:
  • Application procedures
  • Project funding
  • Administrative requirements
  • Procurement requirements
  • General eligibility criteria
  • Documentation requirements
  • Recordkeeping
FEMA FACT SHEETS and RESOURCES
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Private Non Profit Organizations Information and Webinar Powerpoint

COVID-19 PNP Eligibility Fact Sheet Issued Memo

COVID-19 Pandemic: Purchase and Distribution of Food Eligible for Public Assistance

​Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures 
(05.15.2020) Multiple offerings of two webinars are available:
  • Grants Portal Applicant Basics
    • Register and set up a new Grants Portal account
    • Submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA)
    • Upload documents and create tiles
  • COVID-19 Application Overview
    • COVID-19 Process Flow
    • Streamlined Project Application in Grants Portal
    • COVID-19 documents and forms
Webinars will be offered through Zoom.  Please email FEMA-Recovery-PA-Grants@fema.dhs.gov with questions or call the Grants Manager/Portal Hotline at (866) 337-8448.
Here are the steps to join through the web:
  1. Click the link in this document for the webinars occurring during the week of May 18-22nd. 
  2. When webpage loads, choose Join on the Web.
  3. Allow Teams to use the microphone and camera.
  4. Enter your name and jurisdiction you are representing and choose Join Now  (ex. John Smith, Town of Pleasant Springs)
  5. Please make sure to mute your microphone.

General COVID-19 Resources

(04.17.2020)   Internet 
  • ​If you go to www.Everyoneon.org and enter the zip code you can find all low cost or free internet offers in your area and offers for low cost computers.  You can also search on www.digitalinclusion.org,  under their COVID-19 link.  Also, many local libraries are keeping their wifi on for the community members to have connection access from outside the building. 
General resourcesThis is a list of emergency internet resources:  https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/BroadbandEmergencyInternetResources.aspx

This is a way to find public WiFi locations: https://maps.psc.wi.gov/apps/PublicWiFiLocations/

Running a Non-Congregate Shelter (motel voucher program)

WI Balance of State COC

​This section will have specific materials for home-based case management, triage, and additional guidance specific for those in housing programs and/or emergency shelters.​
(04.24.20) HMIS – Data collection
  • For those of you who have HMIS  access, there are a couple tools I want to bring to your attention. There's a new COVID-19 sub-assessment now available on Service Point.  Though it's not required, it could provide some very interesting data if your agency or coalition chooses to use it.  It can be found on the assessment tab on the client's page; it's one of the drop-down options.  
  • ICA has also created a section on their page that provides more guidance about available ART reports.  You can find that page here
  • ICA updated the monthly dashboard for Wisconsin.  This tool provides useful information about every local Wisconsin CoC.  Very interesting for comparison sake. 
Quarterly Meeting
As a result of the COVID 19, the WI Balance of State CoC has cancelled the May quarterly in-person BOS meeting.  An email was sent out on Thursday, May 7th with the agenda and links to the training and business meeting for the replacement BOS meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 21.  
​
Moratorium Quick Sheet and Resources – Federal and State
We have put together a quick guide on the federal eviction moratorium and the State eviction moratorium.  For each, there are several resources included. There is also information about legal assistance organizations available in Wisconsin.  
 
Other Information
A Home for Everyone Conference has been rescheduled for August 11-12, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee. 

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

HUD Office Hours

For the the latest COVID-19 Prevention and Response for Homeless Providers, please visit the
HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) invites homeless assistance providers and their partners to participate in weekly Office Hours sessions to discuss COVID-19 planning and response on Fridays from 2:30 - 4:00 PM EDT.  Participants do not need to register in advance. It is strongly recommended that you join the session 15 minutes prior to the start time (2:15 PM EDT). To join the session, simply access the session login page at the link below
Join the Office Hours question & answer session
​
On March 10, HUD presented an Infectious Disease Preparedness for Homeless Assistance Providers and Their Partners webinar. If you have not done so already, please view the webinar materials before joining the Office Hours question and answer session. The recording is approximately 75 minutes long.   
View the webinar recording and slides on the HUD Exchange

Materials available for past Office Hours:

HUD SNAPS Resources

COVID-19 Guidance and Best Practices
COVID-19 Infectious Disease Toolkits
COVID-19 Policy, Procedures & Regulations
(05.15.20)
(05.08.20)
(05.01.2020) 
The following COVID-19 resources are available from HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH):
​(updated 04.17.2020)
​Eviction Moratorium 
  • "How does the Federal Eviction Moratorium Impact the ESG and COC Program" is a document providing additional guidance on the temporary moratorium on evictions through the CARES Act.  This moratorium went into effect on March 27, 2020 and will be in effect for 120 days. This Federal moratorium goes above and beyond the Wisconsin Governor’s executive order for eviction moratorium.  The CARES Act provides a temporary moratorium on evictions for most residents of federally subsidized apartments, including those supported by HUD, USDA or Treasury (Low Income Housing Tax Credit developments).  NLIHC has created a searchable database and map of multifamily properties covered under the federal moratoriums to help renters and their allies know if they are protected. The tool and map include data on affordable rental housing supported by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HUD, and USDA programs, and/or multifamily housing with mortgages insured by FHA or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. While the database is not yet exhaustive of all covered properties, NLIHC will continue to update it as new data become available.  https://nlihc.org/federal-moratoriums?ct=t%28update_041720%29
     
    Specifically looking at ESG and CoC-funded programs, those agencies that use third-party landlords AND are landlords themselves.  If an agency has PSH leasing project, the landlord can’t evict the agency and the agency holding the sublease cannot evict the participant.  For RRH projects, the landlord cannot evict the participant for nonpayment of rent.
To briefly summarize, the moratorium prohibits landlords from:
  • Filing new eviction actions between March 27 and July 24, 2020 for nonpayment of rent and other charges or fees;
  • Requiring tenants to vacate the dwelling during this same time frame for nonpayment of rent or fees;
  • Charging any additional penalty fees for nonpayment of rent; and
  • Issuing notices to vacate for nonpayment of rent during this timeframe.
  • It is important to note that this moratorium does not alleviate the requirement to pay rent, however, it prohibits landlords from taking eviction actions for nonpayment of rent or for charging any kinds of fees for nonpayment of rent during this period.  Landlords cannot charge fees for that period even after the moratorium period ends. (Statement from William Snow on the HUD Office Hours
(04.24.20)​
(04.02.2020)


Federal Resources

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 

“The IRS is raising awareness to the homeless population in your communities about the Economic Impact Payments. Please share this information with our homeless population. Millions of Americans have already received their Economic Impact Payments (Payments) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to calculate and automatically send the Payments to most eligible individuals, however some may have to provide additional information to the IRS to get their Payments.”Non-filers may include:
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Recipients – they are also eligible to receive the economic impact payment.  The payment is not considered income and will be excluded from resources for 12 months for SSI recipients.  
  • This also includes those that receive veterans disability compensation, a pension, or survivor benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs or those whose income level does not require filing a tax return.
Those that should NOT complete the non-filers information:
According to the IRS, those that receive Social Security retirement, disability, and survivors beneficiaries will not need to file an abbreviated tax return.  The IRS will use SSA-1099 information they already have to automatically generate the payments. Beneficiaries will receive these payments by direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their Social Security benefits.
Please see the following additional resources on the subject:
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
To register for upcoming webinars and access resources, slides, & recorded webinars, please visit the CSH homepage.   ​
May 19: Trauma-Informed Care ($60)
Creating a safe and supportive space is an important part of trauma-informed care, and especially during times of crisis. This webinar will explore the impact of trauma on individuals and families. Through an understanding of the effects of trauma, including the impacts of COVID-19, programs and housing providers can develop approaches that are trauma-informed and most beneficial during the current pandemic.
Special offer for all purchases made through the end of April:
save 15% with coupon code SPRING2020.
*all above trainings are included with a CSH Subscription*
FREE: 
Planning for Homeless Response After the Immediate Crisis – May 5th (12:00 – 12:30)  Public sector and nonprofit leaders in Chicago are taking proactive measures to further prevent the spread of COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness by retooling their housing placement process while also considering how emergency practices today may foster system changes that last beyond the crisis. Our next webinar will feature CSH Chicago-based staff and representatives from All Chicago who will discuss their new COVID-19 Expedited Housing Initiative. 
(04.24.20) CSH has also created a Supportive Housing COVID-19 Community Platform page that provides guidance on a myriad of topics – visitor policy guidance, guidance for working with families, enhancing social connectedness, and state/federal policy recommendations, among others. This free resource also provides examples of what other Supportive Housing and Emergency Housing providers are doing across the County and is a place to share what’s working, what’s not, and what you need more of.
Additionally, CSH has a weekly webinar series that kicked off a few weeks ago which is dedicated to critical issues for supportive housing and homeless service providers. Last week’s recording was all about the Federal funding that is coming to States, Counties, and CoCs from the CARES act, and how providers can help influence how that money is used.  
Last week’s webinar highlighted:
1)      How CARES Act funding is distributed between States and Jurisdictions;
2)      What activities are eligible under each funding source; and
3)      How States and communities can begin planning what they want to do with that money. 
You can find all of the Webinar recordings and resources on this page, as well as links to future webinars. You can also find the slides here and the CARES Act Funding Overview here.   

Previous CSH Webinars can be found here

​Care Coordination: Planning for COVID-19 Hospitalizations  This document summarizes care team roles and key recommendations specific to supportive housing residents whose symptoms are severe enough to require hospitalization.  

(updated 4/14/20) ​ COVID-19 Resident Self-Advocacy Form  With the health care system running in many places in full on crisis mode, helping supportive housing tenants navigate the system and convey key pieces of information to busy health care workers will be critical. With this in mind, CSH created a form for supportive housing providers to use if a visit to the emergency room/hospital is necessary from symptoms related to COVID-19. The form has information on the client, the case manager and agency contacts, vulnerable conditions that put them at-risk for complications, and COVID-specific data related to symptoms, testing, and quarantine/isolation status. It can be filled out easily in Word and printed quickly, and can even be compiled by clients themselves. We recommend supplying a partially filled out copy (or more than 1) to clients on your caseloads in case they do need to suddenly seek care. 

​(04.17.2020) 
·        CSH – COVID19 What Supportive Housing Providers Needs to Know
·        CSH – COVID19 Guidance for Supportive Housing Providers
·        CSH – COVID19 Supportive Housing Visitor Policy Guidance
​
(04.17.2020) OPERATION COMFORT: ALAMEDA COUNTY EMERGENCY HOTEL SHELTER HANDBOOK
United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
Seattle & King County are on the forefront of the COVID-19 response. In this national webinar, join federal partners and learn how Seattle & King County are responding to COVID-19, including what they are doing to establish isolation and quarantine (I/Q) beds and address transportation needs across their homelessness services system.   
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Meals2You Flyer  please find information regarding a new program pushed out by USDA Food Nutrition Service (FNS). The program is called Emergency Meals-to-You and offers shelf-stable, easily prepared, kid-friendly meals to students in rural school districts  during unexpected school closures. Under the authority of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (USDA SFSP), along with waivers in place allowing non-congregate feeding models, local education authorities (LEAs) can deliver meals by mail to their students.

This resource matrix organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America. Opportunities are categorized by customer and assistance type. 
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
​National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
COVID-19 Online Resources
COVID-19 Webinar Series
Here are some upcoming webinars, and a complete list can be found here​
  • ​5/12 – Making Housing Happen in Difficult Times
  • 5/14 – Helping Survivors of Domestic Violence and Trafficking Stay Safe During the Pandemic
Surveying Tenants of Permanent Supportive Housing in Skid Row about COVID-19 (Research from Henwood, Redline, Lahey) - research

Working with FEMA to Address Homelessness During the Pandemic Previous NAEH Webinars can be found here:   
  • Understanding & Planning for Federal Funding
  • ​Protocols for Addressing Sheltered and Unsheltered Homelessness 
  • Serving and Supporting Unsheltered People During COVID-19
  • Supporting People Remotely in Housing Programs During COVID-19
  • Working with FEMA to Address Homelessness During the Pandemic
  • Ensuring Racial Equity During the COVID-19 Homelessness Response
  • COVID-19 and Data Collection Resources for Your Community
  • Federal Funding to Address Homelessness and COVID-19: Ask the Experts
​    
CARES Act Guidance for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Elected Officials
A newly-released resource can help elected officials maximize federal resources, made available under the CARES Act, to reduce housing instability and homelessness during COVID-19. This guidance includes recommendations for COVID-19-specific funding for Community Development Block Grants, Emergency Solutions Grants, and the Coronavirus Relief Fund. It also provides suggested action steps for local officials to use the funds and support homelessness and housing efforts in their communities. The resource was created in partnership with the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National League of Cities, and Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment.

National Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Council
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, NNEDV has developed new resources and compiled state and national guidance to help domestic violence coalitions, service providers, and advocates support survivors and operate effectively. Key resources on our new COVID-19 resource page include:
National Information Service (NIS)
National Low Income Housing CoalitionNational Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/HousingDescription :Join the Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition for a weekly National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing on Mondays at 2:30 pm EST. Join housing and homelessness advocates nationwide to learn more about how federal, state, and local governments are responding to a national outbreak of Coronavirus and its impact on people experiencing homelessness and low-income households.
To register for May 11th - Monday’s (May 11) national call - Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representative Denny Heck (D-WA) will join Monday’s call to talk about their new bill, “The Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” to provide $100 billion in emergency rent relief!

Harm Reduction Coalition Administration for Children and Families (ACF):
COVID-19 Response & Resources
National Network For Youth (NN4Y)
Join us on this follow-up webinar to dig deeper into how unaccompanied youth can access stimulus payments under the CARES Act, and what you can do to help. Tax attorneys from Baker McKenzie will present information on accessing the payments, roadblocks that exist currently, and how to best position youth to access current, and potential future, payments. Please submit your questions when you register for the webinar. We will have Q&A during the webinar, but questions submitted ahead of time will be given priority.
Wed, May 20, 2020 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM CDT 
​https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1243286374017581840 

TWO SURVEYS 
Youth Homelessness in Rural American Communities
The National Network for Youth is working to learn more about youth homelessness in rural communities (e.g., not in a city or suburb), and to find solutions that can help young people in rural communities avoid homelessness, or receive the services they need to exit homelessness for good. We have two surveys for two different stakeholder groups:
  1. Young adults who experienced homelessness as a youth in a rural American community
  2. Service providers and system stakeholder in rural American communities
On May 6th, the National Network for Youth was joined by some of our federal partners to provide the latest information regarding COVID-19 and answer your questions. You can view/listen to a recording of this webinar. Representatives from the following agencies participated:  USICH, CDC, ACF, USDA, and HUD.

Point Source Youth
Click here for Free weekly COVID-19 Webinars 
Free Downloadable Toolkits – Youth Homelessness
National Community Partnership
Start With Yourself – Tools and Strategies for Coping with Stress and Trauma During the Pandemic​, April 22nd at 1:30 CT
Community Action Agencies all across the country are on the front-lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical services for your communities in the midst of a life-threatening situation. Being a highly-responsive social service professional in these times can cause a considerable amount of personal stress, and both acute and secondary trauma, while working with our communities experiencing their own long-term and COVID-related traumas.  Join the National Community Partnership and Denese Shervington, MD, MPH who will lead us in "Start With Yourself," providing strategies for stress management and self-care tools, and informing the planning for working with traumatized customers and communities.
US Department of Labor (DOL)
COVID-19 Dislocated Worker Grants

New state and local resources

Various Public US Public Health Department Resources
Hawaii State Department of Health San Francisco Department of Public Health Nevada County North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Ohio Balance of State: COVID-19 Updates Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness Los Angeles County
​Department of Public Health Massachusetts Department of Public Health Canada ​Other Education related links Case Management related links

Other Resources

Mental Health

The Milwaukee COC shared a list of resources for mental health which came from Mental Health America.  The Milwaukee COC announcement and resources can be accessed here.

Mental Health Information For Disease Outbreaks         This webpage provides information and wellness tips for individuals living with mental health conditions during the COVID-19 outbreak.            Changes and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 can make it difficult to know what to do to make sure you have access to needed medications. Here are some tips and pieces of information to help you prepare and care for yourself or your loved ones            These fact sheets provide information and recommendations for healthcare personnel, families, leaders, and businesses to address the psychological and behavioral health impacts of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These mental health considerations were developed by the WHO Mental Health Department as support for mental and psychological well-being during COVID-19 outbreak.           The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) created a document to help guide individuals that have specific questions about their mental health situations.            Dr. LaGenia Bailey, former DBSA board member, discusses tips on how to stay well during this public health crisis. In this podcast, she addresses benefits of mindfulness practice, lifestyle habits, and ways to stay connected with others to avoid isolation. In this special three-part COVID-19 Crisis series, Dr. Lieberman of Columbia University speaks with renowned experts who have expertise in relevant disciplines that pertain to this COVID-19 pandemic.Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Tools and Information on Anxiety            One of the quickest and easiest ways to tell if you are experiencing a mental health condition is to take an online screen. MHA has nine different screening tools for mental health conditions on our site, including anxiety. Tools to Connect with Others
An online community where people can connect with others. MHA hosts a dedicated mental health community, but there are communities related to a variety of topics. 
  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)'s Online Support Groups
  • Lyf App-Lyf is a social media app where users share highly personal aspects of themselves without the fear of judgment. It's the one app where you can be yourself or write anonymously and people won't degrade or bring you down.
  • Warmlines-Unlike a hotline for those in immediate crisis, warmlines provide early intervention with emotional support that can prevent a crisis. The lines are typically free, confidential peer-support services staffed by those who have experienced mental health conditions themselves. Find a warmline in your area at warmline.org.
Resources for Immediate Response Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies. Text MHA to 741741 and you’ll be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line provides free, text-based support 24/7. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678. A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
Homeless services outreach staff
When COVID-19 is spreading in your community, assign outreach staff who are at higher risk for severe illness to other duties. Advise outreach staff who will be continuing outreach activities on how to protect themselves and their clients from COVID-19 in the course of their normal duties. Instruct staff to:
  • Greet clients from a distance of 6 feet and explain that you are taking additional precautions to protect yourself and the client from COVID-19.
  • Screen clients for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 by asking them if they have a fever, new or worsening cough, or shortness of breath.
    • If the client has a cough, immediately provide them with a surgical mask to wear.
    • If urgent medical attention is necessary, use standard outreach protocols to facilitate access to healthcare.
  • Continue conversations and provision of information while maintaining 6 feet of distance.
  • Maintain good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) on a regular basis.
  • Wear gloves if you need to handle client belongings. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer (>60% alcohol) before and after wearing gloves.
  • If at any point you do not feel that you are able to protect yourself or your client from the spread of COVID-19, discontinue the interaction and notify your supervisor. Examples include if the client declines to wear a mask or if you are unable to maintain a distance of 6 feet.
  • Provide all clients with hygiene products, when available.
  • Street medicine and healthcare worker outreach staff should review and follow recommendations for healthcare workers.
  • Review stress and coping resources for yourselves and your clients during this time.
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