I hope this finds you well. As we all monitor and adjust to the new circumstances of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are continuing to share resources and guidance to help you, your staff and the New Yorkers that you serve. We are also sharing our advocacy work on your behalf with the City, State and Federal government.
To report cases of COVID-19 in your organization, call the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Provider Access Line: 866-692-3641
LETTERS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Over the past week, we have worked with various partners in the field to develop and sign on to several letters to the de Blasio administration highlighting the most pressing issues facing the human services sector during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are grateful to be part of the C-19 HHS Nonprofit Membership Organization Workgroup, spearheaded by the Human Services Council, who have been providing clear guidance and feedback to the City on how to best ensure that the sector to have continuity of operations and best serve staff and clients. Most recently, on March 16, the group shared a letter (read full letter here) with the following recommendations:
Agree to pay contracted human services providers their full budgeted expenses through the end of the fiscal year even if they are unable meet their contractual obligations due to this public health crisis.
Create and keep current a public list of contracted services that show what is essential and what should close.
For programs that are expected to remain open or operate in some capacity, direct resources immediately so that they can operate safely
City support – both financial and logistical – to deal with congregate facilities that have COVID-19 cases
Relieve stress on the sector by:
Immediately paying all outstanding invoices and halt recoupments on advances to promote cash flow; suspend all pre-audits of invoices
Stopping audits and suspending RFP deadlines
Trust human services providers to keep appropriate documentation of expenses and do not require different documentation
Give immediate interest free loans to ensure there is enough cash on hand to pay to staff so these New Yorkers can continue to live safely and provide for their families
We will provide updates related to the workforce sector over the coming days.
RESOURCES
Thank you to our partners who have provided a variety of resources.
City & State Guidance and Resources
Financial Assistance for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
NYC Employee Retention Grant Program: will offer small businesses with fewer than 5 employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees
NYC Small Business Continuity Fund: Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit
NYSDOL has just released a new schedule for individuals filing new Unemployment Insurance Claim by phone or web. As a reminder the 7 day waiting period has been waived, and the claims schedule is based on the first letter of your last name (see schedule and info here)
"How to Teach Online" program: GA has made this training available for free to NYCETC nonprofit partners in the training and education space. To receive access, please contact Annie Garmeva at agarneva@nycetc.org
You can see last week's resources, which focused on Federal, State and Local Government Resources; Day-to-Day Tips; and Small Business Support.
Please stay tuned for additional information and feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, or resources to share with our membership. Thank you for your continued support.
Best,
Jose Ortiz, Jr.
Executive Director
NYC Employment & Training Coalition
WeWork c/o NYCETC
110 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
Tel: 646.866.7098
www.nycetc.org