Happy Halloween from IPDC! NextExecutive Committee - November 12th at Noon. Next IPDC Board of Directors Meeting December 15th- This will be our Annual Meeting and Christmas Gathering!
October 26, 2020
Contact: Scott Dadson, Executive Director
828-351-2365
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Regional News
Following the Data, North Carolina Will Remain Paused in Phase 3
Governor Roy Cooper has announced that North Carolina will remain paused in Phase 3 for three more weeks as health officials continue to monitor North Carolina’s viral trends. North Carolina has seen increased hospitalizations and trajectory of cases in recent weeks. Governor Cooper underscored the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgment despite fatigue or frustration with the pandemic.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen and Secretary of Department of Public Safety Erik Hooks sent a letter to local officials in communities with increased viral spread urging their continued action in fighting COVID-19 and suggesting additional measures to mitigate its spread. Read more about that letter here.
NC Medicaid Extends Support to Providers to Help Maintain Access to Services During COVID-19
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid) is extending temporary provider rate increases related to COVID-19 through the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency, which goes through Jan. 21, 2021.
This action will extend all COVID-19 rate increases currently in place, which means every Medicaid provider will continue to receive rates that are at least 5% greater than pre-COVID levels and some providers, such as nursing homes, who are experiencing very high additional costs due to COVID-19 will continue to receive even greater financial support.
NC Medicaid will notify providers through special bulletins of any termination of temporary policies if the public health emergency is not extended. If the federal government extends the federal public health emergency or takes other action, NC Medicaid will reassess both needs and available funding for possible further extension of temporary rate increases.
CCC Drone Pilot FAA Part 107 Certificate Training Class
Flying a drone for commercial use requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. This comprehensive course prepares learners for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)/Drone flight certification. The topics include regulations, weather, airspace, human factors, and sUAS loading & performance. This course is presented in a hybrid format and requires approximately 28 hours of dedicated learning time consisting of live webinars, video tutorials, and eBook instruction, supplemented with quizzes and practice examinations. Upon completion, students will be prepared to sit for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test.
Instructor: Probyn Thompson (Chief Instructor/Pilot)
Dates: Wednesdays - Nov 11, Nov 18, Dec 2, Dec 9 (No class Nov 25)
Meeting time: Wednesdays 6 pm – 8 pm (live webinars)
Location: Virtual
Register by: Friday, November 6, 2020
UAS-3111
Start Date: November 11, 2020
End Date: December 9, 2020
** Price: $125 - Registration
$20 - Material fees
**FAA Testing fee not included (approximately $160)
Contact: Kris Xaypangna, Customized Training Program Coordinator Email: xaypangnk173@clevelandcc.edu Phone: 704.669.4182
Aging
Aging Ombudsman Services in the Region
To prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region we have temporarily stopped in person Ombudsman services to the public until January 1, 2021. Isothermal Regional Area Agency on Aging provides Ombudsman services that include but are not limited to investigating concerns made on or behalf of residents in long term care settings, provide technical assistance and education to the public on long term care topics; as well as, monitor nursing homes, adult care, and family care homes on resident rights issues.
We will continue to provide assistance and services via phone or virtually. As part of the CARES Act, the Agency secured electronic devices with data service available for staff and LTC residents use to allow for “face-to-face” communication. IPDC has purchased the teleconferencing app, ZOOM with toll free calling and unlimited conferencing for staff, providers, and LTC residents’ use.
Notice of these services has been given to each long-term care facility in our region; as well as posted at our main office, located at 111 West Court Street.
Contact for Ombudsman Services: Mandy Johnson, MHS, Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman
111 West Court Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
1-800-331-9891, toll free
828-287-2281 ext. 225
Fax 828-287-2735
October is Resident's Rights Month
October is Resident's Rights Month! This year's theme is "Connection Matters!" Now more than ever our Long Term Care residents need to be connected to the community to have their voices heard. It is important for everyone to be familiar with resident's rights, especially at a time when our Long Term Care residents are most vulnerable. Click here to read the rights established by the Residents' Bill of Rights.
Community, Economic & Workforce Development
2020-2021 PARTF Grant Cycle Announced
The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority has announced the beginning of the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant cycle for counties and municipalities. In 2020, PARTF awarded more than $5 million to 17 local governments. A local government entity can request up to $500,000 with each application. To learn more about PARTF, please click here.
Applications are due on May 3, 2021. To learn how IPDC can help you and your organization with a PARTF application, please click the box below to contact an IPDC staff member.
The Cleveland County Small Business Recovery Fund’s mission is to preserve and safely reopen small businesses and protect the related jobs in Cleveland County that have been threatened due to the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to learn more. The application window is October 23 through November 6, 2020
The Small Business Recovery Fund helps small businesses and nonprofit organizations reopen through grants. The eligible grant amount is two times average monthly expenses or:
Up to $2,500 for solopreneurs
Up to $10,000 for firms with 2-25 employees
The Small Business Recovery Fund aims to:
Preserve local small businesses through immediate relief so they can safely reopen and stay open.
Provide businesses with the resources and strategies to help them reopen safely and ensure their long-term viability.
Protect thousands of jobs supported by Small Businesses in Cleveland County.
Governor Cooper Announces Applications Open for New Rent and Utility Assistance Program
Applications are now being accepted for the N.C. Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program, which will assist eligible low- and- moderate-income renters experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The new program seeks to promote housing stability during the ongoing pandemic by providing rent and utility assistance to prevent evictions and utility disconnections.
The HOPE Program will provide $117 million for rent and utility assistance for renters who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, have a current household income that is 80 percent of the area median income or lower, and are behind on their rent or utilities when they apply.
Renters who need rent or utility assistance can apply online at nc211.org/hope. Applicants who cannot access the online application can also call 2-1-1 and speak with a program representative, who will assist the caller through the application on the phone. Callers can reach 2-1-1 Monday-Friday between 7 am and 6 pm.
For more information about the HOPE Program, visit nc211.org/hope.
Changes Coming to the Isothermal Regional Commission Offices in Shelby
How many of you know that the Isothermal Commission operates an office in Shelby? Known as the IPDC Section 8 Offices at 127 West Graham Street in Downtown Shelby. This office is a partnership with the Commission and the City of Shelby to better serve folks in this part of the Isothermal Region. We also have shared space with Polk County and McDowell County as well. While our offices are still closed, the Shelby office serves as a drop-off for recertifications and other information for the Commissions Section 8 Housing Program.
Our thanks go out to the City of Shelby (Stan Anthony Mayor and Rick Howell City Manager) for their assistance in helping to fix the sidewalk area in front of these offices as well as the installation of a new Drop Box.
Please be reminded that Effective June 8, 2020, we will begin interactions with Clients in Housing by Appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Rutherfordton office, located at 111 West Court Street, and the Shelby Office located at 127 W. Graham Street. The Marion Office will be by mail only until further notice. Anyone entering the office will be required to wear amask. Housing Counselors will be available by phone and email during office hours.
For more information on contacting our Housing Counselors, see our Commission Housing page by clicking here.
Notice of Public Hearing
Isothermal Planning & Development Commission Section 8 Housing Department
Section 511 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 requires the Board of Directors of the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission to conduct a public hearing to discuss and invite public comment regarding the 2020-2025 Five-Year and Annual Plan. The hearing is to be conducted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 at 3:00 PM. The hearing will be held in person and virtually. In-person will be held at the main office of the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission, 111 West Court Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Information on how to access the public hearing virtually is available on IPDC’s website at www.RegionC.org.
The proposed Five-Year and Annual Plan and information relevant to the public hearing to be conducted is available for inspection by the public at www.regionc.org/housing-department-public-housing-authority-plans/ or at IPDC’s main office, 111 West Court Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 during normal business hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Questions or comments should be directed to Pam Hall, Interim Director of Housing, (828) 287-2281, ext 266.
Rural Transportation
State Archives "Managing Public Records for Local Government Employees" Virtual Workshops
The State Archives of North Carolina has announced the next round of workshops for local government employees. The introductory course, "Managing Public Records for Local Government Employees," will be offered on four different dates in November. This free, virtual workshop provides an overview of the maintenance, retention, and disposition of public records. Topics include an overview of public records law, principles of records management, maintaining confidential records, record retention, and disposition schedules, electronic records and email management, and scanning public records.
Workshop Dates
Tuesday, November 10 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 12 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Monday, November 16 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday, November 18 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Please register soon as spots are limited. Click here to register. Please allow up to two business days to receive confirmation of registration. If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact Records Analyst Josh Hager at joshua.hager@ncdcr.gov.
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ta, North Carolina Will Remain Paused in Phase 3
October is Resident's Rights Month! This year's theme is "Connection Matters!" Now more than ever our Long Term Care residents need to be connected to the community to have their voices heard. It is important for everyone to be familiar with resident's rights, especially at a time when our Long Term Care residents are most vulnerable. 
