26th Judicial Circuit

Your HFIRC staff has been dealing with the true reality of COVID-19.

Along with Area Agency on Aging, we are working on getting volunteers to check on seniors/disabled adults who live alone--phone contacts. We are operating under the COVID-19 guidelines for safety and protection - -this has been challenging.

If you have families who need assistance other than food.  Please find a way to share the above resource information with them. 

I know of resources that can provide some financial assistance with utilities.  Also mental health services and counseling services can continue

With EAMH through telemedicine.  Families need to contact EAMH provider. For some of our seniors/disabled adults, we have worked with some faith-based partners to reach out to this population.  For example, offering suggestions (which some have implemented) like having bible study with them by phone; leaving cardboard boxes of non-perishables food items, disinfecting products, toilet paper--you get the idea.

Families without Wi-Fi access can get free access from companies like Cricket, Spectrum, parking lot of McDonald's and so forth.  Moreover, I  will be in discussion with some faith-based leaders on using their parking lots for "hot spots" for Wi-Fi".

I am exploring setting up summer meals at local sites within our Russell County community.  I need your help.  This can be a back up plan to allow you to, God willing, to work on getting schools open in August 2020.  

In addition, I will be contacting Russell County parents in all school communities, so that we can make sure that they complete the 2020 Census. As you know, this is critical.  Russell County cannot afford to lose federal dollars, congressional representation and etc.  We must continue to keep our eyes on the prize.

Personally, I fit the category of "at risk" due to my age and that I am a caregiver too.  I follow the guidelines of safety and protection as mandated by our local, state and federal governments.  All of you know me by now--we have work to do, together.

PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WTVM) - A local church received a check for nearly $2,000 for its part in helping families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Russell County Bar Association presented the check Wednesday to Franchise Missionary Baptist Church in Phenix City. The funds were raised during a COVID-19 relief raffle.

At the beginning of the pandemic, a mission team at the church began collecting household items and picking up medications and prescriptions for the elderly in the community, who are considered to be more vulnerable to the virus.

The money will be used to help continue Franchise’s mission by helping those impacted by COVID-19.

Jasponica Florence 

HFI Russell County District Attorney’s Office 

Phenix City Case Officer Daily Work Log

April 1-14, 2020

·  Each morning at 10 am, I continue to log on and participate in the United Way Community Conference Call.  This call is open to all service providers in the region to include but is not limited to agencies that are non-profit in nature (United Way, Representative Chris Blackshear for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Piedmont Hospital, Muscogee County Department of Human Resources, Muscogee County School District, Feeding the Valley Food Bank, MercyMed Urgent Care Centers and others) (Daily since March 18)  

1. Receive up-to-date local updates on cases, testings and resources  

2. Share information via our Facebook Page to keep parents and our community informed where they can find assistance and other resources 

·  Reading and reviewing requirements linked to possible grant proposals (suggestions in a separate email response)

·  Weekly check in call to Dr. Golden to determine if and which students/families need assistance. 

·  Weekly conference calls with US Congresswoman Terri Sewell gives an update on the national legislative changes to include a nationwide update on the status and changes at the national level.  I share this information as appropriate. (April 4 and April 9)

Webinar held with Small Business Administration to discuss the new $2.3 trillion-dollar packet (April 2) 

·  Each Wednesday at 9:30 pm, I participate on the State NAACP to hear about emergency concerns at the state level.  I share this information as appropriate. (April 1, April 6, April 8) 

·  Participated in Communities of Transformation Zoom meetings with clients being served by the program (April 7 – 18 participants, April 14 – 10 participants) 

·  Assisted Phenix City School System with lunch distribution at the Ridgecrest Elementary School location (April 8 – 156 meals for 5 days were given out) 

·  Participated in Mayor’s Ball Conference Call regarding scholarships for area graduating seniors (April 8, April 9)  

·  Participated in a webinar sponsored by NARAL regarding government relief programs (April 9)

·  The following families have been assisted in various ways: 

1. Assist a family notify authority for reports of improper behavior after hours (April 7 and April 9)

2. Assisted a family apply for SNAP benefits at www.myalabama.gov(April 9)

3. Assisted a family with applying for AllKids insurance benefits (April 9)

4. Assisted a family displaced by the storm get his Phenix City Housing Application fast-tracked (April 14) 

FLORENCE W. BELLAMY

HFI SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES AND EFFORTS

RUSSELL COUNTY SCHOOLS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY

APRIL 1-15, 2020

The HFI of Russell County, 26thJudicial Circuit, Office of Kenneth E. Davis, District Attorney is sharing a summary of our activities and efforts for April 1-15, 2020 in Phenix City Schools (see attachment from case officer, Jasponica Florence) and Russell County Schools and local community (see information below from 

Florence W. Bellamy, director/case officer).

RUSSELL COUNTY SCHOOLS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY:

·  Follow up with Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to get volunteers and resources

to address and confront the food insecurity among our adult disabled and seniors

a.  In discussions with DHR APS staff to be a part of identifying and assistance with distribution of food resources to those who do not have means of transportation or fear going to large group food bank destination:

· Follow up with private medical and mental health professionals who want to offer “free telehealth and telemedicine”

a.  In discussions regarding families without healthcare providers, families without health Insurance even Medicaid; families who are immigrants and etc.

b.  Privacy issues and liability issues appear to be the primary battle in these discussions

· Shared information with Dr. Pharrams regarding online course absenteeism

a.  Information regarding this topic will be shared with all administrative personnel and will follow up with HFIRC regarding those discussion and methods to monitor

· Still in the process of exploring additional sites for summer meals distribution in Russell County

a.  Purpose is to create more availability—less travel for families

· Continuing conference meetings/newsletter updates with established boards to assist with program delivery

a.  Enrichment Services Program (community block grants; Head Start, Food pantries, utility assistance, housing, and etc.)

b.  Mission Ministry-Franchise Missionary Baptist Church, Inc.

c. Chattahoochee Valley Community College

d. South East Alabama Self Health Association, Inc

e. Alabama Association of School Boards

f. Director of Attendance with Russell County Schools

g. Various Russell County School employees for referrals from families

(from March 16-April 15, 2020, estimated 9 referrals for assistance with food or utilities and one referral for employment)

h. In the process of setting up a regular site for receiving referrals in some 

Face to face format while practicing social distancing

i. Helping Families Initiative/VOSA weekly meetings with other HFI/management teams