Weekly Resource Blog – January 6th, 2022

COVID-19 Updates

For the latest COVID-19 updates please see-disease/coronavirus-covid-19e the Larimer County COVID-19 website from the Department of Health and Environment. 

• Cases of COVID-19 Rising Quickly in Larimer County

• Omicron Variant Detected in Larimer County

LCDHE COVID Vaccine Clinics

FREE Drive- Thru COVID-19 Testing is available Monday-Friday in Fort Collins, Loveland & Estes Park:

Testing is available for those who are ages 2 and older, with or without symptoms, on a drive-up basis only. Appointments are not needed as the sites will have large capacity to offer testing. Testing is FREE and health insurance is not required.

• Loveland (8:00-6:00 pm) Foundations Church, 1380 N. Denver Avenue, Loveland
  • Parking lot area on the east/back side of the building
  • Pre-register for Loveland

• Fort Collins (8:00-6:00 pm) Timberline Church, 2908 South Timberline Road
  • Parking lot area on the southeast side
  • Pre-register for Fort Collins

• Estes Park (8:00-5:00 pm) Estes Park Event Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way
  • Pre-register for Estes Park

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics:

• Booster Doses Recommendations – All Vaccine Types 
• Appointments for Pfizer Vaccines for Ages 5-11 Available Now

Opportunity to Request COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at your Organization 

If your organization (or business) has not yet had the opportunity to have a mobile vaccine clinic (LCDHE/Health District/other) and you feel like it would be a good fit to offer a clinic to your clientele/event/families/etc, please fill out this form: https://form.jotform.com/211374714104042

.

COVID-19 Recovery Resources

Community Support Resources

We know times are tough, and you may need a little bit of extra help. . .

In Larimer County, there are many agencies working hard to provide food and financial assistance and emotional support. We have put together some links to help make your search for assistance a little bit easier.

• Link to Larimer County Human Services COVID-19 
• Link to Individual & Family Assistance resource

Affordable Connectivity Program Helping Households Connect

Congress recently created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a new long-term, $14 billion program, which will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure we can afford the connections we need for work, school, health care and more for a long time.

• Eligible households must apply at https://getemergencybroadband.org/ and contact a participating internet service provider (Full list of internet service providers in Colorado).

• Other local internet service providers: Xfinity, CenturyLink, Loveland Pulse.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rent & Mortgage Assistance

Emergency Rent Assistance Program:

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many people in our community are facing uncertainty with paying rent.

Neighbor to Neighbor is here to help. English and Spanish Flyer. 

Link to Emotional Support & Mental Health resource page.

Connect to Mental Health Resources

COVID-19 has added stress and anxiety to all our lives. Connect with mental health resources that can help you and those you care about weather the storm. 

SummitStone Health Partners

For more than 60 years, SummitStone Health Partners has been transforming lives through recovery, renewal and respect by providing unsurpassed behavioral health prevention, intervention and treatment services in Larimer County. SummitStone provides more than 50 services dedicated to treating mental health and addiction disorders for people of all ages. Get connected today. 

Colorado Spirit 

The Colorado Spirit Crisis Counseling Program supports people who have been impacted by the challenges of COVID-19. Trained crisis counselors are people from the community, just like you and they understand the challenges you’re facing. The Colorado Spirit program provides emotional support around the feelings that life during the pandemic may bring up, such as worry, sadness, hopelessness, or anger. Get connected to free and anonymous support.

https://www.summitstonehealth.org/colospirit/

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

I Matter.

Program dedicated to helping Colorado’s youth who might be struggling with anxiety, depression, frustration, or just want to talk to someone.

IMatterColorado.org

. 

FEMA Funeral Support

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline 844-684-6333

Click here for more details.

.

. ◊

Business & Workforce Support – NOCO Recovers 

Applications Open for 1.1 Million in Workforce Innovation Grants 

Applications are now open for grants of up to $150,000 to local organizations to help meet workforce needs. 

Grant funds can be used to help solve workforce challenges by financially supporting innovative pandemic-recovery plans that will help build in-demand skills; or connect workers and learners to quality jobs; or drive employer engagement in employee development in any of the areas detailed on the Workforce Innovation Grant website.

Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development will administer the grant in partnership with the Larimer County Workforce Development Board.

Applications are due by January 20, 2022. Questions can be directed to lcewd-grant@larimer.org

Full Workforce Innovation Grant Program proposal guidelines and key dates can be found at larimer.org/wig.

Front Range Community College (FRCC)

Finish What You Started Grant

Do you have some college, but did not graduate or obtain your credential? Are you thinking of re-enrolling to finish your degree? The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative has launched the Finish What You Started Program to help Colorado residents go back to school and earn their credential or degree. The program supports in two ways: providing financial assistance and support services throughout their college experience.

Back to Work Grant

Has COVID-19 impacted your employment? Are you thinking of starting or continuing college? Thanks to the Colorado General Assembly, the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative funds providers across the state to support workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and provide Coloradans support in accessing and completing their credential or degree and get Back to Work.

Business Q/A with the Department of Health: Our Next Session will be on January 27

Our community’s case numbers are beginning to decline after our recent COVID-19 surge, however, the new Omicron variant is on the horizon. Join us for the next 1 hour Q/A session on Thursday, January 27 at  2 p.m for an update on COVID-19 in Larimer County and to learn about any changes that may impact your business. 

Q/A session Zoom Link

If you have questions between sessions:

• Call: 970-498-5500
• Text: 970-999-1770
• Email: PublicHealth@larimer.org
• Larimer County Guidance

Take advantage of classes at the Larimer Small Business Development Center

• Essential Steps to Starting Your Business – January 12, 2022 at 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Develop a Business Plan with Purpose and Durability – 2-part session: January 13, 2022 and January 20, 2022 at 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• 3 Ways Financial Information Can Make Your Business Thrive – January 18, 2022 at 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

• TAXES – Get Informed and Organized Now! – January 27, 2022 at 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Register today

SBA Disaster Loans Available to CO Businesses

• • U.S. Small Business Administration is providing funding programs for COVID-19 relief options. For more COVID-19 relief options.

Colorado’s Economic Recovery Programs for Businesses

The Colorado legislature passed 12 bills that appropriated $228 million in funding to support economic recovery efforts. As program details are finalized you can access updates at the COVID-19 Business and Nonprofit Resources page.

• • • CLIMBER Loan Fund
      Applications are open.
      The Colorado Loans for Increasing Mainstreet Business and Economic Recovery (CLIMBER) fund provides $250 million to small businesses with working capital loans between $30,000 and $500,000. Below-market interest rates and a 1-year deferred payment option make the program a secure recovery option for small businesses.

• • • Colorado Revolving Loan Fund
      Applications are open.
      This fund provides loans that help small to medium-sized Colorado businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans range from $5,000 to $750,000. The loans are intended to provide startup and working capital that will help create and retain jobs across Colorado.

• • • Colorado Community Revitalization Grant
      Applications are open.
      This program provides $65 million in gap funding for mixed-use projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets or neighborhood commercial centers.

• • • Business Foundations Technical Assistance Program
      Applications are open.
      This program provides $900,000 to support technical assistance for small businesses with 5 or fewer employees.

• • • Rural Jump-Start Zone Grant
      Applications are open.
      Businesses that establish new operations in specified Rural Jump-Start and Just Transition communities will be eligible to receive up to $40,000 and up to $5,000 per new hire.

• • For Programs with Upcoming Applications please visit: Colorado’s COVID-19 Business and Nonprofit Resources page.

Municipal Recovery Resources:

• Town of Berthoud 
• Town of Estes Park 
• City of Fort Collins 
• Town of Johnstown 
• City of Loveland 
• Town of Timnath
• Town of Wellington
• Town of Windsor

t

2020 Wildfires Recovery Resources

Get Assistance:

Larimer County – Long-Term Recovery Group: Formed and working with Larimer County officials to rebuild, recover, and repair utilizing skilled case managers, identifies and assists fire survivors who do not have adequate personal resources for basic needs and recovery.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Arapahoe & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland 

• Fire Recovery Information