COVID-19 Economic Impact Assessment Survey

Orange County has partnered with nearly 150 community stakeholders and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough to begin planning for a post-COVID 19 recovery. One of the most important aspects of this planning work is determining how the county’s local economy will survive and emerge even more vibrant, diverse and resilient than it was prior to the pandemic.

The first step in that planning effort is to assess the extent of the damage through an Economic Impact Assessment survey. Unlike damage caused by other types of disasters like a hurricane or flooding, the impacts of the pandemic are not as easily identifiable making the survey vitally important to recovery planning. Local business owners are encouraged to respond.

The information collected will be used to help quantify the economic impact from COVID-19 and help to inform and prioritize strategies for economic recovery. Results will also help the county understand where federal or state support may be most critical and how to direct financial or technical assistance to local businesses.

The online survey will be live through the end of August and includes questions about business impacts caused by the pandemic, including job and revenue losses and resources businesses may need to succeed. Click the link below to access the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgSJhwn0AapYn2amWdJd1VUYr9vE0yGCY7dQiyohrk94dycQ/viewform

The survey is part of the county’s agreement with Hagerty Consulting, Inc., to provide long-term disaster recovery planning services. Hagerty Consulting is an emergency management consulting firm that helps clients prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Established in 2001, Hagerty has supported over 400 projects federally and in over 40 states and US territories.

Orange County COVID-19 Updated Data August 14, 2020

The Orange County Health Department has provided the following information about COVID-19 cases in Orange County as of 9:00 a.m. today:

TOTAL CASES: 1,389
TOTAL DEATHS: 48

Data Considerations:
1. Any demographic groups with very small numbers have been suppressed to protect
patient confidentiality.
2. We are missing race and ethnicity data for between 30-40% of confirmed cases.
3. We don’t know who may have COVID-19 that wasn’t able to get tested, and we don’t know what groups the patients with missing data fall under.
This data should not be used to make generalizations about who may or may not have higher rates of infection.

Click here to download the entire release.

HRC Summer Community Read examines voter suppression

This year is the 150th Anniversary of the 15th Amendment and the 55th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, yet the struggle for the ballot continues for African Americans. The Human Relations Commission is sponsoring a series of events examining voter suppression efforts in the U.S. and North Carolina.

The HRC’s Community Read for this summer is “Give us the Ballot: A Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America” by Ari Berman, a senior reporter for Mother Jones and a fellow at Type Media Center. He was the first reporter to cover voter suppression efforts in 2012, bringing national attention to the issue. He has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stone and other national publications and is a frequent contributor to MSNBC, C-SPAN and NPR.

“Give Us the Ballot” chronicles the history of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as it transformed the American democratic process, while counterrevolutionaries sought to suppress voting rights that, “target[ed] African Americans with almost surgical precision.”
In 2013, the Supreme Court declared a key provision of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. As lawmakers continue to devise new strategies to suppress minorities’ voting rights the battle over race, representation, and political power rages on in America.

The HRC is hosting a zoom event with Berman on Aug. 19 from 6-7 p.m. Click the link below to register:
https://orangecountync.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WIUQjgr2SJK52cPkY5blFA

The HRC is hosting a Community Read event on Sept. 13, from 3-5 p.m.
This event is free and open to the community and will include a discussion of the Voting Rights Act, attempts to suppress voting rights and the ways we as a community can address the issues presented in the book. The discussion will be led by members of the Orange County Human Relations Commission. Click the link below to register.
https://orangecountync.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0K47Z5YgQTSV4CICCnddWw

Pre-registration is required for both events.

Recreation Division Program guide available

The latest edition of the Orange County DEAPR-Recreation Division Program Guide is now available on the Orange County website.

All programs currently listed will be hosted virtually using an online meeting platform. Programs will be live, real-time, and interactive with instructor and peers. All program supplies are delivered contactlessly to participants' doorsteps prior to the first day of class. Programs listed in this edition include:

Preschool Academy
Pre-K Learn & Play
Afterschool Academy
Chef
Piano
LEGO Challenge
STEM Challenge
Number Ninjas
Canvas Painting (for youth and adults!)
Adult Craft Club
Friday Family Fun

Registration begins August 15 at http://www.orangecountync.gov/activityregistration or by phone at 919.245.2660, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

As long as North Carolina remains in Phase 2, programs will remain virtual. However, Orange County Recreation may add additional programs as conditions change. Any new programs will be advertised via this listserv, our website and social media @orangecountyncrec on Facebook and Instagram.

Upcoming activites from the Department on Aging

Art Composition – Virtual Class
The success of your original art depends heavily on your compositional skills. Learn the specific principles of composition through hands-on experiences using different materials and creative tricks. You will receive feedback on your projects as you work together with the instructor. You will not complete any finished painting, but you will be bubbling with ideas for your future creations. Who knew that learning composition skills could be this much creative fun? Min 4/Max 10. Instructor: Carol Fynn, certified master teacher and professional watercolor artist.

Download the Material List
Register: 919-968-2070
Fee: $65
Date/Time: Wed, Sep 16 – Oct 21; 9 -11 am
Activity Code: (354124-01)
Join: After registering, please contact carolefynn@gmail.com to receive the Zoom class link and ID code.

Caring for Ourselves - Support Group
Coronavirus has many feeling worried, lonely and in-need of a safe space to explore their feelings. Our support group will include education and tips that can be used to manage feelings of stress and anxiety while promoting self-care. Group meetings offered virtually through GoToMeeting.

Register: 2 days in advance to receive a program eligibility screening and instructions on how to join. For more information and to register please call Tiffany Summers, LCSWA, and 919-245-4277.

Time/Date: Monthly 1st/ 3rd Monday at 2:30-3:30 pm (starting Sep 21)

Intro to Zentangle
In this class, you’ll learn the history and philosophy of the Zentangle art method. You’ll learn how to draw at least 8 tangles (patterns), along with some basic shading techniques. You can learn in the comfort of your own home! Instructor: Cathy Boytos

Supplies needed: Black Micron 01 pen, Pencil, Tortillion (blending tool), Good drawing paper. (Can be cut into 3.5” squares)
Register: Call 919-968-2070
Fee: $30
Date/Time: Sep 14; 1-3 pm
Activity Code: (324008-02)
Join: Zoom link will be available prior to class starting - please email cathyboytos@gmail.com for zoom log-in info

Census takers will soon be visiting households in Orange County that have not responded to the 2020 Census. it's not too late to keep the census takers away. Click the graphic to fill it out online or find the phone number to call to fill it out over the telephone.

Grants available for arts educators

Public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are invited to apply for small grants of up $250 to help with costs related to their creative and professional development. The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) created the Arts Educator Professional Development Grant Program in 2018 to assist arts educators in advancing their careers. These small grants can assist with professional and artistic development, including:

Travel expenses related to workshops or seminars, or to do research related to his/her art form, such as meals, lodging and transportation.
Expenses related to workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the teacher’s abilities and/or allow the acquisition of Continuing Education Units, such as registration fees, substitute teacher costs, or required supplies.
Purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of work, which is essential to the advancement of his/her teaching career.

The grants are available to any public school educator in Orange County teaching the in the visual or performing arts. Educators may apply online for projects or programs taking place before June 30, 2021. The application period will be open through midnight on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at https://artsorange.org/ocacgrants/artsedgrants.

Orange County Solid Waste Mulch for Sale

Orange County Solid Waste is hosting a half-price mulch sale at $12.50 for three cubic yards. Compost is available at $30/cubic yard.

The Orange County Landfill is located at 1514 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill and is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon. Solid Waste will deliver any amount for a delivery fee ($50 within 10 miles, $75 10-20 miles).

Call ahead to arrange delivery and payment at (919) 968-2788.

HEY! What are y'all reading? Sign up for NOT A BOOK CLUB and let's talk about it online. No required reading, all genres welcome. Pick up some great ideas for your next read!

Orange Works offers employment and training assistance

Orange Works Employment & Training Center is part of the Department of Social Services and is adjacent to the DSS Hillsborough location at 113 Mayo Street. Orange Works provides a variety of workforce development resources to the public, including resume review, assistance with NC Works registration, interview prep, career counseling, virtual job search assistance and career counseling. Staff can provide referrals to employment & training programs offered by DSS and to partner agencies that provide other valuable career services.

Although Orange Works is currently closed to the public, a lot of these services are offered virtually, including some great online workshops. If you would like to learn more about the programs and services available through Orange Works, or get information about the employment and training programs available at DSS, follow their Facebook page or contact Orange Works at 919-245-4354.

Orange County DSS has a new Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Eligible recipients must be receiving FNS/SNAP benefits or meet income guidelines.
Distributions for this program will occur on the last Wednesday of each month
Due to limited supplies and to ensure social distancing, appointments will be required.
Appointment slots will be issued on the day prior to distribution only, on a first-call/first-served basis, until all slots are filled, and can be obtained by calling (919) 245-4354.
Pick-up will be in the patio area adjacent to Orange Works beside the Department of Social Services in Hillsborough at 113 Mayo Street.
Recipients should park in designated parking lot spaces and walk up to the patio to sign in. There will be staff to assist with vehicle loading.

www.orangecountync.gov