All adults eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine beginning April 7

All adults 16 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID vaccine. Orange County Health Department offers online registration at https://redcap.link/OCHDvax.

Individuals who can’t access the Internet or need assistance filling out the form can register by calling (919) 913-8088 seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Spanish and other languages are available. The call center is closed April 2-4 for the Easter weekend.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) extended through May 6

VITA is an Orange County Volunteer Connect 55+ (VC 55+) volunteer program that provides FREE Federal and NC state income tax preparation to eligible individuals with low-to-moderate income, regardless of age or county of residence. The IRS and NC Department of Revenue have extended the tax filing deadline to May 17.

As Covid-19 continues to surge across the state and nation, we have made significant changes in our program in order to protect the health and safety of our volunteers and clients.

As of April 1, we have closed our Virtual VITA service and will provide only our DIY program and Drop-Off Services through May 6. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist foreign students this year.

Drop-Off VITA

By appointment only through May 6
Thursdays at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill
Wednesdays at the Passmore Center in Hillsborough

D.I.Y. VITA

Powered by TaxSlayer, free software to prepare & e-file your own taxes
Get help from our certified volunteers by email through May 7

The Orange County VITA Service is part of the Department on Aging’s Volunteer Connect 55+ Program. Volunteers of any age are welcome. Over 70 volunteers participate in the VITA program each year.

Click here to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Upcoming events from the Orange County Department on Aging

BLUMORA
Come listen to this talented acoustic duo with their beautiful arrangements inspired by folk, country, bluegrass and Americana. Enjoy strong melodies and harmonies, along with the sound of guitars, mandolin, and electronic foot percussion. Bring a bag lunch and a folding chair (you can also enjoy the concert from your car).

Register by: Calling 919-968-2070
Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour Center (outdoors), 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill
Date: Thursday, May 6 Time: 12:30 p.m.
Activity Code: (353037-03)

VETERANS BENEFITS INFORMATION UPDATE
Join Ivan Sarabia, Orange County Veteran Services Officer, for an update on Veteran’s benefits. Each VA Administration operates independently and provides different benefits to Veterans and surviving spouses. You will learn about the Veteran Health Administration, Veteran Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration followed by a Q&A time. Min: 5/Max: 25

Register by: Friday, April 23, call 919-245-2015
Fee: FREE
Location: Virtual Phone#/Link: Provided at registration
Date: Fri, May 7 Time: 2 p.m.
Activity Code: (257001-02)

CINCO DE MAYO CANDY TASTING
Mexican candies are known to have an explosion of flavor. They are a very unique mixing of sweet and spicy flavors, watermelon, mango, caramel, and exquisite chocolate. Stop by on Cinco de Mayo for delicious treats and fun facts.

Register by: Wednesday, April 28, call 919-245-2015
Fee: FREE
Location: Passmore Center (Parking Lot), 103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough
Date: Wednesday, May 5 Time: 11:30 .a.m – 12:30 p.m.
Activity Code: (223029-01)

Photo of OCAS staffers holding Petco Grant check

Animal Services receives grant from Petco Love to fund kitten foster program

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) is proud to announce that they have received a grant from Petco Love to fund their kitten foster program.

The grant amount received from Petco Love is $25,000. This grant will be used to provide needed medications, vaccines, and medical care for kittens in the foster program at OCAS. The grant funds will also be used to increase the amount and quality of care provided in order to help even more kittens in the program grow strong and remain healthy in their foster homes. Foster homes help to reduce the number of felines housed at the shelter, which greatly decreases both the incidence and spread of upper respiratory infections among felines. Placing kittens in foster care has also shown a decrease in risk of transmission of intestinal parasites and deadly diseases like the panleukopenia virus. In addition to the many health benefits, these foster homes are often an ideal setting for feline socialization and they can help to reduce stress for the kittens.

Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation) is a nonprofit leading change for pets nationally by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since their founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, they’ve empowered organizations with nearly $300 million invested to date in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. And, they’ve helped find loving homes for more than 6.5 million pets in partnership with Petco and more than 4,000 organizations, like OCAS, nationwide. Visit www.petcolove.org for more information about Petco Love.

For more information about the kitten foster program at OCAS, please visit http://www.orangecountync.gov/290/Kitten-Foster-Program.

Orange County helping sponsor events on surviving sexual assault and helping with reentry

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has declared April as Second Chance Month to recognize the hurdles many formerly incarcerated people face as they reacclimate to society.

Several virtual events are being held this month to bring greater awareness to the issue and highlight support programs available in the Orange County.

The Orange County Local Reentry Council Stigma & Recovery Support Services is hosting a free virtual event at 10 a.m. on April 21. Troy Manns, the Statewide Manager of Advocacy and Education for Recovery Communities of North Carolina (RCNC), will present on Stigma and Recovery Support Services. Join the meeting here: www.orangecountync.gov/stigma.

The Coordinated Local Reentry Council Meeting for Orange County will host its regular meeting on April 23. The public is invited to participate in this live virtual event hosted by the Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department and the Orange County Health Department. Join the meeting here: www.orangecountync.gov/ReentryMeeting. For more information, contact Keith Patterson, Local Reentry Council Coordinator at 919-245-2064:

The Orange County Local Reentry Council will host “Understanding Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence and Trauma” on Tuesday, April 27, at 10 a.m. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center will present on Sexual Violence and tools to be used by service providers when interacting with survivors.

Join the meeting here: www.orangecountync.gov/Survivors.

Tax Office has completed the 2021 Revaluation

Property Value Notices have been mailed and should be received by March 31, 2021, and reflect the value of your property as of Jan. 1, 2021. If you have not received your Revaluation Notice by the 31^st, contact our office for a duplicate copy.

A revaluation is required by NC statutes at least every eight years, and as many counties do, Orange County follows a four-year schedule. The last revaluation in Orange County was effective Jan. 1, 2017. The purpose is to redistribute the tax burden based on current market data and maintain equitable and uniform property values among property owners throughout the county. As time elapses between revaluations, properties may increase or decrease in market value at different rates.

If you believe that the Jan. 1, 2021, value of your property is not correct, you may file an appeal. An informal appeal form is included with your revaluation notice. Appeals may be mailed, put in the drop box at the front door to our office in Hillsborough, emailed or submitted online. To appeal online use our Online Appeals Tool at: https://appeals.spatialest.com/nc-orange.

Review property information at the Property Record Card Search: https://property.spatialest.com/nc/orange/#/.
Review sales in your area at the Orange Public Comper: https://nc-orange-citizen.comper.info/template.aspx.

Due to the pandemic, the Tax Office is restricting entrance to our office. Yet we are working and able to assist you via phone, email, mail, and chat online at https://www.orangecountync.gov/842/Chat.

We are able to make appointments for assistance in person as needed. Masks must be worn. Contact our office for an appointment. Call (919) 245-2100 option 2 or at reval@orangecountync.gov.

Orange County to host Implicit Bias Event

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE Mental Wellness Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend a virtual presentation, Understanding and Moving Beyond Implicit Bias on April 27.

Join us for an informative and authentic presentation about implicit bias facilitated by Karen McLeod, MSW. Learn how our very own personal characteristics of race, gender, age, or socio-economic status can influence the way we view other individuals or groups. Participants will learn not only the meaning behind implicit bias but expert information on how we can acknowledge and correct these patterns.

Hosted by Project EngAGE Mental Wellness Senior Resource Team.

The event will take place on Tuesday, April 27, from 6 – 8 p.m. via a virtual platform. To register, please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/UnderstandingBias.

If technology assistance is needed, please contact Shenae McPherson at 919-245-4243 by Monday, April 26.

www.orangecountync.gov