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Final COVID - 19 Update

Friends and Neighbors,

This will be my last COVID-19 e-update via email. Under state law, Representatives who are up for re-election cannot send out more than 49 pieces of similar letters or emails from their legislative offices after April 15. This is a rule to make sure incumbents don't have an unfair advantage over any opponents. This year, an exception was made for COVID-19 information since there is a lot of information to disperse and many resources to connect constituents with. However this exception ends after today, Wednesday, June 10.

After this I will continue to advocate for you and will be posting updates on resources related to COVID-19 on my Facebook page. I will also continue to update my website as well. If you have Facebook, I encourage you to "like" my page so that my posts come up on your Facebook feed. I also encourage you to continue accessing relevant and accurate information from these sources:

As always, please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns. Continue reading for updates on childcare grants, small business grants, rental assistance, and more.

Sincerely,

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Maintaining Physical + Mental Health
During COVID-19

It's warmer out, and we've all been social distancing for a long time. Due to this it is becoming harder to stay strong and abide by public health guidelines. According to public health experts, the best way to protect your health as well as the health of your family, friends, and community is to follow these steps:

Wear a maskMask Do Your Part credit.jpgGraphic from Do Your Part

 

Abide by social distancing guidelines
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Graphic from UW Madison

 

Wash your hands frequently and cover your coughs/sneezes:
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Graphic from CDC

 

Mental health resources: 

If you are experiencing trauma or toxic stress due to COVID-19, you are not alone. Please check out Resilient Wisconsin for resources on learning to cope during COVID-19, and for helplines, hotlines, and virtual meetings.

With COVID-19 recommendations in place, many people are spending more time at home. If you feel overwhelmed or unsafe, please check out these resources:

Again - you are not alone. Everyone deserves to find healthy ways to cope with trauma and chronic stress.

  

 
Child Care Payments Update


The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families awarded over $32 million to 2,367 early care and education providers in the first application window of the COVID-19 Emergency Payment Program. These payments will go to supporting early care and education providers during this unprecedented health emergency.

 

The second period of funding opened on Monday, June 8. If you are interested in eligibility or other details, click here.

 
Emergency Food Pantry Program Update

The income threshold has been raised for the emergency food pantry program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially during these hard times, not everyone has the means to purchase food for their family. That is why this program is so important.


I encourage you to look into this program if you are having trouble buying groceries. For more information, click here.

 

We're All In Grant Program Update


The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced that the We're All In Small Business Grant program will go live on Monday, June 15. The online grant application will be open for one week until Sunday, June 21. A link to the application will be posted on this site (click here) on June 15.


In the meantime, WEDC is encouraging applicants to prepare their documents for the application including a 2018 or 2019 federal tax return and a letter of acknowledgement from a community group. For more information on the necessary documents, WEDC guidelines and more, click this link.

 

Rental Assistance Program Update

Monday was the first day Wisconsinites could submit their applications for the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program (WRAP). I have been advocating for you in my conversations with colleagues, and I have heard that their constituents are in similar situations. I am proud to support this initiative, which will provide up to $3,000 per household in rental payments and/or security deposits.


To apply, contact the following organization based on which county you live in:


Central Wisconsin CAC, Inc.
Counties Served: Columbia, Sauk
Phone: (608) 254-8353

Community Action for
South Central Wisconsin, Inc.
Counties Served: Dane
Phone: (608) 237-1255

Southwest CAP
Counties Served: Iowa
Phone: (608) 935-2326 Ext. 203

For more information on this program click here.

 
Farm Support Program Update

 

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Revenue have worked with agriculture stakeholders to ensure they receive assistance related to COVID-19 losses. Applications for the $50 million Farm Support Program will become available on June 15.

Payments will be $1,000-$3,500 and will be disbursed after the application period closes on June 29. Wisconsin farmers with gross income between $35,000 and $5,000,000 in 2019 may be eligible to receive a payment. Farmers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible on or after June 15 to leave time for resolving any potential issues in their application

Eligible farmers should apply online through the Department of Revenue, where the application link will be live on June 15. Farmers who cannot apply online may request assistance by calling 608-266-2772. 


For more information on the program and eligibility, click here.

 

  

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I encourage you to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns during this time. It is important to me to hear from you on issues at the state level.