Clackamas County Small Business Grants

November 4, 2020

Clackamas County Small Business Grants
Clackamas County is offering a second round of Small Business Assistance grants to provide financial support to businesses with 25 employees or less that have been adversely affected by economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are due by Friday, November 6.

State Releases New Metrics For Schools
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released an update to the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance, including updated metrics for returning to in-person instruction. The metrics are based on the latest COVID-19 studies and data, aligns to CDC recommendations, and helps Oregon meet its priority to return students to in-person instruction. Three of the major changes made to the metrics are:

• Removing the statewide 5% threshold for percentage of tests coming back positive. This simpler approach will better reflect local conditions. 
• Changing the review period for examining metrics data to two-week period rather than three consecutive one-week periods. This important change aligns with the CDC, California and other states, and will avoid the situations we've seen where a one-time cluster in a smaller county resets the clock for them for an additional three weeks. 
• Expanding the exception for K-3 to all elementary-aged students up to grade six. At the time of the original metric, limited scientific evidence suggested that children of K-3 ages might be lower risk for transmitting COVID-19, but newer evidence suggests this may not be the case; however, younger children still appear to have less severe illness than older children and adults. 

For more information read the press release or go to Ready Schools Safe Learners.

Need Emotional Support? You’ve Got Options
Times of uncertainty can bring about feelings like fear and worry. These are normal feelings, but they can make it hard to remember to take care of yourself. Self-care is important for both mental and physical wellbeing. Here are some ways to take care of yourself:

• Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news when you are able. 
• Try to do something you enjoy.  
• Take care of your body by eating well, exercising and getting plenty of sleep.   
• Make time to unwind. Remind yourself that strong feelings will fade.   
• Check in with your community (neighbors, family, friends, etc.) if you are able.   
• Keep a sense of hope.  
• Connect with others.   

If you want someone to talk to, the David Romprey Oregon Warmline is available every day from 9:00am to 11:00pm by calling 800-698-2392.  You can also call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it – not only those experiencing a mental health crisis. More resources are available on the Safe + Strong mental and emotional health page.

Temporary Paid Leave Program
Do you have to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19, but don't have paid time off?
Help is available. The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program provides a $120 per day (up to $1,200) payment to workers in Oregon who are required to quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, who do not qualify for COVID-19-related paid sick leave or do not have access to paid sick leave. To see if you are eligible take this quiz or visit oregon.gov/covidpaidleave.