Covid-19 Updates and Resources
JFCS’ highest priority is the health and safety of our clients, staff, volunteers and community. As we face COVID-19 together, our dedication to providing critical programs and support to those in need is unwavering. JFCS is here, to provide stability and hope in this time defined by change and uncertainty.
In our ongoing efforts to closely monitor COVID-19 and its variants, JFCS takes guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Oregon Health Authority. We urge our community to follow their lead: Wear your mask properly (covering nose and mouth), maintain social distancing and get vaccinated and your booster.
Click here for community resources, including vaccine locator and COVID testing sites.
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Community Updates
April 26, 2022
The state of Oregon introduces “My Electronic Vaccine Card”. Learn about it here.
January 20, 2022
- Individuals can order a free COVID test at COVIDtest.gov
- 4 tests per household.
- A free call line to order a test: 1-800-232-0233, TTY: 1-88-720-7489
- English and Spanish languages available.
- Free N95 masks will be available at local pharmacies and grocery store pharmarcies by early February.
- Administration for Community Living (ACL) organization has a national hotline called DIAL (Disability Information and Access Line): 888-677-1199 or email at dial@usaginganddisability.org
- Monday through Friday 9am-8pm.
- Help people with disabilities get vaccinated or access to tests. Help with local services, such as getting transportation to sites.
- Help with instructions for what to do when you get the test (how to test yourself, accessing results, etc)
- “Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can reach DIAL using the 711/Video Relay Service (VRS). To use this free service, simply dial 711 and you will be connected with a communications assistant with whom you can text. The DIAL information specialists are trained to work with people of various communications abilities.”
- Administration for Community Living webpage: ACL.gov/COVID-19
- The Biden Administration has directed the National Institute of Health to prioritize the production of COVID-19 tests that are accessible to the Blind/Low vision community, as they currently are not. They will communicate when that goes into production.
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While our offices remain closed to the public, the JFCS team continues to provide the vital services on which you rely in each of our four programs: Counseling, Disability Support Services, Holocaust Survivor Services and Emergency Aid.
Counseling:
Our counselors continue to provide mental-health services through telephonic or Zoom therapy sessions, allowing for ongoing care in each client’s home, as well as a few in-person appointments to be arranged separately with your therapist.
Community Resource Groups led by our Counseling program team occur on a regular basis through Zoom teleconferencing. They provide a space for us to come together, to commiserate, to support and to comfort.Disability Support Services:
Clients receive ongoing support from program leadership, with consistent well-checks.
As the pandemic continues, so does the challenge of prolonged social isolation. JFCS is here to help with our Mental Health Spotlight. Click here to learn more about this important program.
We offer two online social and support groups:
Coming Together is a bi-weekly online group for parents and caregivers of children and adults with disabilities. For more information or to register, please email Shayna Sigman at ssigman@jfcs-portland.org to register.
TIKVAH is a group for adults ages 18 and up who have a physical and/or developmental disability.
Holocaust Survivor Services:
Our Holocaust Survivors receive hot meals, groceries and medications, housekeeping, transportation and other services via fully vaccinated professionals and volunteers. JFCS wants to emphasize that in-person care is provided by fully vaccinated individuals.
Also in the works is a virtual socialization option for clients to provide social support and entertainment, as well as to chase away feelings of isolation, in a safe way.
Emergency Aid:
AJFCS’ robust Emergency Aid program provides limited assistance for emergency needs, such as financial support for rent and utilities, as well as groceries. Our remote intake system offers best practices to serve our entire community. JFCS works in tandem with our community partners, such as the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, within and beyond the Jewish community to provide relief to those in need.
Volunteer Program:
JFCS instigated a Friendly Callers program designed to create connections and foster community. Our fully vaccinated volunteers reach out via phone to community members who would like a friendly call once a week. If you’d like to join our growing team of Friendly Callers (or to volunteer in an additional or another capacity), visit our Volunteer webpage.
Community Resources:
Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Updates
Congregation Neveh Shalom COVID-19 Outreach and Services (CNSCOS)
