You are invited to participate in an important statewide conversation |
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| Tuesday, May 26th 6:30 – 8:00 pm Conversation with New Mexico Voices for Children About the New Mexico State Budget Crisis
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...with Amber Wallin, Deputy Director Bill Jordan, Government Relations Officer Paige Knight, Research and Policy Analyst. Joining this panel will be Rep. Javier Martinez, Chair House Tax & Revenue Committee. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated: "A Budget is a Moral Document.” New Mexico faces a budget crisis that will force difficult choices. We would like to see a strong economic justice lens focused squarely on each choice, but to advocate effectively for a budget requires an understanding of the choices. On May 26, Retake Our Democracy will discuss the dire state of the NM state budget due to plummeting gas and oil prices and the economic impact of Covid-19 with some of the most informed people in NM. Central to the discussion will be how tax policy over several administrations has created a very regressive tax system by passing a series of tax giveaways that have starved the state of needed tax revenue. We will explore how the state can use federal relief funds, its “rainy day” fund, the Permanent Fund, and changes in tax policy to shore up our budget and avoid significant cuts to our safety net, health care, social services, early childhood, and education systems. Most importantly we will offer suggestions for how you can effectively raise your voice. And that voice will most certainly be needed. Please share this Zoominar info and link with others. Click here to register. Director, Retake Our Democracy Engage, Educate, Organize, Motivate, Activate People and Planet Over Profits |
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Donations Needed to Keep Homeless People Safe Donate Now to the NMCEH COVID-19 Fund (click here for link) This is a difficult time for all of us but especially for people who are homeless. |
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| Homeless shelters in New Mexico are operating at half capacity or less to allow for social distancing. They are not allowing new people in to protect those already there, and some have simply closed their doors entirely. |
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| Camping out has become more challenging as the places that homeless people used to use for washing up such as community centers and libraries are closed.
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| Homeless people are also very vulnerable to COVID-19 as many are older and many suffer from underlying health conditions. |
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To address this crisis, the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness (NMCEH) is partnering with its member agencies to place the more vulnerable homeless people in motels and to distribute sleeping bags and tents to those who must sleep outside. The motels we are working with have offered reduced rates to help out. |
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We started this effort with a grant from the National Low Income Housing Coalition of $20,000 but that money will run out in a week or two. It may be several weeks beyond that before we can access federal funds through the CARE act. Your donation today will help keep a vulnerable homeless person in New Mexico safe. **How much would you spend for a motel room to keep your family off the streets? Protect a homeless family with your gift. If you have a favorite homeless assistance agency you can donate to them, or you can make a donation to NMCEH. We will use all the money raised in May to place vulnerable homeless people in motels and to purchase basic sleeping bags and tents. |
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BEFORE COVID-19: SEVEN OUT OF TEN AMERICANS WERE ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM BEING HOMELESS. NOW WITH COVID-19 LAYOFFS THE STATISTICS ARE STAGGERING. |
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An Important Message from Abuko Estrada, Coverage Innovation Officer for the State of New Mexico PLEASE FORWARD |
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It is critical that New Mexicans, especially those losing employment or seeing a reduction in work hours that disqualifies them for employer coverage, understand that there are health coverage options available to protect their family’s health during these difficult times. Please share the attached flyers widely with your network. It is also important to know that COVID-19 testing and testing-related services are covered for all New Mexicans at no cost regardless of whether you have coverage or not. Coverage Innovation Officer HSD/Medical Assistance Division AbukoD.Estrada@state.nm.us |
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SEE BELOW FOR MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION: (please forward) How to Apply for Medicaid and/or Unemployment Insurance and/or Health Insurance for Child Care Workers with COVID-19 |
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https://www.lcsun-news.com/videos/news/2020/04/08/coronavirus-cases-hit-1-million-worldwide/2967372001/ |
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LAS CRUCES - In response to a higher volume of jobless claims within New Mexico because of the coronavirus pandemic, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will extend call hours for the next few days and eliminate its waiting week for qualifying unemployed people in an attempt to get people their benefits faster. In a news release Tuesday, DWS announced it was waiving its standard "waiting week" for anyone in the state who has applied for unemployment insurance since March 15. Typically, people must wait a week before receiving weekly UI benefits. "By waiving the waiting week, claimants will receive an extra week of benefit payments to their accounts while allowing for new applicants to receive their benefits faster," DWS said in the release. Those who have received benefits after March 15 and had to wait a week will also receive benefits for the week they missed, according to DWS. Residents applying for unemployment will also have a wider window to call within. The DWS announced extended hours to apply for benefits over the phone. DWS will take calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The department is still requiring people to call based the last digit of their social security number. Different numbers match different days. That information and more can be found at: dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info. The extended call hours may continue, but DWS will announce that later this week. Due to high call volume, DWS still recommends people apply for UI online at: jobs.state.nm.us. |
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| NEW MEXICO CAREGIVER EMERGENCY CHILD CARE GRANTS |
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As our readers well know, New Mexico caregivers and care workers are needed now more than ever to care for our state’s elderly and persons with disabilities. Caregivers of young children are especially hard hit because schools are closed due to COVID-19 precautions. Consequently, many caregivers NOW have the additional economic burden of meeting the cost of child care. To assist with this unexpected hardship, New Mexico Caregivers Coalition is offering immediate Caregiver Emergency Child Care Grants to New Mexico’s caregivers and home care workers who have a young child/children (aged 0-12) in child care settings. Eligibility for Caregiver Emergency Child Care Grants: · Person who works as a home care worker and has young child/children (0-12) in child care settings. · Applications must be accompanied by proof of payment for child care service(s) such as copy of receipt dated March 9, 2020 or later from the provider. · Child care providers recognized under emergency NM Public Health Order(s) may apply. · Grant amount is $100. Applicant may apply up to three (3) times, once each month beginning March 20, 2020. New application must be submitted each month. · Applications may be submitted via fax to (505) 393-5101, email to info@nmdcc.org or mailed to P.O. Box 297, Bernalillo, NM 87004. Download application here ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON COVID-19 ASSISTANCE During this state of emergency, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham · During the emergency health declaration, the state will temporarily register family, friend and neighbor (FFN) providers who may be eligible to receive child care assistance funding; Interested parties can call 1-833-551-0518. · Temporary FFN providers will be required to complete a background check, as will all family members over the age of 18 living in their home. · Temporary FFN providers will also be required to complete a three-hour online health and safety training and an online CPR training. · The state has a Child Care Resource and Referral line to help families find child care (1-800-691-9067; www.NewMexicoKids.org). |
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| These Household Products Can Destroy the Novel Coronvirus |
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CR shows you how to use them and tells you which products to stay away from. |
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Resources for Faith and Community Leaders |
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| Values Partnership has shared a list of resources for faith leaders that are also helpful for community leaders: |
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Joshua DuBois - Founding Partner & CEO is one of our country’s top voices on community partnerships and issues related to race and religion. Joshua led the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in President Obama’s first term and was called the President’s “Pastor-in-Chief” by TIME Magazine. |
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For live streaming for services and meetings, they recommend: Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Google Meet, and Zoom for free or relatively low cost. Here is an article that walks through some of these services: A Beginner’s Guide to Church Live Streaming. Also, Google is making the professional version of Google Hangouts Meet available for FREE. Here are instructions for setting up Google video streaming. For virtual giving, they shared a good article on the five best online giving platforms and suggested that PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp might be easiest at first, with Planning Center, Tithe.ly, EasyTithe, RebelGive and GiveLify as longer-term solutions. And in an age where leaders have to communicate clearly and effectively to allay fears and misinformation, they have compiled websites, articles, and resources helpful as we seek to understand and adjust to this virus: The Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and National Association of Evangelicals are hosting a free digital summit on March 26 & 27 for church leaders responding to COVID-19. (The theology/ideology may not be a fit for some of us, but tools may be helpful.) https://coronavirusandthechurch.com - contains information from the CDC and pastors for best practices for leading a congregation in the midst of COVID-19 Praxis Labs: Love in the Time of Coronavirus; Sojourners: American Individualism vs. Loving Your Neighbor; New York Times: The Christian Response to the Coronavirus: Stay Home; and Chanequa Walker-Barnes' Youtube Presentation “Pastoring in a Pandemic” |
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Sign up for Medicaid NOW PLEASE FORWARD THIS ALERT An estimated 56,000 of your neighbors in New Mexico qualify for Medicaid and are NOT yet enrolled. YOU could help save their lives! |
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| Please share so that uninsured New Mexicans know how they can sign up for no-cost, comprehensive health coverage in this difficult time. |
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If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, we will help you connect with other coverage options. You need to be able to get the care you need including testing or medical treatment for COVID-19. |
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There are an estimated 56,000 uninsured residents in New Mexico who are eligible for Medicaid but not enrolled. Many of them are adults between the ages of 19-64. During this public health emergency related to COVID-19, I urge you, your friends and family to check if you/they are eligible for Medicaid, if uninsured. To apply, please go to www.yes.state.nm.us or call 1-855-637-6574 https://www.yes.state.nm.us/yesnm/home/index If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. AbukoD.Estrada@state.nm.us 1-800-283-4465. |
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PLEASE FORWARD: To apply for Unemployment Insurance by phone: 877-664-6984 |
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To apply online: visit Workforce Connections website: www.jobs.state.nm.us For updates and information about COVID-19 visit: https://cv.nmhealth.org/ |
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Over 44% of workers the in US now earn Low Wages = $17,950 per year or less. In New Mexico that percentage is even larger. |
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THIS IS AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM VERONICA GARCIA SUPERINTENDENT OF SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HELP TO GET THE WORD OUT BY FORWARDING TO YOUR LIST. |
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“If the soul is left in darkness, sins will be committed. The guilty one is not the one commits the sin, but the one who causes the darkness." --Victor Hugo |
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Interfaith Worker Justice-NM is a statewide network of people of faith and people of conscience that calls upon their moral, ethical and theological values to advocate for workers' rights and economic justice. |
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A society with with more justice is a society that needs less charity. |
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| Help us defend worker's rights and economic justice! Send your tax deductible contribution to: Interfaith Worker Justice -NM PO Box 23468 Santa Fe, NM 87502 |
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Contact: The Rev. Dr. Holly Beaumont, Organizing Director PO Box 23468, Santa Fe, NM 87502 505-660-5018, hbeaumont@iwj.org www.iwj.org |
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