COVID-19/Coronavirus Information and Resources

[Last updated July 22, 2021]

As domestic violence and sexual assault programs across our state respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in their local communities, we will be sharing resources to help programs stay informed and connected. We will update this post as new information becomes available.

As always, if you have questions, please reach out to Violence Free Colorado staff at in**@vi************.org. 

The Basics:

Coronavirus symptoms (COVID-19) include fever, shortness of breath and coughing.  These symptoms can be associated with a number of illnesses including flu. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 page to learn more.

A major concern right now is the Delta variant, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, which was first identified in India in December. It then swept rapidly through that country and Great Britain as well. The first Delta case in the United States was diagnosed in March and it is now the dominant strain in the U.S. Unvaccinated people are at the greatest risk for contracting the virus. Learn more about the Delta variant here.

Vaccines: The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently available throughout the state. Even with the vaccine, programs should continue to operate with the assumption that the virus is circulating, and continue with social distancing, handwashing, and mask-wearing procedures.

Current guidance states that because shelter services are voluntary, programs cannot require testing, masks, vaccines, etc. for entrance to services. Programs are encouraged to assist residents in accessing testing, masks and vaccinations if they are doing so voluntarily after they become a client or resident.

Program staff are encouraged to talk with survivors and work through individual issues. If a resident refuses to comply, advocates should seek alternate accommodations that would still allow the person to receive services. However, programs may intervene to maintain safety of all residents. For example if a person refuses to wear a mask or social distance, gets into verbal or physical altercations, aggressively coughs on or seeks to intimidate other residents, they could be reasonable asked to leave services as a rare, last-resort situation.

Learn more from our Vaccine FAQ and these  NNEDV Vaccine Recommendations.

• CDC Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 vaccines
• FDA guidance on COVID-19 vaccines
• Southern Ute Tribal Guidance on vaccines

What programs can do right now:

• Reach out to your local health department for more guidance and updates about COVID-19, and submit formal requests for PPE.
• Coordinate with staff to make sure everyone knows how to implement your organization’s disaster management and preparedness plan.
• Review the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s COVID-19: Coalition Guidance for Programs for technical assistance on confidentiality, protective measures, provision of alternative services and other considerations at shelters.
• Discuss plans with program staff and community partners to continue essential services and meet the needs of vulnerable populations.
  • Best practices and FVPSA regulations state that programs cannot require survivors to submit to tests or evaluations to access services.
• Actively encourage employees to stay home if they are feeling sick.
• Anticipate that survivors may experience loss of work hours or jobs or lack of access to food, and prioritize distribution of flexible, emergency financial, food and long-term housing assistance to accommodate them.

Need help getting started? Use our technical assistance request form or contact us at in**@vi************.org.

Let us know how this is impacting your programs, survivors, and their families. Violence Free Colorado is in communication right now with the Domestic Violence Program at the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Office for Victims Programs at the Department of Public Safety. Tell us what you need and what survivors say they need to stay safe.

More information & resources

Thank you to The Colorado Health Foundation, who contributed many of these.

Federal

• Complete Federal Policy Update (including details on legislative packages and more)
• Catalogue of Health Agency Guidance and Government Response to COVID-19
• NNEDV Update on Federal Funding
• TANF Information: Many programs, and victims individually, get TANF funds in various forms. Some information here indicates some flexibility during the current crisis.
• Check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment
• FAQs on COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments (from National Healthcare for the Homeless Council)
• Did your spouse or ex-spouse take your COVID Economic Impact Payment in 2020? If so, you may be eligible to claim your economic impact payment as a credit or refund on your 2020 federal tax return. Learn more. (does NOT apply to the $1400 stimulus payment under the American Rescue Plan that is currently being dispersed)

State

• Colorado COVID-19 website
• Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (details on impacts to Medicaid, Children’s Health Plan (CHP), etc.)
• Letter from Governor Jared Polis regarding domestic violence survivors and services
• Colorado Pandemic-EBT (food support for school-age children who would have received free or reduced-priced lunch during school closures due to the pandemic)
• Gov. Jared Polis official announcement ending the COVID-19 Health Emergency Order – July 8, 2021

Local

• Local Government Policy Tracker (details on what cities, counties and school districts across Colorado are doing)
• Colorado Municipal League
• Colorado Counties, Inc.
• Special Districts Association of Colorado

Philanthropic 

• Apply for the Colorado COVID-19 Emergency Hunger Relief Fund
• Help Colorado Now
• Colorado Nonprofit Association’s Resources
• Colorado Health Foundation COVID-19 Response
• Philanthropy Colorado Resources on COVID-19 (including list of response funds)

Community/workplace recommendations

• Get Your Community- and Faith-Based Organizations Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
• How Workplaces Can Support Their Workers Experiencing Domestic & Sexual Violence During the Pandemic | Apoyo para los Trabajadores que Sufren Violencia Doméstica y Sexual Durante la Pandemia
• Recommendations for Responding to COVID-19 in Domestic Violence Shelters

Courts

• FAQs Involving Courts & COVID-19

How to Help

• Tips for Helping a Friend Experiencing Domestic Abuse During COVID-19
• Video: Coercive Control During the Pandemic

Culturally specific resources

Immigrant communities

• COVID-19 Resource for Undocumented Communities
• Colorado Center on Law and Policy Resources COVID-19 Resources for Immigrant Families
• Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition COVID-19 Updates and Resources
• USCIS statement on allowing immigrants to use health care to treat COVID-19 without penalty (public charge)
• Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs During COVID-19 (Table includes info on public charge implications)
• Center for Health Progress Immigrant Resource Guide: English & español

LGBTQIA+

• The Center on Colfax COVID-19 Facebook Response Group
• Coronavirus: What Trans People Need to Know
• How LGBTQ+ People Can Get Help and Resources During Coronavirus
• How Queer People Could Be Impacted by COVID – includes a Fenway Health policy brief on increased infection risks for LGBTQ populations
• LGBTQ+ youth online resources

People with disabilities

• Advocacy Denver COVID-19 Information for People with Disabilities
• Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center Plain Language COVID-19 Information
  • En Espanol: Haga clic aquí para información de COVID-19 por y para personas con discapacidades. 
• Transcriptions of COVID-19 press conferences in Colorado (and others across the country)
• The Deaf Hotline website and their COVID-19 resource page (includes ASL videos for survivors on safety planning during the pandemic).

Resources in languages other than English

• ASL: What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (In ASL)
• Deaf Domestic Violence Victims Resources in ASL
• Español: Mantenerse segurx durante COVID-19 (para lxs sobrevivientes de violencia)
• Español: Lo que necesita saber sobre la enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) – del CDC
• A Round-Up of Multilingual Resources on COVID-19

Racial and ethnic minority communities

• Asian Pacific Development Center COVID-19 Resources (includes several in-language resources)
• COVID19 Impact on Black America
• Reckoning with Histories of Medical Racism and Violence in the USA (context on why many minority communities may be reluctant to get vaccinated or engage with the healthcare system)

American Indian | Alaska Native | First Nation communities

• National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center COVID-19 Guidance for Tribal Programs
• National Congress of American Indians COVID-19 Resource Page
• National Indian Health Board COVID-19 Page
• Indian Health Service Coronavirus Page

Health information

• CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary 

Housing and homelessness

• Violence Free Colorado’s Housing and Homelessness Resources 
• CDC Homeless Shelter Planning
• Letter to Landlord Template – Rent Relief COVID-19
• A Colorado Tenant’s Guide to COVID-19. | Versión en español: Una Guía del Inquilino de Colorado para COVID-19
• Webinar: COVID-19 Planning and Response: Isolation and Quarantine: Lessons Learned from King County (Washington State)
• Eviction and Foreclosure Assistance for COVID-19 Impacted Households (map of Colorado, find services near you)
• New Executive Order from Governor Polis: No eviction filings, no service of eviction by Sheriffs, or late fees for 30 days starting April 30 (legacy information only – eviction moratorium expired on Dec. 31, 2020)
• Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance
• “Find shelter” tool from HUD
• Energy Utility Bill Payment Assistance

Sexual assault resources

• Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault Crisis Management Resources Page

Technology, tele-health and tele-advocacy

• NNEDV Technology Safety Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Using Technology to Communicate with Survivors During a Public Health Crisis 
• How to Operate as a Remote Workplace During a Public Health Crisis
• NNEDV’s Tech Safety Blog
• Tele-counseling 101: Providing Services for Survivors (video)
• Tele-counseling 101: Providing Services for Survivors (FAQ sheet)

Transportation

• Violence Free Colorado/Lyft Transportation Assistance

Childcare

• Colorado Emergency Child Care Collaborative (legacy information only – as of May 17, 2020, the program is no longer accepting parent applications)

Special considerations

• This may be a frightening and isolating time for survivors and their children. It’s a good time to activate friends and family and community support.
• There’s been an escalation of stigma and racist backlash toward Chinese and Asian communities in the United States around the COVID-19 virus. Be aware of this heightened chance of violence and the impact it may have on those in your community.

Resources for survivors

• Contact your local advocacy agency to confirm service offerings during the COVID-19 health crisis
• WeeCycle provides diaper and formula distributions to individuals. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to learn more.
• Denver Area Meal Distribution displays locations where children and families can get free meals in the metro area
• The Alliance in Chaffee County provides a local COVID-19 Resource List

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Questions? Contact us at in**@vi************.org.