COVID-19 Local Resource Guide

Social services
How can I help my community through this pandemic?
Governor Phil Scott is calling all Vermonters
into service with the launch of a
new website allowing people to sign up
for volunteer assistance to support the
state’s response to Covid-19: vermont.
gov/volunteer.
The website directs those with medical
and healthcare skills (nurses, pharmacist,
EMS, physician assistants, veterinarians,
mental health workers, etc.) to the Medical
Reserve Corp (MRC), and those willing
to fill in for essential work positions (such
as grocery workers, public works professionals,
drivers, etc.) to a quick registration
process to sign up to help.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is rapidly
developing, so we are calling on Vermonters
to sign up, let us know what skills they
can offer, and be ready to serve if needed,”
states the call to action. “If we need
you and your skills, we will be in touch.
Our hope is to develop a large pool of
people willing to help should any rapidly
developing situation require additional
volunteers.
“Our current greatest need is for health
care professionals. If you have medical
experience or are a retired medical professional,
please sign up below to join the
Vermont Medical Reserve Corps.
“We appreciate your interest in helping
others during this moment in history. Together
we will get through this and emerge
stronger,” the statement continued.
Health care professionals can get
expedited temporary licenses
Health care professionals can also now
quickly become temporarily licensed to
provide care during the Covid-19 public
health emergency.
Gov. Phil Scott signed Act 91 on March
31, granting emergency authority to
expedite temporary licensure for health
care professionals. Bolstering the ranks of
health care providers will expand access
to medical services for patients and allow
qualified retirees to serve Vermont at this
difficult time.
“We urgently need clinicians and other
experienced health workers to help us
meet the demand for care,” said Health
Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “We are
asking anyone who is qualified to please
consider helping.”
The new emergency measures grant a
temporary license for health professionals
who:
• Are licensed and in good standing
in other states
• Were licensed in Vermont, but
whose licenses lapsed in recent
years
In Vermont, the Health Department’s
Board of Medical Practice licenses
medical doctors, physician assistants, and
podiatrists. Other health care professions
– including nurses and osteopathic
physicians – are licensed by the Secretary
of State’s Office of Professional Regulation.
These provisions apply to people who
were previously licensed. There are no
fees of any kind to obtain a temporary
emergency license. For more information
visit sos.vermont.gov/opr or call 802-828-
1505.
Donate Personal Protection
Equipment (PPE)
Donations of N95 masks, medical and
industrial grade, or surgical masks can be
brought to your nearest State Police Barracks.
You can find the location nearest to
you at vsp.vermont.gov/stations.
Give blood
The American Red Cross is desperately
seeking blood donors as the national
supply is short. With thousands of blood
drives cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic,
the organization is working hard to
open new donation sites.
“The need for blood is constant and
your contribution is important for a
healthy and reliable blood supply. You will
feel good knowing you’ve helped change a
life,” the American Red Cross states.
The American Red Cross of New
Hampshire & Vermont serves all residents
in both states — a population of more than
1.9 million people. We cover 24 counties
and 18,973 square miles, the region operates
with the support of a small group of
paid staff and more than 1,100 dedicated
volunteers.
To support social distancing, appointments
are now required. Visit redcross.org
to make an appointment. Current upcoming
blood drives are:
Thursday, May 7
Trinity Episcopal Church, 85 West St.,
Rutland
Saturday, May 9
Alliance Community Fellowship
Church, 1 Scale Ave. suite 101 building 3a,
Rutland
Wednesday, May 13
Furnace Brook Wesleyan Church, 2190
Route 7, Pittsford
Friday, May 15
Alliance Community Fellowship
Church, 1 Scale Ave. suite 101 building 3a,
Rutland.
Support your local food bank
Not everyone has the financial stability
to stock up on the two weeks of food
needed for quarantine. Kids are home
from school, businesses are closed, many
friends and neighbors are out of work or
isolated at home. You can help make sure
that pantries are filled and that people are
prepared to take good care of themselves
and their loved ones. It is more important
than ever to ensure that anyone in
Vermont who needs a meal can get one.
Donate online at vtfoodbank.org or text
GIVEHEALTH to 85511.
Rutland County Meals on Wheels is in
need of volunteer delivery drivers
Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging
(SVCOA), administrators of the Rutland
Courtesy RRMC
Patients and visitors to Rutland Regional Medical Center can expect to have their temperature
taken at the Stratton Road entrance. Masks are required and will be provided to
those who don’t have them.
County Meals on Wheels program, issued
an urgent call for volunteer support to assist
with Meals on Wheels deliveries to homebound
older Vermonters throughout the
area.
“We’ve seen a drastic decline in the
number of volunteer delivery drivers as the
Covid-19 issue has progressed, coupled
with a significant rise in demand for meals,”
said Courtney Anderson, Nutrition Director
with SVCOA. “As a result, we’ve had to alter
delivery schedules and maximize staffing
resources as best as possible. We are in great
need of new drivers and hope that anyone
who is interested or able will join the effort.”
Anyone who is interested in volunteering
as a Meals on Wheels delivery driver
should contact Penny Jones at 802-775-
0133 as soon as possible.
SVCOA and Rutland County Meals on
Wheels have implemented a number of
thorough and stringent precautionary
protocols for delivery drivers as directed by
the Vermont Department of Health (VDH)
and Vermont Department of Disabilities,
Aging and Independent Living (DAIL). “We
want to make it very clear to folks that there
are significant protective measures in place
that remove all in-person contact and that
ensure the health and safety of delivery
drivers, as well as meal recipients,” said Anderson.
“This is a critical service for so many
homebound individuals in our region, and
we ask for your help.”
Southern Vermont Council on Aging
(SVCOA) is also offering a grocery and
supply shopping service to support older
Vermonters in Rutland and Bennington
counties during the Covid-19. If you’re
interested in volunteering, please call
SVCOA at 802-786-5990.
For more information visit svcoa.org.
Donate money
BROC-Community Action: Broc.org
Rutland Regional Medical Center has 3 Covid-19 funds: the Community Support Fund,
the Community Tele-Innovation Fund, and the Emergency Response Fund:
rrmc.org/ways-to-give/fundraising/covid-19-fund
Hunger Free Vermont: hungerfreevt.org/coronavirus
Killington Relief Fund: facebook.com/onekillington
Meals on Wheels: svcoa.org/ways-to-donate
United Way of Rutland County: uwrutlandcounty.org
Vermont Community Foundation: vermontcf.org
Vermont Emergency management: vem.vermont.gov/donate
Vermont Food Bank: vtfoodbank.org/give
Woodstock Area Relief fund: woodstockcommunitytrust.com/covid-19
Covid-19 Local Guide • April 24, 2020 • 27