Dear Friend,
Last week, we demonstrated yet again the power of people. In less than 36 hours, volunteers mobilized to bring information to doors of folks in our district about last Friday’s deadline to apply for rental assistance in Orange County.
As ERAP 2 is deliberated, we will continue to fight for relief for families, free from red tape and delays. Thank you to the whole Annaverse Team who works everyday to ensure Floridians have the most up-to-date resources!
On Tuesday, we also met with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss abortion rights in Florida. We were able to discuss not only what’s at stake on the statewide level, but also provide action items the federal government has and can take to protect reproductive freedoms. You can read my full statement here.
Below are additional updates pertaining to public health and financial support programs. If you have any questions, do let us know.
Onward,
Representative Anna V. Eskamani
Public Health Updates
Monkeypox and Meningococcal Disease: Florida and especially Orange County are currently experiencing outbreaks of Monkeypox and Meningococcal Disease. Men who have sex with men, young people in dormitories, and immunocompromised people are at increased risk. We encourage you to read more about both diseases and take preventative measures including getting vaccinated if you are at-risk.
988: There is now a nationwide number for 24/7 crisis support for mental health challenges and emergencies. Click here for a social media toolkit and ways you can share this crucial resource within your networks.
COVID19: Case are rising again across Florida after a couple of weeks of appearing to slow down, new federal data showed Friday. Viral loads in wastewater have also been climbing in Orange and Seminole counties in Central Florida.
Florida’s COVID death toll climbed by an average of 386 people weekly since state health officials’ last pandemic report released July 1. That’s slightly lower than the weekly average calculated for the two weeks prior, and much lower than during the omicron and delta variant surges.
At least 76,662 Floridians have died since the start of the pandemic, state auditors reported last month.
The BA.5 omicron subvariant has recently become dominant among new U.S. cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Tuesday that it accounted for more than 60% of all new infections.
About 72% of the eligible population ages 6 months or older have been at least partially inoculated, the state says. That includes about 1% of eligible children younger than 4 years old. Unlike every other governor, DeSantis blocked physicians in the state last month from preordering COVID vaccines for kids in that age group.
When we asked if Orange County’s Department of Health would be ordering vaccines for those under 5, here was their response: “To directly answer your question; no, the Orange County DOH will not be making a request for COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 5. We are actively supporting other providers in the community in ordering and administering vaccines such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), pharmacies, hospitals, and private health care providers. As well as linking families to those community resources as the need arises.”
If you are in need of support in finding a vaccination site or treatment center, please feel free to contact.
Economic Support Programs
Rental Assistance Programs: At this time in Central Florida, all local rental assistance programs that are federally funded as a response to COVID-19 are no longer accepting new applications. If you are facing an eviction we encourage you to contact LegalAid for support. If you are struggling with rental payments, call 211 to see what nonprofit support may exist.
As noted above, Orange County will announce the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program 2 (ERAP 2) next month.
Homeowners Assistance Fund: This is a federally funded program designed to mitigate financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by preventing homeowners’ mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as by providing assistance with home energy services, internet, property and/or flood insurance, property taxes, and homeowner or condominium association fees. Eligible Florida homeowners may receive up to $50,000 in assistance.
Right now, 54,540 eligible registrations have been submitted, and a total of 6,607 homeowner applications have been approved by DEO. Learn more and apply here.
My Safe Florida Home Program: This program has been re-enacted by the Florida Legislature but is only eligible for homes located in the “wind-borne debris region” as that term is defined in the Florida Building Code. The program has not been officially launched yet, but you can learn more about home inspections and matching grants here.
Food Stamps: If you are experiencing delays with applying for food stamps, please contact your State Representative or Senator for support. Our office is always here to help, too.