Census Day & COVID-19 Updates

Friends,

Today is Census Day! By now you should have received mail from the U.S. Census Bureau inviting you to complete your #2020Census. For the first time ever, you can complete the Census online at 2020census.gov, by phone or by mail - whichever way you choose to respond remember to count everyone in your household (even babies!).  Alexandria's response rate is currently at 40.9 percent which is barely ahead of the statewide rate, and we're lagging behind our neighbors here in Northern Virginia. As you know, for every person not counted in the Census, Alexandria loses $1200 per year in critical federal funding, so let's get the resources our community deserves!

Based on 2010 Census data, the City received $39.7 million in federal funding in 2019 for a number of important programs including:

  • $5.1 million for ACPS school lunch program

  • $4.7 million for transportation improvements

  • $3.3 million in special education grants

  • $2.3 million for Head Start 

  • $1.7 million for foster care

  • $1.2 million for TANF

  • $894,000 for Community Development Block Grants

  • $788,382 for mental health services

  • $693,278 for firefighter grants

  • $403,875 for Homeland Security Grants

If you're looking for a fun, learning activity for the young scholar in your life, check out the Census Bureau's Statistics in Schools program which offers over 100 free activities for pre-K through 12th graders, English language learners, and adult English as a second language students to learn about the value and every day uses of Census data.

There are also free coloring pages you can download and print:

As it relates to COVID-19, things are changing daily, if not hourly. We currently have 44 confirmed cases in Alexandria. On Monday, the Governor issued a statewide stay-at-home order to help stop the spread of coronavirus in the Commonwealth. Virginia residents should stay in their homes except for essential travel .This new executive order remains in place until June 10, 2020. 

You can stay informed by visiting the City's COVID-19 website and other trusted sources such as the Governor's office, the Virginia Department Health and the CDC for regular updates.

Remember to stay home and complete your 2020 Census!  

-Canek 

Resources for Uninsured

The Alexandria Health Department has put together a new resource guide in English and Spanish for individuals needing to see a doctor but who may lack a primary care physician or health insurance. 
 

Housing Relief Programs

The Alexandria Office of Housing has assembled a summary of housing relief programs available for Alexandria residents. The information provided is subject to change as circumstances change. Eligibility for homeowners may vary depending on the type of loan. Renters should contact their landlords as soon as possible, as many Alexandria properties are offering relief programs for those affected by COVID-19. Condominium owners and homeowners association members should contact their organization management for policies regarding fee payments.

 

Department of Community and Human Services 

The City and its partners are working together to provide information and resources that may offer some level of support, security and stability for families in need due to the impacts of the coronavirus response. The Department of Community and Human Services' website lists a number of resources for residents in need of financial relief and support services.

Residents can also access DCHS services remotely or in-person in urgent cases during the COVID-19 pandemic as outlined in a new one-pager.
 

Alexandria City Public Schools

Although schools are closed for the remainder of the school year, ACPS will provide emergency meals at no cost for any ACPS student who needs it. Effective, Monday, March 23, breakfast and lunch meals will be provided Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the following locations:

William Ramsay Elementary School
5700 Sanger Avenue

Francis C. Hammond Middle School
4646 Seminary Road

Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology 
3600 Commonwealth Avenue

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School
1501 Cameron Street

T.C. Williams High School
3330 King Street

In addition, ACPS has five “Grab-and-Go” meal locations for any ACPS student or child over the age of 2 to pick up breakfast and lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Mason Apartments at South Reynolds Street
  10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Brent Place Apartments
 375 South Reynolds Street
11:20 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Ruby Tucker Family Center
322 Tancil Court
10:45 a.m. -11:15 a.m.

Community Lodgings
607 Notabene Drive
10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Old Towne West Apartments 
(parking lot)
500 South Alfred Street
11:20 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

If you have questions or need translation, you can call or text ACPS at the numbers below:

  • Text ACPSMEALS to 797979 (English and Spanish)

  • Call or text 703-927-6866 (Amharic)

  • Call or text 703-927-7095 (Arabic)

ACPS FACE Center’s Bilingual Parent Information Lines:

  • For Spanish, call 571-775-9719, Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

  • For Amharic, call 703-927-6866, Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

  • For Arabic, call 703-927-7095, Tuesday-Thursday (9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

For information and regular updates from ACPS, please visit: https://www.acps.k12.va.us/coronavirus.

 

APRIL 4: ALIVE! FOOD DISTRIBUTION

This Saturday, April 4, ALIVE! will distribute food for Alexandria residents in need from 8:30am to 11:00 a.m. (or until supplies run out) in the parking lots of John Adams Elementary School (5651 Rayburn Avenue) and Cora Kelly/Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center (23 W. Reed Avenue). 

Bags of food will be distributed on a drive-thru basis. Each car will be eligible to receive one bag per family member; no more than four bags per vehicle. Individuals who walk on to the sites will be asked to observe social distancing practices by maintaining six feet of personal space.

Food distributions are currently scheduled to occur every Saturday in April. If you would like to contribute a monetary donation to support ALIVE!’s food reserves, please visit ALIVE's website for more information. 

WAYS TO HELP

Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps

 The Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a group of medical and non-medical volunteers who support the Alexandria Health Department in emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Last week, I joined my fellow MRC volunteers for a few shifts in the City's COVID-19 call center. In the weeks and months ahead, we'll need additional volunteers to help with response efforts in the City, visit www.alexandriava.gov/medicalreserve to sign up today.

Donate Unused Personal Protective Equipment 

The City and the Alexandria Health Department are distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to high-priority groups, including first responders, healthcare workers and facilities supporting vulnerable populations. Community members and organizations are asked to consider donating clean, unused supplies. Acceptable supplies include surgical masks, N95 respirators (masks), disposable medical gowns, face shields, goggles, disposable medical coveralls, gloves and hand sanitizer. Homemade items are not being accepted at this time.  If you or your organization has personal protective equipment to donate, please complete the online form here.
 

Volunteer Alexandria

Volunteer Alexandria is seeking volunteers to assist with food distributions and other community needs. For more information, click here. 


ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund

The City and Act for Alexandria (ACT) established the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund to provide emergency funding to nonprofits that are delivering critical services and programs that are needed by Alexandrians most impacted by this pandemic. Thanks to your generosity the fund has currently raised more than $300,000 and distributed funding to nearly 30 nonprofits. To contribute or to learn more, visit: www.actforalexandria.org/act-now-covid-19-response-fund.
 

ALEXANDRIA COVID-19 RESOURCES


TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

  • Stay home when you are sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hand. Alternatively, cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Team Canek