 . We are here to help. The Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) brings strength to Iowa's rich heritage. Our three divisions - Community Action Agencies, Community Advocacy and Services, and Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning - work to reduce cultural, social, and economic barriers to opportunities for Iowans to succeed. Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Program (FaDSS) The Iowa Department of Human Rights' Division of Community Action Agencies works to reduce poverty by addressing issues facing low-income families and bringing resources to the community level. We link state and federal programs with Community Action Agencies and other community based organizations across the state to serve elderly, disabled, and low-income Iowans. One of the programs that the Division administers is the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) program. The FaDSS program was created in 1988 by the Iowa legislature to assist Family Investment Program (FIP) families with significant or multiple barriers to reach self-sufficiency. FaDSS provides services that empower and nurture families toward stability and economic self-sufficiency. The foundation of FaDSS is regular home visits with families using a strength-based approach. For more information on the program and eligibility, please visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/fadss/about-fadss.    Iowa Talent Bank Thanks to Iowa Business Record for highlighting Iowa's gender balance law and the Iowa Talent Bank. Click here for the article. Housed at the Iowa Department of Human Rights, the Iowa Talent Bank's goal is to increase inclusion and representation of all Iowans serving on boards and commissions. If you are interested in making a difference in your community and state, consider serving on a board or commission. Visit https://talentbank.iowa.gov for opportunities, including mentorship. COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1B The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released an update on Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, which will begins February 1, 2021. Due to limited supply, IDPH has implemented a tiered prioritization of eligible groups. Note that persons 65 years old and over will be eligible to receive the vaccine during any tier. Additional populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as indicated in the tiers below. . You may contact your healthcare provider, pharmacy, and county health department for locations of where to get a vaccine. Additionally, the vaccine finder website will be updated in the upcoming weeks as providers share where you may get the vaccine. For more information and updates, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health's website and social media pages.  CDC Eviction Moratorium Extended to March 31, 2021 In a media statement, the CDC will extend its eviction moratorium until March 31, 2021. The moratorium protects renters who meet certain requirements and who sign a declaration form and give it to the landlord. If you are unable to pay your rent, here are some resources on rental assistance, housing, and other help.
Free Tax Help The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify, including low-moderate income households, and individuals with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English language skills. VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community centers, libraries, schools. Due to COVID-19, a number of sites may be closed. To locate the VITA or TCE site nearest to you, use the locator tool, or call these numbers:
COVID-19 Language Resources American Sign Language Videos-CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Resources for Limited English Proficient Populations Congolese Health Partnership Videos Coronavirus, State Website Crescent Community Health Center-Marshallese Language EMBARC Ethnic Minorities of Burma and Advocacy and Resource Center Hawaii Office of Language Access-Youtube Iowa Department of Human Rights-Language Access Iowa Department of Public Health Iowa Spanish Helpline 515-344-3936 Multi-Lingual Hotline 1-877-558-2609 Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa Test Iowa-Free COVID-19 Testing (Spanish available) Previous Newsletters January 8, 2021 December 23, 2020 December 11, 2020 November 25, 2020 November 13, 2020 Archives Are there other resources we should know about? Let us know. Iowa Department of Human Rights Lucas State Office Building 321 E 12th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 515-242-5640 or 1-800-351-4659 Contact Us Form
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Iowa Workforce Development will Reissue 1099-G Tax Forms to Claimants Following Identified Error1/22/2021  Iowa Workforce Development will reissue 1099-G tax forms to claimants following identified error DES MOINES - Today, Iowa Workforce Development announced that it will reissue new 1099-G tax forms to all claimants on Jan 25, 2021. After recently mailing the 1099-G forms, IWD discovered the forms may not have included all of the benefits received by claimants in 2020. The form is used to report unemployment compensation, and state and federal taxes withheld. The reason for the error has been identified and corrected. If you receive a 1099-G prior to Jan. 25, we ask that you please disregard and destroy it. There is no need to contact IWD at this time to notify us of an incorrect 1099-G amount. IWD is committed to ensuring that all claimants receive accurate 1099s, and we thank you for your patience and understanding during this process. Unemployment insurance benefits are taxable, and payments of $10.00 or more are reported annually to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance. An IRS Form 1099-G is mailed by January 31 of each year to individuals who received unemployment insurance benefits during the prior calendar year. This form provides important tax information that must be reported on your state and federal income tax returns, including the amount of benefits paid during the tax year and the amount of state and federal taxes withheld. As always, additional information will be provided as needed on the IWD website at: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/ The City of Fairfield has provided their annual Recycle Calendar! Click below for a PDF copy. Holiday Refuse/Recycling Schedule The holiday schedule is as follows:
  The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to partner with the Small Business Administration (SBA) for an informational meeting on the Paycheck Protection Program 2, also known as the PPP2 on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 at 8AM.
Joining us will be Bryan Ziegler, Regional Director for the SBA, who will answer questions and provide information about the latest round of government assistance available to many small businesses. This is a Zoom meeting, and is free and open to the entire business community in the area. Attendance is limited to the first one hundred people. To attend, click on the link below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86853497903?pwd=LzVEeDUwNy9STnU4cDBrckNUTFBhUT09 Meeting ID: 868 5349 7903 Passcode: 264705 One tap mobile +13126266799,,86853497903#,,,,*264705#US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 868 5349 7903 Passcode: 264705 Find your local number:https://us02w Questions or comments may be addressed to: Darien Sloat – CEO Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Phone (641) 472-2111 Or email to Ceo@FairfieldIowa.com  IDR Releases State Tax Guidance: Computers and Computer Peripherals
The Iowa Department of Revenue has released new sales tax guidance:
 Jefferson County Public Health Immediate Release: January 14, 2021 10:30 AM COVID-19 Vaccine Update- Chris Estle RN, BSN, Administrator All allocated doses have been administered or are scheduled to be administered to the Phase 1A priority group by the end of this week. 1. Please follow local and state news for vaccine related information. 2. Each state is responsible to distribute their vaccine allocation through their state response process. 3. Iowa continues to work through Phase 1A priority groups (Healthcare providers, Long Term Care/Assisted Living Facilities) 4. JCPH is set to receive a vaccine allocation next week. 5. Phase 1B distribution will begin as soon as IDPH approves counties to move forward. (Remember, not all healthcare providers across Iowa have been vaccinated, as of this date and time) 6. JCPH continues to work with all community partners on a daily basis to ensure vaccine distribution. 7. Jefferson County Public Health will continue to receive Moderna vaccine, as it does not require ultra-cold storage. 8. Once a multi-dose vial of Moderna vaccine is open, it must be administered within 6 hours. This is another layer of communication and coordination on the part of Jefferson County Public Health and individuals meeting priority group definition. 9. Multi-dose vials contain 10-11 doses of vaccine. We administer all doses in the vial. We do not waste vaccine. 10. JCPH continues to receive updated information from the Iowa Department of Public Health on a daily basis. Updates/changes have happened 2-3 times per day, without advanced notice. 11. Please share this information with your family and friends, that may not have access to this Jefferson County specific information. 12. The team at JCPH appreciates your continued support and understanding with this priority-phased vaccination approach. While we continue to work through this process, I will again remind everyone to follow best practices: *Wear a mask/face covering*Stay home when even mildly ill *Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/upper arm* Good hand hygiene ### Follow us on Facebook: Jefferson County Public Health, Jefferson County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Health Center  Fairfield Restaurants get ready to launch “The BIG Takeout” January 20 - 31 Fairfield restaurants are preparing for their first restaurant week, hosted by Visit Fairfield Iowa, the city’s Destination Marketing Organization. Called “The BIG Takeout”, Fairfield’s version of Restaurant week has a To-Go theme, allowing local food establishments to easily fit into State of Iowa mandates. 14 locally owned Fairfield restaurants will be participating in this event, held January 20 - 31. While the days and hours of operation will vary depending on the establishment, local residents and visitors will have an opportunity to try something new or reconnect with a favorite eatery. Everything from burgers to tacos, soup to sushi, and salads to sandwiches will be offered. There will be gift card prizes given out throughout the week on the Visit Fairfield Facebook page, culminating in a grand prize of a $500 gift card to one of these amazing restaurants. Entering the grand prize drawing is easily accomplished with screen shots of the receipts from your food purchases during restaurant Week. Every receipt you submit is another entry. The winner will be chosen at random on Monday, February 1. A list of restaurants participating in “The BIG Takeout” and details about the $500 drawing can be found at www.visitfairfieldiowa.com. We are here to help. The Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) brings strength to Iowa's rich heritage. Our three divisions - Community Action Agencies, Community Advocacy and Services, and Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning - work to reduce cultural, social, and economic barriers to opportunities for Iowans to succeed. Join DHR for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Celebration January 18, 2021  Fair Housing - Know Your Rights In a partnership with the Iowa Department of Human Rights, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), a federal housing assistance program agency, whose mission is to end discrimination in Iowa through enforcement of the Iowa Civil Rights Act, has produced fair housing education and outreach materials in languages predominantly spoken and read by refugees in Iowa. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. The US Housing and Urban Development Department awarded ICRC $48,682 to partner with the Iowa Department of Human Rights, EMBARC, and the Genesis Youth Foundation to produce COVID-19-related fair housing information to Iowa’s refugee communities adversely affected by the virus. The partnership produced ten educational videos featuring refugees sharing their experiences in their own words: Arabic, English, French, Hakha Chin, Karen, Karenni, Kinyarwanda, Krahn, Kunama, and Swahili. Ten translated fair housing brochures are now available in Arabic, Burmese, Hakha Chin, Karen, Karenni, Kinyarwanda, Kunama, French, Somali, and Swahili. The videos were created to educate immigrants and refugees in Iowa on what housing discrimination looks like. This is especially timely because these populations face increased discrimination by landlords because of the misconception that they are more susceptible to COVID-19 due to their race and national origin. All videos and brochures may be accessed on ICRC’s website: Second COVID Relief Package On December 27, 2020, the President signed a second COVID relief legislation that extends certain programs and benefits. CDC Eviction MoratoriumThe legislation extends the CDC eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021. The moratorium protects renters who meet certain requirements and who sign a declaration form and give it to the landlord. Please note that evictions can take place if certain terms of the lease are broken. Late fees can still be charged, and the obligation to pay rent remains. The process and requirements around the moratorium and evictions can be complex. For information on how to take advantage of the moratorium, visit Iowa Legal Aid's website. If you are unable to pay your rent, here are some resources on rental assistance, housing, and other help.
Unemployment BenefitsThe Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) has been extended. Read the U.S. Department of Labor's full press release for eligibility, guidance, dollar amounts, and important dates. Continue to monitor information and updates on Iowa Workforce Development's website. Stimulus PaymentGenerally, U.S. citizens and resident aliens who are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s income tax return are eligible for this second round of payment. Eligible individuals will automatically receive a stimulus payment of up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples and up to $600 for each qualifying child. Generally, if you have adjusted gross income for 2019 up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns and surviving spouses, you will receive the full amount of the second payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced. More information can be found at the IRS website (available in multiple languages). If you or someone you love is in an assisted living or long-term care facility, the stimulus payment belongs to the resident, not the facility. If you suspect that the facility is taking the resident's stimulus payment, contact the Iowa Attorney General's Office or the Federal Trade Commission. Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Deadline Extended through December 31, 2021The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to December 31, 2021. To date, the SBA has approved $197 billion in low-interest loans which provide working capital funds to small businesses, non-profits and agricultural businesses to help make it through this challenging time. EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered at very affordable terms, with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. Every eligible small business and nonprofit are encouraged to apply to get the resources they need. Mental Health Resources As we start off the new year in 2021, people are thinking about ways to better themselves like improving their physical health. Resolving to take care of your mental health is important as well. Living through a pandemic is causing stress, anxiety, and fatigue. If you're struggling with mental health, consider reaching out for help. Know that you are not alone. Here are some resources to help manage stress, get counseling, and improve your well-being.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. The application period is November 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021. Customers who qualify for LIHEAP are protected from having their natural gas and electric utilities disconnected from November 1 to April 1. Applications are taken at your local community action agency. Anyone facing disconnection at any time should contact their local community action agency for assistance. To find your local agency, visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply, or contact the Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) at (515) 242-5655 or 1-800-351-4659. LIHEAP information is available in multiple languages on the DHR's website. COVID-19 Language Resources American Sign Language Videos-CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Resources for Limited English Proficient Populations Congolese Health Partnership Videos Coronavirus, State Website Crescent Community Health Center-Marshallese Language EMBARC Ethnic Minorities of Burma and Advocacy and Resource Center Hawaii Office of Language Access-Youtube Iowa Department of Human Rights-Language Access Iowa Department of Public Health Iowa Spanish Helpline 515-344-3936 Multi-Lingual Hotline 1-877-558-2609 Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa Test Iowa-Free COVID-19 Testing (Spanish available)  Goodwill to Move Administrative Headquarters and E-Commerce Operations to Cedar Rapids January 5th, 2021 - In the spring of 2021, Goodwill of the Heartland plans to relocate its Iowa City administrative offices and e-commerce division. The organization will consolidate several of its logistics facilities into the former Klein Tools facility at 8200 6th St. SW in Cedar Rapids. The move is unprecedented. Goodwill of the Heartland has been headquartered in its present location in Iowa City since 1967. This move represents the tremendous growth the organization has experienced in the past 53 years, as well as the desire to reduce expenses by bringing their logistical facilities together in one central location. Goodwill of the Heartland’s CEO Pat Airy says, “Like many nonprofits, 2020 posed extreme challenges to our operations. Operating efficiently to support our mission has always been our top priority. 88 cents of every dollar earned goes directly to support our job training and placement programs in the communities we serve. We are always looking for ways to reduce our overhead so we can invest even more in our programs that help people with barriers to independence find work.” In addition, Goodwill plans to open an outlet store where customers will be able to purchase unsorted donations by the pound. The new outlet store is expected to open later this spring. Learn how you can join in to support and partner with Goodwill to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at www.goodwillheartland.org To learn more, contact Brent Watkins at (319) 248-4650 or by email: bwatkins@goodwillheartland.org. ### About Goodwill of the Heartland The mission of Goodwill of the Heartland is to advance the social and economic well-being of people who experience barriers to independence. Goodwill offers life and job skill development, work experience, job placement assistance, day habilitation, supported community living, workforce services to employers and contract manufacturing, assembly and packaging. In 2019, Goodwill provided more than 20,000 services to people with barriers in its 19-county service area. For more information, including retail, donation and service locations, please visit www.goodwillheartland.org or call toll free 1-866-466-7881. |
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All or most of the photos were provided by Werner Elmker Audio-Visual Studio.