In recent weeks, Region residents, businesses and service groups have donated dollars, time and resources to help the community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Food boxes provided to homebound seniors
The Porter County Aging and Community Services is providing food assistance to seniors and those most affected by the pandemic.
PCACS is working with Boulder Bay Realty Group and local grocery stores to assemble food boxes for residents in need.
“Boulder Bay will help raise funds for boxes that will be put together by the crews at Town and Country and other Valparaiso grocery stores that have best practices already in place to handle food items,” said PCACS Executive Director Bruce Lindner. “After the recipients are notified to expect delivery of a food box, our bus drivers will leave the box safely on their doorsteps and knock on their doors to alert them that the food box has been delivered.”
Lindner said the team wants to help seniors who are mobility challenged and must remain home or families facing hardship because of the crisis.
The Boulder Bay Realty Group team is launching a Facebook page, outreach strategy and awareness campaign to help feed as many as possible.
Visit the Porter County Aging and Community Services website for more information.
More doors open for health care retirees, students to help during pandemic
Gov. Eric Holcomb recently signed executive orders which will allow pharmacy students who have successfully completed all required course work to help during the pandemic. These students can apply for a temporary license with the Professional Licensing Agency.
Also under the executive order, health care providers who cannot meet in-person continuing education requirements this year can complete their education through distance learning.
Holcomb also signed an executive order allowing retired and inactive EMS professionals to provide supplemental health care services in Indiana during the crisis without reinstatement or approval by the Indiana EMS Commission if they work under the supervision of a licensed EMS or health care professional.
Under the executive order, retired and inactive EMS professionals are also allowed to provide primary patient care for patients as part of emergency response, transports and facilities with a temporary certification or licensure from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Holcomb recently launched a taskforce to plan, administer and account for federal relief funds the state receives from the CARES Act. Indiana’s Economic Relief and Recovery Team will be chaired by Office of Management and Budget Director Cris Johnston and Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger.
The taskforce also includes:
- Al Hubbard, former economic policy advisor and director of the National Economic Council for President George W. Bush
- Luke Kenley, former Indiana state senator
- Ryan Kitchell, former OMB director
- Kristin Marcuccilli, Indiana Economic Development Corporation board member
- Becky Skillman, former lieutenant governor
