News from Souly Austin: Latest Pandemic Relief Efforts in Austin

Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 4 of the COVID-19 Risk-Based Guidelines. These are guidelines for individual actions and behaviors based on levels of risk of exposure in the community. The City of Austin prepared Stage 4 safety recommendations for employers on ATXrecovers.com to help local businesses and organizations protect employees, customers, and the community.   We encourage you to register to co-host a mobile vaccine event to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Complete the Austin Public Health Mobile Vaccination Request Form to request a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic at your business location. If you are interested in scheduling an education event regarding vaccine safety at your facility, please complete this Austin Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Education Request Form.   Visit the City of Austin's COVID-19 website for more information about resources in Austin.   - Veronica Briseño, City of Austin Chief Economic Recovery Officer Economic Development Department Highlights Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant The Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant provides one-time unrestricted $20,000 grants to local arts and culture non-profit organizations facing hardships due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Review guidelines and apply for the Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant by August 2 at 5 p.m. Colony Park Back to School Bash Drive-Thru Celebration Join us for the annual Colony Park Back to School Bash Drive-Thru Celebration on August 6 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Turner-Roberts Recreation Center. This year families can enjoy a carnival-themed evening of fun from the comforts of their cars! We will distribute free food, backpacks, and educational resources while families enjoy music, mobile balloon artists, ice pops and much more. Distribution will be on a first-come, first-serve basis until supplies last. Sign up to be a Back to School Bash volunteer.   Heritage Preservation Grants Virtual Open Office Hours Join the Heritage Tourism Division during Virtual Office Hours, where staff will answer questions about existing or potential Heritage Preservation projects. Attend Heritage Tourism Virtual Open Office Hours every second and fourth Tuesday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.   City of Austin Honors Entrepreneurs with Business Skills Certification On July 23, the Economic Development Department virtually recognized 30 local entrepreneurs and small business employees who earned a Business Skills Certification. Recipients completed six training classes designed to strengthen skills needed to successfully manage and grow a small business. The classes were offered through a partnership with The University of Texas at Austin Center for Professional Education. Register for small business training classes. COVID-19 Health & Safety Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and resources from the City of Austin.   Resources Get a COVID-19 vaccine Free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vaccine Information Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Safety Guide for Venues & Special Events Austin Public Health Re-enters Stage 4 of Risk-Based Guidelines The level of risk for contracting COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County continues to increase, especially among unvaccinated individuals as confirmed cases have dramatically risen over the past two weeks.   Stage 4 recommendations include the following: Fully vaccinated individuals should wear a mask when participating in indoor private gatherings, traveling, and dining or shopping, and should wear a mask for outdoor gatherings, if they are unable to socially distance. Partially or unvaccinated individuals should avoid private gatherings, travel, dining and shopping unless essential. Wear a mask when conducting essential activities. Neighborhood COVID-19 Testing Sites As cases and hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to rise steadily in the Austin metropolitan area, Austin Public Health is reopening two neighborhood walk-up testing sites beginning July 29. Stop by the George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center and the St. Johns Testing Site for a COVID-19 test.   Guidance on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance on everyday steps to clean and disinfect your facility, steps to take when someone is sick, and considerations for employers. Read the CDC's guidance on cleaning and disinfecting your facility.   Share Your COVID-19 Vaccine Story Austin Public Health wants to hear why you chose to get vaccinated! Share your story on social media and use #ReasonToVaxx. Still need a vaccine? Schedule an appointment online or visit a walk-up clinic.   Promote a Virus-Free 2021-2022 School Year As classes begin in August, parents have an opportunity to ensure their children safely return to in-person instruction by scheduling a child wellness visit with a healthcare provider. A child 12 years of age or older can receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination that will fully protect them. For children under 12 years of age, it is strongly recommended they continue to wear a mask as the school year begins until a vaccine for their age range is approved. Read more about protecting young people from COVID-19. City of Austin Announcements Resources for Residents ConnectATX COVID-19 Resources Food Access Utility Bill Relief Resources for Job Seekers Small Business Resources WarnCentralTexas City Launches Food Justice Mini Grants Program The Office of Sustainability is offering $3,000 Food Justice Mini Grants for organizations that are working to create a more equitable food system that empowers communities to grow, sell, and eat healthy food. Apply for a Food Justice Mini Grant by August 13 at 6 p.m.   MoveOutATX MoveOutATX is a community effort to keep good items out of the landfill during the local, university move-out season. Gently-used items, such as furniture, cleaning supplies, clothing and more will be accepted at temporary donation stations in and around West Campus on July 29 - 31. Items collected will be donated to participating reuse organizations. ATX Walk Bike Roll The City of Austin will be updating three plans that guide when and where we build places to walk, bike and roll with ATX Walk Bike Roll. Read more about the proposed updates to the Urban Trails Program, the Sidewalk Program, and the Bicycle Program. Sign up now to attend the first ATX Walk Bike Roll public meeting on August 11 at 7 p.m. Community Resources U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Relief Options: Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications Supplemental Targeted Advance program  Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program SBA HUBZone Program Join the SBA to learn about the HUBZone program on July 29 from 10 - 11 a.m. The program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least three percent of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.   SBA's Small Business Resource Guide Read the Small Business Resource Guide and find information on counseling, training, capital, contracting, disaster assistance, business advocacy, local directories and more.   The Child Tax Credit The Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever – and most families will automatically receive monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child without having to take any action. Learn about the increased Child Tax Credit.   Broadband Grant Programs Webinar Series The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will host a series of webinars beginning on August 4 for potential applicants for three new broadband grant programs - Broadband Infrastructure Program, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program.