 Financial and Other Business Resources
Healthy Washington--Economic Reopening
Employer/Employee Resources
Events & Training UPCOMING SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER WEBINARS
OTHER WEBINARS/TRAINING:
DOWNTOWN FARMERS' MARKET OPEN. The Broadway Farmers Market located on Broadway between S. 9th and S. 11th Streets is open each Thursday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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 Members are the reason we do all we do for the South Sound. So thank you all for joining our Chamber community. We look forward to helping you make your businesses thrive.
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 Congratulations to the 2021 Spotlight on Business Award Recipients! The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Spotlight on Business Awards recognize local businesses that have set the standard for exemplary business practices within 8 categories. The categories are Small Business, Medium Business, Large Business, Non-Profit Organization, Minority Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Business Supporter of the Military, and new for this very difficult year, Resilience in Business. Business can be nominated for more than one category, but can only be a recipient for one. This year's recipients are... SMALL BUSINESS Brand Stratos, LLC  MEDIUM BUSINESS DispatchHealth  LARGE BUSINESS Propel Insurance  N0N-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Valeo Vocation  MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS Metropolitan Development Council  VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS Homewatch Caregivers of Tacoma *  BUSINESS SUPPORTER OF THE MILITARY Tacoma Trophy *  RESILIENCE IN BUSINESS S & J Foods Distributors *   The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Spotlight on Business Awards recognize local businesses that have set the standard for exemplary business practices within 8 categories. The categories are Small Business, Medium Business, Large Business, Non-Profit Organization, Minority Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Business Supporter of the Military, and new for this very difficult year, Resilience in Business. Business can be nominated for more than one category, but can only be a recipient for one. The Spotlight on Business Award recipients were announced at Happy Hour Business Expo on May 20 This year's nominees, by category are... SMALL BUSINESS Alam Water Brand Stratos, LLC Courtesy Auto Service & Tire of Tacoma Getting Personal Imprinting LLC dba Tacoma Trophy * Grit City Wellness Harmony Graphic & Web Design LLC Holiday Inn Tacoma Mall * JayRay Ads & PR Kanon Electric * Kowchsurferz Lakewood Meadows Senior Affordable Apartments * Port Bell Valeo Vocation MEDIUM BUSINESS Alternative Back Care Physical Therapy DispatchHealth Homewatch Caregivers of Tacoma * S & J Foods Distributors * The Doty Group, P.S. LARGE BUSINESS America's Credit Union Metropolitan Development Council * Print NW Propel Insurance N0N-PROFIT ORGANIZATION eliseo Metropolitan Development Council * Valeo Vocation MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS Metropolitan Development Council S & J Foods Distributors * VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS Getting Personal Imprinting LLC dba Tacoma Trophy Homewatch Caregivers of Tacoma * Kanon Electric * BUSINESS SUPPORTER OF THE MILITARY Tacoma Trophy * Holiday Inn Tacoma Mall Kanon Electric * RESILIENCE IN BUSINESS Alternative Back Care Physical Therapy * Homewatch Caregivers of Tacoma * Lakewood Meadows Senior Affordable Apartments Metropolitan Development Council * S & J Foods Distributors *  The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. During this live webinar we will discuss:
Staff from SBA will be answering your questions live throughout the presentation with dedicated Q&A time at the end. Who should attend: Current small business owners who have experienced pandemic related revenue losses who own a restaurant, bar, and other similar places of business that serve food or drink. Multiple Dates and times:
Free Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SeattleRRF  Information taken directly from WA Hospitality Post In preparation for Phase 3 of Washington state’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery Plan to start statewide on March 22, the Governor’s Office has released rules eating and drinking establishments will need to follow. The biggest changes
Reminders for all phases – Previous rules still apply
 Today President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law providing additional relief for the nation’s small businesses and hard-hit industries. This includes additional support for programs the SBA is currently administering and adds new efforts, including:
 Over the past year we have all been tested with some of the darkest days in democracy. While the worldwide pandemic continually rages through our communities, taking so many of our loved ones with it, we also collectively felt the shock of seeing American citizens storm the bastion of our free and representative government. I do not think anyone could have predicted that just a year ago we would have to answer the call to rebuff a challenge to the peaceful transfer of power; one of the most important foundational elements to the nonviolent continuation of our democracy. While we cannot, and will not, ever forget what transpired, we must move on and ensure the ugliness of the recent past never repeats itself. With an eye on Washington DC, first and foremost, it is time for our diverse community to heal and recover. Whether you applaud or lambast the changes forthcoming with a new Administration, let us not overlook the work that needs to be done right here at home. While we do not need to agree on what got us here, the fact remains, we are all here. Our small businesses are on life support, restaurants and bars are closing permanently, our children are learning online, the vaccine rollout has not met expectation, and yet we also must address systemic racism, the digital divide, affordable housing/homelessness, behavioral health, and the list goes on and on. Our community needs us all, and we will fail if many of us continue to emulate destructive conversations found on the internet. Respectful discord will always be a part of our fabric as a society and anything else should be condemned. It seems like everywhere you turn there are poignant quotes being used from famous historical figures to try and sum up the times. Personally, I think back to a much simpler adage, “If you aren’t helping, you are hurting.” We all must dig in and help, as complacency hurts. To pull our community out of this dark time will require all facets of our population to get our businesses back open, our kids in schools, and vaccines so we can accomplish so much more. Let us remain vigilant in beating the virus but let us not continue to beat basic decency. The generations to come will judge us all on how we handle this moment and I ask that we meet the challenge head on, together. Let’s stand and work with great significance together to make the South Sound the most equitable and inclusive place to do business in Washington state. Best wishes,  Tom Pierson
President & CEO Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber  Spaceworks Tacoma is seeking an enthusiastic Capital Access Manager to launch a new microloan program in partnership with the City of Tacoma and Kiva, an international microlending organization. This position will establish Tacoma as the first Kiva Hub in the Pacific Northwest. Kiva offers 0% interest crowdfunded microloans that range from $1,000 to $15,000. Download this job announcement as a PDF. Job Summary A Capital Access Manager, or a CAM, is a Spaceworks staff member who is trained on how to share Kiva loan opportunities with entrepreneurs and local stakeholders, as well as how to support clients on the back end of the Kiva platform. This is a 1-year pilot program with possible extension into future years. First-year goals include:
Essential Job Functions
The ideal candidate is passionate about supporting small and local businesses in Tacoma, especially women and minority-owned businesses. Candidates should be:
Individuals with at least 3-5 years of professional experience are encouraged to apply. Compensation This is a non-exempt position. The position is full-time, 40 hours/week. Compensation is offered at $22/hr. Depending on prior experience or existing employment with community partners, alternate work schedules and arrangements will be considered (no less than 24 hours/week). The position requires occasional events and programs on nights and weekends. Work-from-home is authorized through the pandemic; otherwise, the position is based out of an office in downtown Tacoma. Benefits include:
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply. Application Closing Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through the deadline. Interviews will be conducted through January 29, with a final decision announced shortly thereafter. Anticipated Start Date Monday, February 15, 2021 This date is flexible, with the understanding that the week-long virtual Kiva training is scheduled February 22, 2021. To Apply By Tuesday, January 26, please send a single PDF file that includes a resume and a cover letter that describes your interest and qualifications: HR@tacomachamber.org Email Subject Line: Capital Access Manager Address cover letter to: Michael Liang, Spaceworks Director Questions? Email MichaelL@tacomachamber.org Since 2010, Spaceworks Tacoma, a program of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, has provided business training, public art programming, and creative activation of underutilized spaces throughout Tacoma and Pierce County. For more information about Spaceworks, please visit: www.spaceworkstacoma.com For more information about Kiva Hubs, please visit: https://www.kivaushub.org/  We're not big on bragging, but this has been a particularly crazy year, and I guess we're kind of proud of our accomplishments. We know how hard it has been for many and we know how fortunate we are to even be working. To be honest, that's what keeps us going - knowing we can be of help. So, without further ado, here are our top 11 accomplishments for 2020.
 Tacoma City Council recently directed its Planning Commission to begin reviewing and recommending new “non-interim” Industrial Land Use Regulations by April 2021. This process will effectively create new industrial land use regulations, only to then review the same, newly finalized regulations in the Sub-Area Planning process to be debated all over again. The Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) for the South Sound objects to this procedural change, as its redundancy creates an untenable situation for business and industry. “More than three and a half years ago, the Council initiated a subarea planning process for the Port/Tideflats area,” said Frank Boykin, Director for the Manufacturing Industrial Council. “In doing so, they asked the Planning Commission to consider the need for interim regulations in the Tideflats while the subarea planning process was being conducted.” The Planning Commission determined interim regulations were warranted and made its recommendation to City Council. In November 2017, the City Council adopted Tideflats Interim regulations; since then, they’ve voted five times to renew existing interim regulations. Boykin says the new directive from the October 2020 meeting “may do more harm than good.” MIC Position:
The MIC believes in a cleaner, fairer future, and supports government processes that invests in a healthy, greener economy. Facing two distinct, contentious, and potentially long-term processes simply won’t allow businesses to thrive. Learn more about the Manufacturing Industrial Council for the South Sound at www.micsouthsound.com  Over the past six months, corporate leaders across Washington state have been on a journey to listen, learn, and better understand the causes and impacts of racial inequity in Washington state. They started by gathering data and listening to Black community and business leaders; diversity, equity, and inclusion specialists; and data and research experts. Their findings are included in a new report that clearly documents inequities that Black Washingtonians and their families experience across multiple dimensions of life – including healthcare, education, criminal justice, personal finance, and the corporate workplace. The interrelated effects of these inequities compound over time, cross generations, and exist regardless of socioeconomic status or education level. Further, COVID-19 and the recession are only magnifying disparities. Read the report The research informed creation of Washington Employers for Racial Equity, a growing coalition that starts with a commitment from 55+ companies, including the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, to build an equitable future for Washington state. The coalition begins with specific goals for 2030, including driving equity for Black Washingtonians in the corporate sector, supporting Black-owned businesses, and pursuing actions and policies that will support equity across Washington communities. Coalition members have a goal to invest a combined $2 billion to support racial equity over the first five years. The ultimate goal is equity and opportunity for all. Read the commitment Washington Employers for Racial Equity is open to all employers and sponsored by a growing list of regional and statewide associations. Read the report Learn about the Coalition  Tacoma, Wash. (Nov. 2, 2020) – Pierce County, in partnership with Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Washington Hospitality Association and Travel Tacoma – Mount Rainier Tourism and Sports today announced details of Restaurant Rally, a program designed to save jobs in the restaurant industry in Pierce County. During the Restaurant Rally promotion period of Nov. 8-19, 2020, excluding Fridays and Saturdays, diners simply dine at, or order a takeout meal from a participating restaurant. They will automatically receive 30 percent off their bill, before tax. The discount excludes alcohol and orders via third-party delivery services. More than 200 restaurants throughout Pierce County are participating in the program. A list of participating restaurants, with more being added, as well their operating hours and an interactive map are available at www.piercecountyrestaurantrally.com. The program was funded by Pierce County through the allocation of $7.5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds, in order to help the recovery of the beleaguered restaurant industry. Councilmember Dave Morell brought the program to Pierce County after learning about a similar program in the United Kingdom. Participating Pierce County restaurants that have applied to participate were qualified by being full-service restaurants primarily engaged in food service, and operating within Washington’s Safe Start guidelines. Participating restaurants will be compensated for 50 percent of gross sales, excluding alcohol and sales through third-party delivery services. “The Restaurant Rally is an innovative, combined effort of organizations that support our local businesses and the people who are employed by them," said Betty Capestany, Pierce County Economic Development Director. "It’s vital that we provide a much-needed stimulus for an industry that has been hard hit by the pandemic. At its core, the Restaurant Rally is a fantastic opportunity for people to support their local eateries and save money at the same time.” “We are excited to remind the community of the quality restaurants we have in Pierce County,” said Tom Pierson, President and CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. “Pierce County Restaurant Rally is an excellent way to safely enjoy dinning and while helping our local restaurants who have been hit the hardest during this pandemic.” “Pierce County restaurants are important economic drivers, yet they have suffered more than 20,000 unemployment claims in the Pierce County food service industry alone since the onset of the pandemic, with many of our beloved restaurants struggling to survive,” said Anthony Anton, President and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association. “Kudos to Pierce County officials for directing important federal funds to support these small businesses, which are critical to the local economy. “ “Through the Restaurant Rally program, we encourage locals and visitors to support Pierce County’s restaurants however they feel most comfortable: through dine-in or take-out meals,” said Dean Burke, President and CEO of Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports. “Hospitality and tourism have suffered disproportionately during the COVID crisis, and we are thankful for the opportunity to support Pierce County, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and the Washington Hospitality Association in bringing economic relief to these hard-hit industries.” # # # Click here for Pierce County Restaurant Rally images and logos. Media Contact: Washington Hospitality Association Jacque Coe, Communications Manager jacquec@wahospitality.org (425) 351-0082 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Jeff Soifer, Creative Director jeffs@tacomachamber.org Office: (253) 627-2175; Cell: (207) 240-1306 Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports Matt Wakefield, Sr. Communications Manager matt@traveltacoma.com Cell: (206) 412-5080 About the Washington Hospitality Association: Hospitality is the industry that serves. The Washington Hospitality Association delivers wins for the largest group of private employers in the state. The 296,600 jobs the industry provides are the backbone of our state’s economy. The association works at the state and local levels to find proactive solutions to the challenging issues facing the industry and its workforce. It supplies its members with programs, services and information they need to deliver great local experiences, ensure the success of their employees and help their communities thrive. The Washington Hospitality Association became one of the state’s largest trade associations in 2016 when the Washington Restaurant Association and Washington Lodging Association joined forces in a combined association. About the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is a membership-based organization dedicated to making the South Sound the most equitable and inclusive place to do business in Washington State. Through advocacy efforts, leadership building, informational programing, and networking opportunities, the Chamber helps businesses thrive, the economy flourish, and our community prosper. With over 1,500 business members, the Chamber has helped the South Sound move forward since 1884. About Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports is the official destination marketing organization for Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington. Accredited by Destinations International. For more information, visit www.traveltacoma.com.  Apply by October 23 to ParticipatePierce County is rallying to help dine-in restaurants stay open and retain jobs! The Restaurant Rally promotion will run from November 8-19, excluding Friday and Saturday, and will enable participating restaurants to:
Visit www.piercecountywa.gov/restaurantrally to learn more and apply! Pierce County Federal CARES Act funding has been allocated through this program with funds set aside to help businesses recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic. Subject to available funds, a business approved to participate will be eligible to receive up to $90,000 and no less than $5,000. Questions? Contact PCRestaurantRally@piercecountywa.gov PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
 Last week, the City of Lakewood in partnership with Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) began accepting applications for the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance program.
LASA, a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing temporary and recurrent homelessness, was awarded $407,640 from the Lakewood City Council as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds it received from the state of Washington. It is anticipated these funds will help assist 175 Lakewood households. Applicants for this program need to meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for receiving one-time rental assistance for up to $1500 paid directly to the landlord:
If technical assistance, translation assistance or special accommodations is needed, call LASA’s Homeless Prevention line at (253) 582-5320 Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here to apply to the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance Program.  The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber currently has seven Board of Director positions open, and the following people have been nominated to serve: SLATE OF BOARD CANDIDATES
Additional names of candidates for directors may be nominated by petitions bearing the genuine signatures of at least (25) qualified members of the Chamber, limited to one signature per member firm. Such petition shall be filed with the Board Nominating Committee by August 6, 2020 at Noon (12:00PM). Provide petition to Michelle Matheson via email document or a physical copy delivered to the Chamber office. Determination of the Board Nominating Committee as to the legality of the petition(s) shall be final. For a copy of petition or more information please contact Michelle Matheson at (253) 627-2175 or michellem@tacomachamber.org. Best wishes,
 The Port of Tacoma has launched an ONLINE OPEN HOUSE to educate citizens and get their ideas and suggestions about the Strategic Plan the Port is currently working on. “We built this website to keep citizens informed about our Strategic Plan work,” said Port Commission President John McCarthy, “and to offer citizens the opportunity to have their voices heard as we move through this process.” Since the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented in-person meetings and traditional open houses about the plan, the Port pivoted to developing an online open house to inform citizens about the plan. The website highlights the Port’s draft Strategic Plan goal areas; it will be updated as the draft plan takes shape. It also gives background on the Port of Tacoma’s history and the powers that public ports have in Washington state. The site features a survey where citizens can share their ideas and opinions on how the Port of Tacoma can best prioritize its goals and potential opportunities to meet the needs and values of the people who live, work and play in Pierce County. “The feedback citizens provide throughout this Strategic Plan process will provide valuable information that will help the Port Commission and staff complete this important work,“ McCarthy said. One of the key duties of the five-member Port Commission is to set the strategic direction for the Port of Tacoma. Elected by Pierce County citizens, the Port’s five commissioners are: Kristin Ang, Deanna Keller, John McCarthy, Dick Marzano and Don Meyer. The Port’s Strategic Plan process is expected to run through the end of the year. Key contact information on the Port’s Strategic Plan:
 The following letter was presented by the Chamber as testimony prior to voting at the June 30 City Council meeting. On behalf the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, we are encouraging a Yes vote on the three following resolutions on the City of Tacoma City Council Agenda for June 30, 2020. Resolution No. 40620: Wear Face Masks: Passed - See Resolution To date, progress has been made in our fight again the transmission of Covid-19, and the increasing number of people gathering with the nicer weather we must remain vigilant. We do not want to lose ground and are actively working with community partners like the TPCHD, PC ED, and others to both reinforce current expectations and show examples of businesses doing the right thing. People need confidence as we reopen our local economy, and the only way to do this is to reinforce everyone, including businesses, are taking public health seriously. Face masks are one critical component of this. We support the measure and look forward to partnering with the City on this important communication effort. Resolution No. 40621: Communications Protocol for Deaths in Police Custody: Passed - See Resolution The people of Tacoma and of the state have overwhelmingly said they want more transparency when it comes to the use of police power, especially when the power kills. The overwhelming passage of Initiative 940 in 2018 shows how important transparency is to the people. The City of Tacoma should prioritize compliance with this law and establish clearer lines of communication when a death occurs while under the care of City government. Furthermore, by sharing the details of a death more quickly will increase faith in the process and the City’s leadership. We support this measure and look forward to helping hold our community accountable for the care of all citizens. Resolution No. 40622: Ending Racism: Passed - See Resolution We as a Chamber are focused on the need to end systemic racism and support the efforts to stop racism and transform Tacoma. This effort, however, will take work from everyone in our community including our business leaders, and we are focused on moving this issue forward and finding ways to resolve the problem. As a Chamber, we remain focused on making the South Sound the best place to do business in Washington State. We can only accomplish the goal with the entire community squarely focused on ending systemic racism.  Application Open to Review, Submissions to Begin June 19 GIG HARBOR, WASH. (JUNE 12, 2020) -- On May 28th, the Gig HarborCity Council passed a resolution authorizing the creation of a Small Business Stabilization Grant program to support local businesses and the economy. The program is funded with $308,000 from a portion of the City’s CARES Act stimulus package distribution. Each awarded grant will be at least $1,500. Businesses are eligible to apply for a grant if they meet the following criteria: The business:
Applications for Small Business Stabilization Grants will be accepted starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2020. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Applications may be submitted at any time - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - until the deadline. A preview of the application can be found here. The application will ask businesses to provide the following information:
In the event the total number of qualified applicants exceeds 205 in number, the City will randomly select 205 of the qualified applicants to receive the $1500 grant award. The City Council reluctantly implemented the lottery system in order to ensure a consequential minimum grant amount of $1500. If there are fewer than 205 total qualified applicants, the entire $308,000 will be divided equally between the applicants. Selected applicants will be required to sign an agreement with the City for the award of grant funds. The agreement template can be found here. A W-9 form will also be required for payment. To read more about the grant program and the application process, please visit the Small Business Stabilization Grant webpage. If you wish to be notified of updates to this program, please sign up for notifications. If you have any questions, please contact Josh Stecker.  Labor & Industries this week enacted emergency rules to fine businesses found to be open in violation of Governor Jay Inslee’s Stay Home Stay Healthy order in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses found to be in violation of Inslee’s four-phase reopening plan will be directed to close or make immediate safety adjustments. Those who do not comply will be subject to a fine of nearly $10,000 or more, according to this recent L&I announcement. See here for more details COVID-19 RESOURCES HERE  Washington—May 15, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities. The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including:
The PPP was created by the CARES Act to provide forgivable loans to eligible small businesses to keep American workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documents released today will help small businesses seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans. Click Here for Application and Instructions.  With the increase in unemployment benefits, unemployment fraud is on the rise. The Seattle Times reported that over 700 fraudulent claims were reported this month, adding up to over $1.6 million.
How does this impact employers and what should you do? Pay attention! When you receive a notification of an unemployment claim…read it! Have you laid off that individual? Are they still working for you? Many employers, especially under the current conditions with layoffs abounding, are inclined to dismiss the notification, as they don’t plan to contest the claim. This is dangerous, as it may be the only way the fraud is identified in a timely manner. While it may take time to sort through the paperwork, track who is working, who is not, how many hours, etc., it is worth the effort! Contact employees! Communicate with impacted employees to verify the information. Did they apply? If they did not apply, refer to the reporting steps below. If they did apply and they are still working, then you have a completely different disciplinary issue to discuss with the HR Hotline! Notify IT! Let your IT department know of the fraudulent claim so that system security can be checked to ensure that the data breach did not come from your end. If it did, it should be addressed immediately and a data security attorney or your cyber security insurer should be contacted, and employees must be notified. Report it! Employers should promptly notify the Employment Security Department (ESD) that the employee is still working, and the claim is suspected to be fraudulent. Provide the steps below to affected employees. Cyber-crime investigators are recommending the following steps for anyone who knows, or believes, they are a victim of unemployment fraud: Step One – Contact HR
Step Two – Contact WA State ESD
Step Three – File a Police Report
Step Four – Contact Credit Bureaus
Step Five – FTC & IRS
Step Six – Keep Your Notes
If you have reason to believe someone has applied for unemployment benefits using your information or used a scam to obtain your private information, the ESD urges you to make a report at esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployment-benefits-fraud. Please be aware that you will need the following information:
 As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to impact our region, we want to keep you informed on the work the American Red Cross is doing to fulfill our mission and support our partners during this health crisis.
Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19 The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is challenging individuals and families in new ways. Mental health first aid, the practice of recognizing and responding to people experiencing crisis-related stress, can be used to help yourself and others to cope in the face of stressful events. To help, the American Red Cross is offering a free Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19 online only course during the pandemic. The course content is based on guidance from the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This online course is designed for anyone interested in learning techniques for supporting mental health during the COVID-19 crisis. Topics include:
Humanity in War Also now available online: a free course to train policy professionals, government officials, academics, and the general public on the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. This course prepares participants to recognize key concepts in international humanitarian law, including:
Critical need for Diverse Blood Right now, African American blood donors are critically needed to help patients battling sickle cell disease following a significant decrease in diverse donors amid this coronavirus outbreak. Unfortunately, since mid-March we have seen the number of African American blood donors drop by more than half. Understandably, we believe this number has decreased in large part due to blood drive cancellations at businesses, churches and schools, as well as disproportionate COVID-19 infection rates for African Americans compared to other ethnicities. While we recognize this challenge, the Red Cross needs the help of African American blood donors to ensure a diverse blood supply. Blood transfused to patients with rare blood types, like those with sickle cell disease, must be matched very closely to reduce the risk of complications. Without a readily available blood supply, sickle cell patients can experience severe pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia and even strokes. Furthermore, sickle cell patients are at high risk of serious complications from coronavirus infection and blood transfusion can be a lifesaving treatment for these patients. This is the time to take care of one another, and blood donation is essential to ensuring the health of those in our community. If you are feeling well, please make an appointment to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.  MultiCare Occupational Medicine provides three screening & testing services for employers to support restarting employment and our economy. These can be useful for employers to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure at work, so long as the employer and employee are aware of their limitations. There are no screening or test tools currently available which guarantee an employee will not spread COVID-19 at work.
If you decide to use one or more of these tools, we hope to be your provider. But regardless where you source the services, we want you to have the facts needed for an informed decision. Symptom & Temperature Screen: The medical provider relies on patient-provided symptom answers and a temperature reading to determine if symptoms are of concern or not. This screen is not indicative of past exposure, nor a guarantee the individual is not infected or a contagious carrier of the virus. Antibody Serology Test: Positive result:
Negative result:
CDC guidelines on Antibody testing: PCR Nasopharyngeal Test: Positive result:
Negative result:
Antibody Serology Test: All these services are “snapshots in time.” The individual may be exposed and infected after the service is performed. For questions, more information or to enroll for services: Tel: 888-580-5513 opt 1 email: occmed@multicare.org web: www.multicareoccmed.org  Pierce County Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program has expanded its criteria to help more Pierce County businesses!
The Pierce County Council expanded this loan program on April 21, 2020 to include employers with up to 20 employees for businesses located anywhere in Pierce County, including incorporated cities. New criteria is as follows:
Find out more here Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program |
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