CDPHE sends vaccination providers update

The state continues to move through its phased COVID-19 vaccination plan as quickly as supplies allow, getting vaccines to providers throughout Colorado. There are about 459 providers giving vaccines now and more awaiting vaccines once the federal supply allows. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) sent vaccine providers a letter today further defining the parameters of fair distribution, even as providers move with urgency.

The letter addresses barriers to equitable distribution, such as unnecessary identification requirements-- as well as patient affiliation requirements. It also highlights the need for easily-navigated information, both on digital and non-digital channels. Finally, it speaks to the state’s plans for more community vaccine clinics as federal supplies grow.

“We must be responsive to disparities that have been so pervasive throughout the pandemic-- disparities that have plagued society for years upon years but are ever more prominent during crises. To achieve equity, we need to take deliberate action. To not add to that suffering, we must eliminate barriers to fair vaccine distribution. We know that our providers share in our goals to reach all communities,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, CDPHE.

The state expects providers to eliminate requirements for official identification, and warns that requiring identification can result in loss of access to vaccines.

FEMA’s $181 million to CO for COVID-19 response

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided $181 million in additional funding for COVID-19 response efforts in Colorado. To date, FEMA has provided more than $330 million in Public Assistance funding for COVID-19 response in Colorado. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued April 4, 2020, by President Trump.

The $181 million was provided to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to fund COVID-19 community testing sites and laboratory contracts in Colorado. Funding for this project is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.

“This FEMA assistance is making a difference across Colorado,” said FEMA Region 8 Administrator Lee dePalo. “Testing sites ensure that both individuals and health officials have critical information on the level of infections within the state. This helps state and local leaders make critical decisions in the battle against COVID.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding for emergency actions undertaken by communities to protect public safety, providing at least a 75-percent funding share for eligible costs. Remaining costs are the responsibility of the state and local applicants for assistance.

For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements play a critical role as state, local and tribal officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.

Our Government

White House

President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on building the National Garden of American Heroes: “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: I made it the policy of the United States to establish a statuary park named the National Garden of American Heroes. To begin the process of building this new monument to our country’s greatness, I established the Interagency Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes (Task Force) and directed its members to plan for construction of the National Garden.

Colorado Governor

Governor Polis took action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by extended an Executive Order temporarily suspending certain regulatory statutes due to the presence of COVID-19, and extended an Executive Order related to marriage licenses.

Denver Mayor

Mayor Michael B. Hancock and the Office of Children’s Affairs yesterday announced the 2020 class of the MBK25 as part of the city’s local work on the national My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. This year, the 25 individuals who were honored in a virtual ceremony were boys and young men of color between the ages of 13 – 24 who have been working to transform self and systems, as well as engage in positive ways to help their communities.