This week, several federal developments related to the oversight and accountability of COVID-19 response funding and activities occurred. Below, we detail these actions: Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Names Leader, Establishes Website The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) this week announced a series of developments, including the appointment of its executive director and U.S. House of…
Read More »A coalition of national public health organizations and associations, including the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), and the National Coalition of STD Directors, released a $7.6 billion federal emergency supplemental funding request to support an expanded and robust nationwide contact tracing workforce…
Read More »The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Essentials for Childhood (EfC) Initiative invites local health departments to a webinar entitled, “Health Equity and COVID-19: Opportunities to Improve Child Wellbeing through Policy. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 13 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm and will feature a special guest presentation from Dr….
Read More »The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new grant program to provide funds to states, local governments, tribes, and U.S. territories to work collaboratively with environmental justice communities to understand, promote, and integrate approaches to provide meaningful and measurable improvements to public health and the environment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These…
Read More »On Monday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued ten warning letters to manufacturers and retailers who sell, manufacture, and/or import unauthorized electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products targeted to youth or likely to promote use by youth. The warning letters targeted unauthorized products, including backpacks and sweatshirts designed with stealth pockets to hold…
Read More »On Monday, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight, and Program Evaluation convened an oversight hearing regarding the Newsom Administration’s ongoing COVID-19 response activities. Monday’s hearing had approximately 11 Assembly Members in attendance with members physically distanced and panelists participating via videoconferencing. Budget Subcommittee No. 6 Chair Assembly Member Phil Ting opened…
Read More »Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a series of initiatives to support vulnerable older adults in California who are isolating at home during the statewide stay-at-home order. The initiatives announced today focus on providing older Californians with nutritious meals, social connection and support, and wellness checks. The initiatives include: Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors California…
Read More »This week, Governor Gavin Newsom issued two executive orders amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These orders include: Foster Youth Services Newsom late last week issued Executive Order N-53-20 allowing for temporary waivers of certain youth programs to ensure the continuity of care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order provides county welfare agencies…
Read More »This afternoon, in a ceremony in the Oval Office, President Trump signed the fourth coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress earlier this week. The legislation contained $484 billion of additional funding including funding for the small business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), an additional $75 billion in funding for hospitals, and $25 billion in targeted COVID-19…
Read More »On Monday, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) issued a post summarizing recent legislative and administrative action to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The post details the Legislature’s emergency appropriation of up to $1 billion, $100 million for school facilities, and additional transfers to the Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account (DREOA). The LAO explores state…
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