DMV closes due to COVID-19

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be closed for the next two weeks due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.

“We do not believe any members of the public were exposed, but due to quarantine requirements, we will not be able to process in-person transactions from now until [Monday,] December 28,” said Sullivan County Clerk Russell Reeves, whose office oversees the local DMV.

A skeleton staff of two employees will continue to answer phones, but all appointments scheduled between December 14 and December 24 will be rescheduled.

“We are reaching out to everyone who had an appointment during that time,” Reeves said. “I regret the inconvenience this will cause, but we have to ensure everyone’s health and safety.”

Appointments beyond December 28 continue to be accepted at www.sullivanny.us/departments/clerk/DMV. Questions and concerns (but not appointment requests) can be answered by calling 845/807-0700 during business hours.

Wayne Highlands goes virtual

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne Highlands School District Superintendent Greg Frigoletto announced last week that the district would finish its school year virtually, effective December 14. Over the holiday season, the school will continue to monitor data and determine how to return next year. Frigoletto said he will announce the return-to-school plan no later than Wednesday, December 30.

One potential option is the “hybrid” model. If chosen, all WHSD students currently attending school in-person would be assigned to one of two different groups; either the “A” group or the “B” group. Students in the “A” group would attend school in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays, while students in the “B” group would learn remotely from home on those days. The “B” group of students would attend school in-person on Thursdays and Fridays while the “A” group learns remotely from home on those days. All students would learn remotely from home on Wednesdays. 

Delgado requests CFAP deadline extension

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Antonio Delgado recently led 19 of his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting an extension of the application deadline for the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2).

Delgado is requesting that the USDA extend the application deadline through January 30, 2021 based on feedback that some farmers were unaware of the program and their eligibility. The USDA announced $13.21 billion for CFAP 2 on September 18, using the funds to help farmers offset market disruptions, low farm-level prices and significant marketing costs. Applications for the second round of CFAP closed on December 11.

“By extending the deadline for farmers to apply for CFAP 2, we can ensure all eligible farmers are made aware of the critically-needed relief,” said Delgado. “I am urging the USDA to extend the application deadline through the end of next month so we can continue our outreach to farmers.”

SCI Waymart reports first COVID death

HARRISBURG, PA — Officials with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and SCI Waymart reported the state facility’s first death of an inmate with COVID-19 on December 10.

The 71-year-old deceased individual, whose name has not been provided, had underlying medical conditions and died getting transported by ambulance to a local hospital, according to a DOC press release. He was serving a sentence of 18-and-a-half to 45 years for robbery and had been at SCI Waymart since June 1998.

As of December 10, SCI Waymart was reporting 128 active inmate cases and 21 active staff cases.

Casey looks to reform police treatment of people with disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is launching the Law Enforcement Education and Accountability for People with Disabilities (LEAD) Initiative, to “help bring about racial justice and address the high incidence rate of police violence involving people with disabilities.” The LEAD Initiative is comprised of two bills, the Safe Interactions Act and the Human-services Emergency Logistic Program (HELP) Act, which would reduce calls to 911 centers regarding non-criminal emergencies and provide robust training to law enforcement on interacting with people with disabilities, including those experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Washington Post database of police shootings estimates that at least 25 percent of shootings involve a person with a mental health disability. A 2016 Ruderman Foundation report estimated that between one-third and half of 2015 shootings involving a law enforcement officer included a person with a disability. 

Healthy kids program recruiting apprentices 

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The Healthy Kids Extended Day Program Inc. is recruiting 25 child care assistant apprentices from January 1 through December 31.

Applications are available online at www.healthykidsprograms.com/apprenticeship.

The program requires that applicants must be at least 18 years old; have a high school diploma, GED, TASC, or one year of experience working with children under 13 years old; be physically able to perform the work of a child care assistant as determined by a physical examination; pass a TB test, at the expense of the sponsor; pass a complete background check, at the expense of the sponsor; sign a criminal conviction statement outlining convictions, if any; and have reliable transportation to and from work and required classes at the approved school.

For further information, applicants should contact the Healthy Kids Extended Day Program Inc. at 845/568-6100. Additional job-search assistance can be obtained at New York State Department of Labor Career Centers.

Tax department launches education program

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has announced the launch of its Financial Education Program to educate New Yorkers, particularly low-income taxpayers in underserved communities and the self-employed. The tax department developed this online curriculum based on taxpayer feedback and as part of an ongoing drive to make more New Yorkers aware of the tax benefits and free resources available to them.

The program is broken into seven modules, covering a range of topics—from filing requirements and tax credits to free tax filing options and predatory tax preparers. It includes tools you can use to track your tax deductions and a mileage log for transportation workers. More than 1,000 taxpayers have accessed the program since it launched in October.