Osceola County Update: Friday, August 14, 2020
Published on August 14, 2020
PR20-79
Assistance in Full Swing; 2-Week Positively Rate at 11.9 Percent
Osceola County, Florida – Osceola County leaders spoke about their respective organization’s relief efforts aimed at helping residents during the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday afternoon – even as there is evidence of a drop in the daily percentage of new positive cases in the County.
With highest unemployment rate in the state (approximately 22 percent) and many businesses closed or serving far fewer customers since March, officials from Osceola County, Kissimmee and St. Cloud address programs set up to assist residents with mortgage and rental assistance, as well as various business grant programs.
On July 31, the County paused the application period for business assistance in order to process the applications already received. A total of 692 applications have been received. Unfortunately, the majority of those applications are incomplete, so staff is reaching out to applicants and working with them to finish the applications and obtain missing documents.
As of this week, 19 businesses have received their funds, totaling $87,500. Another 26 have been processed and are ready for payment out totaling approximately will receive $95,000. The rest are in various stages of review.
Osceola County has approximately $13 million available from the CARES Act for housing assistance. With its most recent application period, (offering assistance to all County residents of up to $5,000 per household for rent or mortgage payments) the County received more than 6,000 applications. So far, 4,000 households have been contacted for further processing.
“We know that these funds are a lifeline for our residents, so we have done all we can to expedite the process,” said Osceola Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer. “We ask for everyone’s cooperation so that we can get these funds flowing in the community where they are so badly needed. This will also allow us to draw down more of the County’s CARES Act funding that the state is currently holding.”
Households who have been contacted by Human Services to please submit requested documents quickly so we can complete this round and offer further assistance to other residents. Residents who have been contacted have two options to submit documents, online or by dropping off. If you need access to computers, please go to any of our Osceola County Public Libraries to print documents for free. If you have questions, you may call 407-742-8403, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, The County’s average percentage of positive cases over the past two weeks is 11.9%, lower than the total since March of 15.2%. That’s a good sign that a mandatory face covering order and other measures are working.
Janer re-emphasized the need for residents to wear face coverings while in public and practice good social distancing and personal hygiene.
“Stability does not mean we’ve won the battle – or that we can return to normal. I appreciate that people are following the health guidelines and doing their part,” said Janer. “But the long-term outlook is that we will have to continue with these practices for many more months. As fall flu season approaches and students go back to school, I know the task seems daunting but we must carry on if we are to accomplish our mission of ending this pandemic.”
The Health Department closed its test site at Osceola Heritage Park Thursday, after testing 17,070 people. On Friday it began testing at its offices at 1875 Fortune Road, Kissimmee. Tesing is offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. For more information go to www.osceola.org/covid19testing.
The Osceola Board of Commissioners continues to work with health officials to make testing available – including a state-run mobile unit that now brings service to hard to reach communities.
The state has opened a larger test site at Disney's main gate property. That site can handle thousands of people a day. Appointments are required and can be made at www.doineedacovid19test.com. This location tests individuals who are 2 years of age or older. The state-run, free, drive-thru testing location off of West U.S. 192, near Disney World is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other Information
- In St. Cloud: The City awarded $38,000 to local small businesses and non-profits through its COVID-19 Economic Recovery & Stimulus Program. With more than $200,000 remaining, local businesses are strongly urged to apply. Applications will be accepted until the funding is depleted. Full release.
- In Kissimmee: The City committed $213,304 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the Small Business Assistance Grant Program. City staff and partner agencies have worked arduously to provide rental and mortgage assistance to families in need during this health crisis of COVID-19. The City committed $213,305 for this program that has 60 approved applications. An additional 45 households were assisted in a previous program.
- Beginning Monday, August 24, 2020, Osceola School District's School Nutrition Services Department will provide meals for digital learning students (Option #2) as part of a Curbside Meals Program. Details here.
- The academic calendar for the new school year can be found at www.osceolaschools.net.
- The Osceola County School District's Back-To-School Transportation Parent Hotline will be open for calls in English or Spanish starting on August 19 at 407-483-3673.
- Hurricane Season. The tropics have been active already and everyone should take time to review their hurricane emergency plans. Visit ReadyOsceola.org to find resources.
- Tropical Storm Josephine is not expected to impact us severely, but please keep an eye on the latest weather forecasts and stay prepared. It only takes one landfall to make a difference in our lives.
- Voting. This weekend is the last opportunity for early voting for the August 18 primary. Early voting lasts until this Sunday, August 16. All 8 sites are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Visit VoteOsceola.org for more information.
- Link to Friday’s media briefing video here.
Actualización del Condado de Osceola: Viernes, 14 de agosto de 2020
Condado Osceola, Florida – Los líderes del Condado de Osceola hablaron sobre los esfuerzos de sus organizaciones dirigidos a ayudar a los residentes durante la pandemia de COVID-19, el viernes por la tarde, incluso cuando hay evidencia de una disminución en el porcentaje diario de nuevos casos positivos en el condado.
Con la tasa de desempleo más alta en el estado (aproximadamente 22%) y muchos negocios cerrados o sirviendo a mucho menos clientes desde marzo, funcionarios del Condado Osceola, Kissimmee y St. Cloud abordaron programas establecidos para ayudar a los