On April 30, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced that an additional 49 rural Hoosier communities will receive more than $8.8 million in federal grant funding through the new COVID-19 Response Program.
“With today’s announcement, Indiana has awarded more than $10.7 million to our rural communities,” said Crouch. “From increasing access to necessary testing and medical supplies to providing businesses and their workers with much needed relief, these funds are directly assisting in the fight against COVID-19.”
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Roadmap to a Healthy Reopening, is a series of free webinars that will help you think through the procedures and protocols to consider implementing in your business or organization. Presented by Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, and led by physicians and business leaders from Parkview Health and the Allen County Department of Health, each session is tailored to be industry-specific.
- How might you implement distancing measures?
- What safety precautions could you implement, like wearing masks or expanding cleaning measures?
- How do I successfully keep my employees and customers well while also maintaining a healthy bottom line?
- How might you innovate and adapt in response to a dynamic, uncertain situation?
- Click here to learn more
 In early April, Downtown Angola Coalition was awarded a $5,000 Quick Impact Placebased (QUIP) grant to create a pocket park in downtown Angola. The park will include both a fairy and pollinator garden, solar street lamps along with local art and sculptures. The park will allow the community to enjoy nature while being inspired by what artists have created and serve as a tool for educating on pollinator and natural Indiana plants.
In preparation to build the park, an invasive Bradford Pear tree had to partially be removed, leaving a large stump for later removal. As COVID-19 became an issue, a community member suggested Scott Lepley carve something in the tree to give visitors and residents something to enjoy and remind everyone we are #INthisTogether. Below is what he designed:
Scott started carving 22 years ago after attending the Paul Bunyun Festival in Hocking Hills, Ohio. His first carving was done for his newborn son, and that carving is still in his shop today. Scott has made wooden sculptures for benefits, special occasion gifts, festivals, but really enjoys designing something special for yards and personal use.
The carving was made possible by Angola's Mainstreet organization, Downtown Angola Coalition.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration launched a new website, BeWellIndiana.org, that provides Hoosiers with free mental health resources that have been vetted by experts. The site is designed to help with the increase in anxiety, depression and other mental health issues caused by the pandemic, including both first-time issues as well as pre-existing mental health concerns.
Hoosiers can visit BeWellIndiana.org to find trusted resources curated by FSSA’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction, including information ranging from coping mechanisms, crisis counseling, how to self-monitor for signs of stress, domestic violence resources, substance use disorder and recovery, and tips for helping children, youth and teens. Videos featuring medical experts, persons in recovery and other practicing Indiana clinicians addressing specific mental health topics are also available on the site.
 Farmers' Market resources
A lot of folks have asked about Farmer’s Market resources, so here are a few guidelines that could be used as a model. Keep in mind—examples from out of state will need to conform to Indiana law but can still serve as a guidepost:
Farmers markets are urged to follow CDC guidelines related to social distancing. Market managers, please see this resource from the Farmers Market Coalition for further guidance. Producers, please see this guidance created by Purdue.
Have you joined our IMS COVID-19 Network Facebook group? Click here to join.
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