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WEBINAR: COVID-19 Guidance to Protect Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Health – Lessons Learned to Date and Preparing for Upcoming Harvests
Presented by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and the Maine Mobile Health Program. Co-Hosted by University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Tuesday August 18, 2020: 6 – 7 pm Eastern Time
The State’s Interim Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers was issued in late June to help Maine’s agricultural community prepare for a safe harvest season during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hard work of employers, industry representatives, service providers, and state agencies resulted in COVID-19 testing efforts working as planned and the rapid deployment of support services. Important lessons have been learned from the past six weeks that can help other agricultural employers get ready for their upcoming harvests.
Join DACF and the Maine Mobile Health Program to discuss key highlights of the COVID-19 Guidance, understand COVID-19 testing protocols, and review on-farm housing and transportation strategies, as well as available support resources. There will be dedicated time for discussion and representatives of DACF and MMHP will be available to answer questions.
Download the Interim Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, their Employers, and Housing Providers here. (PDF)
Download the two-page Fact Sheet about the Interim Guidance here. (PDF)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://maine.zoom.us/j/99217951455?pwd=MEl3NkoyN0txc0syMDVrT2hteUpUQT09
Password: Maine
Or Telephone:
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 992 1795 1455
Farmer Resources
Maine Mobile Heath Program
Maine Mobile Health Program is Maine's only farmworker health organization.
- Federally qualified health center (FQHC).
- Provides mobile medical care for farmworkers.
- Primary point of contact for on-site testing or referral to testing services for farmworkers.
- Provides health information and services in multiple languages, including Spanish and Haitian-Creole.
- Can provide COVID-19 screenings at no charge to growers.
- Helping farms plan ahead to adapt operations and develop COVID-19 plans to protect workers.
- Can help provide rapid-response contact tracing on-farm if outside of Maine CDC response hours.
- Provides care coordination and medical support for sick workers.
Lisa Tapert, MPH – CEO
9 Green St. / PO Box 405
Augusta, ME 04332
(COVID period home office) 207-833-2947
(cell) 917-855-7289
(fax) 207-626-7612
ltapert@mainemobile.org
http://www.mainemobile.org/
State Monitor Advocate
The State Monitor Advocate monitors agricultural employers for compliance with the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Monitors farmworker treatment and employer compliance with migrant worker rights.
- Performs field checks in agriculture sector.
- Provides info and advocacy to farmworkers.
- Ensures migrant farmworkers seeking employment services receive the same level of services as other workers.
- Resource for how to
Jorge A. Acero, Director, Labor Outreach & Education
State Monitor Advocate
H-2A, H-2B FLC 45 State House Station Augusta, ME 04330
207-623-7928 TTY: Maine relay 711
jorge.a.acero@maine.gov
https://www.maine.gov/labor/labor_laws/maine_monitor_advocate.html
Maine Farm Labor Link Network
Linking farms and facilities processing agricultural products grown in the State with available workers who wish to work on a farm or in a local food industry.
- Coordinates a farm/ag labor job board.
- Currently promoting farm work opportunities (Farm for ME) statewide.
- Provides resources and information on labor law and worker rights.
- Connector to other farm labor resources.
Yvette Meunier, Promotional Coordinator
Agricultural Resource Development Division
28 State House Station/ 90 Blossom Lane
Augusta, ME 04333-0028
Cell: 207-592-0640
Fax: 207-287-7548
Yvette.Meunier@maine.gov
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/farmlabor/
U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division
- Direct technical resource for employer requirements and worker rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
- Has multilingual posters and facts sheets for federal employee rights, including the FFCRA.
- Has online tool to determine FFCRA eligibility.
- Resource for businesses trying to understand their legal responsibilities to workers under current federal law and COVID-19 legislation.
1-866-487-9243
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd
Note to Maine agricultural producers: USDA extended CFAP application period to September 11, 2020. Producers should inquire about eligibility and apply through the Farm Service Agency at their local USDA Service Center.
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