December 23, 2020
Oakland County Executive Biweekly Newsletter
Dear Friend,
My wish for you is good health, safety, peace and hope for the new year as we celebrate this holiday season.
Sincerely,
David Coulter
Comprehensive COVID-19 Public Education Campaign Underway
Our COVID-19 public education campaign is underway, encouraging residents to remain vigilant about following health and safety measures that control the spread of COVID-19.
“The Only Way to Beat It Is to Face It,” spreads a message of hope amid the recent virus surge while highlighting the importance of following guidelines to help keep fellow residents healthy and save lives. You’ll see it or hear it on TV, radio, billboards, print ads, digital ads and rolling billboards.
The campaign, funded by a federal CARES Act grant, was introduced during a recent news conference which featured former Detroit Lions player Lomas Brown, one of several spokespersons for the campaign.
The campaign received a significant boost this week from Hollywood actress and Huntington Woods native Kristen Bell as she added her talents – and her 15 million Instagram followers – to encourage residents to remain vigilant about following health and safety measures to help control the spread of COVID-19 as they wait for a vaccination.
The 1998 graduate of Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak posted a new appeal to her Instagram Story that reinforces the county message.
Mayors and supervisors from 11 Oakland County communities also lent their voices to the campaign through a new video, reminding residents to avoid getting too comfortable or forget the dangers that come with the virus. We are moving towards normal – especially with the vaccine in the early stages of distribution in the county and elsewhere – but we are not there yet. The officials encourage residents to shop locally, use curbside pickup of goods or grocery delivery services where possible and consider virtual gatherings instead of face-to-face during the holidays.
If you would like to receive updates on COVID-19 vaccine as they become available, you can by registering your email address. More information about COVID-19 in Oakland County is available at oakgov.com/covid.
Veterans Service Organizations Hit by Pandemic Get CARES Act Help
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Deputy Executive Sean Carlson and 12 county commissioners brought much-needed help to 28 area veteran service organizations impacted by COVID-19 by delivering CARES Act checks totaling $530,000.
Carlson and County Commissioner Angela Powell, D-Pontiac, made stops at three Pontiac organizations Monday – American Legion Post 20, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1370 and Aces Veterans Annex to deliver checks to help the organizations get through challenging times.
These organizations have been unable to hold major sources of income such as fundraisers and banquets since the pandemic began. The grants may be used to help organizations cover operating expenses such as payroll, rent and the cost to acquire personal protective equipment.
The distributions began Dec. 16 in White Lake Township with Commissioner Eileen Kowall, R-White Lake, and Carlson delivering the first check to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 133. Coulter was joined Friday by Commissioner Janet Jackson, D-Southfield, and Carlson at American Legion Post 346 in Farmington.
The deliveries conclude Tuesday with Carlson dropping off a check at VFW Post 9914 in Highland Township. In between, Commissioners Michael J. Gingell, R-Orion Township; Bob Hoffman, R-Highland Township; Adam Kochenderfer, R-Rochester; Penny Luebs, D-Clawson; Tom Middleton, R-Clarkston; Powell; Michael Spisz, R-Oxford; Shelley Goodman Taub, R-Bloomfield Hills; Phil Weipert, R-South Lyon; and David Woodward, D-Royal Oak dropped off checks in Auburn Hills, Clarkston, Pontiac, Holly, Troy, Lake Orion, Oxford and Southfield.
The county also provided $800,000 in grants to 340 Oakland County veterans or their dependents who were harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterans could apply for up to $2,500 in emergency aid for such necessities as food, housing assistance, utility bills or childcare.
The $1 million Oakland County Veteran Service Fund was created by an allocation from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners using money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and a grant the county’s Veterans’ Services division received from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
Oakland County Michigan Works! Expands Free, Virtual Workshop Program for Job Seekers
Oakland County Michigan Works! is expanding its free virtual workshop program through March 2021 and includes a new workshop entitled “Presenting a Professional Image.”
The virtual workshops began last spring after the county’s six Michigan Works! service centers were closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. Nearly 1,000 people participated in the live, online sessions covering various career development and job search topics.
A key to a successful career move is exhibiting a professional image, no matter the type of position, said Tamara Myles, talent development specialist at Oakland County Michigan Works! Waterford and presenter of the newest virtual workshop.
“Your professional image projects your character and determines others’ impression of you,” Myles said. “While there are plenty of resources to teach you how to dress for success, that is only part of the story in managing your professional image. In this workshop, you’ll learn to exude your best qualities.”
Workshop topics include:
- Resume and Cover Letter Writing: Opening the Door to Employment
- Virtual Interviewing: Making a Great Impression
- The Language of LinkedIn: Using the Popular Career Tool the Right Way
- Changing Careers: New Opportunities, New Future
- Mid-Life Career Transitions: Switching Careers and Flourishing in Today’s Economy
- Personal Brand: Building and Maintaining a Successful Marketing Strategy for You!
- Presenting a Professional Image: Appearance, Communication and Performance
- Career Vision Board: Showcasing Your Interests, Skills and Goals
- Gig Jobs: Exploring Non-Traditional Employment Opportunities
Dates, times and online registration is found at www.OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.
Oakland County Michigan Works! operates service centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy and Waterford. Combined, they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information.
The service centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking assistance with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.
Service center staffs remain available by virtual appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule a virtual meeting, call 1-248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you.
Updated COVID-19 Information
For the latest information, please refer to our website at oakgov.com and click on the COVID-19 button on the home page.
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