Swine Flu Preparedness for Home, Church and Community

September 24, 2009--Community and faith-based organizations participated in a conference call about the nation's response to H1N1 flu. The call was hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will include Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Joshua DuBois.

Click to learn more about understanding H1N1 flu virus or how to respond at home, church or in your community.

Governor Calls Churches to Action

The faili

Gov. Ted Strickland issues Call to Action

ng economy and rising unemployment are affecting every community in Ohio. Recognizing that government can’t carry the entire load, Governor Ted Strickland created the Governor’s Office on Faith-based and Community Initiatives to act as a liaison between state agencies and local organizations to effectively use current resources and upcoming Federal Stimulus Package dollars. The Governor has issued A Call to Action focusing on these areas where Faith-based and community initiatives have proven most effective in serving Ohioans in need:

Youth mentoring
Foster and Adoptive Care
Mentoring of former Inmates readjusting to life in their community
The Ohio Benefits bank
Food Pantries across the state
Free Summer Lunch programs for kids
Financial Literacy education to move families to independence

You don’t need to start a quit your job, write a big grant or start a program. This is a call to all Ohioans to get personally involved in their local community. This is a call for your congregation to give their time, their skills and their hearts. Learn more at: Governor's Call to Action

September 2, 2000 Update--The Governor's Call to Action program includes inviting churches to become Ohio Benefit Bank sites. Using the OBB on-line software, trained volunteers can help their neighbors check possible eligibility and apply for state benefits including food stamps, child care assistance, health care, senior employment and more.

Ohio Benefit Bank now also includes an on-line application process for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi mentoring program. This is a special program for children, ages 4 to 17, who have an incarcerated parent. Learn more about the Amachi mentoring program.

Learn more about becoming an Ohio Benefit Bank site or volunteer.

How you can help:
1. Become an Ohio Benefit Bank site at your church, offering assistance with many types of benefit applications, including the Amachi mentoring.
2. Volunteer to become a trained OBB volunteer and work in an established site your area
3. Volunteer to become a Big Brother Big Sister in your area

Additional links on this topic:

Adventist Community Services of Licking County

2 Fairgrounds Road • P.O. Box 1230 • Mount Vernon, OH 43050 • Phone: (740) 397-4665