FAIRHOPE – Baldwin County’s program to assist residents affected by COVID-19 will continue beyond the scheduled completion date of Dec. 31.
The Baldwin County Commission approved the extension of the Baldwin Together program for at least six months into 2022.
Baldwin Together was established in 2020 as a program to refer residents affected by the economic impact of the pandemic to assistance programs, such as the Economic Rental Assistance Program, or ERAP. The program was organized by Baldwin County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.
Dana Jepsen, VOAD director, said the program has expanded to include providing money raised through outside contributions to residents and other needs not covered by federal funding.
“Things like a car payment, which we think of sometimes as maybe an extravagance, not a necessity, but we know that if people don’t have transportation, then they’re not working and they’re not contributing and their household is no longer stable,” Jepsen said. “So, things like that that are not covered under ERAP funds, we are still able to do with the private funds that we have raised for Baldwin Together.”
She said Baldwin Together case managers are also providing other COVID-related services.
“They’re also doing things like helping people find vaccination appointments, trying to refer to the Alabama Department of Public Health,” Jepsen said. “They have a quarantine program now where, if a family is having to quarantine, we are able to have groceries delivered to them. Not Baldwin Together funds, but through Baldwin United Way and the Department of Public Health. So, there’re just a lot of other COVID referrals that we’re continuing to make. Those case managers are still working really hard to help our community get stable.”
County Commission Joe Davis said the program has helped residents by providing a link to assistance that some people might not consider requesting.
“You’re going to be able to identify citizens whose names and households need to be passed on to other agencies,” Davis said. “People are a little afraid, sometimes, to put themselves out there or a little embarrassed, but life is life and anytime we can identify people that need help and, if they’re trying to help themselves, I’m all about trying to help them.”
The commission has provided about $75,000 for the project since it began in 2020, Jepsen said. Jepsen said the program has also raised money through donations. She said about $6,000 of the commission funding is still available. That money is being used to pay salaries, while the assistance funding has been raised through donations.
Anyone wanting assistance or more information on the program can call 251-424-1506 or emailing BaldwinTogether@gmail.com.
