Gov. Holcomb Announces Indiana Receives Federal Disaster Declaration
Friday, April 3, 2020
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced Indiana has been
granted a federal Major Disaster Declaration, which provides funds to help
communities recover from COVID-19.
The funding can be used to cover costs of emergency needs including crisis
counseling, food programs, temporary shelters, protective equipment, safety
resources and personnel.
The Governor also signed an executive order today to extend the public
health emergency by an additional 30 days – to May 5. The executive order is
posted here: www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm. The first public health
emergency was declared on March 6 and allows the state to increase
coordination across all levels of government in the state’s response to
coronavirus.
Gov. Holcomb also announced he will extend the Stay-at-Home Order and the
restrictions on bars and restaurants an additional two weeks – to April 20
at 11:59 p.m. ET. The executive order will be signed Monday.
Additional steps taken today include:
* The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has
been working closely to provide maximum flexibility, including using
telehealth, to treatment providers to ensure that crucial services for
people that suffer from Serious Mental Illness, and children who suffer from
Severe Emotional Disturbances can continue.
* Hoosiers can call 211, or contact your insurance company, to find
access to tele-therapy, and talk to your doctor about whether medication
might be right for you during this time.
* Additional mental health guidance can be found here:
coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19_MentalHealth_03.31.20.pdf
* FSSA announced more than 152,000 Indiana households will receive
additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when
April distributions begin this Sunday.
* The additional funds are intended to help Hoosiers obtain food and
support for their families while Indiana responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to learn more:
www.in.gov/fssa/files/SNAP_additional_funds_4-3_FINAL.pdf
* This weekend the Indiana National Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the Indiana State Department of Health will scout locations
for potential alternative care sites. Hoosiers may see the Indiana National
Guard members traveling in communities and should not be alarmed.
* Gov. Holcomb signed a joint letter from all three branches of
government to local criminal justice leaders regarding the impact of
COVID-19 on detention facilities.
* The governor, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, House Speaker
Todd Huston and Chief Justice Loretta Rush signed the letter which asks
local judges, sheriffs, and county leaders to properly identify which
low-risk, non-violent juveniles and inmates, if any, may be re-evaluated and
released safely into their communities under pretrial, probation, or
community corrections supervision. Click here to see the letter:
www.in.gov/judiciary/files/covid19-2020-0403-release-assessment-loca
l-effort.pdf
* Six Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches will be open by appointment
only beginning Monday, April 6 to process new Commercial Learner’s Permits
(CLP), new Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), and upgrade/downgrade for the
CDL to add the tank vehicle or hazardous materials endorsement credential
transactions.
* These branches are opening for appointments to support the current
critical need to increase the number of new licensed commercial truck
drivers on the road delivering supplies and to aid in the start of
agricultural season in our state. Click here to learn more:
www.in.gov/bmv/files/pr-clp-cdl-appointment-only-hours.pdf
Click here to download public service announcements (PSAs) recorded by the
state for your use:
www.dropbox.com/sh/egf210ognxxyx4h/AADYd7E-tBn7P6gtiLSZUiVBa?dl=0
More information may be found at the ISDH website at coronavirus.in.gov
<coronavirus.in.gov/> and the CDC website at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.