Director’s Report to the Mayor’s Disability Council (MDC)

Nicole Bohn, Director

Mayor’s Office on Disability

February 19, 2021

 

Today’s Director’s Report to the Mayor’s Disability Council (MDC) highlights COVID response and recovery actions impacting residents with disabilities in the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) between January 15, 2021 and February 19, 2021.

Per current State guidance, https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#California's-vaccination-plan people with disabilities under the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions will be eligible for vaccination beginning March 15, 2021.  The MDC may consider including a Vaccination Strategy Update as part of your March public meeting. 

San Francisco follows guidance as directed by the State of California and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  Concerns about the State guidance may be brought to the attention of:
California Community Vaccine Advisory Committee Public Meeting Schedule and Membership

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Community-Vaccine-Advisory-Committee.aspx/

Governor Gavin Newsom

Click HERE to email him, or call at 916-445-2841

Dr. Tomas Aragon, Director, California Dept of Public Health

Click HERE to email him

The Council is also encouraged recommend action items related to any part of today’s presentations related to mobility management and transportation, and to follow-up on public comment, as appropriate.

MOD COVID Response and Recovery Activities:  January 15-February 19, 2021   MOD continues to be actively deployed through the COVID Command and has assisted or advised on the following efforts in the since the last MDC public meeting.

SF launch of Get Vaccinated Site:  https://sf.gov/get-vaccinated-against-covid-19

This site includes the most current information about how to access the Covid-19 vaccine.  MOD recommends that readers bookmark this site, as new information is added and content is updated daily.

 

​Attestation process for non-IHSS personal and family caregivers of persons with disabilities and older adults: https://sfgov.org/mod/article/vaccine-eligibility-attestation-process-available-sf-personal-and-home-care-providers

All caregivers of people with disabilities and older adults are eligible for vaccination now, by following the steps in the link above.

 

Free Muni and Paratransit, and more funding for Essential Trip Card trips to vaccination appointments: https://sfgov.org/mod/article/free-transportation-muni-and-covid-19-vaccination-sites-essential-trip-card-information

Individuals who do not currently have an Essential Trip Card may register by calling 3-1-1.  Please note that that the average processing time between registration and receipt of the Card is one week (Cards are sent via US Mail).

Additional Accessibility Efforts:

Prioritizing reaching individuals who are 65 and older who do not have internet access

Developing, distributing and educating Covid Command using an Accessibility Checklist for Vaccination sites

Advising on mobile vaccination strategies for people with disabilities and older adults, including but not limited to:

Identifying Disability Community Based Originations who that may serve as sites, as well as senior housing sites, and specific sites within each SF District.

Advising on clear communication strategies for disability communities regarding vaccine access

Requesting clarification from the State on disability verification procedures and approaches to vaccinating individuals in their homes (in preparation for March 15 roll-out).

Participation in JFK Drive Closure Stakeholder workgroup. 

Supervisor Chan (District 1), along with the County Transportation Authority (CTA), is continuing convening of this group of community organizations discussing the impact of the JFK Drive COVID closure.  The workgroup’s final meeting is in early March, with the workgroup report completed by mid to late March.  Given the degree of public involvement from residents with disabilities on this matter, the Council is encouraged to continue to monitor this and bring this topic back for a Spring 2021 public meeting.

 

Participation in Housing Needs Assessment legislation kick off meeting

Former Board President Yee and others sponsored this legislation, to be managed by the Department of Disability and Aging Services.  The Council is encouraged to learn about and follow this legislation, which can be found here:  https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/o0266-20.pdf

 

MOD Staff News:  MOD welcomes Senior Building Inspector John Finnegan.  John comes to us from the Department of Building Inspection with an area focus of affordable housing accessibility plan review and inspection.  Welcome, John!

This report posts to the MOD homepage following this meeting.  For questions or comments, or to get involved in or provide feedback on any of the items mentioned in this report, please contact MOD at 415 554-6789 or mod@sfgov.org.  To stay current on opportunities, activities and events pertaining to people with disabilities, please subscribe to our newsfeed at http://sfgov.org/mod/.