Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians declared a State of Emergency on March 13, 2020, and activated its Emergency Operations Protocol to address the COVID-19 disaster that has hit the United States within the 53 square mile boundaries of the Morongo Reservation in Riverside County, California. Riverside County is currently the second hardest hit county in the State of California, accounting for nearly 8% of the total population that tested positive and nearly 8% of those that ultimately loss their battle with the coronavirus. The Morongo community accounts for a percentage of those that have tested positive. We have had COVID-19 cases among Tribal and staff members, and numerous cases linked directly to their families. To help stop the spread of the virus, nearly 2 months ago the Tribe closed the doors to all non-essential tribal enterprises, which resulted in a direct loss of needed revenue for Tribal Government operations and resulted in the layoff of over 1,000 tribal employees. The Tribe?s essential businesses have remained operational but has seen a steep decrease in patrons due to the reduction in traffic on Interstate 10 and closing of non-essential business in the area including the Cabazon Outlets, restaurants and recreational facilities but remains committed to keeping them open for the surrounding community to provide food and other household essentials for our rural community. With no grocery store in close proximity for the Moronogo Reservation, community members must leave the area and travel to cities in Riverside County that have been severely impacted by the coronavirus to purchase their grocery and household needs. In part of our response efforts the Tribe has organized a pop-up store for residents to purchase food and supplies. The Tribe has also provided meal delivery for the most vulnerable populations on the Reservation including Elders. Morongo Facilities staff members have spent over 1,300 hours over the last 5 weeks di sinfecting essential business to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 to patrons. Morongo will spend months, if not years, recovering from this disaster by having to operate within a depressed economy which has already resulted in the repurposing funds needed for other tribal programs and economic development to accommodate the new normal due to COVID-19. The Tribe is seeking $1,492,587 to address immediate health and safety needs for Tribal and community members from CDC-Supporting Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response through the following objectives:-Promote the dissemination of information regarding COVID 19 to the Morongo community, support residents directly affected by the COVID-19 emergency-Prevent the spread and flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases, and-Update emergency operation plans based on this event for future emergency events. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians will directly address the preparation, response, prevention and mitigation of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Through emergency operations and coordination the Tribe has activated the Morongo Emergency Operations Center to ensure the continuity of Tribal operations, mobilization of the entire Morongo Fire Department and Morongo Police Department, purchasing of equipment and supplies and resource management; prioritized infection control through continual cleaning and disinfecting of essential businesses and community areas, purchases personal protective equipment for all essential employees and installed sneeze guards for staff in direct contact with patrons (countermeasures and mitigation) and have already started planning for post event operations and developing improvement plans (recovery activities). The activities will be completed within the project period of March 13-September 30, 2020.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
