Free assistance available for those enrolling in ACA health insurance

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - In just a matter of days, Virginians in need of health insurance will be able to enroll as part of President Joe Biden’s executive order to reopen enrollment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Now, two groups in the Charlottesville are trying to help people navigate the process.

The Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) and the Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) are now offering free help to anyone trying to enroll under the act.

”Given the pandemic, a lot of people have lost their jobs and they’ve lost their health insurance with it for them and their families. So with this new open enrollment it allows people like that to come and look at what their options are on the marketplace,” Randy Rodgers, an insurance counselor at JABA, said.

New open enrollment for insurance under the ACA starts on February 15 and ends May 15. Read more…

WINA News Radio interview with JABA’s Randy Rodgers: extension of enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act

Randy Rodgers, JABA's Insurance Counseling Manager, joined Jay James on WINA's Morning News program to discuss open enrollment counseling for people who need to apply for insurance through the Affordable Care Act, which was recently extended by executive action from from February 15 to May 15. Listen now!

WANTED: Caring teacher at JABA's award-winning preschool

JABA's Shining Star Preschool, a 2020 Daily Progress Reader's Choice Award Winner, is looking for an energetic and caring Preschool Teacher that has a passion for working with young children ages 2-5. Hours are 7AM – 5:30PM Monday through Friday.

Apply online today!

Essential Functions

1. Responsible for ensuring that curriculum development and implementation is provided in accordance with program goals and philosophy.

2. Implement long and short term activities while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children.

3. Complete daily responsibilities to including: cleaning of centers, cot room, supply cabinets, playground and classroom furniture.

4. Responsible for setting up, monitoring and cleaning up after snacks and lunch.

5. Assist with preschool and intergenerational program and field trip planning and implementation.

6. Communicate with parents with regard to children’s progress and needs.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

This is a largely sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary. Occasionally pick up, lift carry and place items weighting up to 20 pounds in and around JABA Facilities.

Required Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or GED and 1 to 3 years of relevant work experience is required

2. Child Development Certificate is required

3. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree is preferred

Apply online today!

Message from JABA CEO, Marta Keane: Be a light at the end of the tunnel

Marta Keane, JABA CEO

As we head into the holiday season, we remember good times from previous years that warm our hearts – gatherings of family and friends, delicious meals, laughter, and honored traditions. The COVID-19 pandemic is going to make our holidays different than before as we find creative ways to be together – virtually or in person – while ensuring that our family members and friends are safe from infection. In the end, it is the people who make our holidays special, not just the rituals. But what if you are a senior in poor health, living alone without any family or supports?

This holiday season will be a time of struggle for many, especially the elderly who live alone, with few financial resources. Stanley, for example, is an older adult in our area who was recently diagnosed with cancer. He immediately had to stop working his low-wage job in order to have surgery, followed by chemotherapy. Stanley was very depressed and feeling hopeless about his life, having no family or other supports. He was also in debt because wages were not coming in and his savings had been spent on the cancer treatment.

JABA’s options counselor connected Stanley to community partners that helped him catch up on back rent and utility bills. The counselor also started him on home delivered meals, as he was too weak from chemo to prepare them himself. He is even considering joining JABA’s virtual Community Senior Center activities when he is feeling stronger. Today, Stanley is beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel, stating, “I don’t know what I would have done without you all.”

There are many older adults like Stanley who contact JABA for assistance when they are at very low points in their lives and do not have the resources or energy to pick themselves up. JABA is fielding a record number of requests for assistance from seniors during these trying times. The only thing that many of them need is a helping hand through a rough patch. Can you be that helping hand right now by making a generous gift in support of JABA’s clients during this holiday season? You can make the difference between hope and despair in the lives of our elderly neighbors in need.

The holidays are times of both light and darkness. We often remember loved ones who are no longer with us. Sometimes we are alone or feel disconnected from activities around us. But, this season – in the midst of this deadly pandemic – we all need to shine a light on each other. How we gather together may be different this season, but we can all do our best to bring love, hope and warmth to others – those we know and those we do not. Your generous gift to JABA right now is one way you can express your compassion towards older neighbors in need. It is so easy. Go to JABA's website to donate securely online.

Please accept my deepest thanks for everything you can do – or have already done – in support of the seniors JABA serves. You make it possible for us to do this work. Stay safe during the holiday season, as you bring a little more love and light into our community.

With best wishes,

Marta M. Keane
Chief Executive Officer

P.S. For tax year 2020, you may deduct up to $300 in qualified charitable cash contributions if you do not itemize deductions. Please go to www.irs.gov for more information about this change in the tax code. It has never been a better time to give to JABA!

JABA Joins CV19 Educate America Campaign

JABA has joined the national CV19 Educate America Campaign to help inform the elders, caregivers, and families we serve about CV19 CheckUp, an online system developed to help Americans be safer, healthier, and ensure their individual needs are met during the pandemic.

CV19 CheckUp is a hyper-personalized online system that evaluates an individual’s risk levels associated with COVID-19 and provides recommendations and resources to reduce those risks. The tool was developed to help Americans be safer, healthier, and ensure their individual needs are met during the pandemic.

“CV19 CheckUp fills a critical need for our community,” said JABA CEO Marta Keane. “It offers our community a comprehensive resource that educates, informs, and advises them, one-by-one, about how to help protect themselves from COVID-19.”

CV19 CheckUp employs artificial intelligence to analyze data each person provides by completing an online questionnaire. It is designed for those who are considered high risk, including older adults, low-income individuals, ethnic and racial minorities, and LGBTQ communities. The tool’s algorithms are driven by science and use data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). CV19 CheckUp is free to users. It is confidential and does not require a name, email address, or identifier of any type.

Upon completion of the questionnaire, CV19 CheckUp immediately delivers a personalized report. The report answers questions such as:

●  How likely am I to get COVID-19 or spread it to others?

●  If I get COVID-19, how severe would it likely be?

●  What steps can I take to reduce my risks of getting COVID-19?

●  Where can I find help to ensure my needs are met during the pandemic?

Through CV19 CheckUp, governments and health organizations will also receive valuable intelligence about their audiences and key stakeholders. These data will facilitate developing methods that help target populations at high risk for COVID-19. Data are confidential, and findings can be used to gain insights on:

●     What people know and believe about the pandemic

●  Compliance levels with recommended safety protocols

●  Behaviors by location, race, ethnicity, economic status, etc.

●  Unmet needs for health care, social services, financial support

Jim Firman, chief innovation officer for BellAge, explained that CV19 CheckUp was developed to fill an urgent public need. “It is very difficult for people to find information relevant to their personal situation. The average person has to spend a lot of time and effort on numerous websites, digging through pages of information looking for answers,” said Firman. “CV19 CheckUp does the work for them. We developed a hyper-personalized tool that makes it easy for anyone to understand their level of risk and take steps to reduce those risks. Our goal is to educate 92 million high-risk Americans, one by one.”

The individualized approach that defines CV19 CheckUp will deliver much-needed support to the more than 92 million Americans, age 50 and older, who are hardest hit by COVID-19. The CDC described people in this age group as being at higher risk of severe or fatal consequences if they are infected with COVID-19. 

The CV19 CheckUp is available nationwide at www.CV19CheckUp.org.

JABA Joins National Campaign to Raise Awareness of Local Programs to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults and Caregivers

JABA is excited to participate in Home for the Holidays, a national campaign led by the Eldercare Locator and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), this year in partnership with the University of California, San Diego Center for Healthy Aging. The goal of the campaign is to ensure that older adults and their caregivers are aware of the many local resources and services available in communities around the country to turn for social engagement opportunities.

Launched every year during the holiday season, Home for the Holidays is intended to help families and friends discuss difficult topics with their loved ones. A new consumer brochure is the focus of this year’s campaign, Staying Connected and Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers. As part of the campaign, the brochure highlights the importance of social connection, its impact on our physical and mental health—and ways the Aging Network can help older adults connect to their communities during this time of limited in-person social interactions.

“Maintaining social connections and staying mentally and physically active is key to reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults, particularly now during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s where JABA can step in to help,” says JABA CEO Marta Keane. "Our agency is participating in Home for the Holidays because we know how important it is for older adults to stay connected to their communities—with and without technology. The programs and services we offer directly meet this critical need.”

Print and share these brochures

Staying Connected and Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers (English)

Staying Connected and Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers (Spanish)

JABA at Home

It's important that we keep from feeling isolated and disconnected. That's why we'll be launching At Home with JABA, a program that will deliver phone and online monthly programing via conference calls, Zoom, and Facebook Live. There will be bingo, games, informative presentations by our JABA nurses, exercise sessions, and more. Find out how to connect and check out the December calendar of events on our At Home with JABA page.

Senior Helpline

Speak with JABA’s information and assistance counselors to get information and connect to services that meet your specific needs. For over 45 years, JABA has supported older adults and caregivers. Let us connect you to resources that help you or a loved one age well. Call 434.817.5253.

JABA Operations Updates to Keep Our Community Safe

The latest information about JABA's programs and services during the Covid-19 pandemic, plus community resources to stay safe and informed.

Eldercare Locator

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