Dear Neighbors,

I am very pleased to share the news that I have been appointed chair of the City Council's Subcommittee on Capital Budget. I’m grateful for this opportunity to work with the Speaker’s Office to hold the Administration’s feet to the fire and ensure that precious taxpayer capital dollars are spent efficiently and effectively.

The Subcommittee on Capital Budget plays a central oversight role in the planning and spending of New York City's long-term capital investments. The City's Capital budget covers major investments in critical facilities and infrastructure. Capital projects include construction of new public schools, hospitals, water tunnels, and waste management facilities, as well as highway and parks improvements. 

I have treasured my time as chair of the Committee on Women & Gender Equity and am very proud to have led the Council’s efforts to address sexual harassment in the workplace, convened multiple hearings on the childcare needs of New York City families, passed legislation targeting our maternal mortality crisis, and fought to ensure that survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence have both the services they need and are treated with dignity.

COVID-19 Updates

As we have heard from many of you, the City's initial distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations is experiencing a variety of logistical issues. This week, the City Council's Committees on Health and Hospitals held a joint oversight hearing to identify the central problems and press for rapid solutions. Watch the hearing here.

• People aged 65 years or older
• First responders and support staff of first responder agencies
• Corrections staff
• Pre-K to grade 12 teachers and staff
• 'Group childcare providers and staff
• Public transit workers
• Public-facing grocery store workers
• In-person college instructors
• Residents and at-risk staff of group residential homeless shelters

• Download the NYS Covid Alert App + sign-up for daily e-mail updates from the NYS Health Dept.
• Up-to-date information on NYC's COVID response.
• COVID testing and locations of testing sites. New Yorkers can also call 212-COV-ID19; or text COVID TEST to 855 - 48.
• NYC Health + Hospitals Testing Sites.
• Find out whether you are in a New York State-designated COVID-19 zone.
• Learn more about NYC Care, the City’s healthcare access program.
• Track COVID-19 cases across the city and in our community.

• “Take Care” packages which include enough personal protective equipment for a household of three to quarantine for 10-14 days. Learn more here.
• A free hotel room for up to 14 days if quarantining at home is impossible. Click here to learn more or call (212) 268-4319 to book a room.
• Free dog walking and other pet drop-in services to ensure New Yorkers can remain safely separated in a hotel or at home. Learn more here.

Especially for Tenants

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday's Virtual Housing Clinic, which included a presentation on the NYS Emergency Eviction Prevention Act & Breaking Down the Basics of "Holdover" Cases. Our great thanks to TakeRoot Justice for its very thorough presentation. You can watch the entire event here. The recently passed NYS Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 will essentially block evictions through May 1st -- averting mass homelessness and helping to protect public health. The Act pauses all eviction proceedings until the end of February. After that, tenants will need to sign hardship declarations which attest either to financial hardship due to COVID-19 or increased risk of contracting COVID. Signing this declaration will protect the tenant from eviction through May 1st, 2021.  If you have questions about these new protections, please contact one of the housing organizations listed on our website. Click on "Housing." 2nd Round of NYS COVID Rent Relief Grants New York State's COVID Rent Relief Extension Program provides eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. The State has opened a second round of applications, which closes on February 1st, 2021.   Previous applicants for COVID Rent Relief will not have to reapply to be reconsidered. The NYS Dept of Housing & Community Renewal will re-evaluate all applications that were denied according to new criteria, and issue revised determination letters to applicants. Learn more and apply here.

Families of children born in 2016 have until January 19th to apply for a September 2021 kindergarten seat. *All families are encouraged to participate in the application process, including families of students with disabilities.* Apply at MySchools.nyc, or by phone at 718-935-2009.

• Advocates for Children of NY provides "guides" for families applying to kindergarten, and families going through the "turning 5" process — the transition from preschool special education to kindergarten for students with disabilities.
• AFC is hosting a series of webinars and Q&A sessions in English and Spanish on the admissions process and the development of the kindergarten IEP. Register, review materials, and watch videos of earlier webinars on AFC's website.

DOE Virtual High School Admissions Events. Join DOE representatives to learn more about high school admissions in NYC, and any changes to the process due to COVID-19. See all available dates and register.

January 19th Webinar for Students with IEPs Applying for Middle & High Schools. Navigating the high school and middle school applications process can be especially difficult for families of students with disabilities. Advocates for Children will cover the applications process and share tips for researching and selecting schools based on your family's needs. Learn more and register.

January 30th INCLUDEnyc Fair for NYC Young People with Disabilities. The annual event goes virtual this year -- an opportunity for young people with disabilities to connect with summer camps, recreational programs, supports, services, and more. Learn more and register.

The Student Leadership Network provides free resources to help guide high school seniors through the college application process. Click here to learn more.

Apply for City Council Funding 
A reminder that the application period for City Council FY22 expense funding for non-profits is now open. Programmatic or expense funding includes operating expenses, supplies, and/or personnel costs. Deadline for submission: Tuesday, February 16th.

The City Council also provides funding for capital --bricks and mortar-- projects. Please visit my website to learn about our specific requirements and for funding applications.

MTA Board Meeting: January 21st
The MTA will hold a one-day, joint monthly meeting of its Board and committees next Thursday, January 21st at 10am. Board members will discuss (and may vote on) increases to fares and tolls. Click here for additional information, including how to submit testimony.

Health Coverage: NYS Enrollment Period Ends Jan 31st 
If you have lost your health insurance or have not had coverage, go to https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ for a comprehensive list of affordable options -- including subsidized individual health plans and Medicaid. New York State's current open enrollment period runs until January 31st, 2021. New Yorkers can enroll in Medicaid all year long.

Federal Relief for Small Businesses
The NYC Dept of Small Business Services is connecting small business owners to federal relief funds, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance. 

Available resources include: 

• Daily webinars to review the PPP and EIDL Advance programs and how to apply 
• One-on-one assistance to find the best financing options and get help applying 
• Connections to PPP lenders 
• Information about additional SBA resources   

Resources are available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Chinese. Businesses can learn more about the PPP and available assistance by visiting www.nyc.gov/ppp or calling the SBS Hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC.  
 
Information about federal relief continues to be released -- check the Small Business Administration's website regularly for updates. 

Beware of Stimulus Payment Scams
A second round of stimulus payments is now being disbursed to most Americans. This is an ideal situation for potential scammers to take advantage of consumers. Please see tips from the Better Business Bureau to keep your payment safe.

Financial Empowerment & Advocacy Services
The NY Legal Assistance Group can help you improve your finances and remove barriers to economic security—for free. NYLAG financial counselors and coaches assist New Yorkers in developing strategies to pay off debt, manage personal finances more efficiently, navigate through financial crises, and build long-term financial stability. Click here to learn more and make an appointment.

Access-A-Ride Fare Collection Resumes
Beginning Tuesday, January 19th, NYC Transit will resume fare collection for all Access-A-Ride services.

• The Access-A-Ride fare is $2.75 per trip and is collected in cash. Customers must have exact change ready at boarding. Paratransit operators do not provide change or accept round-trip payment.
• MetroCards cannot be used as payment but customers may pay their fares using Access-A-Ride TransitCheck Coupons. Each coupon is good for full payment on one trip.
• As always, for those eligible, Personal Care Attendants may accompany Access-A-Ride passengers free of charge.   

Click here for more information about Access-A-Ride Paratransit Service. Customers may continue to safely book their trips via online trip management, MYmta App, or by calling the Access-A-Ride call center at 1-877-337-2017.  

2021 Manhattan Community Board Applications
Do you want to serve your local community? Joining your community board is a great way to get involved in improving quality of life, and bringing forward your concerns and those of your neighbors.

New York City's community boards are the front-line of local government. They encourage and facilitate the participation of residents within their neighborhoods -- providing a forum to evaluate new development, zoning changes, street & sidewalk planning, and more. The boards work directly with City agencies, and are essential to the efficient and effective delivery of municipal services. Apply on-line here. Deadline: Monday, February 1st (5pm).

SCHE/DHE Renewal: March 15th
A reminder to homeowners that March 15th is the deadline to submit renewal applications for NYC Dept of Finance property tax benefit programs. The Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption (SCHE) must be renewed every two years and the Disabled Homeowners' Exemption(DHE) must be renewed every year.

The DOF has mailed out SCHE and DHE renewal reminder notices. Homeowners can also renew on-line by clicking this link and then selecting the appropriate program (SCHE or DHE). Click here for SCHE and DHE frequently asked questions.

The City's Emergency Food Delivery program continues to be available for homebound New Yorkers who cannot afford private food delivery and do not have someone who can bring food to them.

Please be advised that New Yorkers in the program can now re-enroll on the day BEFORE their last delivery day to help prevent a gap in deliveries.

• Please visit nyc.gov/getfoodhelp or call 311 for assistance. You can also email [email protected] with questions regarding missed deliveries and other issues.
• Food assistance for families with children is available via P-EBT and WIC. For questions about P-EBT, call 833-452-0096 or email: [email protected].

Free "Grab & Go" meals are available for ALL New Yorkers at hundreds of schools. Click here to learn more and see locations. 

Stay Connected!
Are you missing your library? Click here for the latest on-line and telephone-based programs and services from St. Agnes Library. 
  As we all know, this is a profoundly stressful time. If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, please reach out for support and help. One option is NYC Well, the City's confidential helpline for mental health and substance misuse services. Trained counselors can provide you with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages. Click here; call: 1-888-NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355); or text: “Well” to 65173.

Volunteer Opportunities

DOROT Winter Package Delivery for Seniors
DOROT welcomes volunteers to participate in its Winter Package Delivery program! Deliver a package of treats and useful supplies, and share warmth and companionship over the phone with an older neighbor. Volunteers will:

• Check in at DOROT to collect the package.
• Drop off the package at the senior's front door on Manhattan's Upper East or West Side.
• Connect with the senior by phone to share good wishes.

Dates: 
Sunday, January 24 (Primarily Upper East Side drop-off locations)
Monday, January 25 (Primarily Upper West Side drop-off locations)

Select the date and time that works best for you! Click here to learn more and sign up.

January 27th: Volunteer with the Mask Force!
Every month since July, MTA employees and other volunteers have been handing out masks to Transit customers. The goal is to encourage 100% mask compliance to keep riders and front-line employees safe, and this effort has made a big difference. As we move through the coldest months of the year, mask wearing remains one of our best tools against community spread. 



There are multiple locations and times to volunteer this January 27th. Each volunteer is given their own KN-95 mask along with gloves, sanitizer, as well as bright yellow Mask Force gear to help customers identify them. Volunteers also have a more accessible option to stay at a station and distribute masks while seated behind a table. Click here to learn more about the Mask Force, and sign up here to volunteer on January 27th!

New York City Medical Reserve Corps
The NYC Medical Reserve Corps (NYC MRC) is a trained group of over 13,000 volunteers ready to respond to health emergencies. The NYC MRC is made up of highly skilled health professionals who improve the health and safety of their communities every day and in times of emergency.

Since its inception in 2004, the NYC MRC has served as a valuable resource to strengthen community health, build community resiliency and improve our city’s ability to respond to emergencies.

New members are welcome! Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to register for the MRC here. Detailed registration instructions can be found here. If you have questions about the registration process, please email [email protected].

We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can. We also provide on-going advocacy with our public schools and other public services.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. 

Warmly,



P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.