https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2 Joanna Jacob Interview 021622 en-us 2022-02-16 20:39:31 UTC 2022-02-16 21:46:36 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051890278 One of the challenges was that the world did not know how to respond to COVID. The public was asking what the county was doing, and she was in an external role where many people were reaching out to her, and it was hard to figure out how to proceed.
There were also conflicting guidance that was coming from the state and federal government at the same time. Their community was very hard hit and it was initially quite frightening. They were trying to balance the needs of their community with figuring out the most appropriate health response. 
They had emergency managers who were responding, but they had all these social service needs. 
When the needs are so acute, it is difficult to respond.
They did not get advanced notice of governors directives. There was communication at the state level, but they did not get adequate notice of any changes. IT could have been handled better if there was collaboration between the state and county. ]]> 2022-02-16 21:16:54 UTC https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051890278 https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051897317 Once they got the messaging from the CDC, they were able to align their policies. 
Their partnership with the health department was also helpful. 
The informal relationships she had with her partnerships helped and provided comfort in that she had help and had people to work with. 
Everyone knew that they were in an emergency, and people bent over backwards in order to help. It made it easier to draw on these relationships.
The MACC adapted really well to this emergency once the warehouse was established.]]> 2022-02-16 21:22:11 UTC https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051897317 https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051908081 As they were transitioning from the initial response into testing, she was getting requests for testing needs and it was difficult to provide them an answer. 
The testing turnaround time was an issue, but once UMC actually got some funding it was a gamechanger for them. It was when they were able to process more tests locally. It was key to the transition. 
Also the National Guard was critical in being able to have large scale testing efforts. 
There were a lot of private ways to access these thing, so they had to set up more public areas for testing. 
The county ended up having to fund non-congregate shelter through their hotels because of all the tourists that tested positive. 
The unknowns of the duration of this pandemic was a big challenge. ]]> 2022-02-16 21:30:15 UTC https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051908081 https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051912944 The rental assistance program that they set up with the cares act funding. 
Instead of having all the cities set up their own programs, it was beneficial that it came out of one place. 
Some of the housing programs they put in place, people want to continue that relationship with the county because it really helps transition people out of the ER. This was a very successful part of their response. 
Having the successful regional policies and actions, having flexible funding which helped create these programs. If they had not had this funding, they could not have supported the programs that were essential. 
The regional collaboration they had with the health district was a model. It felt like they were doing an effective regional response.  ]]> 2022-02-16 21:34:38 UTC https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051912944 https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051921127 The need to be flexible and all be willing to go the extra mile. 
She needed to think about her role in a non traditional way, which is the most important skill that she learned. 
You have to be proactive, and leadership asked them to do that. ]]> 2022-02-16 21:41:49 UTC https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051921127 https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051926582 Having done this one, they are capable of doing this again. 
Because her position was new in the county, it was difficult to know where she fit in on the MACC, but she was important because she served as a Liaison of sorts. Having an external person delegated to serving elected official is an important role. ]]> 2022-02-16 21:46:36 UTC https://padlet.com/navisstrategicservicesllc/3ksncyq2zv3dghv2/wish/2051926582