3/29/21 @ 2:15 p.m. - At the Monday, March 22, 2021 meeting, the Board approved Resolution 2021-36 proclaiming April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Nassau County, Florida. This was done to raise public awareness sexual violence, provide education on its impacts and encourage community response to sexual violence.

Lori Armstrong of the Women's Center of Jacksonville attended the meeting remotely to accept the Resolution. She stated, "It's because of our community partner relationships that survivors are able to get the support they need in Nassau County". She also thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their support.

The Women's Center of Jacksonville is the only certified rape crisis center in Nassau County. Their office is located within Family Support Services located at 96116 Lofton Square Ct. in Yulee. If you or someone you know needs help, please call their 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline at 904-721-7273 or visit their website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Amelia Island Foundation
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 26, 2021 – We have been made aware of concerns from Nassau County residents regarding a new non-profit organization, The Amelia Island Foundation, located in Fernandina Beach, and their efforts to partner with local businesses to generate funds for community projects.
 
To clarify, the Amelia Island Foundation has no association with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) or the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (AITDC). Neither the BOCC nor the AITDC were involved in the creation, organization, launch or operations of the Amelia Island Foundation’s initiative currently being piloted on Amelia island.
 
While the County currently contracts with the Amelia Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (AICVB) to provide administrative and operational support for tourist development activities on Amelia Island, the AICVB is a stand-alone entity and not part of the Nassau County government. Like with all contractors providing services, Nassau County pays a fee for the services the contractor provides us.
 
According to Maurie Dugger, Director of the Amelia Island Foundation, during the launch phase of the Foundation, governance and oversight is being provided by the AICVB’s Board of Directors.  Going forward, the Amelia Island Foundation will be governed by local community leaders who will serve as members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
 
The County has no involvement in the Amelia Island Foundation’s fundraising efforts, nor does the County have any authority to ask the Amelia Island Foundation to change its programs. Just like any other 501(c)3 charitable organization, the Amelia Island Foundation is an independent entity and must follow all laws and regulations applicable to a 501(c)3 organization. If you have any questions regarding the Amelia Island Foundation, please visit www.ameliaislandfoundation.com or contact Maurie Dugger at 904-556-7444 or mdugger@ameliaislandfoundation.com.
 

2/4/21 @ 2:20 p.m.- Nassau County has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Non-profit organizations that were funded during the last fiscal year should have received a letter dated February 1, 2021, notifying you it's time to reapply.

We greatly value the benefits and contributions made by non-profit organizations to the community. As such, we would like to extend an invitation to all non-profits to apply as well (not just those that were funded in previous years).

To be considered, you must provide the following:

1. A summary of the current FY2020-2021 budget for your operation.  At a minimum, it should be broken down to show the following: salaries, operating expenses, capital outlay.  It should also provide an accounting of all revenue sources, including the allocation/grant from Nassau County.
2. The same information, as outlined above, for the upcoming FY2021-2022 budget.
3. The legal citation (if any) mandating a contribution by the County; and
4. A copy of your most recent annual audit.

Please provide your request to Megan Diehl, OMB Director, 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, by the close of business on Monday, March 1, 2021.

Any agency applying for funding will be scheduled to present their needs and funding request at a public forum on Thursday, May 20th or Friday, May 21st. The Office of Management & Budget will contact you each agency at a later time for scheduling.

If you have any questions, please contact Megan Sawyer or Cindy Wood at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, Office of Management & Budget.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/4/21 @ 8:40 a.m. - In celebration of Arbor Day, Keep Nassau Beautiful distributed 500 free trees to Nassau County residents.

Keep Nassau Beautiful utilized an on-line educational program and tree species reservation process. Residents were asked to view a video recorded by Rebecca Jordi, former Nassau County Extension Director and certified arborist, to learn about proper planting and maintenance of trees. After viewing the video, residents used an on-line form to reserve their preferred species of one or two trees from those available at the time of their reservation.

Residents were given an option of picking up their trees from one of three locations in Callahan, Yulee and Fernandina. More than 40 volunteers assisted in the three drive-through events, providing more than 180 volunteer hours to the residents of Nassau County. Please click here to see the press release issued by Keep Nassau Beautiful to learn more about this exciting event.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Board Approves Donation for Barnabas Program to Provide Emergency Assistance to Individuals Who Have Been Furloughed Due to COVID-19
 
Nassau County, Florida, April 17, 2020 – At a Special Meeting today, the Board of County Commissioners approved a $50,000 donation to the Barnabas Center for their programs that provide emergency assistance to individuals who have been furloughed due to COVID-19.
 
Ms. Wanda Lanier, Chief Executive Officer for the Barnabas Center stated, “We are ready to help individuals and families who have lost income due to job loss, reduced work hours, etc. during the COVID-19 crisis. Services that are available to Nassau County residents include food assistance, financial assistance with rent/mortgage and utility payments, and urgent medical and dental care.
 
Board Chairman, Danny Leeper, stated, “This is a great opportunity to help those employees in Nassau County who have been affected with loss of job or income due to COVID-19”.
 
Individuals needing assistance should contact Barnabas directly at (904) 261-7000 for information on services that are available to them and for eligibility information.
 
Below is an outline of services provided:
 
Emergency Financial Assistance:

• Short-term payment assistance with past due rent, mortgage & utilities (electric, water, gas), etc. – must be able to document loss of income due to furlough status, job loss, or reduced work hours
• Assistance in applying for public benefits programs, i.e. food stamps and Medicaid
• Referrals & information for additional services

 
Food Assistance (schedule for April):

• Barnabas Food Pantry:  Monday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (1303 Jasmine Street, Suite 101, Fernandina Beach)
• Hilliard Food Distribution – 3rd Monday each month – drive through style – Next distribution April 20th – Arrive no earlier than 10:30 a.m. – First Baptist Church (15850 CR 108, Hilliard)
• Weekly Food Assistance: Hilliard – Every Wednesday – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – First Baptist Church (15850 CR 108, Hilliard)
• Weekly Food Assistance: Callahan – Every Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – First Baptist Church (45090 Green Avenue, Callahan)
• Weekly Food Assistance: Fernandina Beach – Every Thursday – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – First Baptist Church (1600 8th street, Fernandina Beach)

 
Urgent Medical and Dental Care: Urgent medical and dental care to adults who are uninsured and low to moderate income, and do not have a primary care doctor or a regular dentist.
 
It is requested that you call in advance for a telephone pre- screening for crisis assistance, food stamp and/or Medicaid applications before visiting their office.

4/8/20 @ 8:15 p.m. - Today, several representatives from the County's Public Works Department assisted the Council on Aging with unloading a delivery truck containing 6,000 meals for seniors in our community.

A big thank you to those employees for all their hard work, and to Council on Aging for taking care of our seniors. The Board of County Commissioners provides annual funding to the Council on Aging to assist with their programs including their Adult Day Center, Meals on Wheels, Home Health Care, and more. The Board recently provided a separate donation so they could provide even more meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this, COA was distributing 600 meals per week. That has increased to nearly 3,000 meals per week since the onset of COVID-19. 

Residents wishing to made a contribution to their cause should call the COA directly at (904) 261-0701 or visit their website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/16/20 @ 12:05 p.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Council on Aging regarding Meals for Seniors and changes to their regular programs:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: Local Media
FROM: Janice Ancrum, President & CEO, Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA)
RE: Changes in Operations Due to COVID-19; Meals for Seniors in Need to Continue
DATE: March 16, 2020
 
Changes in Operations Due to COVID-19; Meals for Seniors in Need to Continue
In the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, NCCOA has communicated regularly with our various audiences – members, supporters, volunteers and staff – and, most especially, our seniors – providing updates on our response to this situation. We have stated that we are following the guidance of the Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), maintaining our normal hygiene regimen in all NCCOA facilities and monitoring the situation to make operational changes as recommended. While we have not traced direct contact from anyone having the virus to our Fernandina Beach Life Center, Hilliard Life Center and/or NassauTRANSIT facilities, we have received updated guidance to help ensure the safety and wellness of those we serve – Nassau County seniors.
 
Effective Monday, March 16, NCCOA will take the following actions:

• All NCCOA-related classes, activities and support groups will be suspended at both the Fernandina Beach Life Center and Hilliard Life Center through April 30; the Amelia Island Duplicate Bridge Club has also paused its weekly games indefinitely
• Both Life Centers will pause our daily seniors’ group (“Just Friends”) beginning Monday, March 16. We will continue meal delivery to this affected group after that date; 1 in 3 seniors in Nassau County suffers from food insecurity, meaning they do not know where their next meal is coming from. NCCOA will help ensure that our seniors receive meals and any other necessities they require, e.g., groceries, prescriptions, etc.  
• Our Adult Day HealthCare program at the Fernandina Beach Life Center will pause by close of business on Friday, March 20. As always, we will stay in close touch with our members and their caregivers during this time and provide necessary help and assistance.
  

 
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• NassauTRANSIT will operate its normal schedule, unless we are directed otherwise by the Florida Department of Transportation. As always, buses will continue to be sanitized throughout each day of operation.
• Home Health services will continue to be provided by NCCOA Home Health Aides and CNAs in the home of seniors.
• There will be no new space rentals at the Fernandina Beach Life Center until further notice; rentals already booked will be honored.

 
“Our mission is to ensure that our seniors receive services and compassionate care throughout each and every day – no matter what the current situation,” said Janice Ancrum, NCCOA President & CEO. “NCCOA’s staff and volunteers will continue to support the seniors of Nassau County during this challenging time.”
 
While COVID-19 has created a challenging operational situation, the greatest threat to NCCOA and the Nassau County seniors we serve is that state funding will be reduced since Life Center services are not being provided. However, NCCOA will continue to do our utmost – along with the generous support of our community – to make sure seniors have meals and any other assistance they may need.  
 
For general questions, please contact Liz Dunn, Marketing & Communications Director,
904-775-5473. You may also contact Janice Ancrum, President & CEO, directly at 904-775-5475. We will continue to keep you informed of our plans and progress. Thank you for your support.
 
NCCOA contacts for questions and additional information:

• Programs & Services – Robin Bogosh, Programs & Services Director, 904-775-5495
• Home Health – Debra Jean Landolfi, Home Health Director, 904-775-5476
• Adult Day HealthCare – Debra Dombkowski, LPN, CDP, ADHC Director, 904-775-5480
• Hilliard Life Center – Linda Rogers, Office Manager, 904-451-9371
• Building Operations – Don Harley, Human Resources & Compliance Director, 904-775-5485
  
• Life Center Activities – Melody Dawkins, Membership & Community Engagement Director, 904-775-5477
• NassauTRANSIT – Mike Hays, Transportation Director, 904-844-2081
• Volunteers – Lynne Starling, Volunteer Director, 904-775-5490
• Development/Donor Relations – Wallace Bennett, Development Director, 904-775-5481
• COVID-19 information:
  • COVID-19 Call Center/Florida Department of Health (available 24/7):                1-866-779-6121
    
  • Florida Department of Health Nassau: 904-875-6110; COVID-19@flhealth.gov