QUICK LOOK

Employment opportunities for SNAP participants

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final rule enhancing employment and training opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. SNAP participants have exclusive access to training and support services to help them enter or move up in the workforce through state SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs.

Sno-Park use soars

OLYMPIA–Due to COVID-19 indoor entertainment restrictions, the Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program and regional park staff are reporting record visits at Sno-Parks across the state.

People are flocking to the outdoors, despite dropping temperatures. This has caused parking lots in high snow areas to fill up early, and cars have become stuck. The uptick in new winter visitors has also caused confusion over right-of-way on mixed-use trails.

Census data inaccuracies push deadline

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Data collection is just one part of producing a complete and accurate 2020 Census. Since mid-October, Census Bureau experts have been processing the data and issues that could affect the accuracy are detected, then corrected. This important process is critical to produce data used for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives among the states.

The schedule for reporting this data is not static. Projected dates are fluid. Plans to deliver the completed and accurate state population count is set for apportionment in early 2021, as close to the statutory deadline as possible.

Inslee extends COVID-19 restriction

OLYMPIA–Inslee announces one-week extension of statewide restrictions. Gov. Jay Inslee Wednesday announced a one-week extension of the “Stay Safe-Stay Healthy” proclamation, along with the statewide restrictions imposed. The extension of the statewide restrictions will now expire on January 11, 2021. No changes were made in the proclamation aside from the expiration date. Read the full news release here.

Inslee delays Uniform Guardianship Act

OLYMPIA–Inslee issues, updates COVID-19 proclamations. Gov. Jay Inslee Wednesday issued a new proclamation delaying implementation of the Uniform Guardianship Act. Gov. Inslee also extended two proclamations related to shared work requirements and family emergency assistance. The extensions were approved by the legislature in a December 28 letter.

Current COVID-19 cases

OLYMPIA–The Washington State Department of Health reported a total of 237,165 confirmed cases as of December 30, 2020. There have been 3,461 (1.4%) COVID-19 deaths in Washington since the onset of COVID. Case counts Statewide as of January 1, 2021 are 245,381 confirmed cases, 10,015 probable cases, 15,111 hospitalizations, 3,459 deaths and 3,909,972 tests which may include 1700 duplicates. In Garfield County 78 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 19 probable, 12 hospitalizations, 2 deaths and 542 tested. Because of backlog, tests are incomplete.

Farmers to Families Food Box Program, Fifth Round of Food Purchases

WASHINGTON D. C.–U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase an additional $1.5 billion worth of food for nationwide distribution through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. In total, USDA has distributed more than 132 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.