Weekly Newsletter

Emsi SkillsMatch program to help Nevadans get back to work

In an effort to help Nevadans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (OWINN) have used federal funding to make the Emsi SkillsMatch tool available for those seeking to get back into the job market.

The Nevada SkillsMatch tool is free and available at nv.emsiskills.com. It is not a job board, but it can be used to connect individuals to jobs that meet their qualifications. The SkillsMatch tool helps individuals understand career and education opportunities that may be a good fit with past experience. Read more about this new initiative here.

Department of Taxation Announces Dates for New Tax Amnesty Program

The 31st Special Session of the Nevada Legislature enacted Senate Bill 3, which provides a one-time tax amnesty program for businesses or individuals doing business in Nevada who may have an existing tax liability. The amnesty program will allow for penalty and interest to be waived, provided the outstanding tax debt meets certain criteria. The tax can be paid online using a credit/debit card, or by check mailed to our office with AMNESTY written on the envelope. More details on Tax Amnesty here.

Nevadans urged to share input on Clean Cars Nevada proposed regulation

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will be hosting a "virtual listening session event" providing all Nevadans with opportunities to share their input on Clean Cars Nevada, an initiative that would expand choices for low and zero emission electric vehicles offered at dealerships across the state. The virtual event will be held on Thursday, January 14 from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Nevadans can also email comments before, during, and after the listening session to cleancarsnevada@ndep.nv.gov. For more information on Clean Cars Nevada, click here.

The Nevada Arts Council has an Artist Relief Grant program, and Nevada artists can apply through Jan. 29

Nevada artists who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may apply through Jan. 29, 2021, for a $1,000 grant to be used to alleviate financial pressures due to the pandemic. Properly completed applications for the Fiscal Year 2021 Artist Relief Grant program will be entered into a process for randomized selection. For a list of eligibility requirements and a link to the online application, visit their website or click here.

DMV’s Popular Kiosk Program Expands

It’s a hit! The first-in-the-nation drive through DMV kiosk, located at the new Reno DMV office, is seeing brisk business. The DMV has added four new kiosks in the Las Vegas area as well. You can renew your car registration and the kiosk will print your decal on the spot. You can get a driver history printout too.

About 60,000 Nevadans use a DMV kiosk each month. Most DMV offices have a kiosk and there are 34 partner locations around the state. Find one near you here.

The Pennington Rural Health Services Loan Repayment Program

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT), was created to increase access to high-quality healthcare by growing Nevada’s healthcare workforce, particularly in underserved communities. A practitioner may enter the Pennington Rural Health Service Loan Repayment Program (PRHSLRP) by engaging in full-time clinical practice and residing in an assigned rural community in exchange for funding used to repay qualified educational loans. Funding under this program will be provided by the William N. Pennington Foundation. To see the full details of the press release and see if you qualify, click here.

Nevada officials want to know: How do you feel about the COVID-19 vaccine?

Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Community Health Sciences, Immunize Nevada and the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, are conducting a study to learn what Nevadans think about COVID-19 vaccines and their acceptance toward taking the vaccine once one is available to the public.

Public and health care providers are invited to participate in the research study by taking one of the two surveys. The surveys are completely anonymous, but ask questions about who you are and what you know and think about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and information sources. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Participants may pick and choose what questions they answer. The survey can only be completed online and is anonymous.

Community members can take the public survey in English or Spanish here.
Health care providers and learners can take the provider survey here.

There is still time to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through Nevada Health Link!

2020 was a challenging year and many people had to stretch their dollars even more than anticipated. Nevada Health Link is the only place where you can qualify for tax credits to help pay your monthly insurance premiums. In fact, some people pay $0 per month for qualified, comprehensive health coverage. Enroll now through Jan. 15th and have coverage starting February 1st.

Call us today: 1-800-547-2927. We are open 7 days a week 9 AM to 5 PM! The call center will have extended hours on January 15 & 16th from 9 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.

See if you qualify and find FREE local assistance from a Licensed Broker/Agent or Certified Enrollment Counselor. Visit enroll.nevadahealthlink.com

Governor Sisolak Appoints Heather Korbulic as Policy Director for Governor's Office

I was very excited to welcome Heather Korbulic as our new Policy Director for the Governor's Office through the legislative session. Her extensive experience as Executive Director for Silver State Health Insurance Exchange and more than a decade of state service make her an excellent fit for this crucial role. Concluding the Legislative Session, she will return to her role as Executive Director of Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, a role she has served in since September 2016. Read the full press release here.

Welcome!

Thank You Census Volunteers!

This week, I had the honor of joining Lt. Governor Kate Marshall to thank Nevada’s 2020 Census volunteers. Their leadership and efforts allowed Nevada to lead the nation in self-response growth to earn our share of funding that hospitals, schools, and social services depend on. We thank them for their contributions as being counted for the 2020 Census and for this State matters now more than ever – Thank you!

Al Camp of Carson City Recognized as Veteran of the Month and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 730 Service Office in Henderson as Veteran Supporter of the Month for January

This month, I had the honor to recognize Mr. Al Camp of Carson City as Veteran of the Month (VOM) and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 730 Service Office in Henderson as Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM). A retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, Mr. Camp, is an active member of the Fleet Reserve Association and the American Legion. He is a strong advocate for veterans and assists the residents of the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH). The network of supporters in our Veterans community never ceases to amaze me with their dedication to each other and their level of commitment to service above self. For more information, please click here.

Nevada receives $1 million in grants to improve water quality & reduce pollution

This week, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection announced the State has received $1 million in grants from the EPA to complete 11 projects targeting "nonpoint source pollution" that can impair water quality. This year's projects span across Nevada and will provide cleaner waterways for the benefit of all Nevadans and our native ecosystems. To learn more about this year's water quality grant projects, click here.

Suicide Prevention for the Youth – Lethal Means PSA

During these challenging times, checking in with our children and teens is crucial. They are experiencing so many different stressors and losses, and at the same time, they are isolated from some of their support systems. There are things you can do as a parent, guardian or caregiver to help youth who are struggling. Learning what signs to look for and checking in on your child is an important starting place. Being aware of your home environment and any available lethal means is another important way to keep them safe. What you do to prevent access to lethal means can save a life. Suicide is preventable and resources for help are available.

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, please call Crisis Support Services of Nevada at 1-800-273-8255 or Text CARE to 839863

If you would like more information on lethal means safety, please visit here.

Connecting Kids ensures 100% of Nevada’s students participating in digital learning have access to a computer and the internet at home.

The Nevada Department of Education in partnership with Connecting Kids announced on Tuesday (1/5/2021) that the coalition formed under the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force has reached and connected every K-12 student in Nevada participating in digital learning, whether full- or part-time. In all 17 of the State’s school districts, as well as State- and district-sponsored charter schools, every student participating in online learning due to COVID-19 restrictions has confirmed at-home access to the internet and a computer. This represents enormous progress in closing the digital divide since Connecting Kids began its work in early August, when schools were unable to confirm connectivity for more than 120,000 of Nevada’s nearly half a million public school students.

Westside Wireless kicks off connecting students in need

With funding help of CARES dollars, the City of Las Vegas partnered with the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology, to build a connectivity system to help those Clark County School students in need of connectivity. The first 50 students connected to the network earlier this week with many more to come. This project is benefiting many of our communities in need and it comes at a perfect timing - just before the start of school for our students.

Nevada 211 Youth app launched - Zip code-based information and resources

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services has announced the release of a Nevada 211 Youth resource app to complement the Nevada 211 app launched earlier this year. The app, which focuses on youth resources including counseling, education, emergency food and shelter as well as youth employment is free to download and can be searched based on zip code.

Nevada 211, a free service that includes information about health and human service programs and resources that are available throughout the state, can also be accessed online at Nevada211.org, by dialing 2-1-1 or by texting your zip code to 898211.

The Nevada 211 app was announced in May 2020 to help more Nevadans connect with the resources they need. Money Management International (MMI) administers the program.

Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, the Nevada 211 Youth app is free to download.

Unemployment Update

Finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) show initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 8,461, up 1,252 claims, or 17.4 percent, compared to the previous week’s total of 7,209 claims. Regular continued claims totaled  77,283 during the week ending January 2, a decrease of 991 claims, or 1.3 percent, from the previous week’s total of 78,314.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides benefits for self-employed, 1099 contract workers, and gig workers saw 1,116 initial claims filed in the week ending January 2, a decline of 3,930 claims, or 77.9%, from last week’s total of 5,046. Since the start of the PUA program, there have been a total of 785,665 PUA initial claims filed.

DETR officials provide update on extensions to unemployment programs; claimants could see relief as early as this week

This week, the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) announced that all unemployment insurance (UI) claimants and all Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claimants who still have weeks of eligibility in their accounts will see their regular weekly benefit and supplemental $300 in their accounts as early as this week. To see the full press release and detailed updates on this development, please click here.

COVID Trace App: Protecting your community. And your privacy.

Close to 358,000 of your neighbors have downloaded the COVID Trace App. It's a free and easy-to-use mobile phone app that gives you the information you need to fight COVID-19, without compromising your privacy. Nevadans have answered the call since Nevada day, and have doubled the number of downloads. Join your friends, family and neighbors on the app today! Together, we can help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Nevada!

Join the fight! To download the fight on your Apple device or Android, click here.

COVID-19 Task Force Updates

The COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force did not meet this week. For more information on these meetings and more, please visit the links below.

Boards & Commissions

This month, I was proud to announce 52 appointments were made to State of Nevada boards, commissions, and agencies during the month of December. I have appointed hundreds of individuals since assuming office, and I encourage anyone who might be interested in serving Nevada and their community to review opportunities posted on the Governor’s WEBSITE, which is updated on an ongoing basis.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS?

The Governor makes appointments to three types of boards and commissions:

Advisory - An advisory board, commission or council serves as a formal liaison between a state agency and the public, in addition to making recommendations on how to address specific issues.
Regulatory Board - Regulatory boards are those that oversee the licensing, handle complaints, and enforce disciplinary actions of individuals or industries that fall within the jurisdiction of the board’s authority.
Task Force - A task force is created for the purpose of accomplishing a definite objective and goal.

If you are interested in serving, apply now!

Board Vacancies *Vacancies are updated once a month
Frequently Asked Questions
Boards and Commissions Application

Stay up to date on the latest news from Governor Sisolak by following his social media accounts or by visiting his website.

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