COVID-19 & How It May Impact Our Sensory Systems Thursday, July 16th, Crime Commission

COVID-19 & Autism: Public Safety & Behavioral Health Techniques to Stay Safe When Protecting People with Autism July 16th Webinar As Part of the Broward County Crime Commission Building Bridges Mental Health Conference Series 4 Continuing Education Hours APPROVED (See Below) Critical Thinking Solutions in Crime! Thursday, July 16th, 2020 7:45 a.m. to Noon Zoom Webinar Room will Open as Early as 7:00 am for Assistance REGISTER  COVID-19 & Autism Webinar Preview Interview (Below) Discussing Sensory Techniques with Lori Swetoha, Founder, The Autism Notebook. To Register Please Visit www.BrowardCrime.Org AGENDA:  7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Sign-in/Login 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. - Opening Comments - James DePelisi, Broward County Crime Commission 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. (45 Minutes) - Panel I - The Psychological Impact of Dealing with a Drowning Victim of Autism 1.Lt. Giovanni Serrano, Ocean Rescue, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue 2.Captain Martin Hedelund, Broward Sheriff's Office 3.Mr. Van Schoen, Emergency Management Specialist, Tamarac Fire Rescue 4.Mr. Josh Rowland, Aquatics Product Manager, American Red Cross 5.Dr. Joyce Carbonell, Clinical Psychologist, Florida Sheriff"s Association Discussion Points (5):   1.Recognizing the significance in the numbers of kids with autism who drown. 2.Why look to water FIRST when called to a missing person's call 3.How can the Red Cross help with drowning prevention? 4.Why Swimming Lessons are Essential and Steps to report a drowning incident. 5.What are 3 important points that fire and police academies should include. MODERATOR – Ms.Stacey Hoaglund, President, Autism Society of Florida 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. (60 Minutes) – Panel 2 - How COVID-19 Has Impacted 911 Calls Related to Behavioral Health & Also People with Autism and Related Mental Health Conditions 1.Dr. Harold "Hackie" Reitman, MD, Founder, Different Brains 2.Dr. David Cremer, MD, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Discussion Points (5):   1.Understanding variations in brain function and social behaviors. 2. Defining and Explaining Neuro-diversity 3.Fostering relationships between those with ASD and first responders 4.Responding to a 911 call to baker act 5. Expected Covid challenges for people with autism and how to respond in a safe way for everyone. MODERATOR – Mr. James DePelisi, Chairman/Director, Broward County Crime Commission BREAK - 9:45a.m. to 9:55 a.m.   9:55 a.m. to 10:55 (60 Minutes) - Presentation – How First Responders Can Effectively Interact with Children with Autism During a Quarantine Lock-down     Captain Martin Hedelund, Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) Ms.Stacey Hoaglund, President, Autism Society of Florida Discussion Points (5):   1.Proper Analysis of People with Autism to Enhance Safety   2.The Importance of Using Language They Understand 3.What Can Happen When Time Constraints Are Given 4.Identifying Physical Parameters and the Environment to Deescalate 5.Not Touching the Person Unless Absolutely Necessary 10:55 to 11:00am Break 11:00 am to 12:00 noon (60 Minutes) Panel 3 Understanding How Development and Mental Health Can Be Impacted by a Vaccine Injury 1.Ms. Lori Swetoha, Founder/Publisher, Autism Notebook Magazine. 2.Ms.Heather Harrington-Rogero, Equal Access Advocate 3.Ms.Teresa Badillo, www.AutismExchange.com 4.Dr. Richard Deth, Nova University, Professor of Pharmacology Discussion Points (3):   1. How can development and mental health become impacted with an adverse vaccine reaction.   2.How to differentiate vaccine injury from autism 3.Understanding the court system response to reported vaccine injury MODERATOR – Mr.James DePelisi, Chairman/Director, Broward County Crime Commission CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: Mental Health Professionals: 4 CEU APPROVED Provided for Mental Health Professionals, Florida Psychological Association (FPA) The Florida Psychological Association is approved by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Psychology and Board of School Psychology to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Florida Psychological Association is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling as a provider of continuing education. The Florida Psychological Association maintains responsibility for the program and its content. Nurses and Respiratory Therapists: 3 Contact Hours Emergency Medical Services (EMS): 3 Contact Hours, Memorial Healthcare System is an approved provider of Nurses, Respiratory Therapist and EMS continuum education. The COVID-19 Webinar is for 3 Nursing and Respiratory contact hours and EMS personnel is for 3 contact hours. Pharmacist: 3 Hours This program is for 3 hours of general CE for pharmacists. Attorneys/Lawyers: 3 CLE Hours: Physicians: 3 Hours Memorial Healthcare System designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Memorial Healthcare System and the Broward County Crime Commission. The Memorial Healthcare System is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  Check Out Our VideoTestimonials! For More Information, Visit www.browardcrime.org or Please Call Hope #754-423-1976 or Email Hope@BrowardCrime.Org  If you can't attend, register and be emailed the replay "Evil Triumphs When Good People Stand Idly By" Visit our website

FTC Sends More Than $16 Million in Refunds to Victims of Bogus Debt Relief Operation

Defendants falsely claimed they would pay, settle, or obtain dismissals of consumers’ debts and improve their credit

FOR RELEASE

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida, a federal court has temporarily halted a massive phony debt relief operation that bilked tens of millions of dollars from financially strapped consumers, including the elderly and disabled.

According to the FTC and Florida, Jeremy Lee Marcus, Craig Davis Smith and Yisbet Segrea, through 11 companies, got people to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars a month by falsely promising they would pay, settle, or obtain dismissals of consumers’ debts and improve their credit. Over time, victims found their debts unpaid, their accounts in default, and their credit scores severely damaged – some were sued by their creditors, and some were forced into bankruptcy.

The FTC and Florida allege that the defendants falsely claimed non-profit status to appear more credible and legitimate. The defendants then promised consumers guaranteed debt consolidation loans for tens of thousands of dollars with attractive interest rates and significantly lower monthly payments than consumers were paying their creditors. Once consumers agreed to the purported loan, the defendants almost immediately debited the consumers’ bank accounts for an initial loan “repayment” or a processing fee, and then kept debiting consumers’ bank accounts each month, in amounts ranging from $200 to $1,000 or more. The FTC and Florida charge that the defendants, despite taking these monthly payments, failed to extend consumers the promised debt consolidation loans.

The defendants also called people who were already enrolled with debt relief providers claiming they were taking over the servicing of those accounts and falsely claiming they would provide the same or similar services. Many of their victims had worked for years with their previous debt relief providers and had saved money in escrow accounts for use in negotiating with creditors. The defendants told these consumers to transfer their escrow money to defendants, and then debited up to $1,000 each month from the consumers’ bank accounts. Contrary to the defendants’ promises, people got little to nothing for their money and ended up in worse financial positions.

Marcus, Smith, Segrea and their companies are charged with violating the FTC Act, the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule, and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The corporate defendants are Financial Freedom National Inc., formerly known as (f/k/a) Institute for Financial Freedom Inc. and Marine Career Institute Sea Frontiers Inc., also doing business as (d/b/a) 321 Loans, Instahelp America Inc., Helping America Group, United Financial Support, Breeze Financial Solutions, 321Financial Education, Credit Health Plan, Credit Specialists of America, American Advocacy Alliance and Associated Administrative Services; 321Loans Inc., f/k/a 321 Loans Inc., also d/b/a 321Financial Inc.; Instahelp America Inc, f/k/a Helping America Team Inc., also d/b/a Helping America Group; Helping America Group LLC, f/k/a Helping America Group Inc.; Breeze Financial Solutions Inc., also d/b/a Credit Health Plan and Credit Maximizing Program; US Legal Club LLC; Active Debt Solutions LLC, f/k/a Active Debt Solutions Inc., also d/b/a Guardian Legal Center; Guardian LG LLC, also d/b/a Guardian Legal Group; American Credit Security LLC, f/k/a American Credit Shield LLC; Paralegal Support Group LLC, f/k/a Paralegal Staff Support LLC; and Associated Administrative Services LLC, also d/b/a Jobfax.

Relief defendants that profited from the scheme are JLMJP Pompano LLC; 1609 Belmont Place LLC; 16 S H Street Lake Worth LLC; 17866 Lake Azure Way Boca LLC; 114 Southwest 2nd Street DBF LLC; 110 Glouchester St. LLC; 72 SE 6th Ave. LLC; Fast Pace 69 LLC; Strategic Acquisitions TWO LLC; Halfway International LLC, also d/b/a 16 H.S. Street 12Plex LLC, 311 SE 3rd St. LLC, 412 Bayfront Drive LLC, 110 Glouchester St. LLC, 72 SE 6th Ave. LLC, 114 SW 2nd Street JM LLC, 8209 Desmond Drive LLC, and HLFP LLC; Halfway NV LLC, also d/b/a Halfpay International LLC; and Nantucket Cove of Illinois LLC.

The FTC would like to thank its co-plaintiff, Florida’s Office of the Attorney General, as well as the following agencies: the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Iowa’s Office of the Attorney General, Ohio’s Office of the Attorney General, Minnesota’s Office of the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida, and the Broward County Sherriff’s Office.

The Commission vote approving the complaint was 2-0. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a temporary restraining order against the defendants on May 9, 2017, followed by a preliminary injunction on May 17, 2017.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The case will be decided by the court.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

CONTACT INFORMATION

MEDIA CONTACT:
Frank Dorman
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674

STAFF CONTACTS:
Valerie M. Verduce
FTC Southeast Region
404-656-1355

Angeleque P. Linville
FTC Southeast Region
404-656-1354

Asian Chamber of Texas and Community Events in 2020

ACT & Community Events Click the flyers to register Lead Like a Lady - Leadership Seminar for Female Entrepreneurs Sat, July 18, 20209:30 AM – 11:00 AM CDT | $25 Register Here Join other female entrepreneurs in learning leadership and personal development strategies from executive coach and leadership consultant Dr. Virginia Wells. Gain insight into the key advice and tips she provides to help entrepreneurs expand their leadership capacity and drive their business to the next level of success. Bond Supplier Opportunities  for Dallas Independent School District CSP E225_P0017_3 - Daniel Webster Elementary – Addition and Renovation – Closes 07.28.2020 The Dallas Independent School District ("District") is soliciting Competitive Sealed Proposals ("CSP") from qualified sources relative to the provision of the following request For Competitive Sealed Proposals ("CSP"). This procurement will be managed under the Dallas ISD Construction Services department. http://www.dallasisd.org/Page/1275 CSP #E188_P0015_3 - Mount Auburn Elementary - Renovation – Closes 07.28.2020 The Dallas Independent School District ("District") is soliciting Competitive Sealed Proposals ("CSP") from qualified sources relative to the provision of the following request For Competitive Sealed Proposals ("CSP"). This procurement will be managed under the Dallas ISD Construction Services department. http://www.dallasisd.org/Page/1275 BP#2 - Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Services – Thomas Jefferson High School & K-8 Campus - Closes 07.28.2020 CORE Construction, Inc as a Construction Manager at Risk will be accepting proposals from qualified subcontracts for the Dallas ISD Thomas Jefferson High School & K-8 Campus.  This solicitation will be controlled by CORE Construction, Inc. and all CSP bid documents will need to be obtained from CORE Construction, Inc. http://www.dallasisd.org/Page/1275 Dallas Forward – an initiative to advance short-term economic recovery and drive long-term inclusive growth in Dallas, created at the request of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, and co-chaired by Richard Fisher, former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and Fred Perpall, CEO of The Beck Group and Dallas Citizens Council Chairman – now has free PPE (gloves, hand sanitizer, and face masks) available for our local small-and-medium sized businesses (SMBs).  To access this free PPE, please visit: Click Here to Request Free PPE Supplies for Your Business.  July 9, 2020               You are receiving this email because you are a leader within our community—a trusted source of information for your friends, family and neighbors. At Parkland, we know that people are looking to you for guidance and reassurance. So, over the next couple of months (or for as long as it takes), we will be sending you weekly updates and talking points that you may find useful as you communicate with those within your networks.   Thank you for your leadership and support during this challenging time.  COVID-19 testing COVID-19 testing locations Due to the recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases, Dallas County has opened a community walk-up testing location near you. No appointment required. Three testing sites are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until testing limit is reached. Open Monday, July 6 through Friday, Saturday, July 31 (closed Sundays): Redbird Mall/ Westmoreland Park, 7222 S. Westmoreland Road, Dallas 75237 Sam Tasby Middle School, 7001 Fair Oaks Avenue, Dallas 75231 Open Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10: Inspired Vision Church Compassion Center, 2019 N. Masters Drive, Dallas 75217 Testing criteria for these locations: Temperature of 99.6 or higher and shortness of breath or cough; OR age 65+; OR any first responders, DART drivers, healthcare workers, grocery store and essential retail workers; OR persons without symptoms who have engaged in large group settings, such as public gatherings or congregations of people, within the past 15 days. For more information, call DCHHS at 214-819-2000 or visit, www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/2019-novel-coronavirus.php. Parkland recommendations for long wait times at COVID-19 testing sites As the number of cases continue to rise, the wait times at various drive-through and walk-up testing sites throughout Dallas County can be very long. Please remember, long wait times mean a long time in the car or outside in the elements. Be prepared and consider the following:  Bring enough water to stay hydrated Bring snacks Make sure your gas tank is full  Make sure you have a way of staying cool  Use the restroom before you arrive at the testing site; no public restrooms are available  If you are experiencing severe symptoms like those listed below, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room. Waiting at a testing facility when experiencing these symptoms could be dangerous:  Trouble breathing  Ongoing pain or pressure in your chest  Shaking chills  New confusion  Difficulty staying awake  Dizziness or feeling faint  Bluish lips or face Parkland COVID-19 testing locations Parkland offers COVID-19 testing at several of its community-based clinics. Testing at these locations is by appointment only for current Parkland patients who meet the medically necessary criteria with a Parkland physician’s order. Patients can call the COVID-19 patient line at 214-590-8060, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Testing for non-Parkland patients is available at 9191 S. Polk Street (Ellis Davis Field House) and 1845 E. Northgate Drive, Lot B, Irving, TX (University of Dallas), daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until maximum number of tests is reached. New face covering requirements The use of face coverings during COVID-19 Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring every person in Texas to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space where it is not possible to maintain six feet of distance between yourself and anyone else who is not in the same household. Governor Abbott also issued a proclamation that gives mayors and county judges the ability to limit outdoor gatherings to ten people or less.  Read the full executive order and proclamation for more information on the use of face coverings and exemptions. Additional COVID-19 resources Extended deadline for pandemic food benefits for families The Texas Health and Human Services Commission extended the application deadline for federal Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to July 31. P-EBT provides eligible families with a one-time payment for each child who previously received free or reduced-price meals. P-EBT works the same way Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits do and will help families get the food they need during the current pandemic. To learn more about P-EBT visit, hhs.texas.gov/pebt. For questions regarding eligibility or to learn more, people may also contact the P-EBT Call Center at 833-613-6220, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Emergency Housing Assistance Program The Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) provides short-term rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to low income Dallas County residents living outside of the City of Dallas experiencing loss or reduction of income by the spread of COVID-19. Length of assistance cannot exceed three months. Applications are processed through a lottery system. Pre-screening applications are currently being accepted and will close on Thursday, July 9 at 4 p.m. Eligible applicants: Must be 18 years of age or older Cannot currently be receiving housing assistance from another entity Have loss or reduction of income due to COVID-19. Have a household income less than 80% of AMI For more information about the EHAP and the required documents visit, www.dallascounty.org/ehap. Spanish COVID-19 parenting classes Due to COVID-19 numbers increasing, especially in the Hispanic population, the Momentous Institute is hosting a Zoom COVID-19 educational series in Spanish conducted by bilingual parent educator, Minerva Holmes. Beginning July 7, from 4 – 5 p.m. the series can be accessed via Zoom: https://momentousinstitute.zoom.us/j/95956086379. The series includes topics that can help parents during a pandemic including, How to Talk to Your Children About COVID-19 and Brain Elasticity and Flexibility During Homeschooling. A certificate is awarded at the end of the series. To register and receive the password please contact, Minerva Holmes via Google Voice or text at 972-861-2654 or email at MHolmes@momentousinstitute.org. You can find more educational opportunities posted on the Momentous Institute website: https://momentousinstitute.org/blog. The one-time sharing is not caring Wear the mask, don’t share the mask  Do not share your previously used face coverings with other people including family members to reduce spreading germs. When looking to purchase the mask at a store, do not try them on. The CDC recommends washing cloth face masks after each use. This can be done by hand or by including them in your regular load of laundry. To ensure you are wearing your face mask correctly: Wash your hands before putting on your face covering Ensure your mask fits snugly, always covering your nose, mouth and chin Do not reach under the mask to touch your nose or mouth Do not pull your mask up over your mouth or down under your nose at any time (including to talk)