COVID-19 Resources
Like you, we are receiving vast amounts of information that is changing daily. We are compiling a list of links helpful to the architectural profession in our state. This page will be updated as needed. If you or your firm have a useful resource to contribute, please send it to info@aiaoregon.org
STAY INFORMED
NCARB AND LICENSING INFO
NCARB Updates - NCARB Launched their new exam vendor, PSI, in June. They have also launched accommodations for ESL testers.
Online Proctoring: How to Set Up Your Testing Space Before you schedule an online-proctored ARE appointment, please take the time to make sure your computer and testing environment meet the requirements established by both NCARB and PSI.
REOPENING THE WORKPLACE
Infectious Disease Rulemaking On Jan. 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked enforcement of federal OSHA's Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard.
Oregon OSHA will continue to monitor federal OSHA activities and respond as needed. In light of the Supreme Court decision, however, Oregon OSHA will not move forward with adopting the same or similar standard in Oregon.
Reopening America: Strategies for safer buildings AIA convened a virtual charrette with architects and experts in public health, engineering, and facilities management to develop guidance for building management professionals, design professionals, and federal, state, county, and local governments to help provide guidance on how to modify the built environment to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19, and to avoid recurring cycles of outbreak. Input from this charrette led to new and revised reports and tools, including:
Charrette Report - Reopening America: Strategies for Safer Building
Strategies for safer senior living communities As administrators evaluate making senior living communities safer during the pandemic, AIA is issuing a new report detailing strategies that can reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission in these facilities.
Strategies for safer schools As education officials evaluate reopening schools this fall, AIA is issuing a new report detailing strategies that can reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission in K-12 facilities.
Strategies for safer offices Report on what to consider when reopening offices
Risk Management Plan for Buildings worksheet a new tool created with input from the charrette
Re-occupancy Assessment Tool updated document released by AIA National that provides strategies for limiting exposure to COVID-19 in buildings
Strategies for Safer Multifamily Housing Report released Aug. 12, intended to help multifamily building owners and operators protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents as communities continue to grapple with COVID-19.
COVID-19 Design Guide Mackenzie’s COVID-19 Design Guide provides a series of illustrations of how the built environment can be adapted in response to the pandemic.
How your company office could change in the post-coronavirus era CNBC article on the possible changes that offices could undergo in the post pandemic era.
WORKPLACE PRACTICES & MANAGEMENT
Firm Management & Services
Architect standard of care relative to site visits during the COVID-19 pandemic
How AIA contracts address issues arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic Article from the AIA Contract Documents Team.
Webinar Recording: When Disaster Strikes How Do AIA Contract Documents Address COVID 19 Issues Recording of a presentation by staff attorneys on the AIA Contract Documents team. The PowerPoint presentation slides are HERE.
COVID-19 Sample Site Visit Policies Example policy document by AIA for firms to consider related to Construction Administration services during the current health emergency.
COVID-19 Job Site Practices Recommendations for job site practices prepared by AGC (Associated General Contractors) Oregon Columbia Chapter.
Best Practices
Architect’s Guide to Business Continuity AIA National’s guide to developing a continuity plan. You can also view the Companion Webinar at AIAU - Free to AIA Members.
BSA Firms Best Practices Guide COVID-19 A resource of shared information for architects and architecture firms dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prepared by the Boston Society of Architects, but includes information applicable to all areas.
Architecture Firm Best Practices, Resources & Templates for Communications and Temp Policies in Response to COVID-19 Practice of Architecture “living document” that is updated weekly.
Remote Workplace
Working from Home: Using the Online Service to Manage your Contracts Remotely April 27th Webinar
Archinet Features - includes articles where they investigate virtual practice in architecture:
5 Tips For Managing Workplace Disruption During The COVID-19 Pandemic Article from Workdesign Magazine
Architecture Firms and Remote Work YouTube webinar by BSA
An Architect’s Guide to Virtual Practice from AIA Trust
The 6 Best Free Video Conferencing Apps Howtogeek.com article
The Best Ways to Video Chat from Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android Howtogeek.com article
Statewide
Business Oregon – Small Business Navigator Resources for Oregon businesses looking for assistance in the event of local, regional, or statewide economic impacts due to identified disasters.
Oregon Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Guide to Navigating a Business Crisis Cash management, pricing & cost containment, supply chain management, marketing.
Bend Section
City of Redmond Community Resources Resources for small businesses and employees.
Central Oregon SOS Filled with useful and comprehensive resources, including where to find financial assistance, and developed by a consortium of regional partners.
Eugene Section
City of Eugene COVID-19 Info for Businesses The City is collaborating with local, regional, and state agencies and organizations to provide accurate information and assistance to area employers.
Springfield Business Resource Hub The Springfield Chamber of Commerce is working to effectively anticipate, respond, and advocate for resources; particularly those that will help mitigate the impacts on your business and on our community.
Portland Section
Multnomah County Business Resources Resources are available at the federal, state and local level to help businesses during this difficult time.
Salem Section
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Business Community Resources The Salem Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources to continue bringing the information needed during this difficult time.
Southern Oregon Section
SOS – Southern Oregon Strong As the COVID-19 health crisis continues to strike local, national, and international economies, your Chamber is here to help keep Southern Oregon Strong. Access the resources you need to protect yourself, your family, and your business.
City of Ashland Local and Business Resources The City of Ashland’s page on on Business Resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING & OTHER BUSINESS RESOURCES
How to Walk During an Earthquake Advice for architects who graduate into uncertainty and recession.
Workforce Resources in Response to COVID-19 Rogue Workforce Partnership’s list of workforce resources currently available
U.S. Department of Labor Guidance on COVID-19 Resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus (also known as novel coronavirus)
COVID-19 Related Business Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits Information from the Oregon Employment Department
Employment Department Temporary Rules for Unemployment Insurance Benefits Flexibility On March 8, 2020, Governor Brown issued Executive Order No. 20-03 declaring a statewide emergency due to the infectious novel coronavirus. This rule sets out unemployment insurance provisions applicable to the unique situations arising due to COVID-19 and the actions to slow its spread
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program PUA is a federal program created through the CARES Act of 2020, and provides unemployment benefits to workers that are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. This includes people who were self-employed, independent contractors, and those who do not have enough recent earnings to receive regular unemployment benefits.
WORKFORCE
SUPPORT
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Main Street: An Online Economic Recovery Hub for Oregon Businesses and 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has set up a webpage “hub” to provide compiled information about the new programs in the just-passed relief bills as well as information from federal agencies and resources
COVID-19 Economic Stabilization Resources information about economic resources for workers, job seekers, and employers compiled by Congressman Earl Blumenauer and his team in Portland. His team has also provided COVID-19 Emergency Relief Resources for PDX
Workshare Oregon This program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employers whose work time is reduced due to market downturns or other business stressors
COVID-19 Resource Portal: From our partners at Niedermeyer Risk Management, Zywave has put together a portal with HR, compliance, and employee resources. We highly recommend reviewing this page, which will be updated as the situation progresses
Straightforward Advice on Preserving Cash Flow This article provides sound advice about cash flow and is available on the AIA Trust website
Assisting Businesses with Coronavirus Impact Business resources from the Oregon Economic Development Association
SOCIAL HEALTH & ENGAGEMENT
Virtual Youth-Based Activities
The Center is a coalition-led hub for child and youth creativity, education, and engagement. The CENTER coalition is made up of educational institutions and non-profit organizations that are committed to social justice and children and youth being positive change agents in their communities.
Your Street Your Voice (YSYV) is a paid after school program for high school students of targeted identities to learn about careers in the built environment, and use design as a tool for social and environmental justice.
Urban League of Portland Youth programs that instill cultural pride and inspire young people to be the best versions of themselves. They provide Black and Brown middle-school students through young adults with academic and social support; career and college readiness; paid internships and workforce development; and tools on how to achieve and manage success.
Design Together A collection of design activities, resources, and challenges for all ages (and classrooms!) Provided by the Design Museum Foundation
AFO’s Architects in Schools Resources Page At-home architecture lessons and design challenges for parents to use to help students gain an understanding of the designed and built environment
COVID 19 Pandemic Built Environment Considerations To Reduce Transmission A YouTube video that provides actionable and achievable guidance to minimize infectious disease transmission through environmentally mediated pathways.
Keeping Equity a Priority During the COVID-19 Crisis Shared from the AIA Minnesota Page
Oregon Department of Education COVID-19 Resources Information and resources from the DOE on how the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is affecting schools in Oregon, including resources for Parents and Families on how to cope during school closures
COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide from NAMI A guide from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
LEGAL & INSURANCE
COVID-19: What About My Insurance? This AIA Trust article reviews some insurance issues that are important to consider and address.
Coronavirus: Be Prepared - Contractual Impacts and How To Address Them
Avoid Contract Defaults when COVID-19 Strikes From AIA friends at Victor US.
Look to Your Contracts and OSHA During the Pandemic From AIA friends at Victor US.
State of Oregon Health Insurance Covid-19 Page: The state of Oregon has put together a page covering important information related to Covid-19, including insurance coverage and common scams, that can be shared with employees. Most insurance carriers in Oregon are waiving member cost-sharing for Covid-19 testing.
Please note third-party resources are provided for informational purposes and represent the views of the respective organizations.