RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES AMID THE COVID 19 CRISIS Updated December 2, 2020 As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues, many families are facing ongoing crises related to childcare, food access, financial resources, and internet access, among others. This document is intended to provide support throughout the crisis. Please email School Counselor Emma Baber at [email protected] for any questions or concerns regarding this list. FOOD ASSISTANCE NYC DOE Food Update ● Free breakfast and lunch are available to all NYC students Monday through Friday, 9am to 12pm. No registration, ID or documentation required. To find a location for meals, visit Take-Out Meals
Community Meals
● New York City makes free meals available daily to all New Yorkers. Monday through Friday, from 3 to 5pm, at over 200 locations. Multiple meals can be picked up at once. To find a location for meals go to Community Meals
Get Food NYC Information
● This map finds locations that offer free food, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and Grab and Go meals at schools. Information is updated weekly. ● Enter your address into the Get Food NYC database to find resources close to you ● For the list of food pantries and Community Kitchens, go to EFAP PROGRAMS OPERATING (as of 11/9/20) ALL BORO'S 11/9/2020, or call 866-888-8777
CASH ASSISTANCE AND SNAP BENEFITS / FOOD STAMPS ● Apply for Cash Assistance, SNAP (Food Stamps), and Medicaid renewal at the same time through the Cash Assistance application on the ACCESS HRA website. The NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) will only offer in-person services at some locations until further notice NEW YORK STATE UNEMPLOYMENT ● If you lost your job, you may qualify for unemployment insurance. For more information on eligibility and the application process, visit: https://access.nyc.gov/programs/nys-unemployment-insurance/#how-it-works
1 INTERNET ACCESS There are several free or low-cost internet options available to NYC students and families (more information available at schools.nyc.gov) ● Free Internet for your home: The following internet carriers are offering free household Wifi or special accommodations for 60 days: Comcast, Charter Communications / Spectrum, Altice ● Low Cost Internet Plans: The following internet plans are available to eligible participants, starting between $14.99 and $19.99 per month. Contact the providers directly for more information and eligibility requirements ○ https://www.alticeadvantageinternet.com/ ○ www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist ○ www.lifelinesupport.org ● Free Internet Locations in NYC: Places across the city to connect for free include all branches of the NYC Public Library, several public spaces in lower Manhattan (https://www.downtownny.com/wifi), and LinkNYC kiosks https://www.link.nyc/find-a-link.html
EDUCATION RESOURCES General ● IXL www.ixl.com ● PBS Kids PBS KIDS ● Scholastic is offering free online courses for Pre-K to Grade 8 that cover ELA, STEM, Social Studies and Social / Emotional Learning Thanks | Learn at Home Math ● Khan Academy Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice ● Math Playground Math Games | Math Playground | Fun for Kids ● Prodigy Game Home | Prodigy Education Reading ● Common Lit CommonLit | Free Reading Passages and Literacy Resources ● Newsela Newsela: Online Education Platform for Content, K-12 Curriculum ● Storyline Online Storyline Online ● MyOn for free online books myON®
2 Science ● Mystery Science is offering their most popular K-5 science lessons for freeDistance Learning Other ● Go Noodle: GoNoodle: Home ● Chess Kids: ChessKid.com | Online Chess For Kids - 100% Safe and Free
HEALTH SERVICES NYC COVID INFORMATION ● For NYC COVID Data COVID-19: Data Main ● To Request a COVID test in NYC COVID-19 Testing - Coronavirus ● Use this tool to determine which Health and Hospital testing site locations have the shortest lines https://hhinternet.blob.core.windows.net/wait-times/testing-wait-times.pdf ● NYS COVID INFORMATION ● New York State Department of Health COVID Information Department of Health: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) CDC INFORMATION ● Center for Disease Control Coronavirus Information Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ● NYC Well provides referrals to a variety of mental health services. Go to the website at NYC Well – Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7 or call 1-888-NYC-WELL for more information ● NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline: Free Mental Health counseling can be reached at 1-844-863-9314 ● If you need any assistance finding mental health services through private insurance or Medicaid, please contact Ms. Baber
3 SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT ● NY Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS): Addiction treatment and recovery services continue to be available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you need to talk or are worried that you will go into withdrawal or relapse, OASAS-certified or funded providers across New York State are available via phone/video or from a safe distance in person. For 24/7 help with addiction, substance use, or gambling, call 877-846-7369, text HOPENY (467369), or visit OASAS at https://findaddictiontreatment.ny.gov/ ● Remote Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: For remote Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings, visit New York Inter-Group – NY Inter-Group
EVICTION PREVENTION and HOUSING SUPPORT ● Tenant Rights Hotline (212) 979-0611 ● NYC Tenant Portal Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants ● Information for NYC Renters impacted by COVID 19 Tenants Rights for Tenants with COVID-19 or Under Home-Quarantine - Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SUPPORT ● National Domestic Violence Hotline Domestic Violence Support | The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE ● Safe Horizon safehorizon.org 1-800-621-HOPE
COVID RESOURCES FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ● The NYC Unity Project compiled resources to specifically meet the needs of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. This includes but advocacy and support on issues of housing, legal, and employment discrimination ○ LGBTQ Coronavirus Resources — NYC Unity Project - Generation NYC
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