June 2020 Topics • Pandemic EBT Food Benefits Application Deadline Extended • Emergency SNAP Benefits Extended • Pen Pal Programs at State Hospitals and SSLCs • Mental Health Support Services • Nursing Home Communication Funding • HHS Study on COVID-19 Impact on Minorities • New HHS Chief Operating Officer Pandemic EBT Food Benefits Application Deadline Extended Eligible students' families can apply for up to $285 of SNAP food benefits Ryan Garza KRIS -TV Corpus Christi June 1, 2020 Parents may qualify for food financial assistance KGNS-TV Laredo June 2, 2020 Some Texas families may get an extra $285 per child in SNAP benefits this month. Here’s why. Patty Santos KSAT-TV San Antonio June 5, 2020 Families missing free or reduced-price school meals have extra month to apply for funds Tessa Weinberg Fort Worth Star-Telegram June 29, 2020 Governor Abbott, HHSC extend deadline for pandemic food benefits for families affected by COVID-19 KXXV-TV Waco June 29, 2020 1 Emergency SNAP Benefits Extended Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits through June Matthew Watkins KVII-TV Amarillo June 4, 2020 Abbott, HHSC announce extension of SNAP benefits KRIS -TV Corpus Christi June 4, 2020 Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits due to COVID-19 KBTX-TV Bryan-College Station June 4, 2020 Governor Abbott, HHSC Announce Extension Of Emergency SNAP Benefits During COVID-19 Pandemic San Marcos Corridor News June 9, 2020 Pen Pal Programs at State Hospitals and SSLCs State Hospitals, State Supported Living Centers Create Pen Pal Programs During COVID-19 Pandemic Woodlands Online June 23, 2020 Become a pen pal to residents at Texas state hospitals, state-assisted living centers Maggie Glynn KXAN-TV - Austin June 24, 2020 Pandemic pen pals: State hospitals, living centers establish new program Gainesville Daily Register June 24, 2020 State hospitals, living centers utilizing pen pal programs Plainview Daily Herald June 24, 2020 2 Nursing Home Communication Funding State to Connect Nursing Home Residents with Family During Pandemic Reform Austin May 31, 2020 How to Keep in Touch With Loved Ones in Texas Nursing Homes Isobella Harkrider Reform Austin June 14, 2020 Mental Health Support Services Emergence, FEMA, Texas HHS launch free COVID-19 Mental Health Support Hotline El Paso Herald Post May 29, 2020 Four Key Lessons from a State Supported Special Needs Living Center Dave Thomas Autism Parenting Magazine June 1, 2020 HHS Study on COVID-19 Impact on Minorities Texas Health Officials Plan Study On How COVID-19 Is Affecting Vulnerable Communities Ashley Lopez KUT News June 5, 2020 State Launches Study of COVID Impact On Minorities Isobella Harkrider Reform Austin June 8, 2020 New HHS Chief Operating Officer Texas HHS Announces New Chief Operating Officer Geno Perez Crossroads Today June 20, 2020 3 .