COVID-19: Where to Turn

Missouri

• Missouri Information on Roll Out Plan

Illinois

• Illinois Information on Roll Out Plan

National

• Vaccine General Information
• Vaccine Locator Website

Missouri

• Missouri Department of Social Services
  Extend Food Stamp/SNAP certification periods by six months for those re-certifications coming due in March, April and May. This action prevents Food Stamp benefits from ending during the COVID-19 pandemic. DSS is also currently waiving all work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents through the end the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration.
  Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (P-SNAP) benefits.  This means all households currently eligible for SNAP will receive the maximum amount for the household size.  This P-SNAP benefit increase will automatically be added on the normal date the recipient receives their SNAP benefit for the month of April. P-SNAP families with children eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in all Missouri school districts that close at least five consecutive days will get a Pandemic EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) (P-EBT) card benefit for March, April and May.
• Saint Louis Public Schools offering free meals. Families can take home a meal kit with meals for seven days – pickup is on Fridays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Where kids can get free meals in St. Louis, Metro East
• St. Louis stores set aside hour for shoppers 60 and above and for people with compromised immune systems
• St. Louis Area Foodbank resources for food pantries and distribution events nearby
• St. Charles school lunches pickup locations at Blackhurst and Monroe elementary schools
• Aging Ahead Frozen Meal, Nutritional Supplement and Incontinence Supplies Delivery. Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis Counties in Missouri. Individuals 60+. For frozen meal delivery call 636-207-4209. For nutritional supplements and incontinence supplies delivery call 636-207-1323.
• St. Louis County libraries offering drive-thru meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
• The Missouri Food Finder is a new online tool that easily connects Missouri consumers with people growing and selling locally produced food in their region.
• Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) helps cover food cost for children who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school but are not in school due to the pandemic. Apply online.

Illinois

• Illinois Department of Human Services
  Extend Food Stamp/SNAP certification periods by six months for those re-certifications coming due in March, April and May. This action prevents Food Stamp benefits from ending during the COVID-19 pandemic. DSS is also currently waiving all work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents through the end the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration
  Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (P-SNAP) benefits. This means all households currently eligible for SNAP will receive the maximum amount for the household size. This P-SNAP benefit increase will automatically be added on the normal date the recipient receives their SNAP benefit for the month of April. P-SNAP families with children eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in all Illinois school districts that close at least five consecutive days will get a Pandemic EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) (P-EBT) card benefit for March, April and May.
• East St. Louis School District – grab and go student meals on wheels
• Where kids can get free meals in St. Louis, Metro East
• Project Compassion, NFP in partnership with Living The Word Church presents Lunch Time
• McAlister’s Deli in Carbondale to offer free sack lunch to students
• Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Snap Benefits helps provide food for school children who would receive National School Lunch Program for free or reduced-price meals when schools are in session. Apply online.

National

• USDA Find Meals for Kids – In accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, FNS has granted a nationwide waiver allowing parents and/or guardians to pick up meals for their children, without the student needing to be present. This waiver is in support of social distancing and minimizes the exposure of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it is effective immediately, and remains in effect through June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier.

Missouri

• Eviction Moratorium extension information
• Ameren Missouri is suspending all disconnections for non-payment and forgiving any late payment fees for residential and business customers
• Spire suspends disconnects and late fees until May 1 for residential and business customers
• Missouri American Water will be placing a moratorium and discontinuing service shut-offs at this time
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has Energy Crisis Relief available
• Eviction Protections: Renters residing in public or assisted housing, or in a home or apartment whose owner has a federally-backed mortgage, and who are unable to pay their rent, are protected from eviction for 4 months. Property owners are also prohibited from issuing a 30-day notice to a tenant to vacate a property until after the 4-month moratorium ends. This protection covers properties that receive federal subsidies such as public housing, Section 8 assistance, USDA rural housing programs, and federally-issued or guaranteed mortgages.  Renters whose landlord is not abiding by the moratorium should contact the relevant federal agency that administers their housing program or their local Legal Aid office. 
• Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council: COVID-19 and Fair Housing Rights
• Spire’s Coronavirus Relief Program

Illinois

• Eviction Moratorium extension information
• Ameren IL is suspending all disconnections for non-payment and forgiving any late payment fees for residential and business customers
• Illinois American Water will be placing a moratorium and discontinuing service shut-offs at this time
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has Energy Crisis Relief available
• Eviction Protections: Renters residing in public or assisted housing, or in a home or apartment whose owner has a federally-backed mortgage, and who are unable to pay their rent, are protected from eviction for 4 months. Property owners are also prohibited from issuing a 30-day notice to a tenant to vacate a property until after the 4-month moratorium ends. This protection covers properties that receive federal subsidies such as public housing, Section 8 assistance, USDA rural housing programs, and federally-issued or guaranteed mortgages.  Renters whose landlord is not abiding by the moratorium should contact the relevant federal agency that administers their housing program or their local Legal Aid office.
• Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council: COVID-19 and Fair Housing Rights

National

• Charter is offering free access to internet for households with children

Missouri

• Missouri Department of Labor COVID-19 FAQs and unemployment information
• Missouri Department of Labor common unemployment questions (videos with closed captioning available)
• STLBIZ Help: An online resource guide for St. Louis small businesses
• State resources for St. Louis-area businesses impacted by COVID-19
• Free courses through Coursera. Last month, the State of Missouri launched a partnership with Coursera, an online learning platform, to offer free courses to develop in-demand, job-ready skills. This is a limited-time offer – you must create your Coursera account by September 30 and access to the free courses ends by December 31, 2020. Once you set up your Coursera account you’ll be able to browse the thousands of courses available from top universities and companies. Many programs also provide a pathway to certifications allowing you to earn an industry-recognized professional certificate.

Illinois

• State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) response – unemployment FAQs

National

• Small business guidance and loan resources
• U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster assistance
• Federal resources for small businesses
• Verizon and LISC come together to support small businesses with COVID-19 Recovery Fund
• Unemployment Insurance Provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Fact Sheet
• COVID-19, Paid Leave, and Unemployment Flow Chart (NELP and Family Values at Work)
• Coronavirus Grant for Freelance and Gig Workers – One of the small-business loan relief programs included in the historic stimulus package Congress passed in March contains a provision that many gig workers and freelancers might have overlooked. They’re eligible for a $1,000 grant that doesn’t need to be repaid.

Missouri

• Saint Louis Public Schools offering free meals. Families can take home a meal kit with meals for seven days – pickup is on Fridays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Where kids can get free meals in St. Louis, Metro East
• St. Charles school lunches pickup locations at Blackhurst and Monroe elementary schools
• Nine Network’s Educator and Caregiver Toolkit
• Boys & Girls Club of St. Louis is posting virtual learning lessons every day at 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• St. Louis County libraries offering drive-thru meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
• Brown School offering free professional development resources
• Washington University in St. Louis offering Distance Learning Resources
• Saint Louis Public Schools has a helpline for parents and students requiring social and emotional support. Call 314-345-6900 or email studentservices@slps.org.
• Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) helps cover food cost for children who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school but are not in school due to the pandemic. Apply online

Illinois

• East St. Louis School District – grab and go student meals on wheels
• Where kids can get free meals in St. Louis, Metro East
• Project Compassion, NFP in partnership with Living The Word Church presents Lunch Time
• McAlister’s Deli in Carbondale to offer free sack lunch to students
• Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Snap Benefits helps provide food for school children who would receive National School Lunch Program for free or reduced-price meals when schools are in session. Apply online.

National

• Online videos and live classes for children
• Scholastic is opening its digital hub of learning tools for free for kids to take while out of school
• Free online classes launched to help kids home from school
• Mystery Science provides free, easy science for remote learning
• Student Loan Forbearance for Borrowers and Parents. If you have student loan debt, Congress secured several options outlined below for borrowers that help provide relief through September 30, 2020.

Missouri

• Missouri families will now get more help with child care costs thanks to funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that supports Missouri’s Show Me Strong Recovery plan.
  • If you currently get Transitional Child Care assistance, your benefit amount will now automatically increase to 60 or 80 percent based on your income.
  • If you are unemployed and have a low income, you can get temporary child care assistance for up to 90 days while you look for work through December 2020.
  • If your income was previously too high for child care assistance, you may now qualify for help from May 1 through August 31 while you work, train, or attend school. Based on new guidelines, a family of 2 with an income up to $3,090 a month can now qualify.
  • Learn more: https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/child-care.htm
  • Apply: myDSS.mo.gov
• United 4 Children: In this time of crisis, childcare providers may lose access to items critical to basic needs. This includes but is not limited to: food, diapers, health and hygiene supplies. Due to this issues, we are leading basic needs coordination for childcare programs and the families who rely on them. 
  • Life is changing drastically and children are in the midst of the chaos. United 4 Children is here to help children thrive. Using a strengths based approach, we can provide expert coaching to support the child’s health and well-being. The process is as followed: Contact United 4 Children at mychild@united4children.org and fill out a google form, the United 4 Children team will customize child-specific plan and match the family or child with expert coaching, coach in 30 minute sessions while providing play kits.
• St. Louis County Library partnered with St. Louis Area Diaper Bank to provide drive-thru diapers at four library branches every Friday, starting April 3

Missouri

• MO Department of Health and Senior Services, in coordination with Missouri National Guard and local health departments, are offering free COVID-19 tests in various communities around the state.

• Mental health and counseling services are available in the greater St. Louis area through Behavioral Health Response (BHR). Dial 2-1-1 and press 1 to get connected directly to a counselor at BHR.  
  About the program:

  • Saint Louis Mental Health Board (MHB) regarding the need to raise awareness and visibility of the 2-1-1 number and its mental health services during these times when so many of our citizens are dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Currently, any resident of St. Louis City and greater St. Louis surrounding area can call 2-1-1 and get connected immediately to a mental health professional, thanks to Saint Louis MHB’s and United Way’s relationship with Behavioral Health Response. The resources and infrastructure in place lend to a strong support network that is readily available to millions of Missourians.

• COVID-19 Testing Locations: Call the site you wish to visit before visiting the hospital or testing location to determine testing eligibility. Sites require physician orders or evaluation before testing is approved.
• Troy Police Department offering to pick up prescription, supplies for senior community members
• St. Louis Counseling resource on talking to your kids about the Coronavirus
• City of St. Louis Department of Health: COVID-19 information and hotline
• Coronavirus FAQ – Missouri testing available for first responders and health care workers
• St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund Partner Agencies utilizing telehealth counseling services
• COVID-19 testing sites in St. Louis region, Metro East
• Missouri Department of Health Disaster Distress Hotline: A free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service. Callers and texters are connected to trained and caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network. Phone: 800-985-5990 and Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66
• Compass Health Crisis Hotline, Mon. -Fri.: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Call 888.237.4567
  After Hours: Call 800.833.3915,
  For Spanish Speaking Individuals (Para Español, por favor llame al 636.445.7177)

Illinois

• COVID-19 testing sites in St. Louis region, Metro East

National

• NAMI COVID-19 Information & Resource Guide
• CDC guide on managing anxiety and stress during this time
• Walgreens Senior Day is every Tuesday. Seniors 55+ will receive 30% discount off online or in-store purchases
• NAMI answering voicemails and emails 24-48 hours after receipt
• Medicare Telehealth Hotline: This hotline was established for seniors who cannot get treatment from their regular doctor and want to avoid going out in public.  We are also available to answer your COVID-19 questions and concerns. All services are covered by Medicare. There are no out of pocket costs for patients.
• SAMHSA Disaster Crisis Line: Call 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7. Spanish-speakers can call the hotline and press “2” for 24/7 bilingual support.
• Worldwide COVID-19 Testing Sites search
• The Salvation Army has introduced an Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline for anyone in the US to call during the pandemic. Trained Salvation Army Officers and employees are available to talk, advise, and pray for individuals, families and situations. Please call 844-458-4673 Sunday-Saturday – 8:00am to 8:00pm CST.

Missouri

• St. Louis City parking tickets suspended to prevent spread of virus and economic hardship
• Stray Rescue is opening its doors as a pet food pantry
• Donation Opportunity:  Missouri Faith Leadership Council Food and Cleaning Supply Donation Opportunity. Donate Food and cleaning supplies to St. James AME, Deliver donations of food and cleaning products to St. James AME, 4301 St Ferdinand Ave, St. Louis, MO 63113. (use the side door.) Mon-Fri – 10:00am to 5:00pm. Donated items are being boxed up and delivered to families in need.
• Coronavirus FAQ Metropolitan Congregations United Training for Senior Citizen Outreach. Coronavirus FAQ Metropolitan Congregations United Training for Senior Citizen Outreach. Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) has developed phone banking and training for congregations to reach out to seniors throughout the region. They are providing Zoom training to congregations and using the phone banks to connect seniors to services, such as meals on wheels and the United Way. Email Jai@mcustl.com for Information
• St. Louis Hand Washing Stations
• City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office compiled a list of resources
• St. Louis Gives. COVID-19 Response funds to donate to. Individuals can apply for assistance with The Gateway Resilience Fund and RAC Artist Relief Fund
• St. Louis Serves is a website with a list of organizations that people can donate to. Organizations can apply to be added to the website.
• St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline (SQSH) is collaborating with STL Mutual Aid to provide COVID-19 mutual aid resource referrals every day 1PM-7PM starting March 31. They will continue to provide usual services of LGBTQIA-affirming peer counseling during regular hours (Fri-Mon, 1PM-7PM)
• Resiliency for Caregivers – Community Strong Speaks SCC Webinar series. On May 7 at noon, Kristen Ernst, Director of Grief Services for Baue Funeral Homes and The Center for Hope and Healing, will discuss how to recognize and combat compassion fatigue. On May 21 at noon, Jeremy Nulik, futurist with Bigwidesky, will share three proven strategies that will allow you to increase your foresight intelligence and offer you a mindset that can remain more focused on long-term vision. May 7th at 12:00pm (Noon) Register Here
• The Little Bit Foundation is seeking donations for its Feeding Hope Program and Student Care Kits to assist low-income students throughout the St. Louis metro region. Virtual drives for care kits can be held using their Amazon Care Kit List. For more information on donations, visit the Little Bit Foundation website.
• Christian Counseling Connection LLC is offering TalkTime20/20, an opportunity to sample tele-health counseling sessions in an affordable and convenient way to provide support for Missouri residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the first FREE consultation session, new clients (Missouri only) may schedule additional 20-minute sessions for $20 private pay, or they can consult with their counselor about a plan that best meets their needs, including insurance options
• The Love Will Foundation has funds available for free mental health counseling in our area. In St. Charles County, they utilize St. Louis Family Counseling and Step by Step Counseling for services.
• Free courses through Coursera. Last month, the State of Missouri launched a partnership with Coursera, an online learning platform, to offer free courses to develop in-demand, job-ready skills. This is a limited-time offer – you must create your Coursera account by September 30 and access to the free courses ends by December 31, 2020. Once you set up your Coursera account you’ll be able to browse the thousands of courses available from top universities and companies. Many programs also provide a pathway to certifications allowing you to earn an industry-recognized professional certificate.

Illinois

• All Illinois Department of Human Service offices are closed until further notice. Individuals can apply for benefits or access their current case on the website at ABE.Illinois.gov or telephone at 1-833-2-FIND-HELP.
• Residents in St. Clair, Illinois that have been impacted by COVID-19 can apply for assistance through the St. Clair Co. Intergovernmental Grants Department.

National

• Coronavirus FAQ Protecting Finances During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website to help citizens protect their finances during the pandemic.
• USDA relief for single, multi-family property owners, businesses affected by COVID-19
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: The new Employee Paid Leave Rights (Part of Families First Coronavirus Response Act-FFCRA) requires covered employers to provide employees with paid sick or family leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
• FEMA extends grace period for flood insurance renewal premiums.
  To help serve its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) customers who may be experiencing financial hardships, the agency is extending the grace period to renew flood insurance policies from 30 to 120 days. This extension applies to NFIP flood insurance policies with an expiration date between February 13-June 15, 2020.
  
• Coronavirus Stimulus Check Calculator – calculate how much you’ll get from the $1,200 (or more) coronavirus checks
• Mortgage Forbearance: Homeowners with FHA, USDA, VA, or Section 184 or 184A mortgages (for members of federally-recognized tribes) and those with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac have the right to request forbearance on their payments for up to 6 months, with a possible extension for another 6 months without fees, penalties, or extra interest. Homeowners should contact their mortgage servicing company directly.
• Student Loan Forbearance for Borrowers and Parents. If you have student loan debt, Congress secured several options outlined below for borrowers that help provide relief through September 30, 2020.
• Resource for hospital patients who are deaf or hard of hearing
• American Red Cross – blood drive lookup
• Free KUTO Crisis Helpline, (314/888) 644-5886 is staffed 24/7 by trained, youth-friendly people prepared to help kids and youth de-escalate a crisis, find a calm center and feel better able to cope through the Covid-19 crisis. 
• Rehab Spot is not a treatment center, but a public web guide sharing information on drugs, alcohol, addiction, and recovery. Their webpage talks about implications of substance use during the pandemic and links to numerous other pages of research about addiction and recovery.
• How-to guide on wearing a homemade face mask
• How-to guide on wearing a surgical face mask

• For instructions on asking for an interpreter at regional/state hotlines and a compilation of CDC guide translations in multiple languages, visit the International Institute’s news page.
• Additionally, the CDC has an entire website available in Spanish. Immigrants Rising has put together a list of resources for undocumented individuals.
• If you are a fellow nonprofit organization, you may find this resource from the Nonprofit Finance Fund useful.
• Finally, the Immigrant Service Provider Network is compiling a shared folder with community resources that will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
• CDC has released ASL videos regarding COVID-19
• Resource for hospital patients who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Missouri Department of Labor common unemployment questions (videos with closed captioning)
• Bilingual FAQ by Casa de Salud
• Compass Health Crisis Hotline
  For Spanish Speaking Individuals (Para Español, por favor llame al 636.445.7177)
  

en Español

• Numberos importantes para los sectores de Missouri/Illinois
• Organización Mundial de la Salud sitio web de enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19)
• CDC Qué hacer si contrae la enfermedad del coronavirus
• Johnson County Health Cómo Estar Preparado para el Coronavirus
• CDC Respuestas a las preguntas más frecuentes
• CDC Consejos para lavarse los manos
• Child Care Aware Actividades Familiares en español para aprender en case

Missouri

• St. Louis Regional Chamber COVID-19 Informational Center
• Nine Network’s Educator and Caregiver Toolkit
• University of Missouri Extension: All Things Missouri – Information is categorized across four main categories informing leaders in business, agriculture, education, and health about local policies and practices that drive better outcomes for all.
• University of Missouri Extension: COVID-19 Resources – Informational Resource Page for business, personal finance and agriculture
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Economic Reopening Order

National

• Stimulus Check Updates
• NAMI COVID-19 Information & Resource Guide