As a mom of two teens who is worried about the health of my parents and the well-being of my children, I struggle to wrap my head around this pandemic. I see how the COVID-19 epidemic is increasing the stress and exacerbating the challenges that many of our families were already dealing with before the coronavirus emerged. 

In response, our NC MomsRising team has pulled together a set of resources to share with you. We thank our many partners for sharing their resources with us, and are drawing from lists compiled by Equality NC, NC Department of Health and Human Services, the NC Early Education Coalition, Child Care Services Association, the NC Department of Public Instruction, NC Alliance for Health, and more. Our resource list is by no means comprehensive – if you have a resource you think should be added to this list, or have a need that you would like to see addressed, please email me at jessica@momsrising.org.  The resources below range from how to get food assistance to how to access the internet to how to keep your kids moving while they are stuck at home, and much more!

What gives me hope and comfort is knowing that there are 47,000 of us MomsRising members in North Carolina, who come from all parts of the state and live in all 100 counties. We are moms, dads, grandparents, children, siblings, aunts & uncles who are used to supporting one another and overcoming obstacles. This virus is demonstrating, more than ever, how interconnected we all are. We are stronger together –  even while remaining physically apart during these social distancing times. 

COVID-19

• NC Dept of Health & Human Services: COVID-19 Response in NC

• Stop the spread of germs flyer

• Information and Resources from NC General Assembly

How to talk to children about the Coronavirus

• Zero to Three: How to Talk to Children about the Coronavirus

• NPR: Just for Kids- a Comic Exploring Coronavirus

• Resources for Talking to Children about the Coronavirus

• How to Talk to Kids about the Coronavirus

• Webinar on How to Talk to your Kids about Coronavirus, by MomsRising & Women’s March

General Help and Support

• North Carolina 2-1-1: An information and referral service provided by the United Way of North Carolina with connections to services like housing and shelter, food, health care and more. To reach live support 24/7, dial 2-1-1.  The service is free, confidential, and multilingual. 

• North Carolina 2-1-1 services related to the epidemic

• NCCARE360: Connect to community resources in your area for help with food insecurity, housing instability, lack of transportation access, or other needs.

• From food pantries to clothes for work, the Atrium Health Community Resource Hub provides an easy way to access local programs and services.

Food Assistance

• This link takes you to a statewide resource for finding food, put together by Feeding the Carolinas. If you are looking for food assistance to get you through this epidemic, please:

  • At this website, type in your county.

  • The Food Bank for your county will pop up.

  • Go to the Food Bank and/or other food assistance program that pops up for your county, and click on “Find Food.”

  • Under “Find an Agency Near You,” enter your zip code and/or county.

  • When the Food Pantries pop up, please call the pantry before you go just to make sure they are open.  Some programs may have had to alter their distributions because of COVID-19.

• How to find free, healthy meals for kids age 18 and under:

1. Text FOODNC to 877-877 to receive a text with drive-thru or pick-up sites with meals for kids closest to you.

2. Use the mapping tool at http://nokidhungrync.org/covid19/ to find drive-thru/pick-up sites with meals for kids across NC.

3. Visit https://bit.ly/2QmShwT for updates from school districts and community partners serving meals — including info on additional options such as bus drop-off meals.

4. Check your local school or district's website, social media, and other communications for the most up-to-date info.

How to Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps)

• Apply online at epass.nc.gov

• Apply in person at your local department of social services, but call ahead to see if they’ve reduced their hours or are closed to walk-ins. They may be able to take applications over the phone.

• Download an application, found at www.ncdhhs.gov, and mail it to your local department of social services.

Parenting in a Crisis: Parent and Caregiver Guidance

• Parenting in a crisis is hard when the networks and support we rely on may be unavailable and stress is high. Our partners at Prevent Child Abuse NC have developed this helpful Parent and Caregiver guide with resources and tips. And remember, all of us can #BeAConnection. Check in on folks you know might be struggling or families you've ever worried about. Sometimes we all need that friendly voice reminding us we aren't alone. #COVID19NC 

• Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others | Prevent Child Abuse America

• Ways to Promote Children’s Resilience to the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Parent’s Checklist to Preventing Injuries during Coronavirus

• Stay Safe at Home with Young Children

Understanding your Right to Paid Leave & Paid Sick Days under Federal Law

• NC Justice Center Know Your Rights

• Fact Sheet: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act 

• Call A Better Balance’s national legal Helpline for free and confidential information about your workplace rights around caring for yourself and your family: 1-833-NEED-ABB (1-833-633-3222)

• Worker Safety and Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: Rights and Resources

• Know Your Rights: Emergency Paid Sick Days and Paid Leave for Child Care and Coronavirus

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

• Governor Cooper has waived the one week waiting period to apply for unemployment, hopefully shortening the period of time people whose employment is impacted have to wait. Go here to file for unemployment benefits. 

• Resource for navigating paid leave and unemployment

For Small Businesses and the Self-Employed

• Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans

• The NC Rural Center and Golden LEAF are offering a new COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending Program. Visit www.ncrapidrecovery.org to learn more and start the application for a rapid recovery loan.

Healthcare

• Benefits for the uninsured

• COVID-19 Resources for Children with Special Health Care Needs

• Dental health and oral hygiene recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic

• NC Children with Special Healthcare Needs Helpline: 1-800-737-3028

Pregnancy and Motherhood

• For New Moms: https://newmomhealth.com/

• CDC: Guidance for Pregnant Women and Children

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Impact on Pregnant Women Covered by Medicaid and CHIP: Georgetown University Center for Children and Families unpacks how this bill expands the duration of coverage, eligibility, and protects current benefit levels for pregnant women covered by Medicaid and CHIP

Mental Health

• In response to social distancing measures and the overwhelming amount of news about the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has compiled a selection of resources on mental health and coping during this difficult time.

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 

• Emotional Well-being During the COVID-19 Outbreak

• If you have Medicaid, click on this website, hover your mouse over your county, and then call the number listed.  You will see both a crisis line number and a regular number you can use to make an appointment.  

• If you have private insurance: Call your insurance company because tele-health is already available in most cases. 

• For urgent needs, click on this mental health/substance abuse crisis solutions page

• Online Alcoholics Anonymous

• Online Narcotics Anonymous

• Parent/Caregiver Guide to helping families cope with coronavirus

• A Toll-Free Hope Line has been established for older adults experiencing isolation due to social distancing. Call 1-866-578-4673 or 1-866-578-HOPE

• Two new NC-specific mental health helplines to support North Carolinians throughout the COVID-19 crisis, including a helpline for healthcare professionals

Immigration

• NC Justice Center, Immigrant and Refugee Rights: 1-919-675-2409

• NC Justice Center, Immigrant Access to Healthcare & Benefits in Time of Emergency

• UndocuScholars, Resources for Undocumented Communities

• Example of a letter to show if you are stopped on the way to your job as an essential worker (specifically for North Carolina) 

• Resources for the Immigrants during the coronavirus crisis

• FAQ: Immigrant Workers’ Rights and COVID-19- A Resource for Workers and Their Advocates

Childcare

• Emergency childcare hotline for healthcare and other necessary workers: 1-888-600-1685 to be connected with the right fit for their children

• Guidance for Child Care Centers

• Child Care Referral Central Services is monitoring child care program closures as well as programs that may have additional capacity. 

Domestic Violence

• Find help if you are feeling unsafe at home

• National Domestic Violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Internet Service Options

• List of new and existing free or affordable service offerings

• Charter offers free Spectrum internet

Ways to Help

• This link offers volunteer opportunities for all of the Food Banks across the state. 

• If you are interested in being a healthcare volunteer

How we can support our Communities, Small Businesses, and Farmers

• Consider visiting your local Farmer’s Market: Local Farmers’ Markets do their part to Flatten the Curve on Coronavirus

• How to Buy Local While Social Distancing: On Farm Pick-Ups & More

• MeatSuite.com is a website where you can find local farms selling pasture-raised meat in bulk quantities

• Order a fresh produce box from Tall Grass Food Box, which supports and encourages the sustainability of Black farmers across NC

Learning Opportunities for Children

• Remote Learning Opportunities for Infants to 2nd graders

• Google Support Resources

• Amazing Educational Resources

• Home Learning Resources by Durham PreK

• Promise Venture Studio: The website provides curated resources, tools and guidance focused on families with young children navigating the COVID crisis and social distancing

Working from Home with Kids?

• Tips from the MomsRising Staff

• 4 Tips for Online Trainings

Fun Online Educational Opportunities

• Live Workshops conducted by Latina moms in Spanish who are experts in psychology, nutrition, art, fitness, dual language instruction and more! RSVP here for these 20 minute long master classes

• Enrichment Resources for Children and Young Adults

• Guided Meditations with Headspace

• Guided Meditations with Ten Percent Happier

• 4 Ideas for Outdoor Learning

• Planting Calendar for Starting a Garden

• Virtual Farm Tours while you’re stuck at home

• Playworks Games from Home

• Healthy Parenting Advice from World Health Organization

• Activities to do at home with kids

• Sesame Street in Communities

• Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis: The Child Mind Institute provides tips for nurturing and protecting children at home.

Voting

• Voting & COVID-19 page

• The State Board of Elections and N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles announced that they now offer online voter registration

Advocacy

• Opportunity to share your story:  https://action.momsrising.org/survey/CoronavirusStories/  Has your family and community been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? Personal experiences are powerful and can make a HUGE difference in helping elected leaders understand why taking critical steps—like passing paid sick days and ensuring COVID-19 testing is widely available—are essential to the health and well-being of our communities.