Communities across the globe are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has had disastrous impacts on families everywhere. In response, our PA MomsRising team has compiled a list of resources here to share with our members as they navigate this crisis. The resources below include information on unemployment insurance and paid leave, housing and renter protections, food security, health care enrollment, child care, and resources for undocumented families.

Our resource list is by no means comprehensive – we encourage you to help us keep building the list and making it stronger. 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 taylor@momsrising.org. Please consider sharing this blog post with your friends and followers on social media so that this information finds those who need it. You are not alone, because we are in this together! 

COVID-19

• Pennsylvania Department of Health

• Secretary Levine’s Daily Pennsylvania Updates

• Stop the spread of germs flyer

• Unified Judicial System of PA Coronavirus Information

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

• PBS: How To Talk To Little Learners About 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

• United Way of Pennsylvania: An information and referral service provided by the United Way of Pennsylvania 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. 

• United Way of Pennsylvania services related to the epidemic

• Find food pantries/banks in Pennsylvania

• National Disability COVID-19 Healthcare Support and Advocacy Hotline: Call 800-626-4959 if you are disabled and need COVID-19 related medical advocacy or other support.

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

• Apply online at the COMPASS website.

• Apply in person at your local county assistance office, 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 a paper application and mail it to your local county assistance office. (multiple languages available)

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

• US Department of Labor - COVID-19 and the American Workplace

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: New federal paid leave laws and what they mean for our families

• Ten Things to Know About the Families First Package

• MomsRising Eligibility Infographic that walks you through the steps to find out 

• 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

• Frequently Asked Questions: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

• Governor Wolf 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. 

• How to Start a New Claim Video

For Small Businesses and the Self-Employed

• Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Healthcare

• Benefits for the uninsured

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

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. 

• Call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 800-950-NAMI, or in a crisis, text "NAMI" to 741741

• 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

Immigration

• HIAS Pennsylvania, Immigrant and Refugee Rights/Advocacy: Call 215-832-0900

• HIAS Pennsylvania, Immigrant Access to COVID-19 Resources

• Information for Immigrants During the Coronavirus Pandemic

• UndocuScholars, Resources for Undocumented Communities

• 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

• Resources for Child Care Centers

Domestic Violence

• Find help if you are feeling unsafe at home

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

Internet Service Options

• Free or affordable service offerings: You may qualify for no-cost, in-home internet for up to two months during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak if you also qualify for certain low-income internet programs or have a student living in your household.

• Charter offers free Spectrum internet

Working from Home with Kids?

• Tips from the MomsRising Staff

• 4 Tips for Online Trainings

Fun Online Educational Opportunities

• Enrichment Resources for Children and Young Adults

• Guided Meditations with Headspace

• Guided Meditations with Ten Percent Happier

• 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

• The 2020 Pennsylvania Primary Election has been postponed  to Tuesday, June 2nd. Voting & COVID-19 page

• Application for a Mail-In Ballot

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.