Community Resources for COVID-19

Links to community resources for western Massachusetts/Pioneer Valley communities that are here to help everyone through the COVID-19 crisis.

• Communtiy COVID-19 Testing: Many locations are now offering free testing, including UMass-Amherst.
• Comprehensive list of resources and information for Seniors from the Northampton Senior Center (Facebook)
• Northampton Senior Services Resource List -For seniors and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic
• WIC – Food Bank Food Pantry Locator by zip code
• COVID-19 Concrete Needs Resources and Supports– (DTA, SNAP, Housing etc)
• Masslegalhelp.org – Comprehensive list of rights & benefits.
• Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Page – Information and resources for local businesses
• Amherst Survival Center – Updates on community food distribution in Amherst for those in nee
• Community Action Pioneer Valley – Access to services from WIC, Center for Self Reliance Food Pantries, Fuel Assistance, Family Center and more.
• Community Legal Aid: Unemployment Benefits Help – FREE Assistance with Online Claims for Workers Affected by Coronavirus/COVID-19
• The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts – COVID-19 updates and information on the mobile food bank
• Highland Valley Elder Services: Assistance is needed with meal distribution and delivery for seniors in our community
• Contra COVID: Provides information, news, health and social resources in 4 different languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole) to help Latino and immigrant families with important resources that they might need during these difficult times.
• Project Bread: COVID-19 hunger & food resources for Massachusetts residents.
• Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) – Information on immigration and public benefits.
• Manna Community Kitchen – Meals-to-go during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Northampton Health Department: Comprehensive updates, guidance, and education from the city
• Northampton Public Schools: Free meals to children 18 and younger at 4 sites throughout Northampton, Florence and Leeds.
• Northampton Recovery Center – Updates on meetings and resources
• 413cares.org – Provides online access for residents of Western Massachusetts to available resources from housing, to healthcare, early education and more.
• Northampton Survival Center – Updates on community food distribution in Northampton for those in need
• NOTE: The Northampton Survival Center is now CLOSED until at least April 12. To see options for food pickup, read this flyer on Emergency Food Distribution.
• COVID-19 Substance Use Disorder resources – List of online meetings, self-care and hotlines/helplines
• Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) – New funding has enabled the RAFT program to create a special program for eligible households facing housing instability as a result of a COVID-19 related housing crisis due to a loss of wages or increase in expenses.
• Mass. Vets and COVID-19 – Information and contacts for veterans living in Massachusetts.
• COVID-19 Resources Available to Immigrants and Refugees – Resource page in multiple languages from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division.
  

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• Asistencia residencial para familias en transición (RAFT) – Los nuevos fondos han permitido al programa RAFT crear un programa especial para hogares elegibles que enfrentan inestabilidad de vivienda como resultado de una crisis de vivienda relacionada con COVID-19 debido a una pérdida de salarios o aumento de gastos, por ejemplo.
• Ayuda Legal Comunitaria: Asistencia con Beneficios de Desempleo – Asistencia GRATUITA con Reclamaciones en líneapara Trabajadores Afectados por el Coronavirus/COVID-19
• Despensas de alimentos y comidas gratis – Despensas de alimentos y comidas gratis en el condado Hampshire durante la pandemia del Covid
• COVID-19  Recursos disponibles para inmigrantes y refugiados – Página con recursos en múltiples idiomas de la División de derechos humanos del fiscal general de Massachusetts

• Tapestry Health – COVID-19 updates for the community
• look4help.org – Collected Franklin County Resources for COVID-19-related challenges
• Emotional Support Suggestions for Families – suggestions to help balance life at home during school closings (PDF)
• Senator Jo Comerford’s Guide to COVID-19 page – A wealth of very useful information about fighting the virus, economic impacts and more.
• Safe Passage – Serving survivors of domestic violence.
• Jane Doe Inc. – List of all domestic violence programs in Massachusetts
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – This site has both telephone and chat functions
• Nursing Home Family Resource Line – EOHHS has launched the Nursing Home Family Resource Line – 617-660-5399 – a dedicated phone line to connect family members of nursing home and rest home residents with the information and resources they need. It provides one central contact for families and community members to get information. The Nursing Home Family Resource Line is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Resources for parents and those caring for children during COVID-19

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

• How to Talk to Your Anxious Child or Teen About Coronavirus
  This resources provides guidance on how to talk to a child or teen about the coronavirus if they may be feeling anxious or stressed.

InfoAboutKids.org

• Parents and COVID 19: Helping Your Children
  Resource for parents on how to talk to children about the coronavirus, manage worries and includes prevention tips.

National Association of School Psychologists

• Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
  A resource for parents on how best to talk to children about the coronavirus.

The National Child and Traumatic Stress Network

• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF, 144KB)
  This resource provides information for parents and caregivers about outbreaks, how they can prepare to reduce stress and anxiety, how it may affect your family both physically and emotionally and ways to cope.

National Parent Teacher Association 

• 6 Ways to Help Your Child Manage Their Anxiety During COVID-19
  Tip sheet for parents and caregivers to help manage children’s stress an anxieties during COVID-19. This tip sheet was made possible through a partnership between the APA and National PTA.  

 New York Times

• Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus
  This article details advice from experts on how parents can help teens be prepared and have the right information about the coronavirus.

NPR

• Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
  A resource for children about coronavirus, what it is and how to protect oneself.

SAMHSA

• Talking with Caregivers, Parents. And Teachers during Infectious Disease Outbreaks (PDF, 13MB)
  Resource provides helpful information how to talk with children of different age groups.