Support for Families

Some the resources/services below may change based on COVID-19 spread and local/state decisions around services.

Support with physical & mental health/safety

Purpose:Organization/
LINK
Notes:
Emergency Mental
Health Services
Boston Emergency
Services Team
A mental health emergency hotline to do crisis evaluation and treatment if you feel your child has become a danger to themselves or others in the home. Must have mass health insurance. BEST team is able to evaluate children and adults.
Helping Parents with StressParents Helping Parents Stress HotlineThe current national health emergency is causing many parents anxiety.
* How do I protect my children?
* What do I tell them?
* Or simply, how do I keep them busy when there is no school?

Parental stress line counselors are still there to listen to your concerns and problem-solve with you. 24-7, free and confidential.
CALL: 800-632-8188
Emergency Childcare ProvidersExempt Emergency Childcare ProvidersTo slow the spread of coronavirus, Governor Baker has issued an emergency order temporarily closing all early childhood education programs across the State of Massachusetts to suspend providing childcare by 11:59 P.M. on Sunday, March 22, 2020. This will remain in effect until April 6, 2020 and may be extended as needed.

Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs will be the only child care programs that are allowed to operate during this time. This prioritizes public health and safety while maintaining critical service.
Crisis Hotline ResourcesCrisis Hotline ResourcesSuicide prevention, domestic violence, and other crisis hotlines for youth, young adults, and their friends and families.
Crisis Text Line – Text TALK to 741741Crisis Text LineCrisis Text Line is here for you 24/7. Text a free Crisis Counselor anytime. You don’t have to deal with the hard parts of life alone. Text us. Get free help.
Anxious about coronavirus? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
Suicide Prevention HotlineLifeline ChatAnyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, needs to talk, or is thinking about suicide can use the chat. The chat counselors are here to listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing. The Lifeline Chat service is available 24/7. If you have trouble connecting to the chat service we encourage you to call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Support with food and shelter:

Purpose:Organization
Link:
Notes:
Boston Food Meal SitesBoston Food Meal Sites“Grab and go” breakfast and lunch will be available to youth and teens 18 and under
Food and Meal Service HotlineProject Bread Food Source HotlineFood and Meal ServicesFoodSource Hotline – Project Bread’s toll-free FoodSource Hotline is the only comprehensive statewide information and referral service in Massachusetts for people facing hunger. To find food resources in your community, call the FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333 TTY 1-800-377-1292
Stop and Shop – shopping for ages 60+
Stop and ShopStarting March 19th, Stop and Shop will have a 90-minute window from 6 am-7:30 am open only to shoppers ages 60+.
Food ResourcesHaley House Soup KitchenHaley House Soup Kitchen is providing take-out meals throughout the week. Mon-Fri 7-9am Breakfast, Sunday Brunch 11-2pm, Elder Meal (age 55+) Tues & Thurs 1-3pm @ 23 Dartmouth St, South End
Free Lunch Buffet for Boston StudentsThe Breakfast Spot FlyerTuesday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm at 2805 Washington St, Roxbury. If you know a child depending on school lunch, please sent them to The Breakfast Spot. Mention Romilda or Families for Justice as Healing to receive a free meal.
Free meals YMCAYMCA Food DistributionGrab and go breakfast and lunch provided from 8AM-12PM by YMCA of Greater Boston for youth and teens 18 and under. Visit https://go.aws/2UdqgsV for locations.
Make Shift Boston Free GroceriesMake Shift Boston FlyerFree Food and supplies every Monday 5:30pm @ 549 Columbus Avenue
Updates: follow facebook.com/solidaritysupplydistro or twitter: @bostondistro
Pet Food ServicesPet Food ServicesThe Pet Pantry offers support for those in need of pet food assistance. They have various distribution sites across the South Shore.

Support with internet & technology:

Purpose:Organization
Link:
Notes:
TechnologyBPS Laptops
Or call 311
Use this link to request a laptop delivery during BPS School Closure.
Free / Low-cost internetComcast Internet
Or call 311
Comcast is taking immediate steps to help connect low-income families to the Internet at home. New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. APPLY BY April 30, 2020.
Free Video CallingZoom Video CallFree video and audio conferencing up to 100 people. Up to 40 minutes at a time for groups.

Support with Employment / Income and Legal Services:

Purpose:Organization
Link:
Notes:
Legal HelpLawyers for Civil RightsNeed Legal Help or Support During COVID-19? LCR created a multilingual landing page to share multilingual information and will update it regularly.
Unemployment ResourceUnemployment ResourcesIf your hours have been cut due to COVID-19, you qualify for Unemployment Insurance. Governor Baker announced emergency regulations that will allow those impacted by COVID-19 to collect unemployment insurance. Emergency legislation is being filed that will waive the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. Apply here: https://www.mass.gov/unemployment-insurance-ui-online





Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Virtual Town Halls Sign up for a town hall presentation
Unemployment AssistanceThe Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Unemployment Assistance will be hosting daily virtual town hall meetings featuring a step by step process to achieve a successful unemployment claim. They will also take questions from claimants across the Commonwealth.
The current virtual town hall schedule is:
Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 3:30 PM
Monday, March 23, 2020 at 9:00 AM
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 9:00 AM – Spanish Town Hall
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 9:00 AM
Friday, March 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM
Click here to sign up for a virtual town hall via phone or online.
Financial ReliefGift Card SupportDo you live in the Greater Boston area? Are you in need of financial support due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) either because of school closings or lost wages?

If yes, please fill out this form and answer honestly. Union Capital Boston will order Visa gift cards on Friday, March 20 and take 7-10 days to arrive. We will divide the amount on each card evenly based on the amount of money raised. Do you know someone who can donate? Ask them to donate at: bit.ly/UCBCOVID19Fund
Utility Bill assistance – COVID-19Utility AssistanceIf you are having trouble paying your utility bills, here’s information you should know. State’s moratorium on electric and gas service shutoffs EXTENDED for the duration of the state of emergency for COVID-19
COVID-19 FAQs related to workers rightsLegal Aid at WorkCOVID-19 FAQs related to workers rights

Information and Resources related to Coronavirus:

Purpose:Organization
Link:
Notes:
Boston Public School UpdatesBoston Public Schools Coronavirus UpdatesBPS updates and resources for Boston children and families including Free Lunch & Breakfast locations, staying digitally connected & virtual learning, tips for educators, and more
Boston Alerts and UpdatesBoston Alerts and Text Updates
Or call 311
To get regular updates on #covid19 from the City of Boston text BOSCOVID to 99411
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