Resources and Community Updates for COVID-19

As our community makes changes necessary to reduce the impact of COVID-19, many programs are adjusting their services to keep people safe and respond to newly emerging needs. For the latest updates on services provided by CCFH, see COVID-19 Update: Changes to Operations and Client Service.

CCFH has also compiled this list of select resources available to families and service updates from local agencies. Every effort will be made to update the list as new information becomes available. For the most current details, though, please check the link provided with a resource.

Contact us to submit updates or additional resources for consideration.

Resources for Families

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) List of web-based meetings.

Child Care

• For emergency assistance, see the Parent Application for Emergency Child Care Assistance from the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
• For essential workers, see Finding Child Care from Child Care Services Association.

Disaster Distress Helpline This is a toll-free helpline for adults experiencing emotional distress related to disasters including coronavirus and social distancing. 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.

Duke Health Anywhere Virtual visits with an on-call provider are only $20 until further notice. This can include appointments to talk about stress and anxiety due to COVID-19 and isolation.

Durham County Library has many online resources including ebooks, e-audiobooks, magaiznes, TV shows, classes and more. Durham County residents without a library card may sign up for a temporary online card. Durham Public Schools students can access all of the library’s online resources with their student ID number. Details available here.

Durham Public Schools is sharing the latest COVID-19 updates here.

Durham Universal Pre-K, Head Start, and Early Head Start

• For families interested in applying for Durham Early Head Start (home visiting and child care partnership slots), Durham’s Partnership for Children is conducting telephone enrollment appointments. Please contact Deidre Morgan at deidre@dpfc.net for additional information.
• Durham Head Start & Early Head Start is accepting applications for children 6 weeks to 3 years old online, or families may call (984) 464-1502 (English) or (984) 208-5295 (Spanish).
• Families may still apply for universal Pre-K for the 2020-2021 school year. Call 1-833-773-5338 to schedule a virtual application appointment or apply online in English or Spanish

Durham Utilities is suspending disconnections (and in some cases reconnecting previously disconnected utilities) during this crisis:

• City of Durham Water
• Duke Energy
• Piedmont Natural Gas
• Dominion Energy

Food

• Durham FEAST sites will have free meals for kids aged 0-18 years, along with free shelf-stable ingredients and/or family-style casseroles for adults. Food will be available for pick-up according to the site schedule. One person can pick up meals for the entire family. Kids do not need to be present to pick up their meals. All food is subject to availability and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Some vegetarian meals will be available at each site. No meals will contain pork or peanuts.
• Text FOODNC to 877-877 to receive a text with the three drive-thru or pick up sites with meals for kids closest to you; additional details here.
• View a list of locations for Grab & Go Meals for Kids.
• Check out the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC’s Food Finder.
• See a list of all food pantries in Durham and the new mobile app from End Hunger Durham.

Food and Nutrition Services (EBT) Families and individuals who do not currently receive benefits can apply online here. Parents can learn more about these benefits in these English and Spanish videos from NC Child.

Health Insurance (ACA) North Carolinians who have lost their coverage due to the Coronavirus pandemic are eligible to enroll in coverage on HealthCare.gov, the health insurance marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. This special enrollment period is available for a period of 60 days from the consumer’s initial loss of coverage. Any Marketplace coverage will cover the consumer through the remainder of 2020 unless they enroll in other coverage. Those who have questions or need help enrolling in Marketplace coverage can call 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or visit ncnavigator.net to schedule a free, over-the-phone appointment with an NC Navigator.

Housing recommendations from Reinvestment Partners:

• Homeowners who are concerned about paying their mortgage should call their loan servicer to request help too.
• Renters who are concerned about paying their rent should request help from their landlord, the Department of Social Services, and/or Legal Aid of NC at 1-866-219-5262.
• Eviction hearings and most court cases are postponed 30 days from March 16.
• In-Person Home Buyer Classes in March and April are cancelled. Online Home Buyer Classes are available here.

Immigrant & Refugee Rights Information for immigrants on access to health care and benefits in a time of emergency are available here.

Internet for Students Free internet is available for K-12 and College students now learning from home from Charter Communications.

Legal Aid A list of coronavirus resources from Legal Aid of NC, including a link to specially developed tool kits and resources for parents, guardians, and students.

NC COVID Resources & Assistance Get NC COVID alerts via text message by texting COVIDNC to the number 898211.  The links that are provided are initially provided in English, with the option to translate to Spanish at the bottom of the page. NC211 always maintains information about resources available for the community and continues to do so during this statewide response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) response.

Postpartum Support International’s phone and text support and online groups are available to pregnant women, new moms, and their partners. Sign up here.

Taxes Federal and state tax filing deadlines have been extended until July 15, 2020. Taxpayers with incomes up to $69,000 can file Federal Tax Returns free here.

Transportation GoTriangle, GoDurham, GoRaleigh and GoCary have suspended fare collections and instituted rear-door boarding. Schedules have been reduced. Information and service updates are available here.

Unemployment Insurance Changes Governor Cooper’s executive order lifted some barriers to receiving unemployment insurance during this time. Key points: Waiving the one-week waiting period to receive benefits; Allowing applicants to file for benefits if they are subject to reduced hours as well as laid off; Removing the requirement that recipients have to look for work during the benefits period.

Local Agency Updates

Care Coordination for Children (CC4C) All workers are on leave as they are considered nonessential. Hold referrals until reopening.

Child Care Services Association (CCSA) is currently completely remote. Families are encouraged to continue to call Child Care Referral Central at 855-EARLY-ED (855-327-5933). Partners who regularly refer clients to CCSA for consideration for scholarship services should continue to do so. Families and referral partners may email the program coordinator, Martha Alba, at MarthaA@childcareservices.org for updates on the status of scholarship awards.

Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) continues to accept and process referrals and is conducting virtual eligibility evaluations whenever possible. Staff are supporting families through telecommunication platforms.

Diaper Bank of North Carolina is only distributing to their open source partners right now. In Durham, this is Welcome Baby and Urban Ministries.

Dress for Success offices are closed through the end of April. Groups and networking events are cancelled. They are now offering virtual career coaching.

Duke Health is providing information for Duke Health system patients about visitor restrictions, keeping appointments (and what may be rescheduled), virtual visits, and what to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Duke Pediatrics and Healthy Steps All Duke practices are cancelling well-child checks for those over 3 years old. Newborns-2 month olds are all being directed to the South Durham office for now. HealthySteps Specialists are working remotely, doing all the same work but virtually instead of face-to-face. They are still accepting referrals and reports.

Durham County Updates regarding COVID-19 are available here.

Durham County Department of Social Services Effective April 2, the DSS office hours are 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Call 919-560-8000 for all other questions/services. Most services are available virtually. Paper applications and self-service stations are set up in the lobby.

[East] Durham Children’s Initiative is completely remote. Existing clients can contact their advocate by phone, text, or email.

El Centro Hispano is providing program updates on their website.

El Futuro offices are closed, but they are offering virtual appointments. Call 919-688-7101 to get scheduled and for help getting a phone, tablet, or computer set up for virtual services.

Exchange Family Center The office is closed and they are working remotely to stay in contact with current clients. They are taking referrals but putting them on the wait list. They are not opening new clients during this time.

Reinvestment Partners provides Healthy Homes & Lead Safety services for Durham families with children under 6 years in homes built before 1978. Their office is temporarily closed to the public and they are working remotely during normal business hours. In-person services have been suspended or transitioned to phone and video. Health care providers and families can contact Lorisa Seibel at Lorisa@ReinvestmentPartners.org or 919-667-1000 ext. 25.

Social Security Administration is providing coronavirus-related updates here.

Welcome Baby posts their most current information on their Facebook page.

• Cribs for Kids and Carseats are only being distributed in urgent situations with no contact pick-up.
• Giving Closet is closed. Diapers distributed on Fridays from 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Clients will remain in their car and we will deliver diapers to you. Please do not arrive before 9:00 a.m. for the morning session or 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon session. Staff will be available to direct you as you enter our parking lot at 9:00 a.m. for the morning session or 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon session.
  1. Please come only if you have an immediate need
  2. Please do not come if you or anyone in the car is sick or not feeling well

WIC (Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children) The Lincoln Community Health WIC office is conducting all appointments over the phone. Call (919) 956-4042. Make referrals to WIC here. Phone numbers for all local WIC application sites here.

Resources to Support Kids

Harvard Center on the Developing Child has created “How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak,” which outlines three core guidelines for caregivers during the COVID-19 crisis and includes links to additional resources.

CARE in COVID is a 20-minute video created by the iCARE Collaborative to teach parents and caregivers practices from CARE (Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement) that can be helpful for children and teens coping with challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) A child’s reaction to news of an outbreak may vary depending on several factors including, their age, developmental level, and past traumatic experiences. Knowing how to protect and care for your family—and talk to your children during this time—can help your family to cope, adjust, and recover. NCTSN has resources to help parents​/caregivers and providers support children during the ongoing public health emergency.

NCTSN & Piplo Productions provide a printable storybook, “Trinka, Sam & Littletown: Fighting the Big Virus,” with a companion workbook and parent guide. Written by some of NCTSN’s leading experts in child trauma treatment and disaster response, this story was developed to help young children and families talk about their experiences and feelings related to COVID-19 and the need to shelter in place.

National PTA provides a compilation of resources, tools and information to support families and teachers who are navigating working, teaching, and learning at home during COVID-19.

Prevent Child Abuse NC has created a comprehensive, easy-to-read guide on these topics: Immediate Assistance; Protecting Your Family; Healthy Ways for Parents to Cope; Helping Children Cope with a Crisis; Connecting with Your Child; Children with Special Needs; Expectant Parents; Strengthening Families; Additional Resources

Sesame Street in Communities offers videos, activities, and tips for the whole family in English and Spanish. Specific resources to help with child and family concerns related to health emergencies like COVID-19 are available.

UNC-TV At-Home Learning UNC-TV and the NC Department of Public Instruction are partnering to support school-age children learning at home by providing free, curriculum-informed, over-the-air content that is widely accessible to students—especially those with limited or no internet access. Each weekday, two blocks of programs on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Channel will serve students: fourth through eighth grade, from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and ninth through twelfth grade, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. (actual times may vary, please check the weekly schedule online).

Virtual Storytime from the Durham County Public Library.

Virtual Art Class Mo Willems is doing a cartoon/doodle activity every day at 1:00 p.m. with a downloadable activity for kids to do their own art afterward.

Wide Open School A collection of the best online, free learning experiences for kids curated by the editors at Common Sense Media. It is appropriate for ages 3 (preschool) through grade 12 and is organized by academic area as well as social and emotional learning/activities, movement, art, and life skills. Families and educators can access live content, suggested activities, and links to a multitude of resources that have been vetted for quality.

ZERO TO THREE offers resources for families with very young children, including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.

Additional Resource Lists

Carolina Dentistry & UNC School of Social Work offers a well-organized and easy-to-read resource list compiled by Carolina Dentistry at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.

Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) provides two lists of local resources compiled by CEF volunteers: COVID-19 Healthcare Access Information and COVID-19 Resource Spreadsheet – Durham, NC.

Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs has a resource list organized into the following categories: Basic Needs, Students & Parents, Business Support, Supporting Arts, Info Resources, Wellness, Donate and Volunteer.

DurhamCares put together a resource list and is updating it daily.

Durham Neighbor Help created a meta resource list of multiple COVID-19 resource lists for Durham County.

Durham’s Partnership for Children has a regularly updated Google Sheet of resources sorted into the following categories: Child Care; COVID-19 Information; Mental Health; Educational & Fun; Housing, Food, Diapers, Technology Needs, etc; Medical Care; Relief Funds; Childcare Providers ONLY.

El Centro Hispano has a listing of free resources to help the community available in English and Spanish.

Isla School Recursos gratis durante el coronavirus en Español.