Coronavirus

Community Resources During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

Where Can I Find Reliable Information on Coronavirus?

• COVID-19 Screening Tool
• Ohio Department of Health (ODH): coronavirus.ohio.gov
  • Statewide COVID-19 hotline for questions: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) from 9a.m.-8p.m.
  • Franklin County Public Health (FCPH): covid-19.myfcph.org, get update by texting ‘COVID19FC’ to 888-777
  • Columbus Public Health (CPH): columbus.gov/coronavirus, call (614) 645-1519
  • Find Your Local Health Department
• Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): coronavirus.gov (Fact Sheets in Multiple Languages)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Locations: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov
• “Myths vs. Facts” of the COVID-19 Vaccine
• Ohio Governor Press Conferences: OhioChannel.org
• WOSU Public Media Coverage on COVID-19: radio.wosu.org/term/coronavirus
• Information on Infants, Children and Teens Health
• How to notify your contacts if you’ve just been told you have COVID-19
• “Our Community vs. COVID 19” Video by Columbus, Ohio Black Physician Network

Food & Meal Resources

• LSS 211 Foodline: (614) 341-2282 or text “Food” to (614) 702-7772; for an online tool visit FreshTrak
• Mid-Ohio Food Bank Help & How to Get Food – find food pantries and help to sign up for food benefits. If you are ill, disabled, or otherwise cannot make it to a pantry yourself, all Mid-Ohio Foodbank partner agencies use a proxy process where you can send someone to pick up food for you (Letter of Proxy in English & Spanish).
• Free Mobile Produce Markets for 2021
• Ohio WIC Directory – provide breastfeeding support, infant formula, food for pregnant and postpartum women and children ages up to age 5 (click here for updated Ohio Authorized WIC Food List)
• Food Assistance (SNAP) – must meet eligibility requirement. Online shopping is available and including Amazon accepts SNAP EBT
• Pandemic EBT – Ohio children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school will soon receive money to buy food through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, call (866) 244-0071 or visit here
• Columbus Blessing Boxes Project – outdoor cabinets in public places that are stocked with non-perishable food items, basic toiletries, baby supplies, and more
• Children’s Hunger Alliance – passing out free meals to children at various sites in Columbus
• Columbus Food Not Bombs – offers fresh produce giveaways and free meals (no questions asked)
• LifeCare Alliance Meals-on-Wheels – for seniors and veterans
• Food Resource List from Columbus Public Health
• Additional Food Pantry List
• Veggie Van Online Market – order lower cost fresh produce with cash, credit/debit, EBT, or Produce Perks and pick up at one of the four locations in Columbus
• USDA National Hunger Hotline: call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) from Monday through Friday to find school meals site in your area
• Franklin County Community Pet Pantry

Housing, Utility, Internet & Shelter Resources

• Eviction Prevention Resources in Columbus/Franklin County
• Warming Center Locations for Winter 2020/2021
• Columbus Homeless Hotline: (614) 274-7000
  • For victims of domestic violence: (614) 224-4663
  • For youth: (614) 294-5553
  • List of shelters
• AEP Ohio Suspension of Disconnects & Payment Hardship Plan – call (800) 672-2231
• Public Utilities Commission of Ohio – call (800) 686-7826 or visit online at Puco.Ohio.Gov
• PRC Plus Rental Assistance Program
• Impact CA Emergency Assistance Program
• Affordable Housing Alliance Resource Links
• Financial Advice from Homeport – call (614) 545-4895 to schedule a telephone consultation
• Guide to Coronavirus Mortgage Relief Options
• Additional Help with Utilities
• Free & reduced-cost internet service and/or computers for income-eligible families:
  • PCs for People
  • EveryoneOn
  • human-I-T
  • Additional list of free and low-cost internet plans
• List of organizations providing free & reduced-cost mobile/cell phones with wireless service

Employment & Financial Help

Individuals & Families

• jfs.ohio.gov/covid19local – FAQs about unemployment benefits
• Unemployment.Ohio.Gov – or call (877) 644-6562 or (614) 387-8408 TTY to sign up for unemployment
• Right to Recover – Financial Assistance Program at Columbus Urban League
• Free Income Tax Filing Services in Columbus/Franklin County
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program will provide benefits for many individuals ineligible for state unemployment benefits, including self-employed workers and 1099 tax filers
• Ohio Benefits (Cash Assistance) – must meet eligibility requirement
• Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services (FCDJFS): Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) Program – provide short-term financial assistance for families struggling with a specific crisis situation
• Financial assistance for veterans and active-duty member of the armed forces from Franklin County Veterans Service Commission
• Guide to Financial Literacy & Education Resources
• Protecting Your Finances During the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Franklin County Skill Boost helps individuals recently affected by employment shutdown due to the COVID-19 Crisis and are experiencing financial challenges
• List of Online Job Searches

Small Businesses & Nonprofits

• Columbus-Franklin County COVID-19 Small Business Response and Recovery Fund
• Franklin County Food Business Portal
• COVID-19 Small Business Resource Guide
• U.S Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance – for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program will provide benefits for many individuals ineligible for state unemployment benefits, including self-employed workers and 1099 tax filers
• Coronavrus Emergency Loans – a guide and checklist prepared by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Get CBUS Online – a pro bono digital agency helping local businesses launch online sites to sell to customers during the COVID-19 crisis
• United Way of Central Ohio Community Response Fund – for nonprofits seeking assistance
• Columbus Foundation Emergency Response Fund – for nonprofits seeking assistance
• List of Ohio Banks Customer Assistance Programs During COVID-19
• Additional economic resource list from Columbus Chambers
  
• Call (800) 848-1300 or email BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.gov

Mental Health & Coping Support for Kids & Parents/Caregivers

• COVID CareLine: (800) 720-9616 from 8a.m. to 8p.m., 7 days/week
• Crisis Numbers – Disaster Distress hotline and hotlines for people in crisis (including Spanish hotlines)
• P.E.E.R. Center Warm Line: (614) 358-TALK (8255) from 10p.m. – 2a.m. for peer support
• St. Vincent Family Center’s Warm Line: (614) 358-6400 from 9a.m. – 9p.m. Monday-Friday; free, no-commitment emotional support from a caring professional. Supportive for families and individuals experiencing emotional stress during this challenging time.
• Find Local Mental Health Support
• Behavioral Health Resources – provided by Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• Mental Health & COVID-19 Information & Resources – provided by Mental Health America
• Managing COVID-19 Related Stress
• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Taking Care of Your Family During Coronavirus
• Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
• Talking to Children about COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource – offered in multiple languages
• Talking to Kids with Learning Differences about Coronavirus
• NPR 3-Minute Talk & Comic for Kids about Coronavirus
• Setting a New Routine
• Free Resources to Support Emotional Wellness & Stay Calm
• Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19
• Virtual Recovery Resources – including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.

General Community Resources

Community Resources

• Coordinated Referral Service Organizations
  • LSS 211 Central Ohio (formally known as HandsOn Central Ohio): call 2-1-1
  • Franklin County Public Health Free Care Coordination Program – call (614) 525-4892 or complete a form and a Community Health Worker will help connect residents to medical and social services throughout Franklin County
  • Columbus Public Health Social Work Free Help Line – call (614) 645-6807 and staff will linking you to resources, health assessments, and screenings available
  • YMCA Stable Families – call (614) 636-3208 to match with a service coordinator to get help in increasing household income, obtaining/maintaining safe and stable housing, and increasing the academic achievement of school-aged children
  • Serving Our Neighbors (SON) Ministries – call (614) 586-7939 to help get connected to resources for Hilliard families
  • Central Community House – call (614) 252-3157 to get help with locating services and resources (like food, clothing, transportation, utility help, health care, eviction prevention and more)
  • HilltopUSA.org/Franklinton.org: (614) 636-3644
  • Central Ohio Community Resources for Seniors – created by Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging; call (866) 243-5678 to be connected to the area agency on aging serving your community

• Community Resources & Emergency Relief List – from City of Columbus
• Resource List from Columbus Public Health – includes food resources, COVID testing sites and more
• Partners for Kids offers a variety of resources to help practices stay atop of best practices through prescribing guidelines, publications and insurance information
• Neighborhood Bridges – can request support or give support; offered in a few Franklin County suburbs
• Franklin County Board of Commissioner Coronavirus Resource Updates – health, child support, dog shelter and adoption center, municipal court and more
• Vineyard Columbus – offering supportive services
• Central Ohio COVID-19 Resource Hub – created by MORPC
• Veritas Community Church (Short North) – providing supportive services for those living in the Milo Grogan (43201) area; visit the website or text ‘covid’ to (614) 427-3723 for help
• Franklin County Municipal COVID-19 Response Websites
• Resources outside of Franklin County (in Athens, Muskingum, Ross and Scioto County, and other southeastern counties)
• Domestic Violence Reporting & Helplines

Pregnancy, New Baby & Child Care

• Coronavirus Information on Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Infant Health (from CDC)
• Ohio WIC Directory – they provide breastfeeding support, infant formula, food for pregnant and postpartum women and children ages up to age 5
• ODJFS-approved Centers for Pandemic Child Care – need help connecting with a provider, call (614) 224-0222, ext. 299
• Breastfeeding support resources
• Baby supplies and clothing resources
• Fussy Baby Network for Support
• For more “new baby” resources check out the Pregnancy and New Baby category!

Transportation

• COTA Service Updates – **COTA will return to fares beginning January 11, 2021
• Transportation Resources by County
• Additional transportation resources

Health Care

• Ohio Benefits (Medicaid) – must meet eligibility requirements to get healthcare coverage
  • Questions about Ohio Medicaid (health insurance) for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens
  • Assistance for lost insurance coverage
• Free & Low-Cost Health Care Clinics
• Prescription Help
• Good Rx (medication prices, pharmacy locator)
• Prescription Delivery
• Filling Prescription Medicines During COVID-19 Outbreak – early refills and home deliveries

Legal Help

• The Legal Aid Society of Columbus – legal updates and community resources
• Ohio Legal Help – a nonprofit organization providing plain language legal help information
• Franklin County Municipal Court Self Help Resource Center
  • Franklin County Municipal Court Operations
• Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (Athens, Chillicothe, Newark, New Philadelphia, Portsmouth, Steubenville) – for immediate help, call (833) 288-2936

Supportive Services for Immigrants, New Americans & Ethnic Minorities

• Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS)
• Ohio Hispanic Coalition – assist Spanish-speaking, Latino community members apply for Medicaid, SNAP, Unemployment Compensation, and translate and communicating the Ohio Governor’s daily press conferences in Spanish through a daily Facebook live conference on their Facebook page
• Ohio Latino Affairs Commission
• CBUS Village – translated resources and information in languages like Arabic, Nepali, Spanish, Somali and French
  • Videos in multiple languages that explains COVID-19
• For more resources for African and Asian immigrants, Hispanic/Latino individuals or other folks check out the various resources on our website!

Resources for Children with a Disability or Chronic Health Condition

• COVID-19 Preparations To Do for Medically Complex Families
• Information for Youth with ADHD
• Information for Youth with Autism
• Information for Youth with Asthma
• Educational Resources from State Support Team 11
• Disability Rights Ohio (Legal Help)
• Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) Resources & Support

Fun & Safe Activities for Families

• Indoor & Outdoor Family Activities to Try During Closures
• List of MetroParks, Central Ohio Trails, Ohio State Parks & Ohio Trails
• Neighborhood Walking Maps – categorized by place and zip code
• Individual & Family Activities to Do in the House
• COSI Connects – fun at-home science
• YMCA Workout at Home
• Ideas for Stay Active at Home for Youth Athletes
• For more ideas and events check out our Fun & Free page!

Ways to Help

• Ways to Help in Columbus During a Crisis
• Neighborhood Bridges – can request support or give support; offered in a few Franklin County suburbs
• Support local artists
• Email together@governor.ohio.gov if you have ways you can help
• For more ways to volunteer as a family visit our Volunteer page!

Education Resources

• LearningOhio – Supplemental learning support for students with disabilities
• Back-to-School Mental Health Guide from Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• Free Homework Help – Learning Extension Centers, Columbus Metropolitan Library, SchoolHouse.World, AskRose, Socratic by Google, Photomath, & Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families
• Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library – delivers free books to children from birth to age 5
• How to Reduce the Stress of Schooling at Home
• Distance Learning: 8 Tips to Help Your Child Learn at Home
• Resources for Youth with Autism
• List of Central Ohio Public Libraries – find audiobooks, talking picture books, online storytime, digital magazines & reading resources and more from your local library
• PreK-12 Resources for Learning at Home
• Educational Resources from State Support Team 11
• Remote Learning Resource Guide – from Ohio Department of Education
• Amazing Educational Resources Public Resource Group Chat
• Social-Emotional Learning Printables for Families
• Science Videos from The Rising Youth

For Healthcare Providers

• Well-Being Resources for Ohio Physicians – offerings include free drop-in COVID-19 Physician Peer Support Sessions via Zoom
• Text FRONTLINE for free crisis counseling through For the Frontlines/Crisis Text Line 2020
• Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel During Coronavirus

Cloth Face Coverings (Masks)

• Homemade Cloth Face Coverings
• Sew Mask Templates
• Mask Safety 101: Why You Shouldn’t Mask a Baby

Who Can Get Tested for Coronavirus?

Call your doctor to determine if you or your child meet the criteria for testing. Travel history, symptoms and exposures are the most important criteria. The guidelines are changing frequently. Call before going in to seek care, so the healthcare provider’s office can take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. If you are planning on going to the emergency room, please call before arriving. If it’s an emergency, call 911.