Community Resources

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Vaccines for 5-11-Year-Olds

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years of age has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This is the final approval needed in order to begin vaccinating this age group. We strongly encourage you to vaccinate your children to protect them, their fellow students, our school staff, and our wider communities. Children can get vaccinated at their doctor’s office, pharmacies, and vaccine sites across the city.

Here is a list of vaccination sites across the city.

Vaccine Education

The following resources provide information about the importance and safety of the COVID vaccine in children:

• Let’s Talk Health (Hablemos de Sauld) – The New Normal for Kids During COVID-19  
• What to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine and Young Kids
• Addressing Concerns about the COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID testing

As of January 18, any home in the United States can order up to four free COVID-19 tests from the government. Please visit https://www.covidtests.gov or the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) site to order the free tests.

Testing sites in your ZIP code (including mobile testing sites) can be found here.

Social And Emotional Learning Resources

• NYS Hotline: Free Emotional Support, Consultation, Referral to Provider: (844) 863-9314
• NYC Well Mobile Crisis call 1-888-NYC-WELL or TEXT WELL to 65173 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a free, confidential service for free information, help, and emotional support.
• NYS Office of Mental Health Resources
• Citizens Committee for Children of New York Covid-19 Resources

Ongoing individual and family therapy

• Headway Co

Resources specializing in providing support services to Black Americans

• Ayana Therapy

Grief, Loss, and Bereavement

• Jewish Board Loss & Bereavement Programs for Children and Teens
• Jewish Board General Bereavement Programs
  (or call 212-632.4692)

Child Emotional Wellness Resources for Parents

• Child Mind Institute – Parent Resources 
• Family Workshops (Roots ConnectED)
• Helping Children Cope with Change (English & Spanish)
• Mental Health Contacts in NYC
• Student Engagement and Motivation
• Supporting Students with Grief
• Talking to Children about Racism and Violence (WBUR)
• Talking to Kids About Race
• Tips for Parents and Teachers

Life After Covid

• Managing Post-Pandemic Anxiety

FOOD & NUTRITION

Additional Meal Resources

P-EBT Food Benefit

Through the P-EBT program, all families regardless of income will receive $375 per child in food benefits to help cover the costs of meals from last summer. The money will be automatically loaded on P-EBT cards that eligible families received in the mail in 2020 or 2021. (Please keep your cards after the money is used in case the program continues after this round of benefits.) The benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items in stores that accept them and are available for at least 274 days from the date they were issued. You can check the Connect EBT site to see if your summer benefit was deposited. To learn more about P-EBT benefits or to replace a missing card please the NYS SNAP COVID-19 Information Page.

If you have misplaced a P-EBT Food Benefit card issued to your child[ren), you may order a replacement card by calling 1-888-328-6399. If your child(ren) received P-EBT benefits on a Medicaid card and you need to order a replacement NYS Medicaid card or select a PIN, go to otda.ny.gov for more information.

Once you have set up a PIN to access your P-EBT food benefits, you can check your family’s P-EBT food benefits balance by visiting www.connectebt.com or by calling 1-888-328-6399.

Pandemic Food Distribution Program

The Pandemic Food Reserve Emergency Distribution Program (P-FRED) established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis responds to the increase in food insecurity that resulted from the pandemic. Currently, the P-FRED program distributes fresh and shelf-stable food to more than 400 COVID-response emergency feeding programs (“EFP”) that serve the public. Download a list of all P-FRED locations by borough

Emergency Food Supplies

• Food Bank for New York City – Find a food bank near you
• NYC Human Resources Administration Food Assistance Program
• The HopeLine for Free Diapers and Formula
• St. Charles Borromeo Food Pantry, 221 West 141st Street. Please call first to see if they are open at 212-281-2100

CHILDCARE

No-cost/Childcare Subsidy Options

• The Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Subsidy:  The Office of Children and Family Services is committed to providing assistance with child care costs to eligible families through the Child Care Subsidy Program. Child care subsidies can help parents/caretakers pay for some or all of the cost of child care services. In general, families are eligible for financial assistance if they meet the state’s low-income guidelines and need child care to work, look for work, or attend employment training. Information on Assistance with Childcare Costs at The Office of Children and Family Services  

Paid Childcare Options

• Care.Com (http://www.care.com/) is a national clearinghouse for private and center-based childcare.  They clearly state their vetting criteria and have an easy-to-navigate system.
• The Office of Children and Family Services. The OCFS Search Engine is easy to navigate and allows a search by zip code. 
  • Bronx Childcare Options
  • Brooklyn Childcare Options
  • Manhattan Childcare Options

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Funding available to cover past-due rent

• In early June, New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) updated the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) information on its website [nyc.gov]. This updated information can help guide your team through the necessary eligibility requirements and documentation required to help clients apply for rental relief funding.
• New York State also maintains a hotline [844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368)] and provides information on the OTDA website[nysrenthelp.otda.ny.gov].
• In New York City, The Legal Aid Society recently launched a special housing hotline to connect undocumented and mixed-status tenants with resources and funding available through programs including ERAP and FASTEN (Funds & Services for Tenants Experiencing Need): 212-298-3490.

Child Tax Credit

• The Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity (NYC Opportunity) has updated its ACCESS NYC tool [access.nyc.gov] to help families determine eligibility for the 2021 Child Tax Credit.
• Starting July 15, 2021, payments will automatically be made monthly from the IRS if families have filed taxes for tax year 2020 or tax year 2019. If families did not file, they can:
• File their 2020 tax return for free with NYC Free Tax Prep [nyc.gov] if they earned $68,000 or less, or
• [If they aren’t required to file a tax return] Use the Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool [irs.gov] to provide info to the IRS for advance cash payments.

Excluded Workers Fund

• We are awaiting further guidance from the State about the recently-passed “Excluded Workers Fund, [access.nyc.gov]” which will provide payment to workers with low income who suffered income loss due to COVID-19 who were not eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Economic Impact Payments (EIP) due to immigration status or other factors.

Other benefits

• NY State Comptroller Covid-19 Financial Survival Toolkit
• Candid.org list of emergency financial resources
• The Legal Aid Society maintains an Access to Benefits hotline (888-663-6880) and website [legalaidnyc.org] that includes information on:
  • Cash assistance
  • Rental relief (housing assistance)
  • Nutritional assistance (SNAP, WIC, P-SNAP)
  • Unemployment insurance (P-UI)
  • Health insurance / Medicaid
  • The City’s Department of Social Services / Human Resources Administration provides regular updates on its website.