Given the quickly evolving nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, OCA has created a list of helpful resources for individuals and families in need during this crisis. We will continue to update this page as the information changes and more resources will be added as we gather them. This page was last updated on 4/13/2020.
For the most up-to-date, reliable information on the state and federal response, please visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO (World Health Organization), and State of Connecticut websites.
Homeowners and Renters:
- The Connecticut Department of Housing has waived its policy of waiting 30 days to implement an income change for the rental assistance program and federal section 8 vouchers. For the next 90 days, families already participating in the programs will have immediate adjustments for rental payment. DOH has also increased its rapid exit and rapid rehousing funding by $735,000 to assist individuals and families leave shelters and find permanent housing. (Hartford Courant, March 24, 2020)
- Consistent with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's recently enacted 60-day moratorium on foreclosures and evictions.
- CT Coalition to End Homelessness Resource Guide
- Fair Housing Protections and the COVID-19 (CT Fair Housing Center)
- Hartford Courant Coronavirus Resources (Food, Housing, Legal Aid, etc.)
Food:
- Grocery Delivery Service: Try Instacart.com
- Hartford Student Meals Pick-Up Locations
- West Hartford Student Meals Pick-Up Locations
- East Hartford Student Meals Pick-Up Locations
- Bridgeport Student Meals Pick-Up Locations
- New Haven Student Meals Pick-Up Locations
- Here is a full list of food resources for students and adults
- St. Francis Hospital: Joan C. Dauber Food Bank (Hours/days of operation for the next two weeks: Monday and Wednesday 7:30am-1:00pm.)
- Hartford Courant Coronavirus Resources (Food, Housing, Legal Aid, etc.)
Education:
- Amazing Educational Resources list
- Remote learning resources
- School Choice Week’s approved resources
- Anti-Oppressive/Anti-Racist Home School Options During Quarantine
- 150+ Educational Shows on Netflix
- 150+ Enrichment Activities for Children While Parents are Working Remotely
- Virtual Field Trips
Housing Segregation Lesson Plans for teachers:
- Toolkit for "Segregation by Design”
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
- How Red Lines Built White Wealth: A Lesson on Housing Segregation in the 20th Century
- Just an Environment or a Just Environment?
Racial Segregation and Its Impacts
Free Conferencing Tools:
- Google and Microsoft are offering their conferencing tools free-of-charge for a limited time.
- GoToMeeting is also offering their remote work tools free for three months.
- Webinar from Slack on working remotely
- Zoom video conferencing
- Nonprofit Resources for Remote Work During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Free educational tools for K-12 and higher education
Health and Human Services
- For general information and updates concerning COVID-19 check out trusted sources of information on the CDC website.
- Anyone uninsured should contact AccessHealthCT.com. There is a special enrollment period (March 19th to April 2nd)
- Testing sites require a doctor’s referral for the COVID-19 test. Here is a list of testing locations throughout the state.
- The Health Department will continue to accept in-person applications for food licenses and permitting, Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 2 PM.
- Food inspectors will continue normal inspection, until further notice.
- Relocation Services will be by appointment only. Please call 860-757-4717.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services will be provided remotely.
- Clinic services: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 AM to 2 PM (last client will be taken at 1:45 PM).
Small Businesses
- Small business Disaster Relief (SBA.gov/disaster | 1-800-659- 2955)
- Small businesses are eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Utilities
Healthcare and First Responders Dedicated Support
- For healthcare and first responders who are not able to find trusted family or friends for child care please call the 2-1-1 dedicated number 860.756.0864 for support.
Personal and Business Taxes