THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE
Childcare/Family Resources
Call Childcare Connections: 845-331-7080
Parenting tips, activities and information on how to talk to your children about the Coronavirus. Click here.
We are living through a public health emergency that is creating a lot of fear and anxiety. Moms and moms-to-be need special support to cope and to have good mental health.
Call Childcare Connections: 845-331-7080
Effective Monday, March 23rd, beginning at 8 am, the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County will provide childcare for first responders, emergency personnel and essential workers who do not have the option to work from home.
Childcare Locations
Ellenville Elementary School – 28 Maple Avenue, Ellenville
Marbletown Elementary School – 12 Pine Bush Road, Stone Ridge
New Paltz (Lenape Elementary School) – 1 Eugene L Brown Drive, New Paltz
Kingston YMCA – 507 Broadway, Kingston (Pine Grove Entrance)
Hours: 8 am – 4 pm
Please pack a lunch plus two snacks and coat for outdoors.
Registration is required and offered online or call 845-338-3810 x112 or email janderson@ymcaulster.org
UNICEF: https://rb.gy/wnfhkp
National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Fact Sheet for Preschoolers through 18 years.
Spectrum will provide free internet access to students who currently don’t use its service. The company will install broadband and WiFi in new student households free of charge and provide access for 60 days. Contact Spectrum at 1-833-267-6094.
Non-profit Khan Academy, a free online learning resource offering lessons, exercises, and quizzes, has daily schedules for students ages 4 to 18 years to learn in an at-home setting during school closures. They also conduct daily livestreams on social media to help parents and educators best utilize the website’s tools and resources.
Residents of Ulster County may apply for one-time assistance for this program. Please complete this form if you are in need of essential non-food items like diapers and formula. We will do our best to help you with a one-time gift e-gift card for Walmart that you will receive by email. At this time we can only offer one gift e-card per household.
As a virtual family engagement and parenting curriculum provider, we at ParentPowered PBC feel both a privilege and a responsibility to support the early childhood education community during this difficult time. In response to COVID-19 school closures, the Ready4K Core program is now FREE to early childhood education providers through the end of the school year.
Usually, new parents can seek out social supports and external help—but what happens now, when we are all restricted in our movements and our contacts? What happens when grandparents can’t come over to help out, or when neighbors don’t stop by for a cup of coffee? What happens when families are hit with sudden job loss, loss of childcare, and other restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic? Click here are a few suggestions.
Dr. Stroud has provided this informational video for parents in order to support caregivers in managing the emotional responses and developmental needs of their children during this crisis. Dr. Stroud provides parents with information and skills to support their children’s emotional health, mental well being, and build necessary skills of resilience.
Food Support
A partnership of community groups formed to provide meals to families once Kingston City schools were closed, launched a food security hotline in conjunction with the City of Kingston. Anyone in need of food within the Kingston City School District can call (888) 316-0879 at any time to be entered into a growing database to receive prepared food or grocery delivery. The hotline is staffed by English and Spanish speakers, and will soon offer K’iche. Those interested in volunteering for the hotline and/or food delivery and preparation can sign up here.
For those in need of food support on the weekdays, People’s Place is offering the following services:
The Community Cafe will be open from 8:30 am to 1 pm offering take out Continental breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.
The Food Pantry will operate in a modified version at regular hours (10 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday and Wednesday evening from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)
The Bag Student Hunger Program which offers breakfast, lunch and snack items for school age children will begin on Monday, March 16 and run until school resumes. Distribution will follow the food pantry hours.
For more info. please call 845-338-4030 or visit the People’s Place Facebook Page
A resource list of food pantry sources and school meals for delivery.
Mental Health/Health
Continuous news coverage about the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is creating worry and anxiety for people across the globe. How can you be better prepared to cope with the crisis?
On today’s Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Beth Rush, a Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist, shares ideas for taking care of your mental health and finding comfort amidst the uncertainty.
Over 6000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time to provide free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314
To aid individuals and communities during this time, MHA has compiled a range of resources and information.
Click to see resources page
In response to the COVID-19 situation, the New York State Department of Health has announced a special enrollment period through May 15 for those still in need of health insurance. Call 1-855-355-5777 for more information.
The Institute for Family Health offers Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to patients with opioid dependence as a part of primary care. Behavioral Health treatment is also available within an integrated model. Services are currently being provided via telehealth (video and phone).
The Institute is accepting new patients. Anyone 18 years of age and older seeking to initiate MAT at the Institute for Family Health may reach out to our Kingston-based, bi-lingual MAT Care Coordinator, Julian Mercado, at 917-359-6479.
Hotline helps people talk through crisis situations & provides general support. 100% peer-run: people with their own lived experience with mental/behavioral health issues, recovery, & moving towards wellness. Confidential. 845-452-2728 x607
Comprehensive Substance Use Recovery Resource List– Updated Bi-Weekly. Compiled by: Ellenville Regional Hospital, Rural Health Network
COVID-19 has increased stress and anxiety for everybody, and people with pre-existing mental health concerns are particularly vulnerable.
As of Mon., March 23rd, a Virtual Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care is now available. Therapy, psychiatry, and peer support services will be available by phone and through telemedicine, 24/7 to adults and children, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. For help, call 888-750-2266, option 2.
Funds/Financial Support
Bartenders employed for not less than one year prior on a regular full- or part-time basis may apply for emergency funding through USBG National Charity Foundation.
The current COVID-19 crisis has been a game changer for small businesses. To ensure Business for All, Hello Alice with the support of Verizon, Silicon Valley Bank, Ebay, and others is offering $10,000 emergency grants, being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by this pandemic. If your business has been severely impacted by COVID-19, please complete the full COVID19 Business for All Grant application to apply for immediate support in the form of $10,000 grants.
The HealthWell Foundation is offering assistance through their COVID-19 Ancillary Fund.
If you or family member has a positive diagnosis, are a member of a high risk group, live where the virus is prevalent, have had a physician or health care provider recommend quarantine, or fall within 500% of the Federal Poverty Level, you qualify.
This fund will cover delivered food or medications, diagnostics, telehealth and transportation costs. Due to limited staffing, they are only using the hotline at this time at 800-675-8416.
COVID-19 Business Support Center
From corporate funds to government grants, we’ve compiled financing opportunities to help your business when funds are particularly tight.
Updated daily, with real-world funding, resources, and support for small business owners adapting to the impacts of coronavirus.
Freelancecoop.org is offering creative freelancers that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 virus the opportunity to apply for a grant through their fund. Freelancers can apply here:
https://freelancecoop.org/
Funding available also from Freelancers Union.
This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.
A micro-grant fund for library workers who have lost their job or had wages significantly reduced – or if a member of their household has. Apply to the HALO Fund for small personal grants of up to $250 for household and other expenses.
New York Foundation for the Arts often receives calls from artists requesting information on emergency grants to serve financial need or an emergency such as bereavement or illness. A page on their site is regularly updated with links to various sources for funding.
We’re providing cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more who need the money they aren’t getting to survive. To apply click here.
You may be eligible for additional leave under NYS Paid Family Leave and disability benefits. Click: https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/COVID19
Radio Kingston’s Community Fund is offering increased capacity to support Kingstonians during this time of great disruption. Residents within the Kingston City School District who are in need of financial assistance will be able to receive one-time financial support through the Community Fund, which is administered by Family of Woodstock, Inc. Apply via online form.
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. For more information, click here.
Apply on line via State Department of Labor
This fund drive will help the hourly, low-wage workers in our community who have been laid off, fired, or given reduced hours as a result of COVID-19. We do not make cash payments, but pay vendors (i.e. utility company, landlord, insurance company, phone company, etc.). A $750 cap applies. Call 845-331-4199 for information.
Relief Programs
Central Hudson is temporarily suspending service disconnections to lessen any hardship the COVID-19 pandemic may have on customers.
Filing deadline and payment due date have been extended to July 15, 2020.
On March 27, Congress passed a bill that will provide $1200 to every adult who filed a tax return in 2019 or 2018, and/or any adult who currently receives payments from the Social Security Administration (SS, SSI, or SSDI). In addition, a household will receive $500 for any child under the age of 16 who is claimed as a dependent. These payments will automatically be received via check or direct deposit, if bank information is on file with either the IRS or the SSA. These payments are estimated to be received by mid to late April, 2020.
If you have not yet filed a federal tax return, and earned less than $69,000, you should file as soon as possible on-line at https://www.irs.gov/filing/
To check on status of economic stimulus payment, click here.
The Governor announced that for a 90 day period, consumers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 may defer paying life insurance premiums. No late fees will be assessed and no negative data will be reported to credit bureaus during this time, and late payments will be payable over a one-year period.
For a 60 day period, consumers and small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance, including auto, homeowners, renters, workers comp, medical malpractice, livery and taxi. No late fees will be assessed and no negative data will be reported to credit bureaus during this time, and late payments will be payable over a one-year period.
Per Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order:
No evictions or foreclosures for at least 90 days. Courts are not accepting eviction or foreclosure filings until further notice.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. Click for more info
General Resources
Our free and confidential legal helpline (1-833-NEED-ABB (1-833-633-3222) can help you understand your workplace rights around caring for yourself and your family members. We assist workers nationwide facing various issues at work related to:
- sick leave;
- family and medical leave;
- pregnancy discrimination;
- accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions;
- discrimination based on being a parent or other caregiver;
- fair scheduling; and
- equal pay (including inquiries from potential employers about salary history)
Voters may request and vote via an absentee ballot for any election held on or before June 23, 2020 due to the potential to contract the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). To request an absentee ballot, voters may fill out an absentee ballot application and check “temporary illness or physical disability” as the reason they are requesting an absentee ballot. A voter may request an absentee ballot as follows:
- Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections.
- You may also download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form:
- Upon completion, applications must be mailed, emailed or faxed to your county board no later than the seventh day before the election or delivered in person no later than the day before the election.
- You may also request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must be received by your county board no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information:
- your name and date of birth
- the address where you are registered
- an address where the ballot is to be sent
- the reason for the request.
The letter may be sent via mail, email or fax.
485KB)There is now Amazon Prime Discount for EBT cardholders. If you are on Food Stamps, TANF or WIC and have an EBT card, you can now get Amazon Prime Membership for $5.99 a month. That’s over 50% off the regular price. For more information about Prime benefits and how to sign up, click here.
Artsy has put together a list of 10 university art classes you can take for free online.
AT&T has a new resource for how to avoid COVID scams and be safe online during the Pause when more people are online than ever before, including criminals. It is called CyberAware.
A series of events hosted by The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business discussing how to keep employees engaged, digital currencies in uncertain times, and embracing the uncertainty of the future. Attending the Zoom conversations is free of charge.
The most recent listing of businesses to be considered essential under the Federal government guidelines.
If you or someone you know needs help paying for food, paying bills, etc. due to the COVID-19 pandemic, go to http://FindHelp.org. It lists free and reduced-cost services in every city in America and highlights hundreds of programs.
A directory of 450 Ivy League courses available for free online, across a wide range of disciplines.
A 360-degree tours of historical landmarks, museums, and cultural institutions from around the world at your fingertips. Discover artworks, historical information, cultural treasures, and stories from all around the world in a new way, and easily share with your friends.
Explore virtual treks through Petra in Jordan, the Khumbu valleys at the base of Mt. Everest in Nepal, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt from the comfort of your home during quarantine.
In this time of great stress and challenge for our nonprofits, their staff, and the communities they serve, Nonprofit University is pleased to offer our spring workshops online and free to all. We realize this may be a difficult time for you, and we want you to know this resource remains available to you. To register for any of the workshops below, click here.
As LGBTQ+ health and community centers are shutting down nationwide, these virtual resource kits, phone hotlines, live streams, and webinars are vital for getting information and support.
Libraries are closed to support social distancing, the libraries offer a range of online resources from e-books and digital magazines to audiobooks, foreign language courses, and online classes in a wide rage of subjects from accounting to psychology to web development and even home-schooling. Click here for listing.
NYSCADV, provides training and technical assistance for local domestic violence programs across New York State, working with communities to change our culture into one that doesn’t condone violence, and advocating for policies to make sure that survivors across our state are provided the support they need to get safe and heal.
The National Domestic Workers Alliance offer a comprehensive page of resources for domestic workers who keep homes clean and safe, care for children and provide support for elders and people with disabilities. Their work as nannies, home care workers and housecleaners is critically important–and it puts them on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.
InformedImmigrant.com is dedicated to increasing access to resources and knowledge for the undocumented immigrant community across the U.S. We understand that these times are especially hard on immigrant communities dealing with the unique challenges of coronavirus and immigration status.
It is important for trans people to be prepared for obstacles if an outbreak happens in their communities. NCTE urges everyone to put together a plan of action that not only takes into account basic health needs, but also your specific needs as a trans person. Click here for more information.
List of grocery stores that offer dedicated senior shopping hours. Some stores also offer shopping hours for vulnerable populations in general – including pregnant mothers and immune compromised. Will update as information becomes available. Click Here.
Speak to your employer about this option. Half unemployment benefits and reduced work hours
Zufall Communications has compiled a list of tools and resources to assist companies with rapidly enabling their employees to work from home.
The County has established a COVID-19 Tenant Protection Unit for anyone who believes they are being treated unjustly by their landlord. They can call 340 – 3232 to register a complaint or go to the “Forms” section of the Ulster County COVID-19 website.
Facebook group promoting ALL of the members of the Small Business community in the Ulster County Region. A way to support local businesses who are modifying the way they operate and instituting digital options through this time.
Resilience in a Box is based on best practices and designed to educate newcomers on business resilience. Small businesses are both highly vulnerable and can be without adequate resources to focus on preparedness actions. These resources will guide companies toward addressing preparedness issues while building in flexibility to handle potential business interruptions.
INSIDER put together a list of 32 national parks you can explore from your couch, from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone, and on top of virtual hikes through 31 national parks .
Hudson valley based free resource called We’re Still Open HV that has restaurants as well as professional services that are still open! It has a super easy search function that allows you to search by category, town, county, or even keyword. All run by volunteers. Check it out!
