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COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS

Your health and safety is HOW’s top priority in the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are paying close attention to the developing conditions and adjusting the way we work to reduce risk while continuing to meet your needs.  
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Please note, our offices at 1607 W. Howard St. and 400 W 76th Street (Ste. 360) will be officially closed until further notice. Unless you have a confirmed appointment, please do not come to our offices, as the majority of HOW staff will be working remotely.  
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Tenants, please contact your Housing Specialist with any questions regarding building maintenance, additional protocols and/or safety measures.

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Resources

Check here for updated information regarding available services and resources. 

Childcare Resources

  • This search is for emergency childcare based on zip code, county, child's age, special needs, language, and other criteria. 

  • Note: these services are only for those deemed essential workers, defined here.  

  • Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies hotline: (888) 228-1146 

  •  A dedicated help line to connect essential worker families to emergency child-care.  

  • Available from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Monday through Friday to answer calls, but callers can leave a message 24 hours a day. 

  • For residents in Cook County, Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) has launched a temporary text messaging service to answer Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) questions during IAFC's office closure.  

  • Text: 312-736-7390 Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.  

  • Priority will be given to first responders, health care workers, and essential workers to help them find and pay for childcare. 

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Child Educational Resources

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Food and Supplies

  • Greater Chicago Food Depository provides a page with many helpful resources including an interactive map view of food pantries, soup kitchens and mobile food distribution, as well as a link to CPS website for more information on school meals. 

  • Their Benefits Outreach team helps people in Cook County with SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and other public benefits programs. 

  • For seniors, for Home-Delivered Meals,  

  • Email SeniorMeals@CityofChicago.org  

  • Call 312-744-4016, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday (Press 0 or remain on the line to speak to a senior service specialist) 

  • Call 311 

  • South Side weekly has a South Side community resource list in English and Spanish. 

  • Includes resources for kids, food, free and income-based clinics, pharmacies that deliver, and much more 

  • Some places have specific senior shopping hours 

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Additional Food Resources:

  • CPS - All schools will provide meals to all students in need, Chicago Food Bank , Beyond Hunger, Lakeview Pantry, Irving Park Community Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen at KINS, 

  • WIC Resources

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Mental Health Resources

  • CDC - managing stress and anxiety  

  • Chicago specific mental health resources 

  • Illinois' Call4Calm: Illinois residents wanting to speak to a mental health care professional can text the word “TALK” or "HABLAR"  to 552020.

    • ​Residents can also text keywords like “unemployment,” “food,” or “shelter,” to seek help and guidance on other critical issues.

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness of Chicago has the following free mental health resources available to all Chicago residents: 

  • Connect to a NAMI Chicago Helpline mental health counselor by calling 311 or directly at 833-626-4244 

  • Connect to Bright Star Community Outreach's trauma counseling helpline at 833-TURN-123 

  • Connect to free teletherapy services at Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Centers by calling 312-747-1020. 

  • For after-hours support, contact Crisis Text Line which serves anyone, in any type of crisis, 24-hours a day. Instructions: Text HELLO to: 741741 to access a trained crisis counselor. 

    • Tips on Managing Anxiety about COVID-19 

    • Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 

    • Guidance for Parents in Talking to Children about COVID-19 

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Additional Resources

  • Senior Response Package

  • How to make a face mask at home

  • WIC Resources

  • SNAP Benefits: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has temporarily suspended work requirements for SNAP benefits starting April 1st. Learn more here. ​​

  • Government phone recipients should see an increase to data and minutes

    • Safelink: Unlimited minutes

      • 5 GB of Free Date--in addition to current allotment (Through 4.28.2020; Applied Automatically) 

    • Assurance: Unlimited Minutes

      • 6 GB of Free Data--in addtion to current allotment (Applied automatically one time only through 5.20.2020)

    • Access: Unlimited Minuted

      • Extra Data (Unspecified Amount

        • (Applied Automatically through 6.21.2020)

  • COVID-19 Information

    • Illinois Department of Public Health

    • Center for Disease Control and Prevention

    • City of Chicago

Step 1: 

Contact Your Case Manager

Step 2:

Enact Preventative Measures and Comply with State Orders

Step 3:

Obtain necessary medications & supplies

Try to obtain a 30-90 day supply of essential medicines and refill any prescriptions you have.

  • Many prescriptions services and healthcare providers are offering free early refills on prescriptions and free delivery.

​If possible, have extras of essential household items (e.g. diapers, laundry detergent, etc.) and food staples on hand.

Step 4: Develop Contingency Plans 

With CPS closed, many people are struggling to find child care for their children.

  • HOW's Youth Team stands ready to help families with resources and ways to ensure their children stay on track academically. Email the Youth team by clicking here or call 773-609-0337.

  • Have a support system in place for elderly family members.

We are asking that all HOW clients take the following steps below:

Stay connected to your Case Manager. Your Case Manager can help you make plans and access resources.  Be sure to be in frequent contact by email or phone.  

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