Family Resources During COVID-19
Dear Family,
It's more important than ever to provide families in our community with information, resources and facts to help you navigate important matters during uncertainty. As we work together to increase vaccines in specific age groups and to achieve immunity in our community, we are responding by providing you virtual resources to stay connected to the information you can use if and when you need it.
More than ever before, parents and caregivers need to take care of themselves and take care of family members. From childcare to food assistance to mental health support, the information in the pages below will direct you to those services.
Together, we will be an even stronger community in the days and weeks ahead. For now, we hope this information will help you through the decisions you may be facing today.CLICK ON THE + BELOW for topics and resources. SEND YOUR QUESTION in the comment box below to receive answers as soon as possible. Answers will be researched and published here. |
Talk to your provider about why the COVID-19 vaccine might be right for you and your baby.
We’ve compiled local and regional information and resources from Jacksonville’s health care leaders to help women who are pregnant or may become pregnant make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. After you’ve read the studies, testimonials and information, talk to your provider about protecting you and your baby during pregnancy.
Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition https://amp.jacksonville.com/amp/5759236001 https://nefhealthystart.org/covid-19-pregnancy/
Baptist Health Jax https://www.baptistjax.com/juice/stories/covid-19/video-covid-vaccine-while-expecting?juiceCategories=/juice/stories/ear-nose-throat
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Society of Maternal / Fetal Medicine: https://www.acog.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy-conversation-guide-for-clinicians https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.smfm.org/media/2726/WHO_Response.pdf
UF Health Jacksonville: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9AsYYGCE1k https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/duval-county/pregnant-health-care-worker-uf-health-jacksonville-receives-covid-19-vaccine/CWQ5WV5NABGDTI5C4BSBFR3TJI/
Mayo Clinic: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-studies-show-about-pregnancy-covid-19-vaccines/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFJk2jg5R2w
Memorial Hospital Jacksonville: https://memorialhospitaljax.com/covid-19/covid-19-and-pregnancy/
Healthy Children https://healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html
American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/09/20/pfizer-covid-vaccine-children-092021
Duval County Vaccine and Testing Sites http://duval.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/infectious-disease-services/COVID-19/index.html
COVID 19 in Babies and Children https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-in-babies-and-children/art-20484405
What Parents Need to Know about COVID-19 Vaccine for Children https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid19-vaccine-what-parents-need-to-know
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
Duval County Vaccine and Testing Sites http://duval.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/infectious-disease-services/COVID-19/index.html'
COVID-19 Testing for Children by Department of Health-Duval
There is a gap in knowledge in the community regarding testing for pediatric clients. Please help by sharing this information. This email provides information on Department of Health (DOH) as well as City of Jacksonville COVID-19 testing sites. Each site provides testing for the pediatric population. Parents can make an appointment with DOH by calling 904-253-1850 or they can utilize the walk up testing sites listed below. There is rarely a wait with walk up testing. Updates to the schedule are provided on our website (http://duval.floridahealth.gov/) and through the city's website at coj.net. In addition, DOH offers in-home COVID testing for those that are home-bound. Parents should call the aforementioned number and make an appointment for such services.
DOH Testing Sites- Scheduled tests can be done by calling 253-1850. Testing done at Central Health Plaza
-
- Oral swabs
- Serology testing available
- Walk-up testing at Central Health Plaza
-
- Monday – Friday 9:00a – 3:00p
- Oral swabs
- Those that are disabled can remain in their car
- Mobile Unit
-
- 7/20 – 7/31 at River City Walmart on the northside 9:00a – 3:00p
- Will announce sites as they come available
- Oral swabs
COVID Pediatric Testing Sites in Jacksonville
Below are the City contracted COVID testing sites that opened on Monday, July 20, 2020 from 11am to 7pm for the next 6 months. Logistics Health will be able to test 192/day and be operational Monday through Friday each week.
- Oceanway Senior Center
12215 Sago Ave. W
Jacksonville, Florida 32218 - Lane Wiley Senior Center
6710 Wiley Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32210 - Leroy D. Clemons Senior Center
55 N. Jackson Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32229
Thank you,
Pauline J. Rolle, MD, MPH, CPH
Interim Health Officer
Medical Executive Director
DOH-Duval
According to our partner, Wolfson Children’s Hospital which has outlined information and guidelines at https://www.wolfsonchildrens.com/covid19 , parents and other caregivers should be extra vigilant about monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If your child demonstrates these symptoms, call your child’s health care provider for guidance about screening and treatment.
As always, if your child is severely ill or is having another medical emergency, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.
Other things to remember:
- Continue your child’s current medical treatment plan unless otherwise advised by his or her primary treating physician.
- Make sure your child’s prescriptions are refilled so you have at least a two-week supply of medication on hand.
- If you’re unsure whether your appointment has been affected by COVID-19, please contact your provider.
- Follow CDC recommendations concerning travel, including avoiding cruise ships and air travel.
- Practice social distancing, which means remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
- Ensure you have sufficient stock of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, medical supplies, household items and groceries for the whole family.
You can prepare to handle suspected cases in your patient population in the same way you prepare for other respiratory infection outbreaks, such as influenza or RSV. The same principles apply:
- Keep children out of the health care system if it’s not necessary
- Use telemedicine and other non-direct care, when appropriate
- Review infection-control measures, including asking patients with symptoms to call ahead so they can be evaluation in isolation from other patients
- Visual alerts to inform staff of symptoms upon registration and reminders about respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. Collaborate with hospitals and health systems on local response and to prepare for surges
- Check with local and state health departments for information on specific local and state responses
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html Update Guidance on Evaluating and Testing Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00429.asp Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html |
| American Academy of Pediatrics | Critical Updates on COVID-19 https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/ COIV-19 Pandemic – Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9krOSPYrgH8 |
| Florida Department of Health | https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/ For Healthcare Providers https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/health-care-providers/ Duval County http://duval.floridahealth.gov/ St. Johns County http://stjohns.floridahealth.gov/ Clay County http://clay.floridahealth.gov/ Nassau County http://nassau.floridahealth.gov/ Baker County http://baker.floridahealth.gov/ |
| Wolfson Children’s Hospital | COVID-19 and Children https://www.wolfsonchildrens.com/covid19 |
RESOURCES
County by County Resources and Information
City of Jacksonville/Duval County Extensive Information and Resources for Residents
https://www.coj.net/recoveryresources
Nassau County:
Duval County:
https://www.sahma.org/rc_files/105/duvalcountyfl.pdf
Clay County:
STATEWIDE RESOURCESStatewide information, links and resources from mental health services to housing and education. (attached COVID19 Resources ME List)
Childcare:EMERGENCY CHILDCARE SERVICES: call the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County at (904) 208-2040 Or you can visit their website here.
YMCA: is providing limited options for first responders' childcare and
SCHOOL'S OUT CAMP, with very limited seating, for healthy children at Dye Clay Family YMCA, Barco Newton YMCA, Ponte Vedra YMCA, duPont YMCA Youth Development Campus, YMCA Yulee Kids Campus, Flagler Center YMCA, YMCA at Flagler Health+ Village. Go to FCYMCA.org
Food:
Florida SNAP recipients are able to purchase groceries online through Walmart and Amazon with an EBT card effective April 21, 2020. For more details: https://www.myflfamilies.com/newsroom/pressreleases/2020/20200414-USDA%20Approves%20Florida%E2%80%99s%20Request.shtml Duval County Public Schools has free, "Grab and Go" lunches and snacks at all DCPS schools from 11 am until 1 pm, Monday through Friday. You must have a child present in order to be given a lunch, but you do not have to go to your child's specific school.
Feeding Northeast Florida is providing "Family Meal Kits" that contain shelf-stable food items, produce, and meat when available. Click here to see the full list of participating agencies.
FoodFinder is a national website that shows low-income families when and where to get free food from their closest pantry. There is also a mobile app, search for "Food Finder- Fighting Hunger."Text FLKIDSMEALS to 211-211 to find the closest participating Summer BreakSpot location with free meals available. Residents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with a live operator for additional information.
Internet:
Comcast is offering short-term free internet access for families that qualify. Find more details here.
Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
Mental Health: Florida Blue and New Directions Behavioral Health offer a hotline to help with anxiety over the uncertainty and stress of COVID-19. Specially trained behavioral health counselors will answer the phone 24-7 and offer assistance in both English and Spanish by calling 833-848-1762.
Full Service Schools will continue to provide mental health therapists to DCPS students. Students should contact their school/therapist who are available via Telehealth.
Get support regarding your anxiety or stress by speaking to a trained counselor at SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or by texting TalkWithUS 66746.
Electric/Water:
JEA will not disconnect service for customers unable to pay their bills during the COVID-19 situation. You should not have your power or water cut off for failure to pay. Click here for payment arrangements and payment extensions.
Struggling Small Business Owners:
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program is currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19 click here.
US Small Business Disaster Loan Assistance program, small business owners in Florida and Georgia, as well as many other states, are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to apply.
Unemployment: Click here to file an unemployment claim online. or call 1-800-204-2418 to file a claim by phone. .
Check your bank account — CARES Act economic impact payments are now being deposited. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/check-your-balance-coronavirus-stimulus-money-starts-flow-bank-accounts-n1182001
Free public benefits application assistance for Medicaid, SNAP, TCA.
Call 904-202-5001 to get help with the application.
Download Public Benefits Application Assistance info
Health Justice Strategies To Combat COVID-19: Protecting Vulnerable Communities During A Pandemic
https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200319.757883/full/
This article emphasizes health justice, laws and policies, that should be enacted to protect vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Talking About Coronavirus: Centering Inclusion Language Around Inclusion, Power and Justice
This article provides communication strategies to advocate for vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anti-Stigma Social Media Tool-Kit Campaign
This site includes anti-stigma materials to use on social media to reduce racial stigma and discrimination.
Countering COVID-19 Stigma and Racism Tips for Parents and Caregivers
This resource provides concrete tips for parents and caregivers to use with children in combating COVID-19 stereotypes, stigma and racism.
Five Things to Know about Coronavirus and People with Disabilities
This article increases cultural awareness towards people living with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
National Public Radio – When Xenophobia Spreads Like a Virus
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, harassment has been intense towards Asian-Americans regardless of age, location, or ethnicity. This segment highlights the lived experiences of Asian-Americans since the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/02/811363404/when-xenophobia-spreads-like-a-virus
Long Standing Racial and Income Disparities Seen Creeping into COVID-19 Care
Government Urged to Release, Race Ethnicity Data on COVID
Letter to Secretary Azar from Policy Makers and Doctors on COVID and Collection of Demographic Data
We’re flying blind: African Americans may be bearing the brunt of COVID-19 but access to data is limited
Black America Must Wake Up to this Viral Threat
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/06/opinions/african-americans-covid-19-risk-jones/index.html
Greater Good Science Podcasts
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/item/staying_close_connection_while_self_distancing
Asian-Americans Leaders Condemn COVID-19 Racism
This article emphasizes the importance of avoiding racism towards Asian-Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/asian-american-leaders-condemn-covid-19-racism
U.S. Schools Trying to Teach Online Highlight the Digital Divide
This article addresses equity issues related to the digital divide across various socioeconomic strata.
UCLA Professor Explains Racism’s Role in the Coronavirus Crisis
This PBS video segment and transcript is led by Professor Gee, UCLA Professor, discussing the history of racism and public health and the danger in stigmatizing racial groups.
Faith-Based Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/index.html
SAMHSA Faith-Based Leaders and Spiritual Leaders
https://www.samhsa.gov/dbhis-collections/faith-based
Faith Leaders and Self-Care (Duke University Faith and Leadership series)
https://faithandleadership.com/self-care-not-self-ish
s-to-internet