COVID-19 Resources for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Food Benefits

Answers to many commonly asked questions about the P-EBT food benefits for New York State residents:

What are P-EBT food benefits? The Continuing Appropriations Act of 2021 and Other Extensions Act reauthorized the payment of P-EBT food benefits to households with children who would have received free school lunches under the National School Lunch Act, if not for a reduction in in-person learning due to the pandemic. These temporary food benefits are being provided to help cover the cost of meals children would have otherwise received at school during the 2020-21 academic year.

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Updated Health and Safety Guidance

As you prepare for the first day of school, we hope your first stop will be the DOE’s website for school year 2021–22: schools.nyc.gov/homecoming. There you will find the most up-to-date information on how we’re working to keep students and staff healthy and safe this school year.

In addition, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Porter have released the DOE Homecoming 2021 Health and Safety Guide. The guide includes updates about vaccination, health screenings, quarantine protocols, and other important information. It is available in multiple languages on the School Year 2021-22 page.

Health Screening Questionnaire

ALL DOE employees, visitors, and families must complete a health screening before entering DOE facilities. This health screening must be completed on each day of arrival. This health screening can also be completed online at: https://healthscreening.schools.nyc. Upon entering the facility, if you have not completed the online health you will be asked to provide responses to the questions below.

Support for Parents at home

Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus (WEBSITE)
Fear of Coronavirus - A Good Time to Talk to Kids About Keeping Fears Realistic and Manageable (WEBSITE)
How Do You Talk to Children About Coronavirus? Stay Honest and Simple to Avoid Anxiet (WEBSITE)
How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus (and Ease Their Fears) (WEBSITE)
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus | Child Mind Institute (WEBSITE)
Brain POP en español - Todo sobre Corona Virus: (WEBSITE)
School Mental Health Resource & Training (WEBSITE)
New York State Office of Mental Health (WEBSITE)

Food resources

Food Banks/Soup Kitchen by Borough (WEBSITE)
WCK distributing meals in The Bronx, Queens, Harlem, Brooklyn & New Jersey (WEBSITE)
One Week of Free Groceries: Distribution of free food, available to any New Yorker who needs it: (WEBSITE)

Grab and Go Meals for All New Yorkers: To find a location, text “NYCFOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 or visit (WEBSITE)

SNAP: (WEBSITE)
Information about school meals and remote learning: (WEBSITE)
The Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center has partnered with Share Meals, Hunger Free America, BetaNYC and Plentiful to compile the most current and accurate data for these resource guides which are continually updated. Guides can be found here: (WEBSITE)
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Food Benefits for All NYC Public School Students (WEBSITE)
Food Assistance Resource Finder (WEBSITE)
Buscador de Recursos de Asistencia Alimentaria (WEBSITE)
NYC Food Delivery Assistance: If you cannot leave your home to get food, do not have anyone who can bring you food, and you are not able to use private delivery options, you may be eligible to get meals delivered directly to your home. Go to NYC.gov/GetFood or call 311 and say “Get Food” for information.

More resources

Virtual Grief Groups

Virtual COVID Grief Group
Calvary Hospital
Call 646-739-1005 for intake

WEBSITE

Virtual COVID Bereavement Group
Good Shepherd Hospice
5/20 – 6/24 6:00-7:30pm
Registration Required
Contact: Jennifer Herzog 631-828-7636

WEBSITE

Health Resources

Community HealthCare Network
90-04 Sutphin Blvd.
Sliding scale payment & $20 is the lowest they charge
718-657-7088

Addabbo Family Health Center
114-39/49 Sutphin Blvd
718-945-7150

WEBSITE

Child Abuse/Neglect or Domestic Violence

Child Abuse/Neglect or Domestic Violence Concerns for families (Non-Mandated reporters) If you or someone you know is in a Domestic Violence situation, New York State has set up a number you can call for assistance. Please call 1-800-942-6906. They will help you find shelter and relocate. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are aware of a child that is being maltreated, abused, or neglected you can call the Office of Safety First (718-KID-SAFE) for advice on what to do, the NYS Child Abuse Hotline 1(800) 342-3720, or 911 if the child is in immediate danger.

Legal/Immigration Support:

Providing immigration support information The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) provides, at no cost, a full range of immigration services including the following:

Legal assistance
Immigrant youth services
Domestic violence program
Immigrant family services
English for speakers of other languages

Note: By law, students who are undocumented aliens may not be denied admission to school and they are not required to present documentation of immigration status or US residency. To provide immigration support information

For additional information or assistance, instruct the individual to call the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs at (212) 788-7654.

Obtaining public assistance

The New York City Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services (HRA/DSS) provides temporary help to individuals and families with social service and economic needs to help them reach independence.

Services provided