Resources for Individuals and Families

Information and Resources for Individuals and Families

(Know something we should share? Email us at info@willread.org)

Students and Literacy Coalition program participants, please contact your program instructors or info@willread.org and 512-326-8655 ext 137 with any questions – we are here to support you!

For any Literacy Coalition clients in need of emergency financial assistance during this situation, your Social Services staff member assigned to your case will continue to be in contact to ensure you are supported in maintaining the safety and stability of you and your families. In the event you have any concerns or questions, please contact Adam Benden, LMSW, Director of Social Services, at adam.benden@willread.org or 512-326-8655 x101 about the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas’ efforts to maintain case management and clinical services to clients during this time.

Austin Area Updates

Stay at Home Work Safe Order: Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt extended a Stay Home – Work Safe Order through August 15th, 2020. The Order requires residents to stay at home, except for essential activities and essential businesses as deemed by the Governor’s state order, to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the state of Texas now requires the public to wear fabric face coverings when conducting essential activities or work.  Visit the Travis County website for more information on essential activities, fabric face coverings, social distance, COVID-19 testing, and more.

Dial 2-1-1 : Call for 24/7 assistance with food, health, housing, and more, or visit www.211texas.org

Coronavirus COVID-19 Information

Univision 62: ¿Tienes dudas sobre el coronavirus? Este panel de expertos responde todas tus preguntas.

PBS’s “What You Should Know About the Novel Coronavirus

Central Health

Covid-19 Testing Locations: 

East Austin Testing Locations

MONDAY Barbara Jordan Elementary 6711 Johnny Morris Rd, Austin, TX 78724

TUESDAY Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary 13901 FM 969, Austin, TX 78724

WEDNESDAY Manor Senior High 14832 FM 973, Manor, TX 78653

THURSDAY Southeast Metro Park 4511 Highway 71 E, Del Valle, TX 78617

FRIDAY Barbara Jordan Elementary 6711 Johnny Morris Rd, Austin, TX 78724

All East Austin locations open 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.

Additional Locations

CommUnityCare Hancock1000 E 41st Street Ste: 925, Austin, TX 78751
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday

Uninsured Testing: Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 512-978-8775 for guidance. This number is for all Travis County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who don’t have insurance or an established provider.

Food Resources

Central Texas Food Bank: Find Food Now Map

AISD Food Service: Austin ISD Food Services will prepare and distribute meals for children under the age of 19 (and over 19 for students using special resources). Visit link for locations of pick up sites and delivery routes: www.austinisd.org/covid19/meals.

El Buen Samaritano Food Pantry: open Tuesday – Friday 9 AM to 12 Noon Does not require documentation of any kind at this time. This includes but is not limited to: government identification, citizenship papers, and income requirements. For no reason will anyone seeking food pantry services be turned away.

Manos de Cristo Food Pantry: open Monday-Friday 8am-11am

Employment Information and Resources

Texas Workforce Commission Information for COVID-19 Employers and Jobseekers: Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Those seeking to apply for Unemployment Benefits will need to submit an application. In order to apply you will need:

  • Last employer’s business name and address
  • First and last dates (month, day and year) you worked for your last employer
  • Number of hours worked and pay rate if you worked this week (including Sunday)
  • Information related to your normal wage
  • Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen or national)

 

Housing and Utilities

The City of Austin has suspended all evictions until July 25, 2020.

The City of Austin has suspended all utilities cut-offs until September 30th, 2020. Learn more about bill relief and reduced utilities rates at the Austin Energy website. Customers with household incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level may now receive the CAP discount. Get more information about Customer Assistance Programs (CAP)

Residential and commercial customers can contact the Customer Care Contact Center at 512-494-9400 with any questions.

 

Immigration Information and Resources for Immigrants

As of March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has suspended routine in-person services until at least May 3, 2020 to help slow the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). USCIS staff will continue to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public. However, USCIS will provide emergency services for limited situations. To schedule an emergency appointment contact the USCIS Contact Center. See more info HERE.

Seeking medical attention for COVID-19 is excluded from Public Charge Rules.

Families affected by Covid-19 can now receive help from Austin RISE funds. You can communicate with the following organizations.

  • Austin Area Urban League: English-512 838 3442; Spanish-512 900-1598; Ready to take calls as of 4/21/20
  • The Good Samaritan: 512-439-8902 (bilingual) or email assistance@elbuen.org-Ready for calls 4/21/20
  • Catholic Charities (* phone numbers and additional help will be available at the end of this week or early next week) Asian Family Support Services (*phone numbers and additional help will be available at the end of this week or early next week)

You can call 2-1-1 for more information on how to contact these organizations. These organizations will help those affected by #Covid pay rent, mortgage and make ends meet. This will be the first round of multiple financial aid disbursements for the most vulnerable people in our community. We want people to stay home and stay safe, and this fund helps ensure that economic problems are relieved while people continue in their homes.

Additional documentation, beyond regular ID requirements for transportation, is NOT necessary for travel to essential activities or businesses.

 

Educational Resources for Families 

You can now download over 300,000 books from the New York Public Library for free

20 Virtual Field Trips to Take with Your Kids

PBS KIDS offers a variety of free resources to support families and caregivers, including a 24/7 channel with anytime access to trusted educational series for kids ages 2-8 (check local listings) and the following digital tools:

  • PBS KIDS Video
    Available on mobile, tablet and connected TV devices, PBS KIDS offers on-demand educational videos and a livestream of the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel. No subscription is required.

  • PBS KIDS Games App
    Includes nearly 200 educational games, which can be downloaded for offline play anytime, anywhere. Learn more about this and PBS KIDS’ other apps at pbskids.org/apps.

  • PBS KIDS for Parents
    A robust website with information, activities and tips for parents, including resources for talking with kids about coronavirus, encouraging healthy habits, managing worried feelings and supporting playful learning at home.

  • PBS KIDS Daily Newsletter
    A new weekday newsletter with videos, games, related offline activities and tips parents can use to keep their children playing and learning at home. Sign up here.

Your Kids Can Now Watch Astronauts Reading Stories From Space

Over 30 Virtual Field Trips

A small collection of anti-oppressive, anti-racist homeschool curriculum ideas and resources for families impacted by closures caused by the coronavirus

Podcasts for Kids

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