COVID-19 Community Resource Center
Meals, Wifi, Remote Learning, Contacts & More
--> Last Updated: April 6, 2020 - 4:10pm EST<--
Para información en Español.
Para información en Español.
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City of Chattanooga COVID-19 Updates - including information about Executive Order 2020-06 Shelter in Place
Important Information
- Hamilton County Schools Official Website - This Page Is Dedicated to COVID-19 Updates
- HCS Continued Help Hotline: (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) 423-498-5437
- Spanish Hotline: (7 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday-Friday) 423-498-6744
- HCS Contacts List - See here for a list of important contacts at HCS
- HCS Tech Hotline: (7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday) 423-493-0350
- Watch the HCS 'Continued Learning' (3/16/20) information telethon at this link
- HCS Continued Help Hotline: (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) 423-498-5437
- Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department - Website
- Health Hotline: 423-209-8383
- City of Chattanooga - COVID-19 Information & Resources Page
- Tennessee Department of Health - COVID-19 Page
- Public Information Number (10 a.m.-10 p.m. CST Daily) 877-857-2945
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) - Coronavirus Main Information Page <--(Important link)
- World Health Organization (WHO) - Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak Page
- Johns Hopkins University - Coronavirus Map
- Tennessee Education Association - COVID-19 Guidance for Teachers
- Para información en Español.
LATEST UPDATE FROM HCS [4/1/2020]:
Student Meal Schedule for Spring Break
UPDATE FROM HCS [3/20/2020]:
Student Meal Delivery - Beginning Monday, March 23, bus drivers will begin delivering meals to students in need. Here are the details:
Hamilton County Schools has set up sites throughout the community where parents can pickup meals while schools are closed. ALL MEALS ARE FREE for children ages 0-18. Children must be present to receive the meal. Additional meals cannot be provided if additional children are not present.
Breakfast (7am to 9am) and lunch (11am to 1pm) will be served starting Tuesday, March 17, through Friday, March 20. For a list of all locations see here.
Student Meal Schedule for Spring Break
- Starting Friday, April 3, meals for children will be available for pick up only during the break. Families can pick up meals from school sites from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for the following dates:
- Friday, April 3
- Monday, April 6
- Wednesday, April 8
- *There will not be food service on Friday, April 10, because of the Good Friday holiday.
- Here are the pickup sites:
- Harrison Bay
- Missionary Ridge
- North River
- Opportunity Zone
- Rock Point
- Snack Pack Pickup - Friday, April 3
- Hixson United Methodist Church will hand-out snack packs to students in need on Friday, April 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Students must be present to receive the snack packs.Hixson United Methodist Church Scout Hut (located in parking lot across School Drive from the church)
- 5301 Old Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
- Hixson United Methodist Church will hand-out snack packs to students in need on Friday, April 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Students must be present to receive the snack packs.Hixson United Methodist Church Scout Hut (located in parking lot across School Drive from the church)
UPDATE FROM HCS [3/20/2020]:
Student Meal Delivery - Beginning Monday, March 23, bus drivers will begin delivering meals to students in need. Here are the details:
- The schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of every week. The packages will include enough food to cover the days the buses are not making deliveries.
- The buses will run the elementary school bus routes. To find the stop closest to you, use our Bus Stop Finder.
- The buses will begin running the routes at 11 a.m. Unfortunately, we do not have the exact times the buses will be at the stops yet.
- We anticipate being able to provide better time windows once we start the delivery schedule. Thank you for your patience.
- All meals are provided free to children ages 0-18. Families do not need to provide proof of school enrollment, income, or free/reduced lunch eligibility.
- Children must be present to receive the meals.
Hamilton County Schools has set up sites throughout the community where parents can pickup meals while schools are closed. ALL MEALS ARE FREE for children ages 0-18. Children must be present to receive the meal. Additional meals cannot be provided if additional children are not present.
Breakfast (7am to 9am) and lunch (11am to 1pm) will be served starting Tuesday, March 17, through Friday, March 20. For a list of all locations see here.
Additional Meal Resources
- The YMCA and Chattanooga Area Food Bank are also working to bring meals to communities where access barriers are high. Click here for a comprehensive list of food sites available in our community and share these resources with the families you serve.
- Tennessee Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families. SNAP helps supplement monthly food budgets of families with low-income to buy the food they need to maintain good health and allow them to direct more of their available income toward essential living expenses. FAQ & Live Chat here.
- Thrive Regional Partnership - Food Pick-Up and Delivery Sites for the greater Chattanooga region.
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Tech Goes Home Chattanooga has created a tool to help families locate public WiFi access points where they can get connected.
Click here for low cost WiFi connectivity options.
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EPB has installed 25 EPB Quick Connect free WiFi locations across the community. View the current locations here.
--> If you know someone who needs access to wifi but is unable to use any of the resources above, please let us know.
Para información en Español. |
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Visit the UnitedWay of Greater Chattanooga's Resource Page.
- If you need immediate assistance please dial 2-1-1 or text 898-211 to chat with a resource specialist.
- Use the map below to find services near you!
Resources for Students & Teachers
- Hamilton County Schools Links
- Local Activities
- Online Learning
- Performing Arts
- Virtual Tours
- Museums
- Acropolis Museum, Athens
- British Museum, London
- Guggenheim Museum, New York
- Louvre Museum, Paris
- MASP, São Paulo
- Musée d’Orsay, Paris
- National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
- National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
- Pergamon Museum, Berlin
- Picasso Museum, Barcelona
- Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.
- Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
- The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
- The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
- Uffizi Gallery, Florence
- Outdoors
- World Landmarks
- Museums
- Web Cams
Staff Favorites:
- The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read Alouds & Activities
- EPIC DIGITAL LIBRARY: Offering FREE worldwide Remote Student Access to Epic through the end of the school year (June 30th, 2020), by teacher invitation - see here.
- Audible Stories - Free Audio Books from Audible.com
- Here is a BIG list of resources with just about everything (Google Spreadsheet)
Support Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): What Parents Need to Know About CoronavirusCenter for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Mental Health Recommendations
Mental Health Association of East TennesseeTennessee Suicide Prevention Network
- Helping Your Child Cope with a Disaster <--Important Resource for Parents
- CDC Resource Guide for Parents
Mental Health Association of East TennesseeTennessee Suicide Prevention Network
Talking About COVID-19
- National Association of School Psychologists - Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource
- NPR - A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
- Psychology Today - How to Talk to Kids and Teens About the Coronavirus
- St. Jude Coronavirus Coloring Book - Download at bottom of linked page
- The New York Times Opinion - How to Talk to Your Child About the Coronavirus
- Watch: Local Mental Health Professionals Share Ways to Cope with COVID-19 Pandemic
Additional Resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline. There is a clear link between financial stress and domestic violence. For any victims and survivors who need support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is here for you, 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 for TTY, or if you're unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The stress and anxiety accompanying the coronavirus pandemic, financial insecurity, and feelings of isolation may put people at risk of self-harm. If you're feeling alone and struggling, you can reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The stress and anxiety accompanying the coronavirus pandemic, financial insecurity, and feelings of isolation may put people at risk of self-harm. If you're feeling alone and struggling, you can reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
* Important: 7 ways to avoid misinformation during the coronavirus pandemic*
Local News Sources
Helpful Stories
Other Headlines
Local News Sources
- WRCB-TV (Channel 4, NBC) - Online Coverage Page
- Times Free Press - Free Online Coverage Page [FREE]
- TFP Families - A Resource Guide For Families During COVID-19
- TFP Survey: Tell Us How COVID-19 Is Affecting You
- News Channel 9 (ABC) - Coronavirus Coverage
- WDEF (Channel 12) - Coronavirus News Center
- 'Open For Business' page for local businesses
Helpful Stories
- EPB installs free WiFi hotspots to help Hamilton County students
- Who's open? Who delivers? How to get a hot meal during COVID-19 pandemic
- List of things that were not free before coronavirus, but now are
- Ways to keep your child’s mind learning while still having fun
- EPB to offer free promotional programming from network partners
- School’s Out, Kids Podcasts Are In - Kids Listen - Medium
Other Headlines
- Hamilton County to lease Baylor School lab for coronavirus testing
- Q & A: Who's impacted by Chattanooga's coronavirus business closures?
- Gov. Bill Lee calls for schools to stay closed until April 24 due to coronavirus crisis
- UPDATE: Hamilton County Mayor Coppinger declares state of emergency in COVID-19 update
- Hixson Elementary custodian goes the extra mile while schools are closed
- Hamilton Place, Northgate malls close indefinitely after Chattanooga mayor's COVID-19 order
- Chattanooga Mayor issues Executive Order closing more businesses amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Local businesses chip in $100K to help get Hamilton County students online while schools out amid COVID-19
- Tennessee Governor Lee Signs Order Restricting Restaurants and Gatherings
- Lookout Valley Elementary staff member tests positive for COVID-19
- Hamilton County school board planning retreat to discuss 10-year facilities plan
- Hamilton County Schools gives laptops to students during coronavirus outbreak
- Hamilton Co. School Board passes emergency operation to pay all employees
- Hixson Elementary PE teacher provides positivity with virtual gym class
- Governor Lee issues Executive Order Delaying Vehicle Registrations, License Deadlines
- Without child care for health care workers, school closures may prove ineffective
- Ready or not, a new era of homeschooling has begun
- A day without school: What life looks like across America when children stay home
Emergency Cash for Families
*Tennessee Department of Human Services offers financial assistance to families experiencing unemployment due to COVID-19: For immediate assistance please apply online to receive up to two months of emergency cash assistance.
- $500 for a household of 1 to 2 persons.
- $750 for a household of 3 to 4 persons.
- $1000 for a household with 5 or more persons.
Employment Resources
The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce has created an employee and employer resources page, that is a good place to start.
Here is a list of some of the organizations that have announced they will be hiring immediately.
Here is a list of some of the organizations that have announced they will be hiring immediately.
- Aldi grocery stores - Job opportunities here.
- Amazon has announced it will be hiring to keep up with demand - Job opportunities page.
- CHI Memorial Hospital - see here.
- Food City grocery stores - Job opportunities here.
- McKee Foods - Job opportunities
- Novoresume - 1 month free access to all resume & cover letter templates - offer valid until Apr 10
- Southern Champion Tray - see here.
- See this list from the Chattanooga Chamber for more options.
Unemployment Insurance
COVID-19 Unemployment for Employees - State of Tennessee FAQ and Guidance
- Direct link to file an Unemployment Claim
- One page printable flier describing the filing process.
Direct Aid, Grants, and Targeted Financial Assistance
- Financial Relief Resources for Artists During COVID-19
- TANF Program (State of Tennessee) - The 'Temporary Assistance for Needy Families' or TANF program provides cash payments for families in need of financial assistance.
Volunteer & Donate
Volunteer
- Chattanooga Area Food Bank
- The Food Bank is in desperate need of more volunteers to help pack and distribute food to those in need. Learn more and sign-up to volunteer here or please contact Mark Schock, at mschock@chattfoodbank.org.
- YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga
- Click here to sign up for a slot to volunteer with the School Closure Food Program.
- Salvation Army
- Click here to help with preparing and serving snacks, handing out clothing, and cleaning interior spaces and areas.
- City of Chattanooga
- Help keep older adults aware of what is happening with the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to help with the Senior Citizen Virtual Phone Bank.
- Hamilton County Schools
- If you'd like to help with meal delivery to students, please fill out this form.
- If you are interested in directly assisting the school system in another way, please visit this form.
- Food- Chattanooga Area Food Bank
- Food- YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga
- Food/Hygiene items- The Salvation Army
- Nooga.com's list of local businesses you can support during COVID-19
- Chatt.us - accepting donations to provide direct aid to service industry workers in Chattanooga.
- Monen Family Restaurant Group Employee Relief Fund
- United Way of Greater Chattanooga - Covid-19 Response Page.
Assistance With Utility Bills
- Metropolitan Ministries is continuing to assist folks by phone only. If you need assistance, please call 423-624-9650 or 423-624-9654.
- Northside Neighborhood House provides assistance to residents north of the river with utility disconnections and prescriptions. Call at 423-267-2217.
- Tennessee Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - provides funds to the states to help meet the utility costs of low-income eligible elderly and disabled adults
Note of gratitude: much of the information in this guide has been contributed by other organizations working hard to help the community. A big thank you to everyone!