The Arc Minnesota is committed to providing updates to our community members regarding resources and responses to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As a part of our commitment we have created a list of federal, state, and local resources to help during this national health situation.
This list will be updated continually as new information and resources come to light. Please continue to check back for up-to-date information and resources. If you have questions about any of these updates call us at 833.450.1494, email us at info@arcminnesota.org or fill out our Ask An Advocate form online. We will try to respond to your message as soon as possible.
What is COVID-19?
- Self-Advocates explain COVID-19 (in English): selfadvocacyinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf
- Self-Advocates explain COVID-19 (in Spanish): selfadvocacyinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Spanish-Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf
- How do you talk about COVID-19 with people with intellectual disabilities?: linkedin.com/pulse/how-do-you-talk-covid-19-people-intellectual-ben-drew
- Self-Determination Channel “Tips for Staying Healthy”: https://youtu.be/V7Yl-BesvDw
- “Time to Come In, Bear” (A children’s story about social distancing): https://youtu.be/DA_SsZFYw0w
- KidsHealth resources for parents & educators (in English & Spanish): kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus.html
- FAQ by Guardians about COVID-19: https://www.guardianship.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FAQ_FINAL_04162020.pdf
COVID-19 Hotlines
Language line interpreters available
- Community mitigation (schools, child care, business) questions: 651.297.1304 or 1.800.657.3504
- Health questions: 651.201.3920 or 1.800.657.3903
- COVID Cares offers free mental health telephone support: 833-HERE4MN (833-437-3466), 9:00am- 9:00pm, 7 days a week
Government Agencies & Resources
- CDC Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-19654.pdf?utm_source=NLIHC+All+Subscribers&utm_campaign=0f3ca57ced-cta_090120&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e090383b5e-0f3ca57ced-293301646&ct=t(cta_090120)
- CDC Disability & Health Emergency Preparedness Tools & Resources: cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/emergency-tools.html
- CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html?deliveryName=USCDC_1054-DM26731#Children-and-Youth-with-Special-Healthcare-Needs
- Minnesota Department of Health: health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
- Minnesota Department of Transportation: COVID-19 Positive Client Transportation
- Minnesota COVID-19 Response Make A Plan MN: https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/get-help/make-a-plan.jsp
- World Health Organization: who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Minnesota Council on Disability
- General Update: disability.state.mn.us/2020/03/10/covid-19-message-from-mcd
- Emergency Preparedness Toolkit: disability.state.mn.us/information-and-assistance/emergency-plan-for-people-with-disabilities
- Department of Human Services
- Waivers under peacetime emergency authority: mn.gov/dhs/waivers-and-modifications
- Emergency Food Support: mn.gov/dhs/food-emergency
- Remote Services Allowed in CDCS: https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/news-initiatives-reports-workgroups/long-term-services-and-supports/news/remote-cdcs.jsp
- Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program: https://mn.gov/deaf-hard-of-hearing/communication-access/ted/
- Community Living Information: acl.gov/COVID-19
- From the U.S. Department of Education
- Information and resources for Schools and School Personnel: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/ocr-coronavirus-fact-sheet.pdf
- FERPA: studentprivacy.ed.gov/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/FERPA%20and%20Coronavirus%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions_0.pdf
- ESEA: oese.ed.gov/files/2020/03/COVID-19-OESE-FINAL-3.12.20.pdf
- Special Education Service Provision: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/qa-provision-of-services-idea-part-b-09-28-2020.pdf
- Travel Information
- FCC Keep Americans Connected: fcc.gov/keep-americans-connected
Employment
- COVID-19 & Unemployment Benefits in MN: uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
- Workers Rights & Protections: dli.mn.gov/workers/worker-rights-and-protections
Financial Resources
- The Guide to Stimulus Checks for People with Disabilities: howtogeton.wordpress.com/will-disabled-people-get-stimulus-checks
- Promoting Financial Health & Resiliency for People with Disabilities & Their Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/financial-resiliency-tips.pdf
- SSI Recipients will receive automatic COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments: home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm979
- Financial Resilience Center from the National Disability Institute: nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/financial-resilience-center
Food shelf and supplies information
- Hunger Solutions: hungersolutions.org/find-help
- Keystone Services: keystoneservices.org/food-shelves
- Metro Mobility Grocery Delivery: metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Transportation/Newsletters/Let-Metro-Mobility-pick-up-your-grocery-order-2020.aspx
Social Security, Medicare, & Medicaid updates
- FAQ: ssa.gov/coronavirus
- Toolkit: cms.gov/outreach-education/partner-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-partner-toolkit
- Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet: cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet
- Medicare Telehealth FAQ: cms.gov/files/document/medicare-telehealth-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-31720.pdf
- FAQ: cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Files/Catastrophic-Coverage-of-COVID-19.pdf
- Know Your Rights About Health Care Rationing During COVID-19: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/self-help-library/fact-sheet/health-care-rationing-during-covid-19-pandemic-and-your-rights
For educators
- From the National Disability Rights Network: http://bit.ly/394PsHx
Miscellaneous resources
- Step-by-Step Guide to Forming a Pod During a Pandemic: https://elemental.medium.com/the-essential-step-by-step-guide-to-forming-a-pod-during-a-pandemic-933e5fcb18a1
- A Mutual Aid Safety and Wellness Planning Template for COVID-19: Surviving_the_Apocalypse_Together_Workbook
- Comcast Internet Essentials free for 60 days: corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
- Support for victims/survivors of sexual violence: mncasa.org/survivor-resources/victim-survivor-support-during-covid-19
- Minnesota COVID-19 Response Resource List (in English, Spanish, & Somali): mncovidresponse.com/resources
- Resources in Spanish from COPAL: https://copalmn.org/recursos-1
- Autism Speaks COVID-19 Resources: autismspeaks.org/news/covid-19-information-and-resources
- Acknowledging & surviving the trauma of COVID-19: medium.com/@melissa.stek/acknowledging-and-surviving-the-trauma-of-covid-19-together-a39cad39bff4
- Autism Society of Minnesota Coronavirus Support Resources: https://ausm.org/resources/covid-19-resources/