Resources & Relief Efforts for Monroe Families During the Covid-19 Outbreak
On Friday March 13, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards announced that all Louisiana schools will be closed from Monday March 16, 2020 until Monday April 13, 2020. On Monday March 16, 2020 the Governor also added bars, sit-down restaurants, theaters, casinos, gyms & fitness centers to the list of closures. The following is a list of resources for families to utilize in the wake of these announcements.
Please note that we will continue to update this list with relevant resources as they become available.
Resources for Small Business
- Louisiana Workforce Commission
- The U.S. Small Business Administration – Small business guidance & loan resources
- All small businesses in Louisiana are eligible to receive COVID-19 disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Apply immediately here.
- The Louisiana Small Business Development Center is offering virtual advisory and consulting services. Programs and applications for assistance are available to help existing small businesses handle economic loss associated with COVID-19.
- Louisiana Economic Development – COVID-19 assistance and resources for impacted businesses
- Both the IRS and Louisiana Department of Revenue have extended tax filing deadlines to July 15, 2020 for individuals, businesses, and corporations
Education & Childcare
- Information from Monroe City Schools
- Information from the Louisiana Department of Education
- Students may sign up here for Louisiana Virtual Academy
- US Department of Education’s Guide to Serving Students with Disabilities during Covid-19
- US Department of Agriculture’s Guide to Child Nutrition Meal Service during Covid-19
- Resources from Parents as Teachers for at-home learning
Food and Nutrition
- Northeast Louisiana Food Bank
- The Family Day Care Home Food Program, a USDA government program for people who provide childcare in their home
- Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals and companionship to seniors
Lost Income
- Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program provides cash assistance to families with children when financial resources of the family are insufficient to meet subsistence needs.
- The USBG National Charity Fund – Relief fund for bartenders and their families
- CORE – Children of Restaurant Employees relief fund
Utilities
- Comcast Announces Comprehensive COVID-19 Response to Help Keep Americans Connected to the Internet
- Executive order signed, to be voted on March 18: no public utilities will be shut off due to inability to pay during Covid-19
Transportation
- Acadian Ambulance
Preparedness
- Family Preparedness from the LDOH
- Childcare and School Preparedness from the LDOH
- Stop the Spread from the LDOH
- Talking with children about Covid-19
- Children and Covid-19: FAQs
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Recommendations
- Text LACOVID to 898-211 for updates from the LDOH
- Check your local government’s websites for local text alerts
- Free Hotlines for Children and Teens: stress, crisis, mental health, etc.
- Common Hotline Numbers for All Ages
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s information on Covid-19
- Louisiana Department of Health’s information on Covid-19
To Donate & Support Your Community
- Donate blood to the Red Cross or your local health care center
- The United Way of Northwest Louisiana is coordinating COVID-19 response volunteer efforts in our area
- Desiard Street Homeless Shelter
- Volunteer at the Food Bank
- Women’s Addiction Recovery
- Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana
- Grace Place Ministries
- Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana Inc.