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COVID-19 Information and Resources for Home Visitors and the Families They Serve

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It’s not easy to keep track of all the COVID-19 information going around, so we’ve compiled a list of useful resources for home visitors and their client families in Los Angeles County. We will continue to update this page as we receive new information and resources. Also see the COVID-19 resources listed by First 5 LA, the funder of L.A. County’s Family Strengthening Network.

Use these links to see the categories below:

Last Updated: 3/30/2020, 11:00 a.m. PT

Accurate, Up-to-Date Information on COVID-19

Don’t trust what your friend got from a friend on Facebook. Here are some reliable sources that are continually updated:

Coronavirus, Pregnancy, Birth, and Breastfeeding

Encouragingly, this L.A. Times article (3/20/2020) reports that “researchers have not seen early signals suggesting an increased risk of complications or birth defects associated with pregnant women and fetuses exposed to the coronavirus.” And NPR reports: “Early research has not shown any evidence that the virus can be transmitted in utero, during delivery or through breast milk.”

Community Resource Guides
  • One Degree COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resource Guide (Spanish): Updated each weekday by 2PM with new resources, the guide covers basic needs such as food, financial, and childcare resources.
  • COVID-19 Los Angeles Community Resources Guide: A dedicated group of volunteers has been compiling a list of local food, housing, health, transportation, and education resources available during the COVID-19 outbreak. The document divides these resources into a few general categories: children and youth, adults, elderly, the undocumented community, the trans and/or queer community, the homeless community, and veterans.
  • 211 LA County: Provides health-and-safety updates, and the latest information on L.A. County “safer at home” orders, plus resources on discrimination related to COVID-19. County residents may also call 2-1-1.
  • California WIC Association COVID-19 Resources: Includes all the latest updates on WIC services and policies, plus links for staff and families about unemployment, food, housing, and resources for education while kids are out of school.
  • Coronavirus Law & Policy Resources: ChangeLab Solutions has gathered resources to help public health practitioners, lawyers, and the general public.
Benefits: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Unemployment, WIC and Food Resources
  • All DPSS benefits, Medi-Cal, CalFRESH, CalWORKs and General Relief will continue uninterrupted during March, April and May 2020. Offices are closed, but online applications are being accepted. Get more details here.
  • The Department of Public Social Services has provided resources to help residents who may be experiencing financial challenges due to the pandemic. Read more here. This L.A. Times article also explains how to file for unemployment if you’ve lost your job due to coronavirus closures.
  • WIC Services During COVID-19 Outbreak: In Los Angeles County, many WIC offices are not providing face-to-face services, but are serving families by phone, text, and email. People who have been economically affected by the COVID-19 crisis and are pregnant, postpartum or have a child under five years old can apply for WIC services by texting APPLY to 91997, calling WIC at 888-942-2229, or visiting phfewic.org/apply. Here’s information in Spanish and here is a statement by PHFE WIC.
  • School Meals During School Closure:
    • The “CA Meals for Kids” mobile app has been updated to help students and families find meals during COVID-19-related emergency school closures. It’s available on Apple, Android, or Microsoft mobile devices. Download it here.
    • Visit HealthyEating.org/SchoolMeals to find a comprehensive list of school sites where families can go to access free food for their children.
  • Everytable has a limited amount of food donations available:
    • Healthy, affordable grab-and-go meals are available for purchase at 7 stores (click here for map) that remain open across LA County. These sites offer curbside pick-up or delivery within a 3-mile radius. 
    • Free meals in Stores: Free “Pay It Forward” meals may be available at stores. Call ahead and they can put it aside for you. 
    • In Watts and Compton, they accept CalFresh/EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) for curbside pick-up. RMP serves seniors, homeless and those with disabilities.
    • Use the code ETDELIVERY to waive the delivery fee on a subscription Box or one-time order of $25 or more.  
    • They are willing to work with nonprofits, service agencies and government around discounted meal pricing for groups. Call the helpline for more info.
    • They are currently working to establish a more regular distribution route for donated surplus meals. When they have this, they will share it widely.
  • Expensify.org is reimbursing families who use SNAP (CalFresh in Calif.) up to $50 when they purchase groceries and other essentials using an EBT card. Here are details on how to get paid.
  • Food banks and pantries: There are a number of food bank and pantry directories available to help Angelenos find the ones closest to them, including:
  • Food and Nutrition Service Response to COVID-19
  • Three SEE-LA Certified Farmers’ Markets will continue to provide access to fresh, regional produce and packaged food this week. Here’s the current status of all of SEE-LA’s markets:
Atwater Village Farmers’ Market Sundays 10am – 2pm OPEN WITH MODIFICATIONS  
Crenshaw Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 10am – 3pm 		CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 
Central Avenue Farmers’ Market 
Thursdays 10am – 3pm 		CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Echo Park Farmers’ Market
Fridays 3pm – 7:30pm 		OPEN WITH MODIFICATIONS  
Hollywood Farmers’ Market
Sundays 8am-1pm 		OPEN WITH MODIFICATIONS  
MLK Campus Farmers’ Market Wednesdays 9am – 2pm CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Health Care and Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Covered California is expanding its Special Enrollment Period. Effective immediately, any eligible consumer can enroll in health coverage without experiencing a qualifying life event or other special circumstance. This new policy will be in effect until June 30, 2020. Click here for their full statement and more information.
  • To find Health Access California’s most recent advice on care and coverage options, click here. They offer advice to all, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status.
  • Dignity Health’s Virtual Care Anywhere provides virtual urgent care for free to anyone experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Access the service at dignityhealth.org/virtualcareanywhere, by calling 855-356-8053, or by downloading the Virtual Care Anywhere app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and using the coupon code COVID19. The service is normally $35 per visit, but this will be waived for any patient who thinks they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. See the flyer here and view these FAQs.
  • This coronavirus self-assessment tool uses the latest recommendations from the CDC to help you determine what to do if you think you might have symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed.
  • LA County has issued new orders directing self-quarantine for anyone who has been exposed to a person diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19 and self-isolation for anyone who has been diagnosed with or is showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Information on steps to take to self-quarantine can be found here in English and here in Spanish, as well as information on steps to take to self-isolate can be found here in English and here in Spanish.
COVID-19 Resources and Tips for Parents and Children

Here are some practical tips for caregivers:

At-Home Learning

Mental Health Resources

(Also see the COVID-19 Resources & Tips for Parents and Children section above for more mental health resources for families.)

Diabetes Resources
Resources for Renters
Resources for Immigrant and Refugee Angelenos
Resources for Health Care Professionals
Resources for L.A. County Businesses and Workers Affected by COVID-19
Information on Price Gouging and Avoiding Scams
Winter Shelter Program Update: Shelter Extension

A number of Winter Shelter Programs will be extended past March 31, 2020. For a full list of those programs by SPA, click here. For more information, call the Winter Shelter Hotline at 800-548-6047 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week).

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