Community Resources & Policy Updates
Boston Children’s Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of care under any circumstance. The COVID-19 outbreak has made it more important than ever for us to serve our communities through this unprecedented health crisis together.
The Offices of Government Relations and Community Health at Boston Children's are vigilantly monitoring the current COVID-19 outbreak. As the situation continues to evolve, our offices are tracking legislative and regulatory actions related to health care access, behavioral health, and community health. We also are in close contact with all of our partners including city agencies, community health centers, community-based organizations, and the Boston Public Schools to assess the needs, resources, and gaps in services so that Boston Children's can best assist and support our community as needed.
If you have questions or concerns about evolving government policies, please reach out to the Office of Government Relations at CAN@childrens.harvard.edu and sign up for updates through the Children's Advocacy Network.
If you have any questions about resources in the community, please contact the Office of Community Health at TalkToUs@childrens.harvard.edu.
Congress passed, and the President signed into law, a sweeping $2 trillion coronavirus response bill, known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This was the third emergency COVID-19 relief bill enacted within three weeks. The bills provide relief for hospitals and supportive provisions for patients and families, but there is more to do — especially in the area of protecting Medicaid for the families who rely on it.
The Office of Government Relations is in regular contact with the New England congressional delegation and their staff around these matters.
If you have questions or would like additional federal-level updates, please contact Amy DeLong, Manager of Federal Government Relations at amy.delong@childrens.harvard.edu.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is currently in a state of emergency due to COVID-19.
State legislative priorities have shifted to unemployment expansions, protections for at-risk populations, and ensuring health care services are maintained as the governor’s office enacts emergency measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The State Government Relations team will continue to advocate for priorities that reflect our commitment to the health and well-being of the Commonwealth’s children.
Legislative highlights
- The legislature passed and Governor signed an evictions and foreclosures moratorium to prevent children and families from becoming homeless during the pandemic. The current mortarium is in place through October 16th with the opportunity to be extended by the Governor.
- Legislation to create a permanent expansion of telehealth is pending before a legislative committee. This legislation would require insurers to cover medically necessary telehealth services in the same manner that they cover in-person services beyond the current pandemic.
If you have questions or would like additional state-level updates, please contact Shannon Moore, Director of State Government Relations at shannon.moore@childrens.harvard.edu.
On March 15, Mayor Walsh announced that the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) declared a public health emergency in the City of Boston. Classifying the situation this way gives BPHC the authority to increase the availability of staff and resources to meet emergency needs and enhance reporting and resource-sharing across Boston's health and medical communities.
- On May 22nd, Boston Mayor Walsh convened a 27-member advisory board to help Boston reopen its economy; Boston Children's CEO, Sandra Fenwick, serves on the board
- On June 12th, Mayor Walsh declared racism a public health crisis in the City of Boston, stating that the impacts of historic and systemic racism are clear in Boston’s COVID-19 case numbers.
- The Mayor followed this declaration with an announced that he has revised the City's proposed FY2021 budget by reallocating 20%, or $12 million, from the Boston Police Department’s overtime budget to efforts that address racism as a public health issue.
The City of Boston has also announced the Boston Public Schools reopening plan outlines two options for families: all remote learning with five days a week of online instruction and Hybrid learning with two days a week of learning in schools and three days of remote learning. The City and BPS have been preparing school buildings for the return of students and staff through cleaning, ordering supplies and personal protective equipment, fixing windows, updating options for air flow, and developing health and safety protocols. Boston Children's has been working closely with BPS on the safe reopening of schools for students, teachers and faculty.
If you have questions or would like additional city-level updates, please contact John Riordan, Director of Community Relations and Partnerships at john.riordan@childrens.harvard.edu.
As children return to learning this Fall, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released recommendations and resources to help districts and schools support the social emotional well-being of students, staff, and families.
Similarly, DESE has developed guidance for school counselors, psychologists, and other specialized instructional support personnel involved in providing school-based behavioral and mental health supports and services during the COVID-19 school closures.
DMH has accelerated its Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admissions Policy (EPIA) to allow emergency departments, along with MassHealth and commercial insurers, to escalate a referral to DMH if a behavioral health patient has spent two or more days in the ED awaiting inpatient psychiatric placement.
If you have questions or would like additional behavioral health updates, please contact Amara Azubuike, Director of Behavioral Health Policy and Advocacy at Amara.Azubuike@childrens.harvard.edu.
Learning Resources
The Boston Public Library offers a variety of movies, music, ebooks, comics, and other digital resources for kids to help keep them engaged while schools are closed. These resources are free to anyone with Boston Public Library card. If you live, own property in, or work anywhere in Massachusetts, you can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard online.
COVID-19 financial resources
As COVID-19 continues to impact business in Massachusetts, many families are feeling the economic effects. The Office of Government Relations has compiled this list of community resources for those in need of financial support during this time.
Mass THRIVE
A comprehensive directory of resources all over the state. Users can search for free or reduced-cost services by zip code or need. The database is being updated multiple times a week during the COVID crisis.
United Way Massachusetts COVID-19 Family Support Fund
For general questions, email contactinfo@supportunitedway.org.
211
Assistance finding food, paying bills, accessing free child care, and other resources, searchable by city or town.
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Public health resources in multiple languages that can be shared with immigrant and refugee families, relevant information on immigration policy and enforcement, and details on key programs that sick or displaced workers may need.
Basic disaster recovery links
A fact sheet of basic disaster-related information from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), HUD (Housing and Urban Development), SBA (Small Business Administration), FHFA (Fannie Mae Freddie Mac), USDA (US Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), IRS (Internal Revenue Service)
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Housing updates and resources
Temporary Moratorium on Court Operations
“All non-emergency court events, including but not limited to, summary process cases, small claims matters, civil matters, ticket appeals, supplementary process proceedings, probable cause hearings, and criminal matters, shall be scheduled for, or continued to, a date no earlier than April 21, 2020”
A landlord cannot lock you out or throw you out of your apartment without a judge's order. With courts closed, you have additional protections as a tenant that will allow you to stay in your apartment until courts reopen.
- Mass.gov: Renter’s Rights
- Mass.gov: Tenant Guide to Eviction
Eversource has suspended discontinuation of service for non-payment and eliminated late payment charges, and is offereing a flexible payment plan for families with documented financial hardship.
National Grid is temporarily suspending collections-related activities through at least the end of April, when they will evaluate the continued need.
Columbia Gas announced that it will voluntarily suspend shutoffs for nonpayment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively immediately. This suspension will apply to residential, commercial and industrial customers and will remain in effect until further notice.
Ridematch
A one-stop searchable directory of public, private and accessible transportation options in Massachusetts
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
The Network/La Red
617-742-4911
Provides emotional support, information, and safety planning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and/or transgender (LGBQ/T) folks
Asian Task Force Multilingual Hotline
617-338-2355
Serves Mandarin Chinese, English, Hindi, Japanese, Central Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Nepali, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, Tue Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese
SafeLink Domestic Violence Hotline (operated by Casa Myrna)
877-785-2020 or 877-521-2601 (TTY/hearing impaired)
Provides support in over 130 languages
Suffolk County Comprehensive Resource Guide - Compiled by the Juvenile Althernative Resolution Program of the Juvenile Unit at the Office of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins.
Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council
Resources offered by the state and many community partners in Western Massachusetts
Springfield Library
A compilation of links to reliable, trusted, and up-to-date sources
COVID-19 food resources
As COVID-19 continues to impact business in Massachusetts, many families are struggling to feed their families. The Office of Government Relations has compiled this list of community resources for food access.
Project Bread FoodSource Hotline
800-645-8333
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hotline counselors refer callers to food resources in their community and provides information about school meals, summer meal sites for kids, elder meals programs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Project Bread and the Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Project Bread is working with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide meals while schools are closed.
Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
877-382-2363
DTA will remain open and will be processing applications and cases under normal procedures/protocols, but there will be no in person services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC)
800-942-1007
A nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food, breastfeeding support, and other services free of charge to families who qualify.
FoodPantries.org
A listing of food pantries across the state.
Boston Public Schools
While schools are closed, the Boston Public Schools continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to all Boston Children, Monday through Friday, across the city.
The Greater Boston Food Bank
617-427-5200
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) partners with hunger-relief agencies, food pantries, community meal programs, and other food assistance providers throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
City of Boston Food Access Map
A map of COVID-19 food resources across Boston, including meal sites for students and food pantries.
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
The Community Foundation has compiled a list of community resources, many of which are specific to Western Massachusetts:
- 413Cares
- Baystate Health
- Cooley Dickinson Health Care
- Family Resources from Greenfield 4SC/GMCSP
- Look4Help
- MASS 211
- Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
- United Way of Hampshire County COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities
- WesternMass Economic Development Council
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
413-247-9738
Includes updates on food pantry and meal hours and operations in Western Massachusetts during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Western Massachusetts School Lunch Program Pick Up
Western Massachusetts does not currently have a comprehensive list of Food Pick Up sites. Here are some local cities and towns that will provide meal centers during the COVID-19 school closure from Western Mass News.
