On March 9, Governor DeSantis declared a State of Emergency in Florida to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Since then, schools have closed, public spaces have emptied, and restaurants have pivoted to take-out and delivery operations only. Families and small businesses are feeling the squeeze.
Many essential personnel are still reporting to work: first responders, health care workers, food service teams, and, crucially, the early learning providers who care for their children.
We have compiled the following list of resources for Floridians navigating a changing society in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. If you are a parent navigating a loss of health insurance or looking for home schooling resources, we have resources below for you. If you are a child care provider looking for the latest guidance from the CDC or the Florida Department of Education, we have linked the best destinations for you below.
The Florida Department of Health also has a COVID-19 Call Center Available 24/7 at +1 (866) 779–6121 or you can email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment: All Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients’ benefit amounts will be increased to the maximum monthly allotment based on household size.
SNAP and TANF Work Requirements Waived: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) will waive work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Online Purchasing Pilot for SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can purchase groceries online with the use of an EBT card. SNAP participants are automatically eligible to participate in this program and do not need to apply.
From EdSource: “Resources in their native language have eased some anxieties during the pandemic.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From The Washington Post: “The industry already operates at the margins, and facilities that are open are running undercapacity to comply with strict health guidelines.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From WPTV-West Palm Beach: “This is a critical moment where they learn like a sponge. The benefit is having your child on track. If they’re not, it could affect their self-esteem, confidence.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From POP Sugar: “The goal is to keep the caseload manageable so we avoid having to make some really tough decisions.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From TIME Magazine: “We suspect some of this is because families may lack the ability to provide full-time support at home for online learning, which is necessary for very young learners.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.