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 The Charlotte Observer: “Sometimes it is easier for kids to talk about how the characters in a story respond to stress than it is for them to talk about their own scary feelings.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From The New York Times: “Missing social contacts and altered routines, disturbed sleep and eating habits can be particularly intense for the kids with developmental challenges.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From Education Week: “Like so much in this pandemic, the focus on learning pods is exposing inequities in access, funding, and educational opportunity that have been around for a long time.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From Center for American Progress: “Home visiting only works if communities have services to which home visitors can refer families.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From Forbes: “The younger the child, they noted, the higher the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in their nasal passages—an observation consistent with the Chicago study.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.