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Johns Hopkins Children's Center

Community Resources


COVID-19 Community Resources

Pediatrician Rachel Thornton and social worker LaToya Mobley discuss the various resources, including food, internet and utilities, available to families in Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Helping Families Connect to Community Resources Is Critical to Our Mission

The Hopkins Community Connection program has compiled these resources for general assistance and cannot guarantee the accuracy of external links. If errors are discovered or more resources should be added, please contact [email protected].

  • Download the PDF
  • As we continue to mount responses in our region to the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is committed to sharing important messages with our community to support the health and well-being of children and families.
  • While coronavirus disease COVID-19 has been mostly mild in children and usually can be managed at home, it has had a significant impact on daily life for children and families.
  • Children’s health depends on ensuring access to healthy environments in which to grow and develop. This includes food and shelter, adequate supervision, and developmentally appropriate services and environments. It also means supporting parents and other caregivers with all the resources they need to care for themselves and the children who depend on them.
  • As the changes to daily life in response to the pandemic persist, families may find themselves in need of support that they never used before. This makes it all the more important for pediatric clinicians and child-serving organizations to be familiar with available resources.
  • Those who work directly with children and their families, from clinical staff members to educators and early childhood , should screen and refer families in response to the heightened risks of food insecurity, financial instability, lack of housing needs and emotional stress. Supporting families with children in this way is integral to health.
  • The resources compiled here are intended to help everyone at the forefront of caring for children and families in our region so we can help them connect to the resources and support they need in these difficult times.
  • The resources compiled here are intended to help everyone at the forefront of caring for children and families in our region so we can help them connect to the resources and support they need in these difficult times.

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Food Resources: Meal Sites and Pantries

Statewide

SNAP (Food Stamps)

  • All BCDSS offices are now CLOSED to the public beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice.
  • Applications can still be accessed online through myDHR (also including temporary cash assistance and energy assistance)
  • City residents who do not have Internet access may request a copy of the paper application be sent to them by email, fax or US mail by calling 443-423-6400, or 1-800-332-6347, Monday- Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • SNAP recertification period has been extended 6 months if recertification was due in March/April/May. No action is needed at this time
  • Maryland Hunger Solutions can assist with completing and submitting SNAP applications over the phone, submit any changes to your active SNAP case and answer any questions about your benefits. Contact MHS at 866-821-5552
  • MD Food Bank can assist with SNAP applications over the phone at 1-888-808-7327

SNAP Legal Issues

The Homeless Persons Representation Project has launched a hotline in response to the substantial demand for free legal representation to help Maryland families get and keep SNAP benefits. Call 800-613-2518 for assistance.

The Maryland Food Bank

Pantry locator

Enter your zip code in the form below to search for nearby Maryland Food Bank partners organizations such as food pantries and soup kitchens.

Maryland Meals Site Search

  • State-wide interactive map of locations offering free meals

Maryland Hunger Solutions

SHARE Food Network

  • Organization that offers groceries at roughly 50% discount to anyone who is interested, can be purchased with EBT cards

By County

Food sites have been activated to protect vulnerable populations, including children and families and older adults. Identification or personal information will NOT be required at food sites. This is NOT a public benefit that would be considered on the public charge test. Site locations included below.

Allegany County

Allegany County Public Schools:

  • The ACPS system will be providing three meals per day for students (breakfast, lunch, snack) at all 21 schools between 11a -1p, M- F. All meals can be picked up at once by the parent or student at any of the schools (even if not enrolled there)

Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County Public Schools:

  • AACPS is providing free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to children aged 2-18 at 37 schools between 12 – 2:30p. and 23 mobile curb-side locations found in the links below.
  • PDF of meal sites
  • AACPS news release website

Baltimore City

COVID-19 Free food distribution sites:

Baltimore City Public Schools:

Food Rescue Baltimore:

  • Food distribution dates/times updated through their Facebook page

Baltimore City Government:

  • 2-1-1: Call for food-related resources

Baltimore County

Baltimore County Government:

Calvert County

Calvert County Government:

Carroll County

Cecil County

Charles County

Charles County Children’s Aid Society:

  • Organization has a food pantry, clothing, baby and personal items. Call 301-645-1561 for information or go to site to make an appointment

Frederick County

Harford County

Howard County

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Public Schools:

  • MCPS is pleased to collaborate with Manna Food to distribute weekend backpack food sacks throughout the county. Distribution will take place on Fridays. Please click here to see the most up-to-date list of meal sites.

Prince George’s County

Washington County

Food resources: WIC

Statewide

To enroll in WIC, families need to submit the following:

  • Crib card for the newborn or after visit summary which will need to include the height and weight of the baby
  • Proof of the address (lease, MVA ID, official household bill statement)
  • Proof of income (paystub or medical assistance or food stamp card will be accepted)

By County

Anne Arundel County

For an appointment, call 410-222-6797 (English) or call 410-222-0139 (Español)

Baltimore City

Baltimore City WIC is teleworking until further notice and staff are conducting TeleWIC services appointments. Those needing WIC services or health care providers can call 410 396-9427 or 410-396-9423 for assistance.

The JHH WIC Office reports new families who need to sign up for WIC should scan or take a picture of their documents and send them to [email protected]. If a family does not have access to email, they may also text their documentation to WIC using WIC’s dedicated text line 410-409-8889. Appointments will be conducted over the phone.

To contact:

  • Leave a message at the Eastern Ave Clinic (410-261-0001) or the main number (410-614-4848)
  • Spanish-speakers, call Yadira Foley at 443-841-0637. Referrals for JHH WIC locations can also be made online here
  • Referrals for JHH WIC locations can also be made online here

The above format is being accepted at these locations:

  • Johns Hopkins WIC
  • Cherry Hill
  • Eastern Ave
  • Jai Medical @ Park Heights
  • Park West
  • Belair Edison
  • Adventure Dental/Loch Raven
  • Pratt St
  • Mondawmin (Health Families. Office Only)
  • Sarah’s Hope Office
  • Hampden Family Center
  • Union Baptist
  • Baltimore City Judy Center
  • Benjamin Franklin Center
  • Gilmore St.

Baltimore County

Baltimore County WIC can be reached at 410-887-6000 Phone (410-887-6007 fax).

Harford County

Contact the main WIC hotline 1-800-242-4942.

Howard County

Call WIC at 410-313-7510.

Transportation

  • County Ride: Senior and disabled individuals, who are unable to pick up a meal, may have one delivered by calling the Maryland Access Point at 410-396-CARE (2273), for eligibility into the home-delivered meal program.
  • Moveable Feast: Transportation is continuing for essential appointment. Process for new members is happening as slots open and Ryan White recipients are prioritized at this time.
  • Mobility: Applications if sent via mail or fax are being processed. Interviews are now conducted over the phone. Transportation continues for medical appointments, prescriptions, and food related travel.

Insurance and Health

Insurance

  • Health Care for the Homeless: People without homes can receive care at the downtown clinic. More details can be found here.

Mental Health

Local

  • Thrive Behavioral Health: continuing to connect with patients via telehealth
  • Better Tomorrow Starts Today (BTST): continuing to connect with patients via telehealth
  • Better Health System of Baltimore: The Network of Care link on their website has an interactive directory of behavioral health services and resources in Maryland. * Ask if providers are offering remote tele-therapy services.
  • The Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care: The BHIPP phone line (1-855-632-4477) remains open during normal hours. Their team is available to help address the mental health needs of patients as new concerns and disruptions to care and daily life emerge related to the new coronavirus pandemic.
  • Baltimore Crisis Response: For crisis management BCRI (410-433-5175) is still accepting referrals for patients twenty-four hours per day
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute: offering telehealth services
  • The Family Tree: (1-800-243-7337) has a twenty-four parental stress hotline
  • NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore Helpline: Available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm at 410-435-2600
  • Anne Arundel County Crisis Warmline: Available 24/7 at 410-768-5522

National

  • National Crisis Text Line: Available 24/7. Need help? Text 741741
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Available 24/7. Need help? Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
  • The Trevor Project: The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
  • SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline: Provides 24/77 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
  • NAMI: information and resources
  • TALK SPACE: Offers online therapy with licensed clinicians. They participate with some employee assistance programs and behavioral health plans. Current promotion of $100 discount when you sign up with Code 1004U. For information about a variety of topics: https://www.talkspace.com/blog/

Stress

Families

Families are quickly facing new challenges related to the coronavirus, which might be causing a high level of stress for parents and caregivers. Our team of pediatric psychiatrists and psychologists from John’s Hopkins Children’s Center have compiled a list of recommendations and resources to help parents and caregivers talk to kids about COVID-19 and to cope with parenting stress that may be heightened in light of the pandemic response. Here are some Key tips:

Parent and Caregiver Stress and Coping:

  • Parents and caregivers are critical to the health of children, and it is imperative they are doing what they can to take care of themselves as well. As much as possible, eating healthy meals, getting enough rest, and making time for exercise can all help.

Managing Family Anxiety and Stress:

  • Stay informed, but avoid over-whelming yourself with coverage of the virus
  • Take coronavirus breaks by unplugging from your phone/TV and engage in a fun indoor or outdoor activity like playing a game or taking a walk.
  • If you or a loved one is having a difficult time coping with the outbreak, you can get outside help: Get help or call a crisis hotline

Childcare

Under Maryland law, a child must be at least eight years old to be left alone in a house or car. State law also says a child must be at least 13 years old to baby-sit another child. Generally, it is left up to the parent to decide whether a child who is at least eight is mature enough to be home alone. Any time you leave your child alone, be sure the child knows what to do in case of an emergency. Child Protective Services (CPS) may become involved if a child of any age is left alone and is placed at risk of harm because he or she is unable to manage on his or her own. CPS may also become involved if your child's babysitter or caretaker is unable to properly care for him or her.

LOCATE Childcare

Maryland Family Network’s LOCATE: Child Care (877-261-0060) has extended hours to respond to increased call volume during the pandemic. *Providers are only open to children of essential employees at this time.

  • Parents should call Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  • A real time chat feature is available Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or use the self-guided web version of LOCATE: Child Care 24/7 online
  • Specialized services for parents of children with special needs as well as Spanish language LOCATE: Child Care are also available

Baltimore Mutual Aid Spreadsheet: Individuals offering to help neighbors with errands, child care, pet care and more.

Baltimore Health Professionals Mutual Aid Cooperative: Will connect you with student volunteers who are willing to assist with your essential life needs during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. CHILDCARE is our current focus, given the statewide school closures beginning 3/16. Given our limited capacity we are unfortunately limited to INPATIENT physicians and nurses at JHH and UMMC (ED, MICU, medical IMC and select medicine floors in order of COVID overflow).

Baltimore Neighborhood Quarantine Response Teams: Those with healthy immune systems can assist our neighbors. When we are well we can buy groceries, pick up prescriptions, offer to walk our neighbor's dogs or do anything else that would make it easier for folks to stay inside. If you are a vulnerable individual and need assistance self quarantining see the “vulnerable persons” signup sheets below to get connected with a local neighbor who can help you with activities outside of the home.

Immigrant Populations

Baltimore City: The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA) is working with the City’s Joint Information Center to ensure that critical information is available in multiple languages. In addition, MIMA has been working closely with the Health Department to develop a central location for translated resources which will be accessed through the department’s main website.

  • Weekly updates provided via MIMA’s Facebook page
  • GovDelivery weekly updates, subscribe to receive updates in multiple languages at [email protected].

Weekly updates in Spanish being aired MIMA is partnering with media social influencer Pedro Palomino and Johns Hopkins Centro Sol to share weekly updates in Spanish. “Informe Semanal: COVID-19 Tu Doctor y tu Municipalidad” will air via Somos Baltimore Latino Facebook page.

Esperanza Center: All programs are closed to in person services, but teleservices are being provided for health, legal and other programs, details found here.

Asylee Women Enterprise: Asylee Women Enterprise, also known as "AWE", journeys with asylum seekers and other forced migrants as they navigate the immigration legal process, begin to heal from past trauma and rebuild their lives in Baltimore.

  • Office is open for appointments for food, diapers, and case management needs.
  • Facebook page for daily updates

Centro Sol: Promotes equity In health and opportunity for Latinos by advancing clinical care, research, education, and advocacy at Johns Hopkins and beyond in active partnership with our Latino neighbors.

  • Link to COVID-19 resources in Spanish

Protecting Immigrant Families: PDF of Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs during COVID-19

Other Resources

Legal

MD Access to Justice Commission: Resource page regarding how to navigate the civil justice system during this time. Includes (landlord/tenant/eviction issues, utilities, unemployment, immigration, etc).

Links and Phone Numbers

2-1-1 Maryland: A partnership of four agencies working together to provide simple access to health and human services information. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services. Call specialists answer calls 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Press Option 2 for information about the Coronavirus and resources.

B’More for Healthy Babies COVID-19 Resources and program updates

COVID-19 Information