Language Translator
In this moment of greater challenges, Help Me Grow is here to help!
No questions too big or small. Call toll-free at 1-888-510-1211 or fill out our contact form.
As a response to these unprecedented times, we have dedicated and developed a page with resources and information to support families during this crisis.
Follow us on Facebook @HelpMeGrowAlameda for frequent updates.
Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19
Explore tools created by Sesame Street about Coronavirus as well as games. (sesamestreet.org)
How to Talk to Your Children About Coronavirus (pbskids.org)
English: Fighting the Big Virus: Trinka, Sam, and Littletown Work Together
Talking to Children about Coronavirus: A Parent Resource (National Association of School Psychologists)
Talking to kids about the Coronavirus (Child Mind Institute)
Local Resources for Additional Support
Family Paths 24-Hour Parent Support Hotline: 1-800-829-3777. Click here for a flyer.
These uncertain times may raise some questions about your children’s behavior or learning and Help Me Grow is here to help! Call 888-510-1211 or fill out a contact form, no question is too big or small.
Lion Creek Crossings Family Resource Center offers support with public benefits, housing stability, tax prep, college & childcare navigation, and other services for free. (Lion Creek Crossings Family Resource Center) Click here for flyer
The San Leandro Warmline Project is a multilingual referral line where you can call in for brief emotional support and get connected with resources in your community, such as medical services, COVID testing sites, food banks and more.
For Spanish: 510-535-8480
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Cantonese or Mandarin: 510-735-3940
Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 1-3pm
Facts About Covid-19
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics. (healthlychildren.org)
Information about Coronavirus. (cdc.gov)
Coping with COVID-19
Article: Resources for supporting children’s emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic (Child Trends)
Beacon Health Options Resources
Information Flyers
- How to navigate anxiety caused by coronavirus
- How to help children navigate anxiety caused by coronavirus
- Coping with stress during infectious outbreaks
Informational Presentations
Coping during COVID-19 resources for parents (Child Mind Institute), available in Spanish.
Helping Your Child During the Pandemic Infographic by NCPMI provides families with a few strategies to help their child cope during the pandemic.
Self-care is crucial and important during Coronavirus. (zerotothree.org)
Sesame Street Caring for Each Other materials, which feature familiar Muppet faces talking directly to kids about how their own families are handling isolation.
Tips for Helping Your Child During the Pandemic by NCPMI provides families with suggestions and resources for helping their child cope with stress, changes, and staying at home.
Relieving Stress
Mental Health Resources
Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national helpline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The toll-free multilingual and confidential crisis support is available to all residents of the United States. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746. Spanish speakers, call 1-800-985-5990 and press “2” or text “Hablanos” to 66746.
Family Paths 24-Hour Parent Support Hotline: 1-800-829-3777. Click here for a flyer.
Adults (Spanish) Evelia: 510-331-2401
Adults (English) Betty: 510-331-5580
Youth & Children (Spanish) Brenda: 510-305-8100
Sally’s Place will be providing crisis peer support and remote peer services 24 hours a day. Call (510) 962-9849 for support.
The San Leandro Warmline Project is a multilingual referral line where you can call in for brief emotional support and get connected with resources in your community, such as medical services, COVID testing sites, food banks and more.
For Spanish: 510-535-8480
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Cantonese or Mandarin: 510-735-3940
Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 1-3pm
For Parents
Coping during COVID-19 resources for parents (Child Mind Institute), available in Spanish.
Information about Coronavirus and how to protect your family. (healthychildren.org)
Sally’s Place will be providing crisis peer support and remote peer services 24 hours a day. Call (510) 962-9849 for support.
Self Care Tips for Parents During COVID-19 (kqed.com)
Self-care is crucial and important during Coronavirus. (zerotothree.org)
The Care, Cope, Connect resource, created by Sesame Street in Communities in collaboration with the First 5 Association of California, helps parents cope with stress and provide safety and security for their children. Download the 10-page booklet.
Tips for parents to help their family de-stress during Coronavirus uncertainty. (Commonsensemedia.org)
Practice mindfulness and meditation anywhere, anytime with the guidance of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (UCLAhealth.org)
For Kids
8 Meditation Apps for Kids (Common Sense Media)
Article: Resources for supporting children’s emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic (Child Trends)
Sesame Street Caring for Each Other materials, which feature familiar Muppet faces talking directly to kids about how their own families are handling isolation.
For Families
East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC)’s Outreach and Health Education Coordinators can help with:
• Finding a testing site
• Providing resources to food, diapers, and supplies
• Applying to MediCal, Cal Fresh, and Cal Works
• Providing health education to help prevent COVID-19
How mindfulness can help during COVID-19 (Child Mind Institute), available in Spanish.
Resources In Other Languages
Local Supports for Families
East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC)’s Outreach and Health Education Coordinators can help with:
• Finding a testing site
• Providing resources to food, diapers, and supplies
• Applying to MediCal, Cal Fresh, and Cal Works
• Providing health education to help prevent COVID-19
Family Paths 24-Hour Parent Support Hotline: 1-800-829-3777. Click here for a flyer.
These uncertain times may raise some questions about your children’s behavior or learning and Help Me Grow is here to help! Call 888-510-1211 or fill out a contact form, no question is too big or small.
The San Leandro Warmline Project is a multilingual referral line where you can call in for brief emotional support and get connected with resources in your community, such as medical services, COVID testing sites, food banks and more.
For Spanish: 510-535-8480
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Cantonese or Mandarin: 510-735-3940
Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 1-3pm
COVID-19 Resources In Spanish
Coping during COVID-19 resources for parents (Child Mind Institute), available in Spanish.
East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC)’s Outreach and Health Education Coordinators can help with:
• Finding a testing site
• Providing resources to food, diapers, and supplies
• Applying to MediCal, Cal Fresh, and Cal Works
• Providing health education to help prevent COVID-19
How mindfulness can help during COVID-19 (Child Mind Institute), available in Spanish.
English: Fighting the Big Virus: Trinka, Sam, and Littletown Work Together
The San Leandro Warmline Project is a multilingual referral line where you can call in for brief emotional support and get connected with resources in your community, such as medical services, COVID testing sites, food banks and more.
For Spanish: 510-535-8480
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Cantonese or Mandarin: 510-735-3940
Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 1-3pm
For Kids
Basho & Friends make music-based foreign language learning resources with a focus on Spanish. Free access to music-based Spanish lessons until the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Cuento Aventuras! A website full of children’s all-time favorite stories in Spanish audio.
Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 (PDF, English)
Cómo ayudar a los niños a lidiar con los cambios provocados por laCOVID-19 (PDF, Spanish)
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource (PDF, English)
Hable con sus hijos sobre el COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Un recurso para padres (PDF, Spanish)
ስለ COVID-19 (ኮሮና ቫይረስ) ከልጆች ጋር ስለመነጋገርየወላጅ መገልገያ (PDF, Amharic)
和孩子談論COVID-19(冠狀病毒)家長資源 (PDF, Chinese)
COVID-19(코로나바이러스)에 관해 자녀와 이야기하기부모 리소스 (PDF, Korean)
Parler aux enfants du COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Une ressource pour les parents (PDF, French)
Nói Chuyện với Trẻ Em về COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Tài Nguyên cho Phụ Huynh (PDF, Vietnamese)
Bicara dengan Anak-Anak tentang COVID-19 (virus corona) Bacaan untuk Orang Tua (PDF, Bahasa)
کے بارے میں بچوں سے بات چیت COVID-19 والدین کے لیے ایک وسیلہ (PDF, Urdu)
Sesamo en las Comunidades (Sesame Street en Espanol)
At-Home Learning Activities
8 Meditation Apps for Kids (Common Sense Media)
At Home, Hands on Learning Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers (teachingmama.org)
Basho & Friends make music-based foreign language learning resources with a focus on Spanish. Free access to music-based Spanish lessons until the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Parent resources for families with children birth to three (zerotothree.org)
Screen-Free Activities for Family Fun (Oakland Public Library)
Sesamo en las Comunidades (Sesame Street en Espanol)
The Care, Cope, Connect resource, created by Sesame Street in Communities in collaboration with the First 5 Association of California, helps parents cope with stress and provide safety and security for their children. Download the 10-page booklet.
Wide Open School is a free collection of the best online learning experiences for kids curated by the editors at Common Sense. Wide Open School helps make learning from home an experience that inspires kids, supports teachers, relieves families, and restores community.
Literacy
Cuento Aventuras! A website full of children’s all-time favorite stories in Spanish audio.
English: Fighting the Big Virus: Trinka, Sam, and Littletown Work Together
Scholastic Learn at Home. Day by Day Projects to Keep Kids Reading, Thinking and Growing (scholastic)
Games
Explore tools created by Sesame Street about Coronavirus as well as games. (sesamestreet.org)
Science and Math
National Geographic Allows Children to Enjoy Interactive Activities with Animals (nationalgeographic.com)
STEM – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH: Learning begins in wonder. Here are some ways children grades K – 12 can explore activities and enrich learning while schools are not in session. (washington state university)
Watch live videos of animals at the San Diego Zoo (sandiegozoo.org)
Welcome to Wonderopolis®, a place where natural curiosity and imagination lead to exploration and discovery in learners of all ages. (wonderopolis.org)
Virtual Field Trips
Adventures in Family: 20 virtual Field Trips. Virtual field trips of museums, zoos, aquariums, and more.
Children with Special Needs
Coping with COVID-19 and Children with Special Needs
COVID-19 Resources for Children with Special Health Care Needs (Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health)
COVID-19 Resources for SF Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs & Disability (supportforfamilies.org)
COVID-19 Resources for SF Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs & Disability – Español (supportingfamilies.org)
Daily Routines are Learning Times – How to Engage Your Child’s Brain, Body, and Voice to Help Me Grow
Visit Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund Special Education Resources’s page for more information on technical assistance. Visit their special edition for information around COVID-19.
Health Care, Child Care, and Financial Supports
2-1-1 Alameda County
Families can dial 2-1-1 for disaster response, information, and referrals to agencies. The multi-lingual operators are available to support families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Click here for English / Multi-lingual flyer.
Lion Creek Crossings Family Resource Center offers support with public benefits, housing stability, tax prep, college & childcare navigation, and other services for free. (Lion Creek Crossings Family Resource Center) Click here for flyer
Relief Funds
Oakland Sick Leave Policy – All Oakland Workers Performing At Least 2 Hours of Work Per Week Within the Geographic Boundaries of Oakland Are Covered Under this Law and Are Eligible to Accrue and Use Paid Sick Time (oaklandca.gov)
Local Supports for Unemployment
American Job Centers offer support to search for jobs, find training, and answer other employment related questions. During this crisis call or e-mail a center near you to receive support with your questions to find a center click here.
FREE Virtual EDD Form Application Assistance. Help is available in Tagalog, Ilocano, Cebuano, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish.
If you are unemployed, have had your hours cut back, or have had to take time off to care for a loved one and are in need of assistance, the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus are hosting a free EDD form assistance virtual clinic every day from 9 am-9 pm. Receive support to fill out your application from start to finish.
Call (415) 484-2209 or click here to find out what benefits you may be eligible for and how to apply.
House & Emergency Lodging Program – H.E.L.P assists single adults with one-time emergency assistance to prevent homelessness, transition to permanent housing, or provide critical needs. (Social Services Agency – County of Alameda) HELP Flyer
Legal Aid at Work helps families who have questions about their employment during COVID-19. They offer free virtual clinics and consultations to file a claim for unpaid wages, for more information click here.
Unity Council offers free services to community members in need. Ongoing services include unemployment help, housing help, resources for small businesses and undocumented Californians, for more information, click here.
For assistance call (510) 535-6101 or click here to complete online request form for support.
Worker Rights
Legal Aid at Work During COVID-19 (legalaidatwork.org)
Workforce Development
Onward CA is a One-Stop Resource For The People of California Impacted by Job Less During the COVID-19 Pandemic (onwardca.org)
The Alameda County Workforce Development Board Resource Toolkit contains helpful information for businesses, workers, and job seekers impacted by COVID-19.
Financial Information
California’s Covid-19 Website: information on the state’s eviction moratorium and mortgage-related information click here.
Sparkpoint Oakland provides free financial coaching for families facing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 crisis click here to schedule a call.
The City of Berkeley is offering rent assistance. Berkeley’s Housing Retention Program provides grant assistance to Berkeley residents at risk of eviction. Call either East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) at (510) 548-4040, and dial ext. 695 or the Eviction Defense Center (EDC) at (510) 452-4541 and leave a message. For more information, click here.
Child Care
For child care information and support in finding childcare click here.
Housing and Shelter
Alameda County Legal Support for Tenants
Please note offices are physically closed staff is responding to voicemails.
East Bay Community Law Center (510) 548-4040
Centro Legal de la Raza (510) 437-1554
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (510) 271-8443
Bay Area Legal Aid 1-888-382-3405
Alameda County Renters’ Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic FAQ. (Bay Area Legal)
Bay Area Community Services (BACS) offers behavioral health and housing supports.
For more information, call 510-238-5091
House & Emergency Lodging Program – H.E.L.P assists single adults with one-time emergency assistance to prevent homelessness, transition to permanent housing, or provide critical needs. (Social Services Agency – County of Alameda) HELP Flyer
Keep Oakland Housed is offering assistance with rent, utility payments and other housing-related costs as well as representation against eviction lawsuits.
Bathroom Resources in Union City – UC BATHROOM SERVICES
Health Care
Alameda County COVID-19 Testing Sites The Public Health Department COVID-19 Testing Sites for Alameda County
The State of California Interactive Map of Coronavirus Testing Sites, click here for more information.
Directory for free clinics across the country
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has posted an alert clarifying that it will NOT consider Medi-cal covered testing, treatment, or preventive care related to COVID-19 as a public charge.
East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC)’s Outreach and Health Education Coordinators can help with:
• Finding a testing site
• Providing resources to food, diapers, and supplies
• Applying to MediCal, Cal Fresh, and Cal Works
• Providing health education to help prevent COVID-19
COVID-19 Health Care Resources and Information: Accessing Health Care and Testing Sites, click here to find the Family Resource Navigators info page.
The San Leandro Warmline Project is a multilingual referral line where you can call in for brief emotional support and get connected with resources in your community, such as medical services, COVID testing sites, food banks and more.
For Spanish: 510-535-8480
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Cantonese or Mandarin: 510-735-3940
Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 1-3pm
Utilities
Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Additionally, all WiFi hotspots are now free of charge. (Charter.com)
EBMUD 60-day moratorium on service disconnection due to billing/payment issues. Call 1-866-403-2683 to have your water service restored if it was shut off due to non-payment.
Reduction in the bill for economic hardship, click here for the Customer Assistance Program.
Keep Americans Connected Pledge: AT&T, Comcast, Charter, Cox, Google Fiber, Spring, Verizon, and T-Mobile will not disconnect any customers for the next 60 days regardless of payment status. (fcc.gov)
Pacific Gas and Electric Co has halted service disconnections. The utility will also offer flexible payment plans “to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19. Customers who visit local offices to pay bills and are sick or experiencing symptoms are being asked to use other payment options such as online or by phone at 1-877-704-8470.
Utilities information for assistance with electric, water, and garbage bills (Family Resource Navigators)
Housing Supports
Alameda County Legal Support for Tenants
Please note offices are physically closed staff is responding to voicemails.
East Bay Community Law Center (510) 548-4040
Centro Legal de la Raza (510) 437-1554
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (510) 271-8443
Bay Area Legal Aid 1-888-382-3405
Alameda County Housing Secure Emergency Rental Assistance (Except for Fremont and Oakland)
For additional information or for eligibility and application help, call 211.
Alameda County Renters’ Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic FAQ. (Bay Area Legal)
Bay Area Community Services (BACS) offers behavioral health and housing supports.
For more information, call 510-238-5091
Catholic Charities of the East Bay Services:
- One-time financial assistance
- Budget review & counseling
- Case management
- Referrals for additional resources
For more information call (510) 768-3100 or click here.
Call (510) 836-2687 and leave a message with questions or details about the situation and a volunteer will call family back in both English and Spanish.
CHCN has a complex case manage program Care Neighborhood that helps with housing support for CHCN members who are enrolled in the program. Also, each of the health centers also have general referral coordinators who assist with housing support for patients who are not Care Neighborhood members. Families can ask their primary care physician for housing support.
House & Emergency Lodging Program – H.E.L.P assists single adults with one-time emergency assistance to prevent homelessness, transition to permanent housing, or provide critical needs. (Social Services Agency – County of Alameda) HELP Flyer
Keep Everyone Housed Application for Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland residents.
Call (510) 613-0330 for more information.
Keep Oakland Housed is offering assistance with rent, utility payments and other housing-related costs as well as representation against eviction lawsuits.
For information on rental assistance programs in Oakland and Fremont, please check here.
For additional information or for eligibility and application help, call 211.
Resources for Community Development is working with Eden Church in the Cherryland area to provide rental assistance.
Unity Council offers free services to community members in need. Ongoing services include unemployment help, housing help, resources for small businesses and undocumented Californians, for more information, click here.
For assistance call (510) 535-6101 or click here to complete online request form for support.
Food and Transportation
2-1-1 Alameda County
Families can dial 2-1-1 for disaster response, information, and referrals to agencies. The multi-lingual operators are available to support families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Click here for English / Multi-lingual flyer.
School Meals
Access to Food (Free)
Alameda County Community Food Bank works towards a stronger, more nourished Alameda County, where no one worries where their next meal will come from. Call 1-800-870-FOOD (3663) or 1-510-635-3663 to find open food pantries.
Families can apply for CalFresh online at www.GetCalFresh.org or www.MyBenefitsCalwin.com, and by phone 1-888-999-4772 or 510-263-2420
The County of Alameda COVID-19 Food Distribution, Testing, and Services Map helps residents cut through the confusion and find information on vital services to meet their basic needs, such as food pantries, meal distribution, and free showers and laundry.
East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC)’s Outreach and Health Education Coordinators can help with:
• Finding a testing site
• Providing resources to food, diapers, and supplies
• Applying to MediCal, Cal Fresh, and Cal Works
• Providing health education to help prevent COVID-19
Food Distribution Centers in San Leandro Food Distribution List and a Food Distribution Map (City of San Leandro)
Free Food Resources (Family Resource Navigators)
The San Leandro Warmline Project is a multilingual referral line where you can call in for brief emotional support and get connected with resources in your community, such as medical services, COVID testing sites, food banks and more.
For Spanish: 510-535-8480
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Cantonese or Mandarin: 510-735-3940
Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 1-3pm
WIC Nutrition and Breastfeeding Support available during shelter-in-place.
Click here for flyer or click here to visit the website.
Transportation Information
The San Leandro Warmline Project is a multilingual referral line where you can call in for brief emotional support and get connected with resources in your community, such as medical services, COVID testing sites, food banks and more.
For Spanish: 510-535-8480
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Cantonese or Mandarin: 510-735-3940
Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 1-3pm
Information for Immigrant Families
Directory for free clinics across the country
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has posted an alert clarifying that it will NOT consider Medi-cal covered testing, treatment, or preventive care related to COVID-19 as a public charge.
Medi-Cal for new applicants, California will be waiving certain paperwork requirements including citizenship docs. All applications can be done through the Covered California website.
Migrant Relief Fund Information
Centro Legal de la Raza, along with community partners, created the Oakland Undocumented Relief Fund, offering relief funds for undocumented families affected by COVID-19.
Please call Centro Legal de la Raza (510) 437-1554 to find out eligibility requirements.
Public Charge During COVID-19
The CA Public Charge Provider List provides contact information for legal supports regarding public charge questions.
Keep your public benefits. This guide will help you understand how public benefits affect immigration options and the new public charge ruling.
Public Charge: the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has posted an alert clarifying that it will NOT consider Medi-cal covered testing, treatment, or preventive care related to COVID-19 as a public charge. Click here for more information from the National Immigration Law Center.
Help Me Grow (HMG) is available to answer all of your everyday questions about your child from birth to age 5, and connect you to resources. Call HMG toll-free at 1-888-510-1211 or fill out our contact form to connect to a child development coordinator to support your parenting journey in building a stronger early learning foundation for your child. Voicemails left there are being picked up regularly and calls will be returned.
If you are a provider and would like to refer a family and don’t have access to a fax during this time, please email helpmegrow@first5alameda.org and let us know you would like to refer a family. Someone will send you an encrypted, secure email with the electronic referral form for you to email back to be processed.