Important information for congregations/PA nonprofits:
- Can Your Organization or Business Help Feed or Shelter Pennsylvanians In Need?
- COVID-19 Guidance: Procurements Under Grants During Periods of Emergency or Exigency
- Paycheck Protection Program for Qualifying Nonprofits
Scroll down to find the following sections:
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Information
- Federal Resources
- Resources from Pennsylvania Organizations
- Congregational and Faith-Based Resources
- Practical Resources
- Resources for Comfort and Strength
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Information
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has issued the following information for Pennsylvanians to use in connecting to important services during this COVID-19 emergency:
Pennsylvania (@PennsylvaniaGov)
Find PA services while practicing social distancing:
File for unemployment: bit.ly/3a2qARW
Talk mental health: text PA to 741-741
Apply for Medicaid: on.pa.gov/compass
Apply for SNAP: on.pa.gov/compass
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Vaccination Information—as of 1/28/21
Updates on PA Vaccination Plan—Updated January 8
COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan Update
In-Person Instruction to Resume for PA Schools in Yellow and Green Phases
Gov. Wolf: 12 More Counties To Move To Yellow Phase COVID-19 Reopening On May 22
Wolf Administration Elaborates on Data Driven Reopening Standard
Pennsylvania Launches COVID-19 Job Hiring Portal
Unemployment Rights and Resources—COVID-19
Report Price Gouging and Coronavirus Scams to PA Attorney General
Emergency Housing for Isolated & Quarantined Persons in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Responds to COVID-19
Wolf Administration Directs Families to Emergency Food Assistance During COVID-19 Mitigation
Governor Wolf Signs Bills Aimed at Fighting COVID-19 in Pennsylvania; Other COVID-19 Actions in PA
Find PA Department of Human Services COVID-19 Guidance
Pennsylvania Department of Education Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Resources
PA Department of Aging Resource for Help with Shelter
PA Department of Agriculture COVID-19 Resources
PA Department of Corrections Response to COVID-19 Crisis
Unemployment Benefit Updates for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted By COVID-19
Resources for Pets During COVID-19
Federal Resources
What You Need to Know About the Government’s Break for Student Loan Borrowers Amid the Coronavirus
Financial Relief for Small Businesses & Nonprofits (seeking clarification on whether congregations are eligible)
Resources from Pennsylvania Organizations
DART Program Helps to Manage Non-Medical Material Donations
Resources for Community Response to Hate
Responding to Hate: A Quick Reference Guide
Information for Persons Who Wish to Volunteer During COVID-19
WellSpan Health Resources for Community Partners; Grant Opportunity
Christian Churches United Launching COVID-19 Response Fund
From Pennsylvania Health Access Network:
- Call PHAN Helpline With Health Insurance/Benefits Questions During COVID-19 Crisis
- Unemployment Compensation—Frequently Asked Questions
- Healthcare—Frequently Asked Questions
- SNAP, TANF, and LIHEAP—Frequently Asked Questions
- Briefing Memos on Coronavirus Resources from PA Health Access Network
Call to Observe Memorial Day, May 25, as Day of Mourning to Acknowledge Grief and Loss from Pandemic
PA School Closures Extended, New Legislation Reduces Standardized Test Score Impact on Teachers (Education Voters of PA)
SeniorLAW Center Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Find COVID-19 Assistance on the 211 Network (United Way of Pennsylvania)
United Way of PA Publishes COVID-19 Resources for the Public
PA Budget and Policy Center and Keystone Research Center Work on the COVID-19 Crisis
Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Medical Assistance (Community Legal Services Philadelphia)
Food Connect Food Donation Quick Start Guide
From the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (http://www.thecaap.org)
Here are some other links that might prove helpful as you decide how your agency should deal with effects of COVID-19:
- PA Department of Health Latest Update on Statistics.
- PA Department of Health General Questions/Answers on COVID-19
- Office of Community Services March 12, 2020 Dear Colleague Letter
detailing the Community Action network’s continued engagement and partnership with us to address and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. - CAPLAW guidance:
Managing Coronavirus Risks: What Should the Community Action Network Think About?
Coronavirus Updates for the Community Action Network - The Community Action Partnership issued a March 11, 2020 newsletter with a National Partners Joint Statement on Coronavirus and much information from all our national partners.If you need a copy with hyperlinks, please email Dan.The Partnership also offers a Guidance & Resources for Managing Coronavirus Risks webpage.
- CAAP’s Statement on the Effects of the Coronavirus on Low-Income People
The above information is uploaded on our CAAP’s Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources webpage.If you have more questions related to Community Action and managing coronavirus risks, please write Susan and Dan and we will do our best to find an answer or resource.
Practical Resources
How Will The Coronavirus Stimulus Bill’s Individual Payments Work?
Watch a Doctor Demonstrate How to Safely Bring Groceries Home During the Coronavirus Crisis
How does the coronavirus test work? 5 questions answered
Resources for Comfort and Strength
Love and Comfort in a Time of Global Pandemic—Assorted Resources
Congregational and Faith-Based Resources
Practical resource: New York State Council of Churches’ Coronavirus Guide for Pastoral Leaders, Judicatories, and Congregations
On March 24, the New York State Council of Churches published its Coronavirus Guide for Pastoral Leaders, Judicatories, and Congregations.
In light of the rapid spread of the COVID-19/coronavirus and concern among congregations and organizations in Pennsylvania and around the country—as well as the need to communicate what we are able to communicate quickly—we are sharing resources developed/shared by the Wisconsin Council of Churches. The information currently contained on their webpage is posted below, and it will be updated as needed. The page is at https://www.wichurches.org/2020/03/11/coronavirus/. We will share additional information as it becomes available.
Again, with credit and thanks to the Wisconsin Council of Churches:
Churches around the world are learning how to be imaginative in their ministry in order to be present to those in need in a time of social disruption. From the experiences of communities facing crises around the world, we know that faith leaders can play a transformational role in calming fear, disseminating accurate information, and modifying religious practices to help keep people safe while providing spiritual care and honoring important community traditions.
We see our role as churches, leaders, and compassionate Christians as:
- combating fear with knowledge in order to encourage preparedness and decrease stigma
- maintaining operational continuity and continuing expressions of Christian life in the case of quarantine and disruption
- showing God’s compassion and care to those in our communities who are affected
We will continue to update our collection of resources in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) here as we create and add to them.
WRITTEN RESOURCES FROM WCC
Flu Season, the Coronavirus and the Church
- What is our role?
- What do we need to prepare for?
- A church view on keeping people healthy
- Responding to Our Neighbors’ Needs
- Ministry Amid Social Disruption
- Where can I find trustworthy information about the current public health situation?
- Denominational Resources
Resources for Streaming Worship
WEBINARS FROM WCC
Have you appreciated or benefited from our crisis response ministry with respect to the coronavirus? Please share a word of testimony, or make a donation to sustain this work, which is helping clergy and churches here in Wisconsin, and across the nation.
Other Church Resources for COVID-19
From Faith in Public Life (http://www.faithinpubliclife.org):
We are currently in the middle of a global pandemic. This is a time to act wisely and well. I’m reaching out today with some guidance on what you and your faith community can do in addition to washing your hands and sanitizing your belongings to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Your words and deeds can save lives.
The World Health Organization identifies faith leaders as key voices in combating the stigma around COVID-19. Stigma discourages people who may be sick from seeking testing and treatment, which means that stigma helps the virus spread. Here’s how you can communicate in a way that fights stigma and encourages treatment.
Please share these talking points on Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp to spread the word in your community!
Often people respond to distressing times by sharing hugs, handshakes and pats on the back. But right now, it’s important to express our love from a distance that protects everyone. Keep a safe distance from people who may be sick, and be mindful that many folks are immunocompromised. A smile, a deep nod, a hand across your own heart, or a word of encouragement are safer ways to show compassion right now. And if you’ve been advised by a doctor or health official to self-quarantine, please stick to it for as long as recommended.
Our faith doesn’t leave us with a spirit of fear, but with a spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind. In this spirit, we can be supporters and allies for our neighbors and family who are sick. Thank you for your compassionate and thoughtful leadership.
Updated 1/29/21
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