COVID-19 Homeless Response

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CCEH is working closely with state agencies, Coordinated Access Networks, and shelters to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on people experiencing homelessness, the providers who serve them, and the general public. Below are some quick stats on Connecticut’s current shelter population.

Want to help?

Our shelters are doing everything they can to follow the CDC guidelines of spacing beds 6 feet apart, but the reality is that with current shelter capacity we need to work more quickly than ever to move people out of shelters and into HOMES. If you have been looking for a way to help, please consider donating emergency funds to move families and individuals into apartments right away.

COVID-19 and Homelessness Resource Guide

UPDATED: 3/30/2019

REFERENCES:

Connecticut Resources | National Resources | Client Resources | Youth Resources | Food Resources

This resource guide is intended to provide useful information to providers of homeless shelters, transitional housing, drop-in centers, and other homeless services to assist with preparation and prevention of spread of COVID-19 in Connecticut. 

At this time, we are strongly urging homeless shelters and other services providers to remain open, while modifying services delivery and implementing measures to minimize community spread of COVID-19. We encourage all Connecticut providers to consult the Department of Housing’s guidance for preparing shelters for COVID-19 and to remain in close communication with their local health departments. Below are some additional resources to inform your response. Please do not hesitate to reach out by contacting info@cceh.org if we can be helpful to you.

A message to our providers from State Senator and physician Saud Anwar.

Summary of Connecticut Resources

• Department of Housing Guidance:
  • Memorandum – Preparing Shelters for COVID-19
  • Memorandum – Changes to CAN Appointments for COVID-19
  • Memorandum – Rapid Re-Housing Prioritization & Paperwork Requirements during State’s Declaration of Public
    Health & Civil Preparedness Emergency
  • Memorandum – Rapid Re-Housing Apartment Search & Inspection Request Protocols – 3.25.20
  • DOH COVID-19 Homeless Response Assessment
    • Online Survey
    • PDF
• CCEH Guidance:
  • CCEH Webinar Recording
  • CCEH Webinar Slides
  • Map of Local Health Departments and Districts. 
  • COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund for Shelter Diversion and Rapid-Exit
• Coordinated Access Network Guidance:
  • CAN Health Screener Form and Triage Protocol with Regional Contacts – 3.23.20
• Sample Preparedness or Service Modification Plans:
  • Sample Preparation Plans from Shelter and Services Providers:
    • Beth-El Center’s COVID-19 Preparation Plan
    • South Park Inn’s COVID-19 Preparation Plan
    • New London Homeless Hospitality Center’s Infection Control Policy
    • Inspirica’s COVID-19 Protocols
  • Sample Notices of Reduced or Modified Services:
    • Beth-El Center’s Notice to Soup Kitchen
    • Liberty Community Services’ Notice of Reduced Services
• State of Connecticut General COVID-19 Guidance
  • FAQ on the State of Connecticut’s COVID-19 Response – 3.20.20
• Department of Corrections
  • Transition Clinic Network COVID-19 Response Line

If you have specific questions regarding DOH policy or protocol, please contact: Leigh Shields-Church or Kara Capobianco
For general questions, please contact: info@cceh.org

Summary of National Resources

• HUD Guidance:
  • Disease Risks and Homelessness Page
  • Infectious Disease Toolkit
  • Infectious Disease and Provider Preparedness (Webinar)
  • Specific Considerations for Public Health Authorities to Limit Infection Risk Among People Experiencing Homelessness
  • Ask A Question (AAQ) Portal
• CDC Guidance:
  • General Index
  • For Shelters
  • Interim Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for US Community Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Interim Guidance for Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness – 3.23.20
• NAEH Guidance:
  • Coronavirus and Homelessness Post (Updated)
• USICH Guidance:
  • COVID-19 Toolkit
  • Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Outbreak
• CSH Guidance:
  • COVID-19 Guidance for SH Providers 
  • What Supportive Housing Providers Need to Know
  • Home Visit Script (Pathways DC Sample)
• NHCHC Shelter Assessment:
  • Resource Guide
  • Tier One COVID-19 Response Assessment for Shelter
• Guidance for Eligible Cost on Infections Disease Preparedness:
  • ESG Program Eligible Costs for Infectious Disease Preparedness
  • CoC Program Eligible Funds for Infectious Disease Preparedness
  • CDBG Eligible Activities to Support Infectious Disease Response

Additional Resources for Working with Clients

• SAMHSA Guidance:
  • Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
  • Tips for Prents, Teachers, and Caregivers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• DCF Guidance:
  • Guidance for In-Home Visitation and Screening of Youth and Visitors to Offices, Facilities and Programs
• Posters and Flyers to Display
  • Food Safety, Handwashing, Germs, Coronavirus, and COVID-19, and More
• Turning Point CT Guidance:
  • Coping with COVID-19

Resources for Working with Youth – added 3.25.20

• RHY Provider Guidance:
  • Responding to COVID-19
• Point Source Youth:
  • Weekly Webinar Series
• Away Home America:
  • Covid-19 Through the Lens of Equity & Youth Collaboration Webinar co-hosted with the National Youth Forum on Homelessness (webinar date on – March 27th at 1pm).
• NN4Y Guidance:
  • COVID-19  Resources for Youth Homelessness Providers

Food Security Resources:

• Department of Education
  • Emergency Meal Program
• CT Food Bank
  • Mobile Pantry Schedule
• Foodshare
  • Food Assistance Programs and Schedules

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