COVID-19
INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Advocacy for Homeless New Yorkers
SIGNATURES COLLECTED IN TWO DAYS
Physicians, social workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, care managers and other health professionals from hospital systems throughout NYC have observed the unfair toll the COVID-19 crisis is having on the homeless population. Within two days, over 500 signed a letter to city and state leaders expressing concerns and recommendations. We received dozens of comments from people signing the letter.
While we limited signatures on the final letter to non-student frontline health professionals working in or with hospital systems in New York City and the immediate surrounding areas, we wanted to thank the more than 130 individuals who signed and voiced their support including medical and other students, professionals from within and outside New York City, and others. We are deeply grateful for their support and solidarity.
Consortia Town Halls
The Bronx and Brooklyn Health & Housing Consortia are organizing Town Hall Q&As for frontline staff to ask experts and government representatives questions about COVID-19 and the City’s response. See below for past webinar recordings, and stay tuned for more.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: The guidance and information provided in past town halls may have changed since the time of the recording. To see the most up-to-date government guidance, see the government guidance section below.
What Does It Mean to be Essential? Mental Health for Frontline Workers During COVID-19 6.11.20
This town hall with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygeine, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Brook Avenue Housing gave frontline workers the opportunity to ask questions to a psychiatrist and clinical social worker on processing grief, trauma, and burnout. Participants learned about mental health resources available for frontline workers from DOHMH.
Materials from this webinar
Panelists:
- Dr. Sargam Mona Jain, MD, FAPA – Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College
- Barbara Miliano, LCSW – Clinical Social Worker, The Brook
- Angela Soto – Director of Community Health Promotion, NYC DOHMH
Mental Health for Frontline Workers during COVID-19 Presentation 6.12.20
More presentation resources and resources from town hall attendees
For more resources by NYC DOHMH, see the government guidance section below.
Recent Updates with the Department of Homeless Services 6.2.20
This town hall with NYC DHS First Deputy Commissioner Molly Park provided frontline staff with information about the recent changes in the homeless service system in light of COVID-19, including shelter operations and density reduction strategies, subway and street outreach, and planning for the next phase of COVID-19 for sheltered and unsheltered populations.
Materials from this webinar
Panelists:
- Molly Park, NYC DHS First Deputy Commissioner
DHS Isolation Guidance Revised.5.20.20
Town Hall Questions and Responses from DHS 6.11.20
For more resources by NYC DHS, see the government guidance section below.
Substance Use Treatment during COVID-19 5.12.20
Led by representatives from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and NYC Health + Hospitals, this town hall discussed substance use treatments, risks, and resources in the context of the pandemic as well as response-related developments in methadone and buprenorphine programs in NYC.
Materials from this webinar
Panelists:
- Erica Basco, MPH, Publications & Projects Strategist, Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Use Prevention, Care, & Treatment – NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Dr. Andrew Segoshi, MS4 MD Candidate, NYU Grossman School of Medicine – NYC Health + Hospitals Virtual Buprenorphine Clinic
Substance Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic by NYC DOHMH 5.12.20
Virtual Buprenorphine Clinic by NYC H+H 5.12.20
More presentation resources and resources from town hall attendees
For more substance use resources, see the resources for clients & patients section below.
COVID-19 Town Hall Q&A with NYC DHS and H+H 4.1.20
Representatives from NYC Department of Homeless Services and NYC Health + Hospitals answer questions for frontline homeless service and healthcare staff and discuss protocols for homeless patients related to COVID-19.
Materials from this webinar
Panelists:
- Dr. Fabienne Laraque, Medical Director, NYC Department of Homeless Services
- Meghan Smith, Executive Advisor for Policy and Operations, NYC Department of Homeless Services
- Dr. Alessandra Calvo-Friedman, Medical Director – Social Determinants of Health, Office of Public
Health, NYC Health + Hospitals Corporation
Government guidance has changed since the time of this recording. To see the most up-to-date guidance, see the government guidance section below.
COVID-19 Town Hall Q&A with Dr. Lee Isaacsohn 3.25.20
Dr. Lee Isaacsohn from Janian Medical Care answers COVID-19 for frontline care staff, including how COVID-19 is spread, who is at risk, how long it typically lasts, and how we can prevent it from spreading.
Materials from this webinar
HUD Exchange: Prevention and Response Information for Homeless Assistance Providers
Government guidance has changed since the time of this recording. To see the most up-to-date guidance, see the government guidance section below.
Government Guidance
We have compiled relevant guidance from New York City and State agencies as well as from the federal government. These guidance documents and protocols are changing quickly, so we will update this page regularly.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA)
NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH)
NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Guidance for Opioid Treatment Programs (3.10.20)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC Guidance on COVID-19 among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness
NYC Deparment of Homeless Services (DHS)
DHS Isolation Guidance Revised (5.22.20)
Intro to Isolation FAQ (4.28.20)
DHS Protocol For Isolation and Discharge to Shelter (4.21.20)
Isolation Discharge Criteria (4.27.20)
DHS Isolation Site Screening Form (6.3.20)
Shelter Provider COVID-19 FAQs (4.28.20)
Isolation Plan and Best Practices for DHS Shelters (4.28.20)
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
Resources for Clients & Patients
Coalition for the Homeless COVID-10 Emergency Services
Bronx Resource Guide (6.11.20) | en Español
Brooklyn Resource Guide (6.11.20) | en Español
Manhattan Resource Guide (6.11.20) | en Español
Substance Use Resources
NYC Health + Hospitals Virtual Buprenorphine Clinic
NYC Health + Hospitals Clínica Virtual de Buprenorfina – información en Español
Alcohol Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19: Information for People Who Use Drugs
How to Get Opioid Use Disorder Treatment at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Guidance on Safe Storage of Medications and Substances for Recreational Use During COVID-19 (5.7.20)
Guidance on Opioid Prescribing During the COVID-19 Outbreak (3.31.20)
NYC COVID-19 Hotel Program
Resources for Pet Owners
NYC Emergency Management Pet Hotline: (877) 204-8821
(8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily)
ASPCA Pet Food Distribution Helpline: (800) 738-9437
(by appointment only)
Resources for Frontline Staff
Resources for Non-Profits
Funding Opportunities
Legal Assistance and Information
Other Resource Pages
New York Resources
Greater New York Hospital Association
GNYHA Discharge Planning for Specific Patient Populations (6.3.20)
CSH COVID-19 Supportive Housing Community Platform
What Supportive Housing Providers Need to Know (3.11.20)
COVID-19 State Policies Relating to Legal Services Attorneys and Clients
Recursos en Español
Servicios de Emergencia para COVID-19 de Coalition for the Homeless
Guía de recursos en el Bronx (6.11.20)
Guía de recursos para Brooklyn (6.11.20)
Guía de recursos para Queens (6.22.20)
