• Información sobre COVID-19 en Athens en Español
• For current and accurate information: 
  • GA Department of Health
  • CDC
• COVID-19 Help Line: Call 844-442-2681. Don’t go to the ER without calling first! 
• If you are unemployed, a new emergency rule “extends the time Georgians can receive unemployment from 14 weeks to 26 weeks, which is the longest allowed under federal law. File an unemployment claim here with the GA Department of Labor.
  • If your job has been affected by COVID-19 click here
• Public Health Hotline 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584).
  • After dialing the number, press 3 for the COVID-19 extension, then press 1 for information and answers to common questions.
• The Flagpole has a comprehensive list of resources from employment assistance, food and bill assistance, to entertainment and scholastic resources for kids at home.
• If you need general help or relief (financial, food, resources, medical, etc.), contact United Way, by calling or texting 211 for the national chapter, or 706-543-5254 for the Athens/Oconee chapter. United Way connects people in need to the resources they need. 
• Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-33-HAVEN. They’re still open 24/7!
• The Giving Kitchen provides emergency financial assistance to Georgians who work or recently worked in the food service industry.
• Comcast and Spectrum are both offering 60 days of free WiFi connection with no installation fees for low-income customers or customers with students who previously did not have home WiFi. For Comcast call 1-855-846-8376 and for Spectrum/Charter call 1-844-488-8395.
• National Disaster Distress Helpline
  • National, US-based crisis counseling and support phone line for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
  • Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 666746
• Voting resources: https://www.georgiademocrat.org/voter-protection/information-and-resources-on-registration-and-voting/vote-by-mail-resources/

• Oconee County School System has implemented a free meal service for all children ages 0-18. Meals are available from 12-1pm Monday-Friday. 
• The Oconee Area Resource Council has a program providing food to kids on weekends, to help bridge the gap of food insecurity for students who ordinarily only eat during school, and currently can only eat through the Oconee Schools meal service.

• UGA Coronavirus Info Page: Keeping track of UGA policies and activities
• ACC COVID MB-19 Response: Keep up to date on how Athens-Clarke County is tracking this situation. 
• Emergency Financial Assistance by The Ark United Ministry Outreach Center provides emergency financial assistance when individuals and families have had a loss of income.
• Athens Area Emergency Food Bank: available for all who are facing financial struggles, and worry about where their next meal will come from. Please call the ARK or reach out to your school’s social worker to discuss. 
• Sparrows Nest: Distributing food and hygiene bags from 11:30-1 Wednesday-Saturday.
• Bigger Vision of Athens: Continuing to operate a normal schedule, offering temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness.

• American Red Cross Needs Blood Donors
  • Severe blood shortage right now
  • No cases of coronavirus or flu virus have been linked to blood exposure
• Clarke County School District Meal Distribution: CCSD needs 35 volunteers every day March 17-20 to help distribute meals to students while CCSD schools are closed. Sign up at the link.
• Some tips for supporting local business from home
  • Write 3 positive google/facebook reviews for local businesses 
  • Like 4 new local business pages on facebook
  • Share a local business social media post
  • Order online/over the phone from a local business

This is a stressful time, and your mental health is just as important as your physical health. We want to help you come out of this stronger than ever. Here are some resources to help you through this tough time.

• Georgia Crisis and Access Line: If you are in a crisis or need advice for someone in a crisis, call 800-715-4225. They have a team of crisis-trained counselors standing by and access to any information or resources you might need, including a team who can be brought on-site in a crisis.
• Crisis Text Line: Anyone in Georgia experiencing an emotional crisis can text GA to 741741 to communicate with a trained Crisis Counselor. Children and Teens are especially welcome. The service is free, confidential and available 24/7.
• National Disaster Distress Helpline: National, US-based crisis counseling and support phone line for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 666746
• Healthcare Workers: Free Access to Headspace App: Headspace just announced that they are providing free access to healthcare workers during this time.
• Advantage Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Unit is a 30-bed unit offering short-term residential stabilization services for individuals with psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders. Individuals are accepted on a voluntary or an involuntary basis. 240 Mitchell Bridge Road, Athens, GA, 30606.
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• Internet Essentials Program: For new low-income customers, Comcast is giving away two months of this complimentary internet program. Call (855) 846-8376.
• Spectrum/Charter Internet Assistance: Spectrum is setting up wifi hotspots across the country and giving 60 days free broadband w/out installation fees. Enrollment #:1-844-488-8395
• For Students
  • ACTION, Inc. of Northeast GA is currently working remotely but can be contacted for emergency bill assistance and family support. Call 706-546-8293 to leave a message.
  • CCSD Research Projects
    • CCSD students who may need to complete research projects can go to galileo.usg.edu to access resources that are reputable and relevant. The password for accessing this database from home is “malt”
  • https://www.khanacademy.org/ — specialized lessons for k-12, college students, and standardized testing prep
  • https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm — free online lectures for almost every subject (college students)