Covid-19 Resources
The following resources provide information to help Mt. Lebanon School District families and staff navigate the complexities of COVID-19 and the impact the pandemic it is having on our daily lives. These resources will be updated as more information becomes available.
COVID 19 Resources
- COVID - 19 FREE TESTING SITES
- RESOURCES WHEN ISOLATING AND QUARANTINING
- PA COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard
- TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19
- EDUCATION
- PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES
- MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
- FOOD/UTILITIES/HOUSING
- ABUSE
- GENERAL ASSISTANCE
- PETS
COVID - 19 FREE TESTING SITES
Here is information concerning local testing sites.
Visit this link for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) with a map that identifies the free testing sites near you.
McKeesport Free COVID-19 drive-up testing site:
* To register and learn more: http://bit.ly/
* Open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday
* Tests are fast, easy and free. No insurance or doctor’s referral or prescription needed
* Testing available for anyone aged 3 and up who meets the testing eligibility. No one will be turned away
* These tests are great for young and school-aged children. They don’t hurt but might tickle a little. Older children can administer the test themselves. Parents or guardians can help younger children
* Appointments can be scheduled online and by phone
* Online next-day appointment are accepted Sunday through Thursday. Information is available here: http://bit.ly/
* To make an appointment by phone call 412-209-2262 (Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). Monday appointments can be scheduled on Friday over the phone.
* Same-day appointments may also be made by phone, when available
* A person meeting at least one of the following criteria is eligible for testing:
- Have symptoms of COVID-19
- Have been in contact with someone that has COVID-19
- Are concerned about exposure to COVID-19 because of travel, work, attending a large gathering, or any other situation
- Work in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Are a critical infrastructure worker, health care worker, or first responder
- Are a high-risk patient and have recently attended a gathering of 10 or more people
- Live in a shelter or single room occupancy
- Need a COVID-19 test to return to work or school or to travel.
RESOURCES WHEN ISOLATING AND QUARANTINING
Resources from the ACHD: Isolating or quarantining because of COVID-19 can be challenging, but they are important tools to contain the virus. Help is available through the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania by calling 2-1-1 or by calling the Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-856-2774. Resources include:
- Food assistance: The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank is offering home delivery for people who cannot leave their home. For information on scheduling a delivery, call 412-460-3663, ext. 655, or visit https://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org
- Housing assistance: Allegheny Link has is encouraging those in need of housing services and support to call them at 866-730-2368 or email AlleghenyLink@AlleghenyCounty.us
- Child care assistance: Trying Together has partnered with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services to provide information on finding child care at www.tryingtogether.org/find-child-care. Help is also available by calling Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 at 412-350-3577
- Assistance for seniors: Allegheny County’s SeniorLine can be reached at 412-350-5460
- Substance abuse disorder assistance: PA Get Help Now can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP
- To report child abuse or neglect: Call Childline at 1-800-932-0313
- Concerned about abuse or neglect of an older adult or an adult with disabilities: Older Adult Protective Service can be reached at 412-350-6905 or 1-800-490-8505
PA COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard
TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19
Sometimes we underestimate how deeply children internalize what they are hearing when events, such as a virus that spreads world-wide, occur. Below are resources that can help you have a discussion with your child about any fears and worries they may have about COVID - 19 and how they are processing what they are hearing on the news.
A Parent Resource from the National Association of School Psychologists
Coronavirus from the American Academy of Pediatrics
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus from PBS Kids
Helping Your Child to Manage Anxiety
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
PARENT/CAREGIVER GUIDE TO HELPING FAMILIES COPE WITH THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019
American Psychological Association
Five Ways to View Coverage of the Coronavirus
Healthline
Talking to kids about the coronovirus
PBS Kids
Arthur's resources for talking to children about upsetting events
Scholastic News
Talking to your kids about scary news
EDUCATION
The Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative is throwing a lifeline to parents wading through a sea of information about academics in the age of COVID-19. Now through September 30, 2020, representatives from A+ Schools, ARYSE, Lawrenceville United, the Latino Community Center, the Boys & Girls Club, and Heinz Fellows will be fielding calls to answer questions and offer support to families.
Calls will be received 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a representative doesn’t answer, callers can leave a voicemail and expect a call back within 48 hours on weekdays.
For English, call 412.256.8536. For Spanish, call 412.335.7446.
Callers who do not speak Spanish or English can leave a message in their preferred language.
Representatives from ARYSE which has a partnership with Global Wordsmiths, can respond to calls in 10 different languages.
Mindful Moments - A daily streaming program that provides updates for the MTLSD school community and Mindfulness activities provided by Superintendent Timothy Steinhauer.
Mindful Resources -Resources that Dr. Steinhauer has featured during his daily Mindful Moments.
Health Literacy Project -This site translate accessible COVID-19 information into different languages to help all patients know when, and how, to seek care. The materials are created in collaboration with Harvard Health Publishing.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-to-get-kids-ready-to-video-chat-for-online-classes
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
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CDC Managing Stress and Anxiety during COVID-19 Pandemic https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
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NASP Talking to children about COVID-19 (multilingual resources available) https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource
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NCTSN Caregiver COVID-19 Preparedness fact sheet https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf
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SAMSHA Taking care of behavioral health during an infectious disease outbreak https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Taking-Care-of-Your-Behavioral-Health-During-an-Infectious-Disease-Outbreak/sma14-4894
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Resolve Crisis Services 1-888-7-YOU-CAN; 1-888-796-8226
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National Suicide Prevention Line 1-800-273-8255 / Text CONNECT 741741
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PA Dept. Drug & Alcohol 1-800-662-HELP(4357)
FOOD/UTILITIES/HOUSING
Food
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Food Distribution Map This map displays locations of free resource distribution sites in the region. Allegheny County
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Mt. Lebanon School District provides Free Meals Daily at the High School Entrance C20 11:00-1:00. All children in Mt. Lebanon are welcome whether or not they attend MTLSD schools.
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SHIM 412-854-9120 Corrie Yanko, Service Coordinator cyanko@shimcares.org 412-854-9210 x107
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Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - 412-460-3663 Locators
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Salvation Army 1060 McNeilly Road/412-207-2127
Financial/Utilities
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PA Unemployment 888-313-7284
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United Way 2-1-1 211 OR 888-553-5778
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Free Internet 1-855-846-8376
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MTLSD Tech resources Internet At Home
- Utility Assistance for those Affected by the Corona Virus
- PUC Urges Financially Stressed Consumers to Work with Utilities to
Explore Options - PUC Prohibits Utility Terminations, Consistent with Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency
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Duquesne Light 412-393-7100
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Columbia Gas 1-888-460-4332
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People’s Gas 1-800-400-9276
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Comcast 1-855-846-8376
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PA American Water 1-800-565-7292
Housing
Rent Relief in Allegheny County: For more information or to apply, visit https://COVIDRentRelief.AlleghenyCounty.us. Questions can also be directed via email to AHICaresRRP@actionhousing.org or via phone to 412.248.0021.
Applications for CARES Financial Assistance for Renters and Homeowners
People who lost income due to the pandemic-related economic slowdown may be eligible for rent or mortgage assistance to help them stay in their homes.
Applications for CARES financial assistance for renters and homeowners will be available June 29; application submissions can begin July 6
Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief starting June 29. At that time, applications will be easily accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org. PHFA is administering both programs.
Center for Schools and Communities
Important resource for low-income families in Pennsylvania who have had a recent loss of income. Human Services Launches Emergency Assistance Program to Help Low-Income Families Amidst COVID-19
- Families who qualify will be eligible for a one-time payment to assist them in meeting basic needs and help them secure more stable financial footing in the future.
- The program will be open to families with a child under the age of 18 or a woman who is currently pregnant.
- In order to qualify, families must have at least one person in the household who was employed as of March 11, 2020 and experienced an hour or wage reduction of at least 50 percent for two weeks or more or lost employment entirely due to the public health crisis.
- The emergency assistance application is available online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Families should be prepared to submit all necessary documentation with their application to expedite processing and avoid having to apply again. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, May 11 through June 12 or until all funds are expended.
- Protections for All Pennsylvania Renters
- Coronavirus: Federal Protections for Renters
- Coronavirus: Protections for Homeowners
- Housing Alliance of PA COVID Information Pittsburgh location 412-281-1137 Rights and Benefits for Renters and Homeowners
- Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh 412-227-4164
- Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh 412-227-4802
ABUSE
- ChildLine (child abuse/neglect) 1-800-932-0313 or 412-473-2000
- Older Adult Abuse 412-350-6905 or 1-800-344-4319
- Domestic Violence 1-800-799-SAFE(7233) TEXT- LOVEIS 22-522
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
- Neighborhood Aid Serving the Mt. Lebanon and Dormont communities. 412-253-4104
- United Way of Southwestern PA
1-888-553-5778 or 2-1-1; TEXT your zip code to 898-211; http://pa211sw.org/ food, rent, utilities and other basic needs - Allegheny Link 866-730-2368 rental services and referrals for other services
- Community Human Services 412-246-1640; Referral365@chscorp.org
- Pittsburgh Presbyterian Lazarus Fund 412-697-7390
- Immigrant Services and Connections (ISAC) 412-742-4200 Michelle King, Service Coordinator 412-892-4673 x345 mking@shimcares.org
- Port Authority (pass reimbursement) 412-442-2000
- PA Support and Referral Helpline 855-284-2494
PETS
- Animal Friends Chow Wagon 412-847-7023
- Humane Animal Rescue
- Ellie’s Pet Pantry 412-345-7300 x290