Guidance and Resources Related to COVID-19

We are living in a time when news changes quickly, and it is important to stay informed with accurate and unbiased information. The Foundation will continue to update this page with resources and relevant news throughout the pandemic.

Reliable sources of information

To find testing sites and filter by a variety of features, including whether free tests are available for children and uninsured individuals, visit mass.gov/GetTested.

The CDC, MA Department of Public Health, and your local Public Health Department are all excellent resources.

For the latest guidance for schools, visit the website for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - COVID19 updates. 

The Foundation produces MetroWest-specific summaries of MA DPH's weekly reports. Find the latest case and testing data on the MetroWest COVID-19 Data Dashboard, and the latest vaccination data on the MetroWest Vaccine Equity Dashboard. 

For a report on how COVID19 impacted MetroWest in the initial months, see our Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on MetroWest (from July 2020). An updated overview highlighting strengths and challenges of regional pandemic response efforts can be found in the COVID-19 Impact Report (published Fall 2021).

Equity

• The National Academy of Medicine's Culture of Health Program developed Resources on Health Equity in the Context of COVID-19
  
• For addressing vaccine hesitancy, visit Resources Related to COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging and Hesitancy and see what MetroWest leaders are saying about the COVID19 vaccine.

Behavioral Health

• SAMHSA runs a Disaster Distress Helpline :1-800-985-5990.
• The Department of Mental Health put together some resources on maintaining emotional wellness as the pandemic and physical distancing continues. Tips for reducing stress and managing loneliness are included.
• Find help for mental health and substance use needs from Network of Care Massachusetts. They have a COVID-19 Information Hub with information on accessing health insurance, food, support against violence, and other critical resources
  • As of March 2021, Network of Care includes a Culturally Responsive Behavioral Health Resource Hub
• From Shatterproof, a resource for those dealing with substance use: How to find a virtual recovery meeting
• The #BetheDifference campaign from Mental Health First Aid, in addition to their other articles and updates, can help you and others cope with anxiety, depression, and other emotions
• SPARK Kindness has published a number of resources, including some virtual events related to building resiliency for people of all ages

• Health Care for All has information sheets in multiple languages for accessing prescription medications, navigating public charge amidst the pandemic, and other related topics
  • Call the HelpLine (1-800-272-4233) for questions related to public charge and the chilling effect, COVID19-related care, and getting connected to health insurance coverage.
• Massachusetts Immigration & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) offers immigration-related, multilingual coronavirus resources
• The Office of the Attorney General Maura Healey has made flyers in Portuguese, Spanish, and English to remind individuals of their right to health care regardless of immigration status

• The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project provides legal assistance to low-income tenants
• The CDC published COVID-19 resources for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers
• COVID-19 fact sheets are available in over 30 languages, reviewed and vetted by physicians and medical school faculty members at the Harvard hospitals via the COVID-19 Health Literacy Project
• Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka has been providing updates on federal, state, and MetroWest resources and legislation related to the novel coronavirus
  
• Resources and Information in Portuguese are available from Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (toggle from English to Portuguese and back in the top left corner)

Supporting Children and Families

• The National Association of School Psychologists offers guidance on talking to children about COVID-19
  
• Mental Health America created a "Back to School Toolkit" for students, parents, and school staff 
• The STARTS: Strategic Toolkit Advising the Return to School was developed through the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and is a collaborative effort from conversations with teachers, counselors, pediatricians, and district leaders.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics prepared guidance for pediatricians
• Parents Helping Parents has a free hotline for parents to speak with counselors, 24/7: Call 800-632-8188
• Handhold is a tool for parents or guardians of children to help assess the best way to support a child's wellbeing, created by MA Department of Mental Health, MA Office of the Child Advocate, and MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Resources geared towards agencies

• For municipalities, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council has compiled a number of resources for responding to recent variants (winter 2022).
• Ways to build organizational resilience are summarized by the National Council for Behavioral Health
  
• For elements to consider when reopening a workplace or facility, please visit our post on what community organizations need to consider.
• Massachusetts Nonprofit Network has many resources including policy and funding information for nonprofits
• Technology resources for nonprofits conducting remote work can be found through this COVID-19 compilation by TechSoup
• Resources from the March 6 Emergency Preparedness event at the Foundation: Emergency Preparedness checklist, Agency Emergency Planning slides, Coronavirus updates (as of March 6, 2020), Sample communications (sent by a local organization on March 4, 2020), and a Sample pandemic response policy