Community Partners
National CASA standards require that Advocates meet with the child on their case at least once a month in person. Exceptions to the face to face requirement can be waived under special circumstances:
“The CASA/GAL program assures that volunteers have regular and sufficient in-person contact with the child to enable them to have an in-depth knowledge of the case and make fact based recommendations to the court. The CASA/GAL volunteer shall meet in person with the child once every thirty (30) days at a minimum. An exception may be granted in the discretion of the CASA program staff; however, the decision to permit less frequent in person contact shall be documented as to the justification for and reasonableness of the exception.”
National CASA has created guidance for volunteer Advocates:
Both CASA New Orleans and CASA Jefferson have waived the in-person requirement for their Advocates this month. Volunteers are encouraged to conduct face-to-face visits via electronic means, such as Facetime, Google Hangouts, Skype, etc. Source: Orleans and St. Bernard, https://mailchi.mp/casaneworleans/covid-19-update-for-advocates
CASA Jefferson works to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect through volunteers advocating for safe, nurturing, and permanent homes for foster children in our community. For more information, visit their website: https://www.casajefferson.org/
CASA of Plaquemines Parish works to help ensure that every one of our Plaquemines Parish children can live in a safe, permanent home without “slipping through the cracks” of the system. All Plaquemines Community CARE Centers team members are working remotely at this time, and that includes our CASA of Plaquemines team. Anyone trying to reach CASA of Plaquemines should contact Kate Balestra at 504.656.4047. Anyone needing to reach any other members of the Plaquemines Community CARE Centers may contact us through our established phone number of 504.393.5750.For more information, visit their website: http://pcccf.org/casa-of-plaquemines
The Youth Law Center has created a checklist for Advocates making an emergency plan with transition age youth in foster care: https://ylc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Emergency-Plan-with-TAY-in-Foster-Care_YLC.pdf
Other CASA Programs across the country have tips as well, including ones for hanging out virtually (https://wisconsin-casa.org/advocate-corner/), advocating from a distance (https://www.passaiccountycasa.org/advocacyfromadistance), and the need to build more connection in this time of social distancing (https://www.casatravis.org/find_growth_connection_during_self_quarantine_and_social_distancing).
Disability Rights Louisiana
The organization has put together a document that answers some common questions people have related to what might happen to their existing benefits, and what new benefits they might be eligible for during the COVID-19 crisis. This document includes information related to stimulus payments, Unemployment Insurance, SNAP, SSI, Social Security, Medicaid, tax filing, and ways that we can help you address your benefits-related concerns. Source, additional details: https://disabilityrightsla.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4-6-20_2pm_COVID-19_Benefits-QA-.pdf
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
The office is closed to the public but intakes and most other business will continue over the phone or by appointment only. Attorneys on your case will be available via phone or email. Self-help desks will close.
Source, additional details: https://slls.org/covid-19/
VIALINK/211
Dial 211 or text LACOVID to 898211 for information about COVID-19 and to connect to community resources.
211 has a list of food distribution centers in your area, meals for kid under 18, and seniors can sign up for food delivery to their home. Lyft is offering free rides to get food using promocode CV19NOLAPS20.
Source, FAQs: https://vialink.org/coronavirus-faqs/.
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
The School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine has launched a daily update about COVID-19: https://outbreakdaily.wp.tulane.edu/.
Jewish Family Services
Offices are open and continue to provide services to individuals and families at every stage of life. They are also providing comprehensive lists of resources on their website and social media.
Source: https://jfsneworleans.org/
On the Fly
No Hunger NOLA is launching a meal kit relief program for service industry and other affected workers in the city, using excess foods from restaurants, as part of the Culture Aid NOLA relief collaborative. Info regarding meal kit pickup times and locations TBA. Affected restaurants and interested volunteers can find signups here: https://nohungernola.org/onthefly
The Community Center of St. Bernard
Due to the influx in need for assistance, we are adding an additional day for our current/future clients thanks to a grant from the Meraux Foundation. We are currently accepting new clients – please bring a valid photo ID/DL, proof of residency (homeless is okay), and proof of income (no income is okay). Source, details, hours: https://www.facebook.com/CCSTB/
The Blood Center
Blood drives are some of the many recent events that have been cancelled, and now supplies are running low. Scheduled blood donations ensure the fastest donation time, because staff is expecting the donor and they’re able to begin the survey portion of the donation process from their home, office or virtually any web enabled device. Visit TheBloodCenter.org to schedule a donation appointment or call 800-86-BLOOD.
Source, additional details: http://www.thebloodcenter.org/News/Story/87
Evacuteer.org
Evacuteer needs volunteers 18-59 years old to assist at the Eastbank and Westbank food distribution centers.
Source, details, signup: https://www.facebook.com/pg/evacuteer/events/
HandsOn
Looking to volunteer? HandsOn is collecting information on potential volunteers.
Source, signup: http://volunteer.handsonneworleans.org/need/detail/?need_id=507745