Parents Corner

If you have a case that is currently active at this time your case will remain eligible.

Fun Indoor Activities for Kids

• Fun indoor DIY projects to keep kids entertained at home
• Online cooking class with MasterChef Junior
• Create indoor forts for the whole family
• Kid-friendly card games

Online Learning for Children

• Educational Resources & Activities for all ages
• Resources to help kids learn in the kitchen
• Educational games for grades K-12 on subjects like science, math and language arts
• Online circle time videos for children up to 6 years of age

⇒ Bake cookies                          ⇒  Make a collage

⇒ Board games                          ⇒  Movie night

⇒ Card games                            ⇒ Play hide and seek

⇒ Fingerprinting                        ⇒ Play hot potato

⇒ Game night                            ⇒ Put a puzzle together

⇒ Go on a nature walk

Alternative face masks and shields

Since face shields, N95 masks and surgical masks are in limited supply and should be reserved for use by healthcare providers, try home-made options.  Click here for the City of Philadelphia’s suggestions on making fabric-based face masks and DIY face shields.

Career opportunities during COVID-19

Individuals looking to access open job opportunities can visit the PA CareerLink Philadelphia website for more information.

Caring for children during COVID-1

Tips to keep children healthy during the pandemic as recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Census 2020: Your response matters!

School lunches. Plans for highways. Support for firefighters and families in need. Census results affect your community every day.  Complete your survey online.

City of Philadelphia tax guidance in response to COVID-19

The Department of Revenue has published a new web page which includes guidelines about tax filing and payment procedures affected by the COVID-10 epidemic.  Visit their new web page here.

 Community Food Sites

The City of Philadelphia has set up community food sites that will provide free food to residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Residents can pick up a box of food (one box per household) on Mondays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and noon at sites throughout the city. This effort is a partnership with the community-based sites, as well as Philabundance and Share Food Program.  Click here for a full list of sites and an interactive map.

Community Resources during COVID-19

For 50 years, First Up has championed high quality early care and education for children from birth to age 8 in Southeastern Pennsylvania.  For information on their community resources during the COVID-19 visit their website.

COVID-19 Alerts from the City of Philadelphia

Receive updates to your phone from the City of Philadelphia by texting COVIDPHL to 888-777.

COVID-19 Resources in other Languages

Multi-language COVID-19 resources are available through the City of Philadelphia website.  Click here for languages.

Essential City services remain open

All non-essential City of Philadelphia government operations have been halted and all City government buildings will be closed to the public.  Click here to view the list of essential City services that are still in operation and how to contact them.

Find free meals for students while schools are closed

To ensure that students can still have nutritious meals while all schools are closed, the School District of Philadelphia, several charter schools, and the Philadelphia Housing Authority are coordinating with the City’s Office of Children and Families to provide grab-and-go meals for children and youth throughout the city.  Families can pick up meals Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm only at 80 locations throughout the city.  For the latest list and interactive map click here.

Learning at home

The School District of Philadelphia has launched its plan to loan a Chromebook to every student in the Philadelphia area who needs one for learning at home.  The District will loan a Chromebook to every District K-12 student who needs one for learning at home.  It will also make digital content available to help students retain, learn and apply skills and strategies with the support of a teacher.  The loaner program is free and there’s no obligation to participate. If you are the parent or guardian of a District K-12 student who needs a Chromebook for learning at home, there’s nothing you need to do at this time. Principals will notify families of the exact date when they can pick up Chromebooks from their child’s school.  There will also be other opportunities for K-12 families that miss the school distribution window. All devices must be returned once schools reopen.

Protecting yourself during COVID-19

The best way to stay protected is to avoid being exposed by staying home and practicing social distancing.  Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Resources for Impacted Workers

If you are employed in Pennsylvania and are unable to work because of COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation benefits. The Department of Labor & Industry will continue to provide important employment benefit updates as the situation evolves on their website.

Stress and Coping during COVID-19

The outbreak of COVID-19 is stressful for everyone causing fear and anxiety in both children and adults.  Here are some recommendations on dealing with stress and anxiety from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Utilities Relief

• PECO is suspending fees for delays in bills and service shut-offs for three months, effective March 13, 2020 through at least May 1, 2020.
• Philadelphia Gas Works is suspending non-payment terminations and will waive new late payment charges. This termination moratorium will remain in place until further notice.
• Philadelphia Water Department is also suspending non-payment terminations and plans to waive new late payment charges. This termination moratorium will remain in place until further notice. Please note that regular billing will continue for all customers.