Arizona is now vaccinating all individuals ages 5 and older (5 and older for the Pfizer vaccine, 18 and older for the Moderna and Janssen vaccines). A safe and effective vaccine is a critical component of the U.S. strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19 and reduce COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is working diligently to distribute and administer COVID-19 vaccines throughout Arizona. Booster doses for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized by the FDA and CDC. A ‘mix and match’ approach to booster doses by vaccine type was also authorized. Everyone 18 years and older are recommended to get a booster dose at least 6 months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna* COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone 18 years and older are recommended to get a booster dose at least 2 months after their original dose of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, visit CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots webpage. Information about all vaccination sites across Arizona can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine.
The AZ Health System Covid-19 Vaccine Safety Task Force created a comparison table for the three current vaccines. Click here learn more and read about each vaccines.
On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older. On May 10, 2021, the FDA expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. The emergency use authorization allows the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. Below is a factsheet for Recipients and Caregivers about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This factsheet is also translated and available in Arabic, Burmese, Cherokee, Chuukese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Iu Mein, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Mam, Marshallese, Navajo, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Yiddish. More information on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can be found here.
On December 18, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the second vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The emergency use authorization allows the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. Below is a factsheet for Recipients and Caregivers for the Moderna vaccine. There are translated factsheets available in Arabic, Burmese, Cherokee, Chinese, Chuukese, English, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Iu Mein, Japanese, Korean, Mam, Marshallese, Navajo, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Yiddish. More information on the Moderna vaccine can be found here.
On February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The EUA allows the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. There are translated factsheets available in Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Cherokee, Chuukese, English, Farsi, French, German, Guajarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Marshallese, Navajo, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Yiddish. More information on the Johnson &J Johnson vaccine can be found here.
Governor Doug Ducey and AHCCCS, Arizona’s state Medicaid agency, today announced a first-in-the-nation initiative that will make it easier for Medicaid members to get transportation to drive-through COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Beginning today, AHCCCS will reimburse non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) providers for driving eligible Medicaid members to and from their COVID-19 vaccination appointments, including reimbursement for time spent waiting during the drive-through vaccination process. This is possible thanks to a temporary rate change, effective today, Feb. 22, 2021, that will cover the cost of transportation for eligible AHCCCS members who have appointments at drive-through vaccination sites. In accordance with federal guidelines, Medicaid members who cannot provide or arrange their own transportation have access to non-emergency transportation (NEMT) to and from appointments for covered Medicaid services. Click here to read more
Community acquired COVID-19 has been confirmed in Arizona and we believe it is important that refugees and partner service providers stay up to date with current outbreak information, CDC guidance on how to avoid infection and infecting others if ill, and existing translated resources. There is nothing refugee-specific about the virus. Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not make a person more vulnerable to this illness.
COVID-19 Estimation Updates – Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Predicts hospital resource use and deaths per day assuming full social distancing through December 2021. To view data, click here.
There are currently 1,524,363 cases of confirmed COVID-19 in Arizona.
There are currently 24,992 deaths related to COVID-19 in Arizona.
From the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS): https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home
Current Public Health Recommendations from ADHS: The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed. Getting vaccinated will also help keep you from getting COVID-19. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet). This occurs through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. For more guidance from AZDHS (Arizona Department of Health Services) that vaccinated people and unvaccinated people should follow, click here.
Other important websites:
Refugee Council USA: Know Your Rights During COVID-19
“Know Your Rights During COVID-19” guide by the National Lawyers Guild to help communities, particularly important for communities that have been traditionally marginalized. Available in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Russian, Spanish, and Swahili.
King County WA: COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations
Available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Tagalog, French, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese.
Equity Labs: COVID-19 Community Guides
Equality Labs has created a series of medically vetted COVID-19 Community Guides in partnership with the WHO that are available in 13 languages – Bengali, Burmese, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
CDC: Guidance For Large or Extended Families Living in the Same Household
Available Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Karen, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Swahili, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Harvard Health Publishing: COVID-19 Healthy Literacy Project
Multilingual resources from Harvard Health Publishing, including fact sheets on pregnancy and age appropriate fact sheets for children and youth. Available in Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Creole, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, English, Farsi, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Hiligaynon, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Malayalam, Marathi, Navajo, Oromo, Portuguese, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Siberian, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program: Face Mask Instruction
Available in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili.
Switchboard: Mask Guidelines
Available in Arabic, English, French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Nepali, and Spanish.
Switchboard: Social Distancing Guidelines
Available in Arabic, English, French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Nepali, and Spanish.
Department of Health WA: BE a Germ Buster… Wash Your Hands
Available in Arabic, Bengali, Cambodian, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Slum and Rural Health Initiative: Translated “Stop COVID” Pictures
Pictures and text explaining how to prevent the spread of germs, in 60 languages (mainly West African). To see list of languages, click here.
CDC: Stop the Spread of Germs
Available in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Kinyarwanda, Oromo, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Department of Health WA: Caring For A Loved One
Available in Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Marshallese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Available in: Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Karen, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Kunama, Lao, Nepali, Oromo, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian (Bosnia), Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Thai, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
CDC: 10 Things You Can Do To Manage Your Symptoms At Home
Available in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, French, Haitian-Creole, Hmong, Karen, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Lao, Marshallese, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
NCHHHS: Ways To Manage Your Symptoms At Home
Available in Bosnian, Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Croatian, English, Falam Chin, German, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Jarai, Kayah, Kinyamulenge, Mizo Chin, Polish, Punjabi, Rhade, Rohingya, Sango, Serbian (Cirilica), Serbian (Latin), Swahili (Congo), Tedim Chin, Thai, and Urdu.
International Rescue Committee: Feeling Sick? Fact Sheet
Available in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Karen, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili, Russia, and Tigrinya.
Department of Health WA: If You Have Been Exposed to COVID-19 But Show No Symptoms
Available in Amharic Arabic, Bangla (Bengali), Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Chuukese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Karen, Khmer (Cambodian), Kinyarwanda, Korean, Marshallese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
Department of Health WA: What to do if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19
Available Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Chuukese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, German, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Marshallese, Nepali, Oromo, Portuguese (Brazil), Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Department of Health WA: People who are sick but have not been exposed to COVID-19
Available Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Chuukese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, German, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Marshallese, Nepali, Portuguese (Brazil), Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
To access resources, click here.
CORE: COVID-19 Resources for Providers and Refugees
Click here to view resources.
Office of Refugee and Immigrant Services: Resource List
Click here for information.
IOM- Italy: Multilingual Resources
Available in Amharic, Arabic, Bambara, Bengali, Chinese, Edo, English, Esan-Ishan, French, Fula, Hausa, Igbo, Italian, Kurdish-Sorani, Mandinka, Pachto, Pidgin, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Soninke, Spanish, Tigrinya, Urdu, Wolof, and Yoruba.
Switchboard: A List of Translated Coronavirus Resources
Click here to view resources.
Alberta Health Services: Editable Printable Resource
Health Design Studio LA, Unity Health Toronta, Alberta Health Services
For healthcare professionals: Editable printables about COVID-19 in 26 languages on self-management (for patients that have been assessed in emergency rooms, urgent care, etc.) and self-isolation (for patients to give them things they can do to self-isolate).
Self Management – Albanian, Bahasa, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Farsi, Filipino-Tagalog, Gujarti, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Marathi, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Tamil, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Self Isolation –Albanian, Bahasa, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Farsi, Filipino-Tagalog, Gujarti, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Marathi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Tamil, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
The Center for Victims of Torture: List of Translated COVID-19 Mental Health Resources
Click here to see the full list.
Many things you read or hear about coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) on social media and on the internet are wrong. USAHello helps us understand what is true and what is false about coronavirus information.
Available in Arabic, Burmese, Cantonese, Chinese, Creole, English, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Hindi, Nepali, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish, and Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Available in Arabic, Amharic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian.
Available in Burmese, English, and Pashto.
Available in Arabic, Burmese, English, French, Karen, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili.
Available in Arabic, Burmese, English, French, Karen, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, Maay Maay, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili.
A video by Refugee Response on how to manage stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Available in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Kachin, Karen, Karenii, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kiswahili, Nepali, Pashto, Rohingya, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian.
Available in Arabic, Burmese, English, Karen, Pashto, and Swahili.
Available in French, Lingala, and Swahili.
Available in Arabic, Dinka, French, Lingala, Nepali, and Somali.
Available in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Nepali, Pashto, Somali, and Tigrinya.
IHEALTH RAPID ANTIGEN TEST
Available in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Nepali, Pashto, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Vietnamese.
QuickVUE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST
Available in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Nepali, Pashto, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Vietnamese.
BINAXNOW RAPID ANTIGEN TEST
Available in Arabic, ASL, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Nepali, Pashto, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Vietnamese.
LUCIRA PCR TEST
Available in Arabic, ASL, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Nepali, Pashto, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Vietnamese.
What is Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 2019)?
Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that was first identified during a breakout in Wuhan, China in December of 2019.
People from China and Chinese ancestry are not more susceptible to this disease than other people. Any person, regardless of culture or nationality, can get sick with COVID-19.
Who is susceptible to COVID-19?
Anyone can get COVID-19, but not everyone will have symptoms. Some people will only have mild symptoms, like the common cold, and can rest and recover at home. Some people get very sick from the illness and need hospitalization. Anyone can get very sick from the disease, regardless of age.
However, people who are older than 60 years old and people who have medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 and need hospitalization. Complications from COVID-19 can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or kidney failure, and in some cases, death.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms of COVID-19 are
You should go to the hospital immediately if you experience:
This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any symptoms that are severe or concerning.
How to protect yourself and others.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, call your doctor for medical advice before going to the hospital.
COVID-19 Screening Tool – An app and a website created by Apple and the CDC. This tool can help you understand what to do next about COVID-19. Click here to see what steps you should take during the outbreak.
24-Hour Nurse Line Numbers by Health Plan
If you don’t have a primary care provider or health home, and you have AHCCCS / Arizona Medicaid, then call one of these numbers if you think you have COVID-19. For the MercyCare RBHA line, call the number listed, press 1, then say “nurses line”.
Drive-thru Testing Sites:
Arizonans can find the nearest testing location and hours of operation as well as pre-register by visiting the Arizona Department of Health Services page here. Testing will be available to anyone who thinks they have been exposed to and could be infected with COVID-19 and will be based on criteria set by each testing site. Most sites require pre-registration, please call or visit the website listed before visiting the location.
If you or a loved one is sick:
If you or a loved one becomes sick, check out this COVID19 online symptom checker through Banner Health. You can determine if the symptoms warrant a call to the doctor or general self treatment. For more information, click here.
Factsheets covering important information about going to school during the pandemic are available in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Spanish, Swahili, and Tigrinya.
– The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. If your household is eligible, you can receive:
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices (Note: not all internet company offer device discounts.) The internet company will provide the discount to the consumer. For more information, click here.
– During this time of uncertainty and required in-home learning, Cox is helping get families in need connected to the internet through our Connect2Compete program. Through June 30th, 2021, Cox will waive late payment fees and work with Connect2Compete customers experiencing hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic to create a payment plan. To be eligible for the Connect 2 Compete (C2C) service, families must meet the following requirements:
Go to https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html to learn more
– Low-Cost Internet & Computers: Multiple Internet Service Providers have made updates to their low-cost internet service programs to ensure individuals and families stay connected to the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find low cost internet service and computers / laptops in your area at EveryoneON. Some wireless service providers are helping you stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic by not terminating service due to inability to pay, waiving late payment fees and waiving charges for data, voice or text. Click on your specific provider to see how they are supporting their customers: AT&T, Sprint, Boost Mobile, T Mobile, Verizon. For more information, click here.
Wildfire: Igniting Community Action to End Poverty in Arizona – Wildfire compiled the following policy updates and how they impact nutrition assistance, utility assistance, cash assistance, tax prep assistance, eviction relief, employment assistance, health insurance coverage, paid sick leave, and other COVID-19 resources. We included direct links to agency webpages if available for additional information. For these resources and contact information, click here
More information and resources are listed below:
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) will be launching a new Emergency Rental Assistance Program in the following twelve counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Navajo, Santa Cruz, Pinal, Mohave and Yavapai. Renters and landlords can apply for assistance through the DES online portal beginning February 23, 2021 at des.az.gov/ERAP. Below are links to other rental assistance programs or you can click here to find rental assistance program for you.
The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) developed and translated two Covid-19 related fact sheets for tenants in HUD public housing or HUD voucher programs. In addition to discussing the temporary suspension of evictions for nonpayment of rent under the CARES Act, these documents also discuss requests for income recertification and interim reexaminations for people who lost their job or had a significant reduction in income due to Covid-19.
Addressing Tenant Concerns Regarding Rent and the Temporary Suspension of Evictions for Nonpayment of Rent (HUD public housing and voucher residents) – Available in Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, English, French, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Khmer, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Spanish (Puerto Rican), Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.
Addressing Tenant Concerns During the COVID-19 National Emergency – Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Portuguese, Spanish, Spanish (Puerto Rican), Russian, Somali, and Tagalog.
A new partnership between the City of Phoenix and Community Legal Services – City of Phoenix Tenant Eviction Assistance Project (TEAP). Though special funding, Community Legal Services will be providing no-cost legal services for ANY City of Phoenix Resident at risk of eviction or who have received an eviction judgment, regardless of income. If you need assistance contact TEAP at (602) 386-8880 or Community Legal Services at (602) 258-3434. More information about TEAP can be found here and more information about the City of Phoenix’s COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Relief Services can be found here and here in Spanish.
Tenant COVID-19 Notice for Postponement of Eviction Enforcement form and document with tips for using the form. For more information and Spanish translated printables, click here.
COVID-19 Notice – Click here.
Tips for Using the Attached COVID-19 Notice – Click here.
Mortgage Assistance Programs are in place to help homeowners who have been directly or indirectly affected by the corona virus and are struggling to make their mortgage payments.
The Landlord and Tenant Program provides educational services and information to landlords and tenants in-person. Walk-in client hours are from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The following are recommended information to consider bringing to the counseling session:
Our program provides education to both landlords and tenants on their rights under the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. For more information, click here.
The City of Tucson has set aside specific funds for refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers in need of rental and utility assistance. You can apply for assistance by downloading and filling out this application, available in English and Spanish.
Simple, free resource that generates a letter to the individual’s landlord or lender to make use of the allowances available during the COVID-19 crisis. While it doesn’t pay rent, it does help keep them in good standing with their landlord by initiating communication regarding their payment status and provides a layer of protection stating that they are aware they cannot be evicted for not paying rent during this time. This resource is available to everyone: refugees, immigrants and asylees. Please feel free to share it widely.
For more information, click here.
More support available to help APS customers in need:
The following includes the various types of assistance that will be available in 2021:
For more information on bill assistance programs, click here.
SRP is extending its pause of disconnections until the end of 2020. As part of our latest customer support efforts, SRP will extend its disconnect moratorium for customers on its limited income program the Economy Price Plan (EPP) through end of 2020.
Customers on monthly discount EPP
Non-EPP customers
Bill paying customers
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. To apply for funeral assistance, call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number: 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585. The line is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Fliers about the program are available in Arabic, Burmese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Kirundi, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili.
Maricopa County Funeral Assistance provides help for grieving Maricopa County families who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and have recently lost a loved one. Through the program, you can qualify for up to $1,200 to be applied to burial or cremation services at a participating licensed funeral home. The program helps cover the costs of burial or cremation services during these difficult times. The Maricopa County Funeral Assistance Program does not require that a decedents cause of death be associated with COVID-19. To effectively carry out this program and determine eligibility, visit https://funeralassistanceprogram.org to read and register to complete the application.
For any questions on this program/application or VSUW call 602-240-6384 or email funeralassistance@vsuw.org.
Unemployment Insurance Questions and Answers – Click here to view.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Family Assistance Administration Conference Call – To hear the recording, click here.
Multilingual Videos on Unemployment Insurance
Available in English, Karen, Karenni, Kirundi, Lingala, and Swahili.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits – Arizona
Click here for Unofficial guide. This is not an official guide to unemployment insurance benefits. The official DES unemployment insurance guide can be found here: https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/dl/UIB-1240A.pdf.
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance FAQ’s
Accessing Unemployment Insurance Benefits
For employment programs that serve refugees and asylees, helping clients become self-sufficient and work towards personal career goals is always the main objective. However, in the course of providing employment services to refugees and asylees, you may encounter situations where it is beneficial for your clients to apply for unemployment insurance. While this process varies by state, this information guide reviews how to get started. For more information, click here.
Immigrant Workers’ Eligibility for Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance (UI) provides periodic payments to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are looking for work. The amount that workers receive depends on the wages a worker earned during a “base period.” Although it varies from state to state, the base period generally covers the past year to 18 months of work. For more information, click here.
Chicanos Por La Causa – Refugee and Asylee Employment Assistance – Check out this flyer to get more information on how you can get assistance with job searching and applying for a job.
Job Readiness – Switchboard – As we continue practicing social distancing amid COVID-19, you may be wondering how to stay in touch with your clients and continue job readiness training. While you may not be able to resume your job readiness classes in person for some time, there are many online resources you can share to keep your clients engaged and focused on their career paths. This blog post provides suggestions tailored towards clients who have computers or smartphones, internet access, and higher levels digital literacy. Stay tuned for a future Switchboard blog that will provide suggestions for serving clients with lower digital literacy. To view blog, click here.
Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. This may be because:
If you are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications due to age or because you have a severe underlying medical condition, it is especially important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of exposure. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of disease.
Stay home and call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms. Tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help them take care of you and keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
Available in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Kachin, Karen, Karenii, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kiswahili, Nepali, Pashto, Rohingya, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian.
In any severe mass event, like a pandemic, it is common to have a rapid increase in the number of people experiencing distress, including being scared, confused, overwhelmed, uncertain, angry, and sad. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-based intervention designed to help stabilize and mitigate psychological distress and to facilitate coping and functioning in the immediate aftermath of disasters and other tragic events. PFA is not counseling or therapy and anyone in any sector can provide PFA. Some of the traditional approaches used in PFA must be adapted to fit the needs of a pandemic or epidemic, where the ability to connect with clients, social supports, and community resources may be compromised. This webinar will review the basic principles of PFA while modifying them for the unique context refugee service providers and their clients are currently facing due to COVID-19. For more information, click here.
The following organizations offer in-person counseling but may provide services through video or phone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact your desired location to inquire about virtual services.
The stress, fear and anxiety that many of us feel during this COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming. During this time of uncertainty, it’s very important to acknowledge that you or a loved one may need help coping in a healthy way. The following organizations and hotlines are available if you need help:
People in helping professions are being challenged in numerous personal and professional ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. Service providers are supporting clients who may be in crisis due to employment, childcare or healthcare needs. At the same time, we ourselves may be in crisis for similar reasons. The challenge of caring for and being concerned about family and friends, as well as clients, is leading to extreme stress in many helping professionals. For tips to cope with stress, click here.
This blog post offers tips on how to help your clients cope during the COVID-19 crisis, including suggestions for sharing information in a trauma-informed way and supporting clients’ mental health and well-being. For more information, click here.
This blog post offers tips on how to help families cope during the COVID-19 crisis. Helping children begin to develop coping skills in response to COVID-19 stressors can not only help them get through this volatile time, but also positively manage feelings during uncertain times in the future. For more information, click here.
Many young people suffer from the effects of traumatic experiences. To provide youth with an understanding of impacts accompanied by trauma, the booklet series “Trauma Surviving and Hope” addresses post-traumatic symptoms. In various picture stories, problems faced after emotional injuries like sleeplessness, lack of concentration, loss and grief, anxiety, anger and aggression and dark memories are described and strategies to alleviate them are suggested.
Click the category: Sleeplessness, Unfocused/Forgetful, Inactivity, Sadness, Anger, and Feeling Hurt.