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COVID-19 Resources and Information

a young boy walking to school with his mother

As communities in the United States engage in more activities, they will need to consider the ongoing pandemic, which threatens both physical and mental health. Reducing risks in childcare centers and day camps, workplaces, and public transportation is crucial to protecting Americans. No single solution will fit everyone’s needs. However, people can use the strategies below to reduce risk.


  • What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19
    During this pandemic, it is critical that you recognize what stress looks like, take steps to build your resilience, manage job stress, and know where to go if you need help.

  • Protect Yourself When Using Public Transportation As schools, businesses, and community organizations begin providing services, consider ways that you can protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19 when using transportation. When you consider the following options, think about what is feasible, practical, and acceptable to you and meets your needs.

  • Considerations for Youth and Summer Camps CDC offers the following considerations for ways in which youth program administrators can help protect children, staff, and communities and slow the spread of COVID-19. Encourage students and staff to take protective actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

  • Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open No matter the level of transmission in a community, every child care program should have a plan in place to protect staff, children, and their families from the spread of COVID-19.

  • CDC: Resuming Business Toolkit
    The Resuming Business Toolkit is designed to assist employers in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and lowering the impact in their workplace when reintegrating employees into non-healthcare business settings. Not sure whether you’re ready to resume business? Use CDC’s decision tools as a start.

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: Path Forward – Navigating the Return to Work
    Path Forward is designed to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to develop a responsible reopening strategy. When will it be safe to reopen? How do we protect employees and customers from the coronavirus? Where will my staff get COVID-19 tests?  

For the latest guidance and communication resources on COVID-19, visit CDC’s webpage for Guidance Documents.


Non-CDC content is provided for informational purposes only. Inclusion in this newsletter is not intended to indicate actual or implied endorsement. Information is provided “as is.” Users are encouraged to evaluate these tools and make their own determination about usefulness and effectiveness.


COVID-19 Partner Spotlight: Q&A with Operation Hope

HOPE Inside is our award-winning model of community uplift. We serve adults, youth, disaster survivors, and employees with financial dignity programming and coaching to equip them with the financial knowledge and tools to create a secure future and achieve financial inclusion.


CDC EPIC asked Operation Hope to share some of the challenges and successes that they have experienced while providing services to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q. Have you seen a significant increase in the volume of requests for services stemming from the social distancing associated with COVID-19?

A. Yes. People are looking for resources and a helping hand to keep life as normal as possible through the pandemic. To accommodate the increased volume without sacrificing quality client experience, we’ve made it so that clients can access our services through our call center (1-888-388-4673), our coaches directly (operationhope.org/map) or through our new mobile app, HOPE In Hand.


Q. Has the Operation HOPE mission changed or evolved due to COVID-19 and the challenges it brings? Have you instituted any new programs to answer the growing needs of your community due to unemployment?

A. During times of national emergency, Operation HOPE activates the disaster preparation and recovery arm of the organization, called HOPE Inside Disaster. In these times our mission remains the same; however, our focus is on assisting Americans through the financial effects of a disaster and helping them get on the road to recovery. We are working to connect clients with local and federal resources to mitigate the challenges of unemployment. We encourage potential clients to engage with us to access additional resources that may become available.


Q. What can the public do to support the work that you do?

A. Engage your friends and family about HOPE and the importance of financial literacy. Financial conversations can be difficult. Hearing about our services from a trusted friend can be the gentle nudge some need to get on the road towards financial empowerment. Encourage others to download our HOPE In Hand app to gain access to our services which come at no charge. You can also recommend our services to community partners and introduce us to potential partners.


Q. How can the communities you serve request the services you provide?

A. There are three easy ways for communities to reach us: 1) through our call center (1-888-388-4673), 2) our coaches directly (operationhope.org/map) or 3) through our new mobile app, HOPE In Hand.


Q. What steps are you taking to ensure the safety and well-being of your volunteers, employees, and community?

A. At the onset of the pandemic, our executive leadership called for all personnel around the country to work from home as they shelter in place. This ensures the safety of all staff, coaches, volunteers and clients. In addition to protecting physical health, we have been promoting mental and emotional health among our staff through direct engagement and supplemental resources. Ensuring everyone’s safety is our highest priority.


Q. Do you have any lessons learned that could assist other organizations overcome similar challenges?

A. Yes. We encourage other organizations to maintain their mission and leverage the power of technology and social media. Many in the general public need our services; others are looking for meaningful ways to engage and make a difference. Make it easy for them to find you and walk alongside you as you provide impact to the communities you serve.


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