Local Resources (Updated 5/19/2022) – Health Improvement Alliance

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Covid-19 Resources General Covid-19 Information

Vaccine Information

Boosters: Click here for current CDC guidance on booster shots.
Options to schedule your vaccine appointment:
- Click here schedule an appointment through VAMS (Vaccine Administration Management System)
- City of Bridgeport
- Yale New Haven Health
- Hartford Healthcare
- CT Dept. of Public Health Vaccination Van
- Are you homebound? Click here to learn more about how to access a vaccine

Testing

City of Bridgeport
Yale New Haven Health
Hartford Healthcare
State supported testing sites
Click here for information about using at-home Covid-19 tests
Click here to learn more about the different types of Covid-19 tests

Links to Covid-19 information and resources from our partners:

Food Distributions

Stratford Area Food Resources for the month of May: Click here for a calendar of food distributions, food pantries, and other free meal opportunities in Stratford (and surrounding areas) during the month of May.

Milford Regional Food Pantry: Occurs every 3rd Thursday of the month beginning at 3:00 PM. Located at Kingdom Life Church, 1455 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford. The next distribution will take place on Thursday, May 19. Click here for more details and upcoming dates.

St. Vincent’s Medical Center Food Distribution: The next food distribution will take place on Friday, May 27 at 1:00 PM at 2800 Main Street in Bridgeport. Click here for more information on future dates.

Stratford Health Department Food Distribution: Every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Avenue in Stratford. This is a drive thru food pantry. The next scheduled date is Tuesday, June 21. Follow the Stratford Health Department on Facebook for the latest updates or click here for details.

Bridgeport Hospital Food Distribution: Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month beginning at 5:30 PM at 200 Mill Hill Avenue. The next distribution will take place on Tuesday, June 21. Click here for more information and all 2021 dates.

Connecticut FoodShare hosts mobile food distributions at various locations each month. Click here to visit their new website and view their food distribution schedule.

United Way 2-1-1: You can visit the 2-1-1 website or call to be connected to resources including local food pantries/distributions, Covid testing, transportation, housing and much more.

Milford Food Resources Directory: Click here for a list of food pantries, soup kitchens and free meals available in the City of Milford.

Fridgeport: An open access community refrigerator and pantry that is open 24/7, located at Kingdom Builders Impact Ministries, 219 James Street in Bridgeport. Click here for more details.

Other Food Resources

Homebound Food Delivery Resources: Click here for food resources for those individuals that are homebound.

Connecticut Emergency Food Resources: Click here to learn more about available assistance programs like WIC, FMNP, SNAP and much more.

SNAP Ed Resources: Our friends at the University of St. Joseph/SNAP Ed continue to create new resource videos. Check out their Facebook page for more details and share them with others!

UConn Department of Extension Recipes: The UConn Department of Extension has compiled a list of recipe ideas for the items included in the USDA Food Boxes being distributed around the state. Click here for the list that is available in English and Spanish. Be sure to click on each link to view the individual recipes.

Mental & Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Resources Guides: The Hub has created a thorough listing of behavioral health resources within the Greater Bridgeport Region, The Hub’s Resource Guide (SPANISH), which lists nonprofit & public-sector services for crisis, mental health and substance use disorders, and support programs, including a listing of free peer support groups. Click here to subscribe to their weekly newsletter.

Helping Our Children: Supporting Their Mental Health: This packet is designed to help families in crisis. This provides practical advice for parents of children who are depressed, anxious, suicidal and engaging in self-harm. This information highlights alternatives to the Emergency Department, how to locate counselors for your child, developing family plans, using school resources, etc. Click here to access the full guide and here to access just the list of resources.

Addiction & Recovery (The C.A.R.E.S. Group): The C.A.R.E.S. Group provides education, support, resources and hope for communities, families, and individuals who are affected by substance abuse and its devastating consequences. Click here for more information about weekly support groups and more.

2-1-1 Resources for Mental Health: The 2-1-1 website has comprehensive, up-to-date information on programs and services that can assist with mental health care. Click here for more information.

Suicide Prevention and Loss Support Groups: The Hub has created a list of resources to assist with suicide prevention and loss support. Click here for more details.

CT Stronger: Support coaches can help connect you with resources to keep your family safe and healthy. Support coaches can put you in touch with services that can help, or listen if you want to talk with someone about how this pandemic is affecting you. Click here for more details.

Connecting to Care CT: CONNECTing Children and Families to Care is intended for families, providers and anyone else interested in enhancing CT’s children’s behavioral health system. Click here to view their website.

Healthy Lives Connecticut: Get information, tools, and screening for maintaining or achieving wellness, including emotional wellness, physical wellness, holistic wellness, financial wellness, and addiction recovery. Click here for more details.

Children’s Behavioral Health Plan: Find out how Connecticut is improving and integrating children’s behavioral health services, systems, and support into a comprehensive network of care. Click here for more details.

How to Talk About Vaping- A Discussion Guide for Parents: This guide was developed as a collaboration with several CT prevention Councils. Click here for the full guide.

Healthy Living

CT Dental Health Partnership: Click here to learn all about maintaining your oral health during Covid and important information about vaccines.

Get Healthy CT: Click here to read the latest monthly newsletter and follow Get Healthy CT on Facebook and Twitter for health and wellness information.

Click here for a collection of nutrition education materials developed by dietetic interns from Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for Nutrition and Wellness just for Get Healthy CT.

HUSKY Health Members: It’s time to go back to the dentist, and it’s safe! Call the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership at 855-CT-DENTAL (855-283-3682) M-F 8AM-5PM or go to www.ctdhp.com for more information or help in finding a dentist. For TTY call 711.

Bridgeport Basics: The Bridgeport Basics are designed to help parents of young children learn 5 simple practices to help children grow and become be ready for preschool. Click here for more information.

Other

Broker Academy: Project Access has partnered with a Access Health CT on Broker Academy, a free training program to help people become licensed insurance brokers. Broker Academy will build skillsets of those who live and work in underserved communities throughout Connecticut. Free classes will begin in June with locations in Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Click here for more details.

Affordable Connectivity Program: This program helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. Click here for a handy guide goes through the benefits, who is eligible and how to apply or visit https://acpbenefit.org for more information.

Financial Opportunity Centers (Bridgeport): Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs) are career and financial coaching service centers that focus on the financial bottom line for individuals living with low-to-moderate incomes. The FOCs for Bridgeport are:

Career Resources, Inc. – Provides comprehensive solutions for employers and job seekers by strengthening the family unit through the dignity of work. Contact Angela Pellegrino at pellegrinogrant@careerresources.org
Building Neighborhoods Together- Creates safe, affordable housing, and provides comprehensive financial and housing counseling services to families with low- and moderate-income across Connecticut. Contact Doris Latorre at doris@bntweb.org.

Energy Assistance and Emergency Fuel: Alliance for Community Empowerment offers many services for residents in the area, including energy assistance. Click here to visit their website for more information.

Rent Assistance Programs: Click here for a list of rental assistance programs.

Legal Assistance: For Statewide Legal Services, contact (800) 453-3320 or for the Connecticut Fair Housing Center (860) 247- 4400 or (888) 247- 4401.

Transportation Assistance Information: The Kennedy Center’s Mobility Department is available by cell (203) 512-4174 for information on public transportation including paratransit, transit district updates/modifications, etc.

Job Training: The WorkPlace serves Southwestern Connecticut, helping people prepare for careers and strengthening the workforce for employers. Their programs include job training, career services and employment. Click here to visit their website and to learn about their many programs.

Have an upcoming event or Greater Bridgeport area resource to share? Email moreinfo@hia-ct.org

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