Local Resources (Updated 7/19/2021) – Health Improvement Alliance

Click here for the updated QR Code handout for quick access to this page.

Covid-19 Vaccine, Testing & General Information

Scheduling NOW: 12 and older (Please Note– Pfizer is currently the only vaccine approved for use in those 12 and up, so you will need to schedule those appointments where Pfizer is being offered).

Schedule Online:
- - Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS): Click here to schedule an appointment through VAMS.
  - Hartford HealthCare: To make an appointment online, click here.
  - Yale New Haven Health: To make an appointment online, click here.
  - City of Bridgeport: To find out where to get vaccinated, click here.
  - Are you homebound? Click here to learn more about how to access a vaccine.
  - Click here for more information on vaccine locations in the City of Bridgeport, including locations currently accepting walk-ins (with no appointment)
Schedule by Phone:
- - Connecticut’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Assist Line: Those without internet access can call 877-918-2224.
  - Hartford HealthCare: Hartford HealthCare has multiple locations throughout the state. To make an appointment using this system, call the Hartford HealthCare Community Care Center at (833) 943-5721.
  - Yale New Haven Health: Yale New Haven Health has multiple locations throughout the state. To make an appointment call 1-833-ASK-YNHH (275-9644).
  - City of Bridgeport Vaccine Helpline: Call (203) 576-7993

Covid-19 Vaccine Facts and Information:

Trusted Voices– Short video clips featuring HIA members talking about their personal experience with the Covid-19 vaccine.
Bridgeport Hospital/Yale New Haven Health
St. Vincent’s Medical Center/Hartford Healthcare
Click here for facts about the vaccine in English and Spanish from CT Department of Public Health.
What to Expect after a Covid-19 Vaccination: Here is a quick video from the CDC that explains what you need to know.
Vaccine, Testing and Treatment Facts for the Uninsured (English, Spanish)

Covid-19 Testing:

Bridgeport: The City of Bridgeport Covid Testing webpage lists daily testing locations and pop-up sites. Click here for more information and available locations.
HUSKY Health Testing Resource List: HUSKY Health has put together a list of sites where you can get a free test for Covid-19. Click here for more information.

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

Food Distributions

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, July 20. Click here for more information and all 2021 dates.

St. Vincent’s Medical Center Food Distribution: Last Friday of each month at 1:00 PM at 2800 Main Street in Bridgeport. The next distribution will be on Friday, July 30. Click here for more information and all 2021 dates.

Summer Emergency Food Distributions (Bridgeport): Wade’s Dairy will continue to be the site of weekly food distributions on Saturdays through August from 7:45 AM-10:30 AM at 1316 Barnum Avenue. Follow them on Facebook for updates and details.

Stratford Health Department Food Distribution: Every second 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, August 10.

Milford Regional Food Distribution (Milford): On Thursday, August 19, The Storehouse Project is partnering with Cornerstone Christian Center, Kingdom Life Christian Church, and CT Food Bank/FoodShare to provide free food to those in need while supplies last. Stay tuned for more details on location.

Summer Meals for Kids: Fun and Summer Nutrition go hand in hand. Find out where kids 18 and younger can enjoy free summer meals across Connecticut by visiting www.ctsummermeals.org.

The CT Food Bank/FoodShare host mobile food and a dairy express distributions at various locations each month. Click here for the 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.

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

Other Food Resources

2021 Greater Bridgeport Farmers Market Listing: Click here for a list of the 2021 farmers markets, farm stands and CSAs available in the Greater Bridgeport region and click here for a list of all of the markets that take place in the City of Bridgeport through the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative.

Connecticut Emergency Food Resources: Click here to learn more about available assistance programs like WIC, FMNP, SNAP, Summer Meals 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

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.

2021 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.

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.

Diet & Nutrition (Impact on Mental Health): The quality of the food you eat can impact your overall physical and mental health. Learn more about the importance of eating nutritious foods by clicking here.

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.

Healthy Living

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

Save the Date! Walk ‘n Talk for Essential Workers (Bridgeport): Join the Health Improvement Alliance (HIA) for a Walk ‘N Talk For Essential Workers at Seaside Park in Bridgeport on Saturday, September 25th from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that we are all essential. Now it is time to take care of you! HIA is inviting Greater Bridgeport residents to come out for a morning walk to learn ways to help you support your own health and well-being. Get physical activity while talking with local healthcare professionals. Open to all ages and fitness levels. Free and open to all. Registration required. Click here for more details and information on how to register.

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.

The Hispanic Health Council has launched a new Facebook page and YouTube Channel that include nutrition and physical activity education videos in both English and Spanish. Click here to view their upcoming virtual nutrition education offerings.

Dental Care Resource: Have you been delaying dental treatment due to Covid-19 fears? Click here for a helpful list of questions you can ask your dental provider to learn more about their Covid-19 safety procedures. Click here for the Spanish version.

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.

Virtual Classes from the YMCA: The Y is here for you, even when you’re home! Community members are welcome to take advantage of free classes with some of our favorite Central Connecticut Coast Y instructors live on Zoom or try classes offered by Y instructors across the country anytime. Click here for more details.

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

Health Insurance through Access Health CT: Thanks to a new federal law was passed in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act has changed the way Access Health CT calculates financial help for customers for 2021 and 2022. Many more customers will now qualify for financial help to make plans more affordable. Access Health CT has opened a Special Enrollment Period now through August 15, 2021 for new and current customers to take advantage of newly available financial help. Project Access staff are available to answer questions and provide assistance with health insurance applications. Call 203-773-0838 for more information and/or an appointment.

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.

UniteCT Rental and Utility Payment Assistance: The Department of Housing and State of Connecticut have developed UniteCT to help provide rental and utility payment assistance to qualified Connecticut households financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All applications must be made online and the portal is now open and accessible through any computer or smartphone. To see if you qualify, click here or on these links for more details in English and Spanish.

Free Well Woman Exams: On select days in the month of April, the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine will be providing women in the Greater Bridgeport area the opportunity to receive Well Woman breast and pelvic exams at no cost. Pap, HPV, and STI testing vary in cost (if you have insurance, it may cover these tests). Uninsured reduced pricing is also available. Call (203) 576-4349 to schedule an appointment and mention the Women’s Health Initiative. Click here for more details.

State of CT Homeless Prevention Resource: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Connecticut has created a program to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless. Click here for more details in English and Spanish.

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.

Eviction Information: Click here for up to date information about the Federal (CDC) and Connecticut ban on evictions from CT Law Help.

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

For more information on the Health Improvement Alliance visit our Facebook page.