COMMUNITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP PEOPLE IMPACTED BY VIRUS CLOSURES
Local nonprofits, health care providers and agencies are stepping up to provide community resources to help people impacted by the COVID-19 virus and the precautionary closures.
There are multiple community resources available if you have flu-like symptoms and feel you need to be seen by a doctor. PLEASE call before you come in. All the agencies below have helplines set up to do initial screenings and give further instruction:
Benefis Health System: (406) 455-2500
Great Falls Clinic: (406) 454-7275
Alluvion Health: (406) 454-6973
Cascade City-County Health Department: (406) 454-6950
Local help with childcare, food, energy assistance, unemployment assistance, and more is available. People can call the community help resource line 2-1-1 or search www.montana211.org to find resources that fit their needs.
Calling the 2-1-1 line will help free medical and emergency responders to address immediate health needs.
As new information becomes available, Voices of Hope, a nonprofit which manages the crisis line and 2-1-1, is updating the resource list, including information about which offices are open to walk-ins.
Voices of Hope Director Jackie Gittins said the call line also has professionals trained to help people who are feeling anxious or depressed.
Several nonprofits are seeing increased need for their services, but have seen regular community drives cancelled due to shuttered offices and social distancing practices. Other nonprofits rely on senior volunteers who are staying home as a precaution.
United Way of Cascade County has created a COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery fund to support local nonprofits who are seeing an increase need. Anyone who wants to donate to the fund can go to www.uwccmt.org or can send money to P.O. Box 1343, Great Falls, 59403.
United Way is also posting volunteer needs on its http://www.volunteergreatfalls.org/ website for people who are healthy and able to give their time.
Viral & Respiratory Clinic Opens
Alluvion Health has entered into an agreement with Cascade County to open a viral and respiratory clinic at 115 4th Street South on Friday, March 20 at 7 am. This building currently houses the Cascade City-County Health Department and formerly housed Alluvion Health. This clinic is specifically designated for those exhibiting respiratory or flu-like symptoms so they can be triaged and tested appropriately. Respiratory or flu-like symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, cough, runny nose, and sore throat.
MESSAGE FROM FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES:
Due to COVID-19 the following precautionary measures are being taken to prevent unnecessary exposure for staff and families we serve:
- WIC: the Cascade County WIC office will be doing many appointments by phone. It is our goal to provide as many of our families with the resources they need during these uncertain times. Please call us at 406.454.6593 for appointment availability and questions or concerns.
- Home Visiting (Parents as Teachers, First Year Initiative, SafeCare, Asthma):
Home visiting staff will be doing all home visits by phone or video conferencing depending on individual model guidance. Home visitors will contact current and newly referred clients individually to schedule remote appointment times. It is our goal to continue to provide as many of our families with the resources they need, so please call us at 406.454-6950 with questions or concerns.
- Car Seat Program: We will not provide car seats or car seat checkups until further notice.
- Parenting Classes: All parenting classes have been temporarily cancelled. Current participants will be notified once classes resume.
- CONNECT Referral System: Onboarding will continue, however in person training and meetings are cancelled. Trainings will take place remotely.
- Foster Child Health Program: Nurses will not provide in person visits to foster parents but remain in contact as necessary.
Please call us at 406.454-6950 or 406.791.9262 with questions or concerns.
