Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
This guide provides you with a list of resources to support community members to access: public health information; federal benefits; culture-based supports; education resources; and recreation, training, and entertainment.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Vaccine development and approval in Canada: Ontario News About COVID-19
- Direct link to news releases and statements from the Government of Ontario about the covid-19 vaccine.
Booking your vaccine appointment
- How to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment (ontario.ca)
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination information
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario.
National Institute on Ageing, “COVID-19 Vaccines – What Older Canadians Need to Know”
- National Institute on Ageing Covid-19 vaccines information for Older Canadians.
LATEST PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL INFORMATION AND UPDATES:
- Direct link to news releases and statements from the Government of Ontario.
Ontario Ministry of Health: Information on COVID-19
- This resource provides updates on the status of COVID-19 cases in Ontario, information on the evolving situation and provincial responses to the pandemic.
Public Health Unit (PHU) and Assessment Centre on COVID-19
- Information provided by Ontario Medical Association and based on cases identified by the Ministry of Health.
Government of Canada: Updated COVID-19 outbreak information
- Information on COVID-19 cases across Canada and news releases from the Government of Canada.
Indigenous Services Canada and COVID-19
- Updated resources and information from Indigenous Services Canada. There are announcements also available in Indigenous languages.
HEALTH & MENTAL HEALTH:
- If you think you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use this self-assessment to help determine how to seek further care.
Ministry of Health – Guidance for the Health Sector
- Guidance documents on COVID-19 have been produced for a number of health and other sectors.
- Get free medical advice through Telehealth Ontario at: 1-866-797-0000 1-866-797-0007
- Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential service available through phone and TTY to receive health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- If you have questions about COVID-19, please take the self assessment to determine if further care is needed before calling Telehealth Ontario.
- 1-855-544-HEAL
- A culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women, available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
- 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT 68686
- Tip sheet on talking to kids about COVID-19 and its impacts
Mental Health Guide for High School Students
- A long list of actionable steps teens can take for mental health (exercise, diet, sleep, sharing feelings). Mental health strategies for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line
- LGBT Youth Line is a Queer, Trans, Two-Spirit youth led-organization that offers anonymous peer support, referrals and resources for youth (29 and under) across Ontario. Services are available through phone*, chat, and email. * Phone services only are suspended during COVID-19 crisis.
ONTX – Ontario’s Online Text and Crisis Service
- Live Chat and Text with a trained empathetic responder that is safe, confidential and one-on-one. Responders are available for all issues related to distress, crisis and suicidal thoughts, prevention and intervention (Hours: 2 PM to 2 AM).
- Free, confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with gambling, alcohol/drugs and mental health. Services are available through phone, chat and email.
- GTA: 416-863-0511
- Offers 24/7 telephone and TTY crisis line to all women who have experienced abuse. They provide counselling, emotional support, information and referrals.
- Seniors Safety Line 1-866-299-1011
- Provides contact and referral information for local agencies across the province that can assist in cases of elder abuse. Trained counsellors provide safety planning and supportive counselling for older adults who are being abused or at-risk of abuse. Family members and service providers can call for information about community services.
Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) Program
The province of Ontario is promoting access to free online internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy supports. Through these programs, individuals can be guided through their client journey to find the appropriate supports they need. Two different programs are available:
- Beacon Digital Therapy – a personalized, guided digital therapy that provides one-to-one supports from a registered therapist.
- AbilitiCBT – an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program that you can access from any device, any time.
- A free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Bounce Back is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
- Good2Talk is a free, confidential service for post-secondary students in Ontario, available 24/7/365. By calling 1-866-925-5454, post-secondary students in Ontario can receive professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being.
University of Toronto free online class on mental health
- A University of Toronto Psychology professor has created a free online course to manage mental health during COVID-19.
- Helpline and Online database for Ontario’s community and social services. 211 is answered and updated by trained specialists.
FRONTLINE COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES:
World Health Organisation: Helping kids cope with stress
- Tip sheet on how to help kids cope with stress during COVID-19
World Health Organization: Coping with stress
- Tip sheet on how to help individuals cope with stress during COVID-19
Public Health Ontario COVID-19 Resources:
How to Self Isolate due to COVID-19
- Public Health Ontario two-page guide
Self-isolation: Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts
- Public Health Ontario two-page guide
- Public Health Ontario Recommendations for the General Public
How to Self-Monitor for COVID-19
- Public Health Ontario one-page guide on how to self-monitor
- Public Health Ontario Guide
Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings
- Public Health Ontario guidance on cleaning and disinfection of public settings including schools, transit, universities, and other workplaces.
Plain Language, Easy to Read COVID-19 Information Sheets
- A number of posters about Coronavirus, social distancing, handwashing, and what to do if you get sick that are easy to read with visuals.
- Stay home and practice social distancing poster
Protect Yourself and Others Poster
- Poster listing top tips for protecting yourself and others during COVID-19
Immune and Respiratory Herbs: A Resource for Tribal Communities During COVID19
- Resource on traditional medicines
Indigenous Talk Tobacco Support Line
- Talk Tobacco is a free, confidential telephone service offering culturally appropriate support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use. Call 1-833-998-8255 (TALK). Interpreter services are available in French and 14 Indigenous Languages.
COVID Ready Communication Playbook
- Practical advice on how to talk about difficult topics related to COVID-19.
Ontario Palliative Care Network resources to support frontline providers to be prepared, supported and empowered to provide primary level palliative care:
- Palliative Care Toolkit
- Person-Centred Decision-Making Guide
- Approaches to Goals of Care Discussions Guide
- Making Decisions About your Care: Patient Resource
- Advance Care Planning: Workbook and Goals of Care, and Treatment Decisions Guide
- Centre for Loss’ Guide on How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus Pandemic
ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN RESOURCES:
World Health Organisation: COVID-19 and violence against women – what the health sector can do
- Tips sheet on what can be done to address violence against women during the COVID-19 response
- Information on how COVID-19 could uniquely impact intimate partner violence survivors
Domestic Violence During a Pandemic
- This episode of The Agenda explores the issue of domestic violence during a pandemic with Silvia Samsa, executive director of Women’s Habitat; Pamela Cross, legal director at Luke’s Place Support and Resource Centre in Durham Region; and Katie Bortolin, program manager at Beendigen Anishinabe Women’s Crisis Home & Family Healing Agency.
- Information on how technology can be used by abusers to harass and harm individuals.
EMERGENCY CHILD CARE RESOURCES:
COVID-19 Guidance: Emergency Childcare Centres
- Critical health information and tips for emergency child care providers
Ontario Child Care for Health Care and Frontline Staff
- General information about emergency child care provision and identification of local provider
ACCESSING BENEFITS:
Provincial COVID-19 Emergency Assistance:
- Funding administered through the Ontario Works program will assist individuals experiencing financial difficulty who do not qualify, or who are awaiting federal benefits, through an expanded Emergency Assistance program. This includes assistance for necessities such as food, rent, informal child care and transportation, among others. Individuals can apply here.
Canada’s Economic Response Plan
- Filing a tax return allows individuals and families to unlock access to new federal and provincial benefits that have been announced as part of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- The government will provide a one-time special payment by early May 2020 through the Goods and Services Tax Credit (GSTC) to those who need it most.
- The government will be increasing the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year.
- Individuals experiencing financial difficulty should contact their financial institution regarding flexibility for a mortgage deferral, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Individuals can apply for these benefits starting in April via:
To access these funds, individuals must have an account and online banking (with direct deposit) set up. It will be helpful if Friendship Centres can support individuals to set up their accounts now so that money can be deposited without delay in April.
- The federal government has announced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a taxable benefit providing individuals with income support payments of approximately $2,000 a month for four months.
- The CERB is designed to support workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19 and are without paid sick leave; do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI); have recently exhausted their regular EI benefits; or are seasonal workers who cannot undertake their usual work and have exhausted their EI benefits.
- Individuals are allowed to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
- Individuals should apply for the CERB through either Service Canada or CRA, not both: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
- Individuals who applied for the CERB for the first four weeks it was available will need to reapply if they want to continue receiving payments.
- Tax filing season has been extended from April 30 to June 1, 2020.
- Volunteer tax preparation clinics in your community are listed online here. At this time, clinics may be postponed, but Friendship Centres may be able to connect with volunteers to coordinate opportunities for virtual supports.
- A six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans and Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loans has been instituted from March 30, 2020 to September 30, 2020
Supports for Students and Recent Graduates:
- The federal government is introducing the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, which would provide support to students and new graduates who are not eligible for the CERB. This benefit would provide $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities. The benefit would be available from May to August 2020.
- Introducing the new Canada Student Service Grant, which will help students gain valuable work experience and skills while they help their communities during the COVID‑19 pandemic. For students who choose to do national service and serve their communities through volunteering, the new Canada Student Service Grant will provide up to $5,000 for their education in the fall.
- Creating up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills.
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES:
COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth
- COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario
SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service
- SickKids
- Information for Youth
COVID-19 Vaccine Facts for Youth
- Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Covid-19 FAQ for youth