Community Resources for Fresnans
Below are some resources that may be helpful for you and your family. Fresno Building Healthy Communities will update this list as new resources are identified. Don't miss out on one-time resources & opportunities! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
COVID-19 Updates
The Fresno County Department of Public Health is actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. All Fresno County residents need to do their part to reduce the risk of transmission by maintaining at least six feet of distance with your peers, staying home, and washing hands and surfaces frequently as part of your daily routine. For the latest Fresno County Health Officer directives and case statistics visit the Fresno County COVID-19 website.
For the latest California COVID-19 information and updates, visit the CDPH Coronavirus Disease 2019 website.
For the latest COVID-19 national information and updates, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Helplines
​The United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties offers resource referrals and information on various health and human services. Get connected by dialing 2-1-1.
The City of Fresno One Call Center (3-1-1) serves all constituents professionally, courteously, and responsively and assists in reporting issues to all departments in the City of Fresno. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Community members can also report issues 24/7 by calling (559) 621-CITY (2489), or by using the FresGo app.
Community Health Centers
Find your closest community health center by visiting Find My Health+ Center
Clinica Sierra Vista is a comprehensive federally qualified health center system serving the primary medical, dental and behavioral health needs of people in Kern, Fresno and Inyo counties. To schedule an appointment, call them at 1-833-278-4584, health center hours vary by location.
United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley is a federally qualified health center system that provides comprehensive medical, dental and community health services to the medically underserved in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties. To schedule an appointment call them at 1-800-492-4227, health center hours vary by location.
Hospital Charity Care & Medical Bill Financial Assistance
If you are uninsured/underinsured and receive medically necessary care at a local hospital and you cannot afford to pay, ask to apply for their charity care or financial assistance program. Charity care programs offer partial and full discounts for medically necessary services and are available to patients who are low-income and cannot afford to pay their portion of the hospital bill. For more information click on the links below:
​
Health Insurance & Health Care Programs
Individuals can apply through Covered California to see if they are eligible for a health plan through Covered California or Medi-Cal. Financial help, including advanced premium tax credit (APTC), state premium assistance, and cost-sharing reduction (CSR) may be available to help pay for coverage. Covered California’s online application system will check your eligibility for Medi-Cal and for financial assistance based on your family size, household income, and other eligibility factors.
Fresno County residents who are not eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal may be eligible to receive specialty health care services at no cost if you meet eligibility guidelines, regardless of your immigration status through the Non-Resident Specialty Care Fund.
The Fresno County Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP) assists qualified low-income Fresno County residents who have a medical need, but have no source of health coverage available and no other way to pay for necessary medical care.
Domestic Violence
Marjaree Mason Center provides emergency and longer-term safe housing, along with a wide variety of support services for victims of domestic violence in Fresno County. If you are the victim of domestic violence, call 559-233-4357. If it’s unsafe to call, email crt@mmcenter.org. If it is a life threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
Centro La Familia Advocacy Services offers a broad range of programs designed to assist crime victims, support families and children, promote health and wellness, encourage civic engagement and more.The Centro La Familia Victim Assistance Program supports non-citizen victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and other serious crimes throughout Fresno County. If you or someone you know needs help call 1-877-294-3772.
Food Access
The Central California Food Bank provides food distribution services to residents in Fresno, Madera, Kings, Kern, and Tulare counties. Use the Food Locator to find up-to-date food distribution locations near you.
Bitwise Industries has launched the Take Care program to provide grocery box deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic in Fresno, Tulare, and Madera counties. One Take Care grocery box consists of nine meals. When available, the box will include one roll of paper towels, two rolls of toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. If you or someone you know is elderly, immunocompromised, or unable to shop for themselves, request a grocery box delivery by calling 559-460-7809 or fill out a TakeCare Request Form.
The Fresno State Student Cupboard is a free food and hygiene pantry for current Fresno State students. Times of operation vary by day. Follow them on Facebook to get their latest updates or call 559-278-6621.
The Ram Pantry is a free food assistance program for college students currently enrolled at Fresno City College with an Associated Student Body (ASB) card. Food distribution hours vary, visit their website for latest updates or email rampantry@fresnocitycollege.edu.
Fresno Unified School District is providing free grab-and-go meals during the COVID-19 pandemic for all students under 18 years of age, weekdays from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at selected schools across the district. Students can get a meal from any designated school; they do not need to go to their school of enrollment. To stay up to date, follow them on Twitter or contact the District at 559-457-3395.
Central Unified School District is providing free grab-and-go meals during the COVID-19 pandemic for students under 18 years of age. Meals can be picked up on Mondays & Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at selected schools across the district. Sites and distribution times are subject to change. Contact the District at 559-274-4700 for more information.
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission is providing free grab-and-go meals for kids between the ages of 1-18 via the Food Express Bus. Kids do not need to be present to receive meals. Only one adult family member should pick up meals to minimize social interactions. Meals are provided Monday through Friday at designated times at five locations throughout Fresno County. Call 559-266-3663 for more information.
P-EBT is for students who normally would get free or reduced-priced school meals. Most P-EBT eligible families will receive up to $365 in food benefits automatically. Families with children who receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. Find out if you need to apply by visiting http://ca.p-ebt.org
Housing & Utility Assistance
As of March 13, Fresno Housing Authority will remain closed until further notice. At this time the Fresno Housing Authority is responding to emergency inspections and conducting move-in inspections only. For more information, visit the Fresno Housing Authority website or call 559-443-8400.
Self-Help Enterprises is a nationally recognized community development organization whose mission is to work together with low-income families to build and sustain healthy homes and communities. Self Help Enterprises has compiled a list of homeowner and renter resources. For immediate assistance in discussing a potential foreclosure, rental housing resources including eviction prevention, and financial counseling, call (559) 651-1000.
Central California Legal Services (CCLS) helps families avoid homelessness and protects their right to safe and decent housing. Low-income Fresno County tenants and landlords can receive legal advice by calling 1-800-675-8001.
On April 2, Governor Newsom signed an executive order restricting water shutoffs to homes and small businesses while the state responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order protects consumers who may not be able to pay for their water service from shutoffs and restores water for occupied residences that may have had their water shut off as of March 4, 2020. If your water is shut off during the COVID-19 pandemic or has not been reconnected, report it online.
If you recently lost your job or have experienced a reduction in income, you may qualify for a reduced energy rate through Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) financial assistance programs. You can also contact PG&E and ask to make payment arrangements to pay your current balance over several months to help address temporary financial strains. PG&E has announced they will not be disconnecting any services for nonpayment for all residential and small business customers until further notice.
Resources for LGBTQ Community Members
Resources for Undocumented / Immigrant Community Members
California Immigrant Guide and Listos California have compiled a guide featuring services available throughout the state to help immigrants thrive and succeed and fully participate in life in California.
California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance is a statewide immigrant youth-led alliance. They have compiled a list of COVID-19 resources specific to the undocumented community.
Centro Legal de la Raza has compiled a list of relief funds for undocumented workers in California affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has compiled information on the DACA program and COVID-19 and immigration information.
Educational Resources
The Children's Movement has put together a list of resources to help with your student's distance learning.
Action for Healthy Kids has created and collected resources to help parents keep kids active and healthy while schools are closed or doing online learning. Keep your kids busy by browsing through their library for tips, games and more.
Teach.com has put together 120 digital resources for home schooling, special education, social and emotional learning and more. The comprehensive list of resources covers everything from adaptive technology to the basics of reading and math.
Emotional / Well-Being Support
If you are in need of resources to help you talk with your child or family about COVID-19, visit the National Association of School Psychologists or Greater Good Magazine for helpful tips during this time.
The Fresno County Behavioral Health Warm Line provides non-emergency emotional and coping support to community members. Warm line operators provide supportive listening, practical coping ideas, and information on how to get connected to behavioral health services. The Warm Line is available Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Call 559-600-WARM (9276) to get connected.
Financial/Employment Resources
The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency has put together a chart of benefits available for workers impacted by COVID-19. You may be eligible for paid sick leave, disability, unemployment, and other benefits. Contact the Employment Development Department for more information.
​
Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs. The Work Sharing Program provides employees a percentage of their weekly wages as long as employers maintain health and retirement benefits. Work Sharing benefits are charged to the employer's reserve account.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) authorized Economic Impact Payments for some tax filers based on adjusted gross income. Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are otherwise not required to file a tax return are also eligible and will not be required to file a return. To learn more about Economic Impact Payment visit the IRS website. Most payments will be directly deposited to your bank account or mailed to your address on file. If you have not received your payment, you can check the status of your payment or update your information here.
Small Business Resources
The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation has compiled information and resources to support small businesses.
​
​