Dear New Yorker,
I am honored to return to the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit, committed to serving you and the City of New York as we continue to overcome the pandemic and its challenges.
I know our amazing city will come together as we rebuild, and I'm thrilled to work alongside our communities to make it happen. This newsletter will continue to deliver information on critical resources and city updates that are key for our communities to stay informed.
I look forward to working with you for a recovery for all of us.
In partnership,
Roberto Pérez,
Commissioner, Mayor's Community Affairs Unit
Key Updates:
Mask to the Max – Health Department Updates Mask Guidance
The Health Department issued updated guidance on face coverings (PDF), one of the most critical tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The guidance recommends people over the age of two-years-old wear snug fitting masks with two or three layers of material to better prevent unfiltered air from passing through. (Click here for more information).
Pre-K
The pre-K application will open on February 24, 2021; the deadline to apply is April 7. During the application period, you can apply online or by phone. Here's what you can do now:
- Sign up for the pre-K admissions email list (Open external link). The Department of Education will send you updates, tips, and reminders throughout the process.
- Learn how to apply and how pre-K offers are made on this page. Missed the virtual Elementary Admissions Events? A recording from one of DOE's January sessions will be available soon, with captions in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Russian and Urdu.
- Throughout the admissions process, you'll use MySchools.nyc (Open external link) to learn about pre-K programs, apply, get your offer, and learn about waitlists. Before the application opens you can:
- Set up your MySchools account (Open external link).
- Start exploring pre-K program options in MySchools' online, searchable pre-K directory (Open external link).
Additional Resources:
NYC Health Post-COVID Clinics:
Post-COVID care clinics bring together multidisciplinary teams (including pulmonology, cardiology, rehabilitation, neurology and mental health) to provide a comprehensive treatment approach. Click here to find out more information.
New York State of Health
Open Enrollment Period Extended Through March 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health, New York's Official Health Plan Marketplace, or directly through insurers.
New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 1-855-355-5777, and by connecting with a free enrollment assister.
GETFOODNYC:
NYC Health + Hospitals:
As part of the largest municipal health care system in the world, NYC Health + Hospitals’ public hospitals and neighborhood health centers offer a wide variety of excellent mental health services to foster recovery from mental illness of all kinds. We help patients rediscover their strengths and abilities, as well as overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Click to learn more.
THRIVENYC:
Call 1-888-NYC-WELL If you are thinking about suicide, or know someone who is, counselors are available to listen to and support you 24/7. Contact NYC Well by calling 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355), texting “WELL” to 65173 or chatting at nyc.gov/nycwell. If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of hurting themselves, or in immediate danger because of a health condition or other situation, call 911.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Hours: Available 24 hours.
Languages: English, Spanish.
Domestic Violence Support:
NYC 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP):
File Your Taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep
File your taxes in-person or online with NYC Free Tax Prep if you earned $68,000 or less in 2020. See filing options below. Additional sites will open in January. The deadline to file 2020 tax returns is April 15, 2021.
* Read FAQs about NYC Free Tax Prep.
Workplace Laws
NYC workplace laws are still in effect. There have been new amendments to the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law that will take effect in 2 Phases. Click here to learn more about employee rights and employer responsibilities.
Returning to Work During COVID-19
Important Information for Domestic Workers and Their Employers. Click here for more information.
Learn more about important guidelines and resources available to workers under Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the reopening: www.nyc.gov/workers
COVID-19 Scams and Safety Tips
Important Information that describes common COVID-19-related scams and tips to stay safe (click here for more information).
NYC Department of Small Business Services:
Training for Your Employees,” a new resource that provides business owners and their employees with training in digital literacy, marketing tools, online security, and COVID-19 safety. Training courses include:
- Communication: Google Meet and Gmail
- Document Creation: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
- Scheduling and Managing Zoom Meetings (for Hosts)
- Microsoft Office Basics
- Cloud Storage: Microsoft OneDrive and more.
Businesses can learn more about the program’s eligibility criteria and access the application at www.nyc.gov/trainingemployees.
NYC Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants:
Today is the final day of the blanket stay on eviction proceedings in Housing Court. Starting Monday, a limited number of eviction cases will resume.
Tenants can still prevent eviction through May 1, 2021 by submitting a Hardship Declaration form to their landlord and the court. Tenants are welcome to submit their Hardship Declarations any time up until May 1, 2021 to receive protection through that date.
To learn more, please visit http://nycourts.gov/covid-eefpa.shtml and MOPT's website. Tenants with questions about the Hardship Declaration or who need help filling out the form should contact our language accessible Tenant Helpline by calling 311 and saying, "Tenant Helpline."
City Agency Service Update:
|
|