Struggling to pay your water bill? + Top 10
Nota:Si desea recibir el boletín en español, regístrese aquí.
Here's a roundup of important information for this week. Please share with your friends and community members- you never know who might need it. As always, let us know if you have any questions.
Wishing you health and happiness!
Your City of Durham Community Engagement Team
This Week’s Top 10
- Safer-At-Home
- Struggling to pay your water bill?
- Symptoms (New: Loss of Taste or Smell)
- Testing in Durham
- Know Your Ws
- Is your child entering kindergarten?
- Parenting Tips
- Hurricane Guide
- 2020 Census
- FREE Tax Preparation Service
Plus, In case you missed it...
Read more below.
1. Safer-At-Home
Durham Safer-at-Home Order: What’s Different as of June 1?
Learn more https://durhamnc.gov/4019/Stay-at-Home-Order-FAQs
HOME
2. Struggling to Pay Your Water Bill?
Are you are struggling to pay your water bill? The City would like to help through the Water Hardship Fund. The Fund is part of a program administered by the Durham County Department of Social Services to help residents pay their past-due water bills. It cannot be used for penalties and fees.
Through a simple online process, you can apply for up to $240 in assistance per year if you are having a documented hardship, have past-due bills, and are in danger of having your water cut off. If you think you might qualify, please complete the Water Hardship Fund application form. If contacted, you may be asked to provide identification, proof of income, a copy of your water bill, and other information.
HEALTH
3. Symptoms (New: Loss of Taste or Smell)
The CDC has expanded the list of symptoms for #COVID19. Know what to look for and contact your health care provider if symptoms persist or get worse. Learn more about symptoms: http://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/symptoms…
4. Testing in Durham
Looking for COVID-19 testing in Durham? Use the maps on our data dashboard: …https://durhampublichealth-durhamnc.hub.arcgis.com/ & the NCDHHS website: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place to find a testing site near you.
5. Know Your Ws
Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi talks about the importance of the 3 Ws (Wear, Wait, Wash) and discusses the implications COVID-19 has had on the African-American and Latinx communities due to social determinants that contribute to poorer health outcomes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ouy11P9Ek
YOUTH
6. Is your child entering kindergarten?
Is your child entering kindergarten? Durham's Partnership for Children is hosting a webinar just for YOU! Our Transition to Kindergarten webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 9 at 6pm. Families can register for this Zoom webinar at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tcuispzIuEtLEvoUl-ctimV8a1eYbianF
7. Parenting Tips
- Make a picture schedule to help create predictability in your child’s schedule at home. https://twitter.com/i/status/1268604225744809984
- Here are some tips on how to play with your child in a way that keeps them engaged and supports learning and development. https://twitter.com/i/status/1267514516872429570
HURRICANES
8. Hurricane Guide
Atlantic hurricane season has officially started. The east coast has already seen two named storms this year. Take the time this week to map out a severe weather plan and build an emergency kit. Learn more at https://files.nc.gov/readync/documents/files/Hurricane-Guide.pdf….
CENSUS
9. 2020 Census
IMPORTANT: If you haven't already, fill out the 2020 Census today. Go to http://2020Census.gov. Tell everyone you know to do the same. We have to ensure our communities get the funding, political power, and civil rights enforcement that we need and deserve.
Remember this: The 2020 Census counts and so do people with disabilities. Make sure your census form is complete and BE COUNTED! Learn more: http://disabilitycounts2020.org
FINANCES
10. FREE Tax Preparation
Every year tax time proves stressful for millions of Americans who can’t afford the high cost of tax preparation and are unable to prepare their own returns.
The Greater Durham TAC Coalition makes a major impact on the need for low-cost, high-quality tax services by preparing and filing thousands of returns at Volunteer Income Taxpayer Assistance (VITA) sites in the Greater Durham area.
Reinvestment Partners will be offering FREE tax service at Durham's Northgate Mall June 1 - July 10, 2020. Due to social distancing guidelines, their office will be operating as a DROP-OFF site only. Filers may drop off returns Monday - Friday, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Visit www.reinvestmentpartners.org or call (919) 286-1822 for more information.
In case you missed it...
- Youth Text Line: Sign up at durhamnc.gov/yodurhamtext or text "yodurham" to 919-213-0691.
- Durham's Universal Pre-K applications: http://durhamprek.org/families/enrollment….
- To volunteer & find ways to help provide food to those in need, visit handsontriangle.org
This newsletter and past newsletters are also available on our website:https://www.durhamcommunityengagement.org/news
Thank you,
City of Durham Community Engagement Team