As we have worked through our response to COVID-19, my main priority has been getting my constituents in House District 2 as much information as possible. Every day, we are learning more about how to respond to COVID-19. Every day, I see something that encourages me and makes me hopeful for the future. Our businesses, families and leaders are all making significant sacrifices and supporting each other in unique and inspiring ways. Below are a list of resources available for children at home, for food, housing assistance and reemployment assistance. As always, my office is here to assist you in whatever you need. If you have a question or concern, or simply need help finding the right person to contact, please email me at
alex.andrade@myfloridahouse.gov
, or call me at 850-462-4776.
Alex
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On April 1st, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home Executive Order that goes into effect on April 3rd at 12:01 am. Please click
here to read Executive Order 20-91
On April 2nd, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order suspending mortgage foreclosures for the next 45 days in the State of Florida. This Executive Order also suspends evictions due to non-payment of rent by tenants for the next 45 days as well. Executive Order 20-94 can be found
here.
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Florida Housing Resources
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation has created a COVID-19 web page with a list of resources for various stakeholders dealing with renter, realtor, and homeowner concerns. This information can be accessed
here.
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Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
Catholic Charities helps families in emergencies and aids in providing them with basic needs such a financial assistance, food, prescriptions, housing and utilities. If you and your family need assistance please visit their
website or call their Pensacola office at (850) 436-6425. Catholic Charities assists families all over the Panhandle, from Pensacola to Tallahassee.
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City of Pensacola Housing Department
The City of Pensacola Housing Department is committed to supporting the development of a diverse, viable community that provides decent, safe housing and a suitable living environment for residents. Visit their
website to find available resources and assistance the City can provide.
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Community Action Program Committee
The Community Action Program Committee helps low income families achieve self-sufficiency by creating solutions to poverty in collaboration with community stakeholders. They have a variety of services to aid families in pressing times. Visit their
website to find out how they can help.
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Educational Resources for Families & Students
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Cox Providing Low-Cost, Home Internet for Students
During this time of required in-home learning, Cox has launched the
Connect2Complete program to help families get connected to the internet. Now through May 15, Cox is providing customers with limited-time, first two months free of Connect2Complete service and then $9.95/month thereafter. Families can qualify by having a K-12 student living in the household who is eligible to receive free or reduced school lunch through the National School Lunch Program or other government assistance program, including SNAP, TANF, or Public Housing. To apply for this service, visit
Cox.com/Connect2Compete.
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A.V.E. for Success K-12 Digital Resources
Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA) offers courses for K-12 are organized by subject area (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, CTE) and then by grade. Teachers can find free lesson plan ideas and digital resources to engage students in content from anywhere. Many of the traditional courses created also have an Access course (and includes the Access Points) for exceptional students (ESE) and over 90% of the courses have an ELL section with specific resources for teachers to be able to reach ELL students. These courses are available to ALL teachers to copy and use with their students so they can track progress. Click here to see
A.V.E. for Success K-12 Digital Resources
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Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
has partnered with FDOE to offer all school districts student support and teacher professional development tailored to online learning. FLVS also has a blog, the Virtual Voice, which features specific Coronavirus information, as well as general information to help individuals engaged in online learning. Please visit the blog
here.
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Amazing Educational Resources
Amazing Educational Resources
provides an extensive list of available educational offers to help families who are staying in their homes at this time.
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Advanced Placement Testing Resources
To support AP students affected by school closures due to COVID-19, CollegeBoard is providing students and schools with access to live AP review lessons, delivered by AP teachers from across the country.
Because of the challenges created by COVID-19, CollegeBoard is developing a new at-home AP Exam option. Students will be able to test on a computer or mobile device.
Please
click here
to access updates and resources for AP students.
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Virtual & Interactive Tours
The Office of the Clerk has provided virtual resources for children to remain socially and educationally engaged with Florida's culture, science, history, and arts while at home. Some of the tours are listed below.
Explore the launch point for a generation of space exploration via Google Street View.
A virtual 360 degree tour of Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum.
Underwater tours and images from Florida’s underwater historical resources statewide.
Look at interactive floor plan or take an audio or video tour.
Digital 3D gallery of artifacts from Florida’s historic Spanish Plate Fleet disasters.
A virtual tour that provides an immersive look at aircrafts used in Naval Aviation
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Food Assistance Resources
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Summer Breakspot
Click
here
to locate free meals in your local area for children under 18 years of age. The meals are in locations ranging from libraries to parks to churches and offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. In most areas there is no application necessary.
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Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program - Food for Florida
Click
here
to access information on DSNAP. This program is only active when there is a presidentally-declared disaster area in Florida. Those who apply and meet specific criteria to be found eligible for the program will receive disaster food assistance which will be accessed with using an EBT card.
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USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Click
here
to find out about FNS response to COVID-19. Information regarding Child Nutrition Programs, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program available.
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Feeding the Gulf Coast
Feeding the Gulf Coast serves a variety of individuals, many in the high-risk categories. The food bank is addressing the increased challenges presented by COVID-19. Please click
here
for updates on operations, assistance, and ways you can support Feeding the Gulf Coast efforts.
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Escambia County School District’s Food Service Department
ECSD has begun providing supplemental school meals.
Breakfast and lunch will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Meals will be distributed in a curbside pick-up operation. Food items will be in to-go containers and will consist of ready-to-eat food items that should be consumed when received or should be quickly refrigerated for consumption at a later time. Meals are available for children and teens ages 18 and under.
For more information, please visit their
website
.
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Meals will be available for pick up at the following locations:
Jim Allen Elementary School
Jim C. Bailey Middle School
Bellview Elementary School
Beulah Elementary School
Beulah Middle School
Bratt Elementary School
Brentwood Elementary School
Cordova Park Elementary School
Ensley Elementary School
Ernest Ward Middle School
Ferry Pass Middle School
Global Learning Academy
Lincoln Park Elementary School
McArthur Elementary School
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Molino Park Elementary School
Montclair Elementary School
Myrtle Grove Elementary School
Oakcrest Elementary School
Pensacola High School
Pine Meadow Elementary School
Ransom Middle School
Scenic Heights Elementary School
Semmes Elementary School
Sherwood Elementary School
Warrington Elementary School
Warrington Middle School
Booker T. Washington High School
C.A. Weis Elementary School
West Pensacola Elementary School
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Florida Farm to You
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched the program Florida Farm to You to connect potential buyers directly with farmers and producers of Florida-grown commodities experiencing market disruptions related to COVID-19 closures. Any local producers interested in participating can complete the form found
here
and return it via email to FLfarmtoyou@fdacs.gov
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New Tax Day - July 15th
The IRS has extended the filing and federal tax payments deadline from April 15th to July 15th. To find more information visit the
IRS website
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Executive Tax Relief Orders
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The Florida Department of Revenue is monitoring COVID-19 and continues to follow guidance from federal and state officials. The Department has created an email address,
COVID19TAXHELP@FloridaRevenue.com
, where you can share questions and concerns
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State and Federal Loan Programs
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Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
is an up to $50,000 loan currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
The
U.S. Small Business Administration
is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital (up to $2,000,000) to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Click
here to determine the federal definition for your small business.
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Additional Grant and Loan Programs
Please click
here
to find more information relating to economic resources and additional grant and loan programs.
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Additional Go-to Resources
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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
Florida House Majority has provided a breakdown of the bill, as well. Please click here to view the
fact sheet.
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COVID-19 Testing Sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa County
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Sacred Heart (Escambia) -
5151 N 9th Avenue, Pensacola
Hours: M-F*, 9AM-1PM
Cost - Free
Prior Screening Required
850-746-2684
Community Health (Escambia) -
901 N A Street, Pensacola
Hours: M-F, 9AM-1PM
Cost: Free
Prior Screening Required
850-746-2684
Community Health (Escambia) -
470 South Highway 29, Unit B, Cantonment
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9AM-1PM
Cost: Free
Prior Screening Required
850-746-2684
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Baptist (Escambia) -
Appointment and prior screening required
850-434-4080
Baptist (Santa Rosa) -
Appointment and prior screening required
850-434-4080
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Escambia County & Santa Rosa News Updates
Click here to access Escambia County's website to find news updates and more information.
On Thursday, April 2nd, the Escambia County Commission voted to extend its decision to leave beaches closed until further notice by the Commission, which passed by a 4-1 vote. The full County Commission video including pubic forum can be found
here.
Click here to access Santa Rosa County's website to find news updates and more information.
Click here to access the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance website to find news updates and more information.
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Job Assistance
CareerSource Escarosa has distributed hundreds of paper applications for unemployment. They also have drop boxes at both Career Centers, and are mailing unemployment applications to DEO daily.
My office is offering printed applications, as well, for those who need printing services. Please email me at Alex.Andrade@myfloridahouse.gov.
Fedex is offering printing assistance, as well. Fedex at 1520 Airport Blvd is participating in the initiative. Their phone number is 850-474-3796.
Please
click here to access Re-employment Assistance COVID-19 FAQs.
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Veteran Assistance
Visit the
Florida Veterans Foundation website to learn more about their partnership with The American Legion Department of Florida and the program they have established to help veterans and their families in this time of need.
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Price Gouging Hotline
Attorney General Ashley Moody's
Price Gouging Hotline
is now activated to deter from scams and guard against gouging.
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Protecting Yourself from Charity Scams
During this crisis, charity scammers have become more prevalent and are actively trying to use deception to steal money from people who believe they are donating to legitimate causes. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is asking consumers to check the charities they are donating to using the
Check-A-Charity
tool or their hotline 1-800-435-7352 to find out if a charity is properly registered.
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Center for Disease Control
Visit the
CDC Website to find out what you need to know about COVID-19, available resources, COVID-19 cases in the U.S., and more.
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Florida COVID-19 Confirmed Cases
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Senior Citizen Shopping Hours
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National Domestic Abuse Hotline
For individuals experiencing domestic violence, the
#COVID19
public health situation can expose additional dangers. For a guide of shelters & programs,
click here
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House District Two - Rep. Alex Andrade |
Website
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