COVID
First Born Program of Los Alamos is dedicated to keeping our staff and clients safe.
Our current mask policy can be found here. Families should always feel comfortable asking home visitors for alternative options (Zoom and/or outdoor visits) and inform home visitors of known close contacts. We follow the CDC's guidelines concerning close contacts, isolation, and quarantining. Click on those words for links to the CDC.
We are still utilizing Dr Owl, a HIPAA-compliant record keeping service.
This QR code provides access to our system.
Resources *currently under review
The First Born Program are committed to keeping families who we serve and in the wider community, informed about help and advice that is available in this challenging time. We would also like to thank Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) Resource Specialist Tara Adams for her wonderful work in curating these resources!
*These resources are currently under review and updates may be needed. Please reach out to us at welcome@firstbornla.org if you notice any corrections or updates needed.
Information about any informal and formal offers of assistance with food, childcare, elder care, supply runs, and community programs is available at the Facebook group "Los Alamos Helping Each Other During COVID-19". The link to their page is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1415112578673222/
Infant Needs
Dr. Lynda Adrouche-Amrani, Medical Director of the Newborn Services at Los Alamos Medical Center, has offered to contact their formula representatives on behalf of any family running out of formula and unable to find it. Look for her post on the “Los Alamos Helping One Another During COVID-19” Facebook group and tag her.
Hope Pregnancy has donations of formula (also diapers, wipes, and baby/toddler clothes and toys). Text 505-500-4165 for help.
State Hotlines
The state has two hotlines for concerns. For everything health-related, call 1-855-600-3453.
For all concerns not-health related, like school, childcare and job security, call 1-833-551-0518.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in New Mexico, go here: https://cv.nmhealth.org/
The New Mexico Department of Health two new online tools for New Mexicans to use during the COVID-19 outbreak. Individuals who have already been tested can check for their results online by using the new portal and creating an account and individuals who wonder if they need to be tested can access a self-screening tool : Information here.
The state now has a webpage with information about getting financial, basic needs, and childcare assistance in one place: Information here.
The state of New Mexico will use an emergency alert system, disseminated from the state’s Emergency Operations Center, when conditions warrant. This system is similar to Amber Alerts, which are used to notify the public about missing children. Alerts will be sent through text messages, television and radio. Information here.
Covid-19 Testing
All New Mexicans can now get virus testing, regardless of whether they have symptoms. Information here.
The Los Alamos NM DOH Public Health Office offers COVID testing Mondays through Fridays BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. No same day testing is available. The Los Alamos PHO nurse now has access to schedule appointments more efficiently for those who are interested in Covid-19 testing. Those who are interested in Covid-19 testing can register at www.cvtestreg.nmhealth.org and they will receive some sort of confirmation # or code. They can then call the public health office at 662-4038 with this six-digit alpha numeric code and then the nurse can call them back with a date & time. Please note that callers should not make repeated calls as this will not speed up the process and instead jams up the phone line. This is a drive-up test; individuals are tested in their vehicle and will not enter the facility. There is no cost for the test. The Health Commons is located at 1183 Diamond Drive Suite D, across from Los Alamos High School. The public health office also continues to offer STD, birth control, and other medical services. Information here.
Medical
MANNM Walk-in Clinic will be open on Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm starting May 2nd. The last check in time will be at 1:45pm.
Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico (MANNM) is now offering telemedicine appointments for patients on the using the doxy.me platform. All you need is a smartphone – Apple / Android or a computer with a camera and microphone, Chrome/ Firefox browser. A good internet connection is recommended. Information here. Video on how to use the process is here. MANNM’s most recent update is here.
Children’s Clinic has made multiple changes to address the situation with COVID-19: The clinic now has a dedicated entrance on the southwest side of the hospital that bypasses the hospital entrance, and the clinic has been divided into sick (fever, cough, sore throat, etc.) and well (check-ups, immunizations, school/sports exams, medication follow up, injuries, etc) patients areas. The White Rock Clinic will remain open to well patient care. There are now a variety of options for meeting children’s medical needs, including drive-through, Telehealth, and phone consultation Complete information here.
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) began enacting strict measures in March in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Details here.
Pediatrician Dr. Jacqueline Krohn announces that she is available for appointment via Doxy.me online video visit. Please call as usual for an appointment and ask for a video visit: Information here.
Leading insulin manufacturer Novo Nordisk announced that it would offer 90 days of free insulin to those who lost their jobs and medical insurance because of the coronavirus pandemic. Information here.
Las Clinicas Del Norte has a new phone number (505-695-1616) and operates from the Public Health Commons on Tuesdays and Thursdays. LCDN offers primary pediatric care.
If someone suspects they have been exposed to or may have COVID-19, they need to call 505-257-8322 (MANNM) or 1-855-600-3453 (State Hotline) before going to a medical clinic.
Every New Mexican should have health care during the COVID-19 emergency – to help expedite that process there is a new online screening tool to help New Mexicans determine what health insurance coverage they may qualify for by answering a few simple questions, the state announced Thursday. It is available at New Mexico Health Coverage Connector here.
FAQs on Coronavirus: https://cv.nmhealth.org/faq/
Childcare
The state has temporarily expanded eligibility for its subsidized childcare program with special provisions for neighbors and relatives to care for children and for medical workers and first responders to access childcare. No one will lose their CYFD childcare eligibility because they choose to keep their child at home during this time. For more details: Information here.
CYFD Childcare Assistance is currently completing intakes through phone or e-mail. See here for an application and what to bring to the intake. Essential workers should fill out the application and submit to CYFD-ECS-CCA-Central-NorthRegion@state.nm.us . A caseworker will contact them to conduct a phone interview. It is best to have a day care provider already picked out that way once the interview is conducted and if the family is determined eligible a contract can be issued. A good resource to find a provider is www.newmexicokids.org.
An informal group, “COVID Childcare Group - Los Alamos” has been assembled on Facebook for Los Alamos parents to connect with one another to form childcare co-ops or share resources. If you cannot access this group, contact tara@losalamosjjab.com to be added.
Some offers of in-home child care are also posted on Los Alamos Moms.
care.com is a website on which you can look for local childcare providers, many of whom will come to your home, and tutors. FAQs are here. Several local options are available.
Closures
Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce has made a list of all Los Alamos businesses with their status, hours, and capability for drive-through or delivery service: here. More details on restaurants are here.
Food Resources
Donated Food Distribution
Contact LA Cares at (505) 661-8015 for emergency food. A monthly food box is available by prior arrangement only on the second Friday of the month and the Thursday night before. The next distribution is September 10th and 11th. Residents will be asked to drive-thru to pick up their box (there will be no extra “shopping the room” at this time). Anyone who resides in Los Alamos County who has seen a temporary drop in income is welcome to register. Delivery is available to those who cannot leave home. Information here.
Los Alamos Mobile Food Pantry is available at First Methodist Church at 715 Diamond Drive (behind Lemon Lot). The Food Depot distributes food on the fourth Friday of the month from 11:00 to 12:30. No pre-registration is required. It is advised that you arrive early to wait in line. Distribution will take place Friday, April 24 on a drive-by basis.
The Santa Fe Food Depot has opened weekly drive-by food distribution in various locations in Santa Fe: https://www.thefooddepot.org/get-help/
Individuals seeking to apply for SNAP benefits should visit www.yes.state.nm.us or call 1-800-283-4465.
Please nominate a family in need for a gift card to a local restaurant as part of JJAB’s Community Gift Card program. Essential workers may also be nominated. Information here.
Hope Pregnancy has donations of formula (also diapers, wipes, and baby/toddler clothes and toys). Text 505-500-4165 for help.
Little Food Pantries
The Little Food Pantry at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (lower parking lot, corner of Diamond and Trinity) is filled.
Another free food pantry is available inside Los Alamos Christian Church, 92 East Rd, Los Alamos. Access during business hours.
There is also a pantry at St. Job’s Orthodox Church at 1319 Trinity Dr, Los Alamos.
WIC
The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program is asking applicants to call 505-753-4659 (Espanola) to start the process of application. They can pick up the WIC card at the Espanola office (drive through) or in Los Alamos at Public Health (once a month). WIC is setting people up with a provisional account for four months so that people can access food quickly without their usual appointment with a dietician etc. The program serves families who are pregnant or have a child younger than five.
Other Basic Needs
Loss of employment income
The following flow charts from NMDWS are helpful in determining what steps must be taken next to receive unemployment income: here and here.
New information for workers affected by COVID-19 is on the Department of Workforce Solutions website here. Call days are now designated based on the last number of your Social Security Number.
June 26, 2021 - The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) announced today that New Mexico will begin offering the Federal-State Extended Benefits (FDEB1) program for those who have exhausted their previous unemployment benefits. Under federal law, the FDEB1 program offers up to an additional 13 weeks of benefits to individuals who have exhausted both their regular unemployment benefits and 13 weeks of the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) assistance. More information here.
NMDWS offers a reminder to all claimants that the additional $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation will be ending July 25, 2020.
The state Supreme Court provided temporary protections for New Mexicans in consumer debt cases from having wages withheld and some of their assets taken to repay creditors during the current public health emergency and economic downturn. Information here.
Self-employed may start filing for unemployment Sunday 4/26. Applicants can seek benefits retroactive to Jan. 27 or a more recent date when they became unemployed, partially employed or unable to work as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Information here.
The Wage and Hour Division provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) here.
The state now has a webpage with information about getting financial, basic needs, and childcare assistance in one place: Information here.
Non-citizens with work authorization are eligible for unemployment insurance in New Mexico. For New Mexicans with DACA or any other immigration status who are being let go of their jobs and have questions about collecting unemployment, we are here to help at Santa Fe Dreamers Project. Call and leave a message 505-490-2789 or e-mail info@santafedreamersproject.org. Information here.
Help with housing costs
SDA extended foreclosure and eviction moratorium for all Single-Family Housing Direct Home Loans through Aug. 31, 2020. Information here.
HSD, CYFD, and HopeWorks have teamed up to provide Emergency Eviction Prevention to victims of COVID-19 related job loss. The program with Hope Works will be able to support up to TWO months of rental assistance for families with children who are unable to pay their rent due to loss of employment or a 50% or more reduction of hours. This assistance is only available to housed families with children that have lost income as a direct result of COVID-19 restrictions for employment. If you are a family that would benefit from this temporary assistance, please contact nsandweiss@parentsreachingout.org ASAP and we will get you an application put you in touch with the right person to process it. Note: there is a limited amount of assistance available.
News on national mortgage relief: here.
NM State Supreme Court orders a moratorium on evictions. Information here.
Immediate assistance
Contact Self Help at (505) 662-4666 for urgent help with basic needs. They are open and serving clients over phone and email.
Freedom Church is offering emergency assistance online: here.
Utilities
Until further notice, Los Alamos County will not be disconnecting anyone's utilities for nonpayment. They still ask that everyone continue to pay their bills on time whenever possible.
Internet
Comcast is making Internet Essentials discounted internet program available to its eligible customers for free for 60 days. To sign up, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
Courts
New Mexico courts will be extending the payment of fees and fines for 30 days without penalty: Information here.
Mental Healthcare
The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (NMCAL) has established business continuity plans to ensure that services continue to operate as normal. Counselors are available 24/7 at 855-662-7474.
Small Steps Child Counseling in Albuquerque is offering services for crisis and ongoing for the Spanish speaking community as well as English and ASL. All services are accessible through phone, video or online. Services are available for any child, family, or adult in need of practical or emotional support. Message for more information or call (505) 933-4639. Information here.
North Star Psychiatric: North Star Psychiatric Services is shut down for the 3-week shut down as of Monday March 16th. They are offering Telemed services in lieu of physical appointments for all scheduled patients. Please call the office at 412-7756 for automated details. Direct contact will be made to each patient as well as this local posting. Please remember that we are closed the week of the 23rd- 27th for what was to be Spring Break, no appointments, Telemed or otherwise, are scheduled during that week.
If you have any questions, refill requests, scheduling needs, or otherwise, please call the office manager, at 505-695-4691 anytime.
Los Alamos Family Council: LAFC therapists accept all Medicaid, Presbyterian and BlueCross BlueShield. Therapists are available appointment times 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday. LAFC works with all clients regardless of their ability to pay. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, therapists are able to use telephonic or secure video conferencing to provide service. They understand that some people may not have somewhere private to sit and talk with their therapist, but are able to provide face-to-face meetings when absolutely necessary. Information here. normal office phone has a message forwarding people to a mobile office. That temporary number is (505) 551-2671.
Clinical and developmental psychologist Dr. Stroud has provided this informational video for parents in order to support caregivers in managing the emotional responses and developmental needs of their children during this crisis. Dr. Stroud provides parents with information and skills to support their children's emotional health, mental well being, and build necessary skills of resilience. Information here.
Family Support
FSN (CLOSED every JULY) isopen Thursday-Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 for library usage. Check out FSN's events page for remote activities! Patrons must call 505-662-4515 before entering the building. One patron at a time; no children.
Family Strengths Network has also moved a variety of programs online, to include Chit-Chat, crafts, and family yoga. See their Facebook page here. Detailed information is here.
JJAB can serve clients via Zoom, What’sApp, or Skype as well as by phone, text, and email. Resource specialists can serve as connection points to urgent resources and mental healthcare, as well as a variety of other needs. Information here or contact any resource specialist.
Hope Pregnancy can offer remote/online parent mentoring. Text 505-500-4165 for more information.
Recovery / Substance Use
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are available online. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking: Information here and here.
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are online and by phone. The primary purpose of an NA group is to carry the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers. https://virtual-na.org/
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Smart Recovery offers its toolbox online: here.
Domestic Violence / Family Safety
Order of protection hearings are now occurring by phone.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law 3/18/20 contains key provisions that can help survivors of domestic violence: Information here.
The Los Alamos County Victim Assistant will continue services via phone for any domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking related cases. Call (505) 663-3511 to access services.
Crisis Center of New Mexico has no changes to services. The shelter is open and supervised visitation and counseling will take place as scheduled, call 505-753-1656.
Recreation and Learning Opportunities for Families
Information on Los Alamos library services available remotely will soon be added to this list. For information now, please contact the library branches at 505-662-8250 or 505-662-8265.
Audible is offering a collection of audiobook stories which are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet: Information here
Many online educational content providers are offering content for free during school closures. Parents can find a variety of resources to keep kids engaged at home. A large list can be found here: http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
Another list of resources grouped by ages: here.
Scholastic has free online learning resources here and here.
The Los Alamos Historical Museum’s new History at Home page has hands-on history activities for learners of all ages, and is available here.
This Facebook page, “At Home in Los Alamos,” was created as a resource for Los Alamos Parents to find activities that can be done while at home during the COVID-19 restrictions. Collaborators include: Fuller Lodge Art Center, PEEC, Los Alamos Historical Society, Los Alamos County Library System, Los Alamos STEAM Lab, and Los Alamos Arts Council. We invite the public to check this page, as most organizations will be attempting to post daily activities. https://www.facebook.com/AtHomeinLosAlamos/
Local Kate Ramsey offers virtual Zumbini Classes designed for Babies to Age 5 and their parents/caregivers are available by registration here.
Barranca pre-K’s Ms. Fetveit posted a charming video online of herself reading a story to her students: Here and here.
Parentivity is a web-based system that provides 24/7 customized information for parents of children from birth to age five. Accounts are free during the closures: here.
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) has launched a new online series to help the community get outside, have fun and continue to learn about nature while the schools and Los Alamos Nature Center are closed. Watch the PEEC wildlife webcam here.
Online virtual museum tours are available: Information here.