myCSUSM
Community Resources
The Cougar Care Network team has compiled a list of community resources that are available to the members of our CSUSM community. The university has not inspected, approved or disapproved of the resources listed and therefore cannot be responsible for the resources and availability, or terms may have changed since posting.
Updated 4/28/20 12 p.m.
- General resource information and hotlines
211 San Diego
This resource and information hub connects people with community, health and disaster services. There are many resources available on their website or by call ing 2-1-1. The call is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. https://211sandiego.org/
Hotlines
- Crisis Text Line: Type “HOME” to 741741
- San Diego County Access and Crisis 24-hour Line: (888) 724-7240
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
- Center for Community Solutions Domestic Violence 24-hour Line: (888) 272-1767
- Women’s Resource Center Domestic Violence 24-hour line: (760) 757-3500
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (English and Spanish): (800) 799-7233
- National Sexual Violence 24-hour Crisis Hotline: (800) 273-8255
- The Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
- San Diego County Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 344-6000
- San Diego County Adult Protective Services: (800) 510-2020
- COVID-19 testing
Contact your local healthcare provider or the nearest Emergency Room.
- Coping emotionally
Live Well San Diego – Live Well @ Home – resource for tips and strategies to stay mentally and physically healthy; resources and activities grouped by age group – toddlers to seniors, including parents
Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress, Fear, and Uncertainty
- County libraries
San Diego County libraries are closed. Due dates have been extended and no returns are being accepted at this time. Services are still available virtually.
Visit the San Diego County Library FAQ page for full details and updates.
- Local eateries open
The cities of San Marcos and Vista are maintaining lists of places from which you can order takeout.
- Wi-Fi and data plans
Several companies have announced plans to offer free internet service for 60 days to households with students as classes move online amid concerns about COVID-19.
The company has announced that its internet and Wi-Fi services are available for free for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who don’t already have internet through the company. Wi-Fi hotspots will also be open to the public.
Advertising two months of free Wi-Fi.
Offering the first month of internet service free and service for $9.95 per month afterward for eligible families, as well as refurbished equipment at a discount.
Offering new customers who don’t have Spectrum internet two free months of internet and Wi-Fi to help households with students in K-12 and/or college with their remote education.
AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon
See the following article with links to each company's response to COVID-19
- Utility bills
If you're struggling to pay your utility bill because of the coronavirus, please call SDG&E customer service at 800-411-7343.
- Rent and mortgage assistance
San Diego Resident Renters – Information and eligibility for moratorium - SD Eviction Ban
San Diego County Resident Renters – The State has temporarily banned evictions through May 31st. Contact your landlord to ask for assistance.
Homeowners - Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Citibank and JPMorgan Chase — as well as 200 state-chartered banks and credit unions will allow affected homeowners in California to defer payments for at least three months. Late payments would not be reported to credit agencies. Contact your Mortgage Company for questions about eligibility and deferment.
- Food
San Diego Food Bank
To find food distributions nearby, simply text “food” or “comida” to 877-877. You can also get help finding the nearest food bank (or any other kind of assistance) by calling 2-1-1.
CalFresh Program
CalFresh, formerly known as food stamps, can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. The program issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. The amount of the benefit is based on the size of your household, your income and your housing expenses. To see if you’re eligible, visit the CalFresh website at getcalfresh.org.
School Districts - Meals for Kids
Neighborhood Distributions
- The San Diego Food Bank and its North County Food Bank chapter are continuing their food distribution programs during the COVID-19 crisis. Visit the following link for more information: https://sandiegofoodbank.org/response/
- Jewish Family Service is distributing pre-bagged food every weekday from 11:00 am–1:00 pm through a no-contact drive thru food distribution at the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Family Campus at 8004 Balboa Avenue, San Diego 92123. No appointment necessary. No eligibility requirements. For more information visit www.jfssd.org/healthupdate or call 858-637-3210.
Community Food Connection (Poway)
Leichtag Foundation in Encinitas’s Coastal Roots Farm
The farmstand is open, and offering a pay-what-you-can price (including up to $30 of free produce if students or their families cannot pay anything) - https://coastalrootsfarm.org/covid-19-faq/
More food resources for families
- Storage
U-Haul announced that it will extend 30 days of free self-storage at U-Haul-owned and -operated facilities to help college students impacted by unforeseen schedule changes at their universities. The free month applies to new customers with college IDs and is a limited-time offer subject to availability. Visit uhaul.com/storage to find the store nearest you. Contact the store by phone or visit in person to take advantage of the offer.
- Transportation
Enterprise has lowered the age to rent a vehicle from 21 to 18 through the end of May at all locations and waived the young renter fee to help students in this time of need. To be eligible, students ages 18 to 24 are required to show both a valid driver’s license and an official student ID card.
For a limited time, students can fly free on Frontier Airlines to nearly 100 destinations.
- Financial and employment services
Scholly Covid-19 Student Relief Fund: Scholly COVID-19 Student Relief Fund – Scholly is offering $200 cash assistance to students impacte:d by COVID-19. Apply at: https://myscholly.com/relief/.
CA College Student Emergency Support Fund: Mission Asset Fund is offering eligible college students a one-time $500 grant. Eligibility requirements:
- You must be enrolled full-time in a California College.
- You must have completed one full year of course work (24 semester hours).
- Be able to provide a transcript (unofficial is fine).
- Be able to provide either your Student Aid Report, showing that your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is below $5,576.
Click on this link to check eligibility and to apply for the grant - CA College Student Emergency Support Fund
The United Way of San Diego County: You may learn more about and apply for the working assistance initiative program at https://uwsd.org/faqs-worker-assistance-initiative/
Unemployment and Worker Benefits: Employment Disability, Paid Family Leave Benefits (for those who are covered through deductions from their paychecks – noted as CASDI on paystubs) and Unemployment Insurance:
- https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
- https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.html
Relief Funds for Undocumented Workers in California: Organization offering financial assistance to undocumented workers
San Diego Workforce Partnership: Visit their site to learn about available job-seeker services, unemployment, and other work resources
Banks & Credit Cards
- Citibank
- PNC Bank: https://www.pnc.com/en/customer-service/update-center.html?lnksrc=homepage-alert
- Wells Fargo: https://www.wellsfargo.com/jump/enterprise/coronavirus-response
- Hotel discounts
Marriott is offering rooms for $89 a night through April 30. Call Fairfield Inn & Suites in Carlsbad at 760-579-0155 or SpringHill Suites in Escondido at 442-286-8100 and mention Cal State San Marcos.
- Resources for parents
Child Care
There are still childcare homes and facilities open with availability. Call the YMCA Child Care Referral Line at (800) 481-2151.
Diapers
Summit Church (next to the QUAD) is distributing diapers as well as food on Tuesdays from 11 am – 1 pm; Drive-thru only. 292 E. Barham Dr., #202, San Marcos.
Diaper Bank Program - https://sandiegofoodbank.org/programs/diaper-bank-program/
Learning
Learning activities to support kids learning from home are available online.
San Diego Zoo
Providing webcams, activities for children, wildlife stories, science activities and blogs at https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/we-care. They are also offering online games, videos, activities at https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/
- COVID-19 Text Message Alert System
San Diego County residents can receive information about the novel coronavirus via text through the County COVID-19 public information text message alert system, which allows County health officials to send real-time information about COVID-19 in the region. To sign up to receive the messages, text COSD COVID19 to 468-311 or visit the County website for more information.