(Updated 3/28) Hello Reliance Health family. We hope you are well and secure at home. 

As Governor Lamont has stated, it is critical that those who can stay at home do so. We continue to reach out to our membership to assess immediate needs, arrange for supports such as food bags and emergency resources, and navigate individualized daily needs. This will take time and patience and we appreciate, in advance, your good-natured cooperation. Please keep an eye on our social media pages, as well as this blog for agency updates.

The Reliance Health offices at 40 Broadway and 2 Cliff Street are now closed to the public, however, our staff is still working and available to provide support to those we serve. To protect our community, and honor the Governor's request to "stay home, stay safe", we ask that individuals not come to the office. Instead, please call (860) 887-6536 and you will be connected with support. Those who utilize our Outpatient Services for therapy and medication will still see their providers, either through face to face video conferencing, or over the phone. If you have questions regarding how this will work for you, please call the Outpatient Services receptionist at (860) 887-6536 ext.301.

Our residences will continue to provide 24/7 staffing. We thank our teams for rallying and seeing us through this trying time.

We will share updates as we have them. For now, please be well, practice social distancing, and stay connected via phone and social media.

Updated food bag policy (3/16/20):

Eligibility:

• We will be increasing the food bag allotment for members to 2 per month with the following exceptions:
  • Residents of program where groceries and/or meals are provided (examples: TLC 1 or 2, Doreen’s Place, Bozrah, Martin House) are not eligible for food bags
  • Members who are not actively admitted to any programs will need to attend open access again to become eligible
• Members who receive food bags must complete the TEFAP and CT-NAP form at least once every 12 months (forms are located on the public server – Agency Forms folder-- Penobscot Place Forms subfolder).

Scheduling a Food Bag:

• We are requesting that all members coordinate requests for food bags via their Service Coordinator at their Primary Program. 

Alternative Food Sources:

• Check the list created by The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce for the most current food pantry and meal locations and requirements for eligibility at https://files.constantcontact.com/1470d50b001/16c680e6-7379-4aa5-a7d9-0f23b3530bba.pdf

• Beginning Friday, April 3, the Sikh Community will be serving free vegetarian grab and go meals from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at the Royal Punjabi Restaurant.

• On Sundays, there is a free grab and go community meal in the parking lot of St.Vincent de Paul Place, 120 Cliff Street in Norwich.

• Many towns continue to offer lunch to kids, despite school closures. Check your child's school website for information on meals available to school-aged children including pick-up schedules.

Mobile Phone Resources:

TracFone/Straighttalk: Partnering with Safelink Wireless to enroll those eligible in free minutes, assistance with bill pay, waiving reactivation fees, setting those eligible up with data and texting packages. Visit safelinkwireless.com/enrollment or call 1-800-723-3546 for details. 

Verizon: Suspending late fees/re-connection fees, bill assistance, and getting extra minutes with proof of poverty, unemployment due to COVID. The best way is to apply online through one's account.

AT&T: Free/reduced cost wifi/hotspots through your phone, unlimited data for all existing clients, and providing services at $10 per month for families with no income, low income, or financial strain due to COVID. Will extend the $10 per month plan after COVID crisis. Online is the most officiant way to apply due to the high number of callers. 

Cricket: Dial 611 to enroll in any COVID relief programs. Waiving re-connection fees and all service fees on payments. Can use Bridge Pay to pay current bills in future months, over a longer period of time, and/or smaller payments per billing cycle. Includes minute plans. To call 611 you must call off of the Cricket issued phone, if someone else is calling for the customer the number is 1-800-274-2538.

Assurance Wireless (Virgin Mobile's version of Safelink) is giving all of their customers unlimited minutes and texts from now through 5/20 as well as 6 GB of data for free.

Virtual AA Meetings:

Meetings that were being held at Central Baptist Church have moved to GoToMeeting.

Ways to access meetings:

1. GoToMeeting App:
   1. Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android)
   2. Download the app
   3. Follow the “Using the GoToMeeting App” directions for the meeting you want to access
2. Call in and follow the “Calling In” instructions for the meeting you want to access and listen to the prompts to enter the meeting

Monday 8 PM AA Meeting

• The meeting will be accessible at 7:45 PM
  • Using the GoToMeeting App:
    • Meeting ID: 285-340-381
  • Calling In:
    • Call-in Phone Number: (872) 240-3412
    • Access Code: 285-340-381

Wednesday 8 PM AA Meeting

• The meeting will be accessible at 7:45 PM
  • Using the GoToMeeting App:
    
    • Meeting ID: 808-355-941
    • Calling In:
      • Call-in Phone Number: (669) 224-3412
      • Access Code: 808-355-941

Thursday 5:30 PM AA Meeting

• The meeting will be accessible at 5:15 PM
  • Using the GoToMeeting App:
    • Meeting ID: 601-339-085
  • Calling In:
    • Call-in Phone Number: (872) 240-3311
    • Access Code: 601-339-085

Other Helpful Resources:

CT Warm Lines: Unlike a hotline for those in immediate crisis, warmlines provide early intervention with emotional support that can prevent a crisis. The lines are typically free, confidential peer-support services staffed by those who have experienced mental health conditions themselves. Find a warmline in your area at: http://warmline.org/#connecticut

United Way's 2-1-1: From 211ct.org: "2-1-1 is your one-stop connection to the local services you need, from utility assistance, food, housing, child care, after school programs, elder care, crisis intervention and much more. 2-1-1 is always ready to assist you find the help you need. Dial 2-1-1 or search online. If you are outside of Connecticut or have a problem using the 2-1-1-number, dial 1-800-203-1234."