News & Updates
cafecollege Houston & The university of St Thomas presents:
Tips for preparing your College Applicaton.. Live on Instagram 
September 24, 2020 at 4:30 PM CT
Join us live at instagram.com/houstonpubliclibrary
Houston Public Library – Online Learning Resource – Brainfuse – will be offering live assistance for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!
Filling out the FAFSA can be a complex, but necessary, process. Brainfuse now offers live online FAFSA tutors – available to help both students and parents complete the FAFSA application. Whether you are not sure how to start or have questions on specific aspects, Brainfuse tutors are ready to assist! Brainfuse HelpNow Just click on “Featured Service”. Advising is available in English, Spanish and French.
Harris County Student Election Worker Opportunity
Students interested in serving as election clerks must:
- Be 16 years of age or older on Election Day
- Be enrolled in a public, private, or qualified home school
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have consent of their parent or legal guardian and their school principal (or parent/legal guardian for home-schooled students)
- Attend training classes prior to Election Day
To find out more about this opportunity and to apply please click on this link: https://harrisvotes.com/ElectionWorkers?lang=en-US
Applications Being Accepted for Police Chief’s Youth Police Advisory Council
The Houston Police Department is inviting Houston area high school students to apply for the 2020-2021 Youth Police Advisory Council (YPAC).
Students will address issues affecting youth and the community, participate in community service projects and attend youth leadership conferences throughout the state. Additionally, the YPAC meets regularly with Chief of Police Art Acevedo and other top HPD officials.
YPAC members are required to meet five times during the school year at the HPD Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis in downtown Houston.
Applications are available online at https://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/forms/ypac-app-2019.pdf The deadline to apply is Monday, October 5, 2020.
For more information, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/ypac.htm, email
rhonda.holmes@houstonpolice.org or call Ms. Holmes at 713-308-3200.
SER Houston Opportunities
HISD launches ‘Let’s Stay Connected’ mental health hotline for students and parents
The Houston Independent School District has announced the launch of Let’s Stay Connected, a mental health hotline for students and parents to provide emotional, social, and psychological support to students and parents who feel the need for assistance.
Students and parents may call the Let’s Stay Connected Hotline at 713-556-1340 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Trained staff from HISD’s Social and Emotional Learning Department are available to offer counseling, mental health education, and make referrals in English and Spanish.
“One of the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis we have seen is an increase in the need for mental health support among our students and parents,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “May is Mental Health Awareness Month so what better time to launch our hotline to address families’ needs in a way that is easily accessible and at no cost to them.”
Callers to the hotline may remain anonymous.
All HISD staff members are reminded they have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which may be reached by calling 833-812-5181 and is offered at no cost to employees.
HISD Mental Health HOTLINE NUMBER: 713-556-1340
Available Hours: 24/7
Houston Community College (HCC) has launched a new initiative, JobsNowHouston.org, showcasing in-demand occupations and the accelerated certificate programs offered by HCC needed to obtain these jobs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced more than 1.5 million Texans to file for unemployment. However, across the state, nearly 481,000 job openings have been posted in the last several months. The focus of this initiative is to let Houstonians know that there are jobs available right now, and encourage them to come train at HCC for in-demand industries, such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, information technology, and construction.
HCC has 270 certifications and 100 instructional programs in these fields; many of which are offered online or in hybrid delivery models designed to safely train Houston’s future workforce.
We are all in this together to get Houstonians back to work and our economy going again. Visit our website JobsNowHouston.org to learn more and get the training you need today!
Metro: COVID-19 RESPONSE
Providing Essential Service for
Essential People
METRO is committed to the safety of
our customers and employees during
this challenging time as we respond
to COVID-19.
Moving People
Providing Essential Service for
Essential People
METRO is committed to the safety of
our customers and employees during
this challenging time as we respond
to COVID-19.
• Transportation is vital as it relates to
essential employees and others who
depend on METRO
• Adding buses to our most traveled routes
including those in the Texas Medical Center
• Adding a TMC Shuttle route to move
essential employees in the Texas Medical
Center
Keeping the System
Clean
• Continued emphasis on disinfecting
surfaces touched by the public
• Ongoing dedication to thorough, daily
cleaning of bus and rail vehicles as well
as additional midday cleaning
• Frequent cleaning of bus shelters and rail
platforms
Encouraging Social
Distancing
• Installing seat tags on bus and rail vehicles
to encourage social distancing
• Monitoring boardings per vehicle to enable
a safe passenger capacity of 50 percent
• Instituting rear boarding to reduce bus
operator and customer interaction
• Adding buses to routes with more riders to
enable social distancing
• Installing orange mesh barriers to keep
more distance between bus operators and
customers
Focusing on People
• Encouraging people to wear a face mask,
providing information on how to make a
face mask, and working to make masks
available to people as requested
• Offering free fares to limit unnecessary
exposure for customers and employees
• Requiring temperature checks for all
employees at METRO facilities
• Providing masks and hand sanitizer to all
bus and rail operator
Going the Extra Mile
• Using METROLift vehicles to deliver
groceries to those in need in conjunction
with the Mayor’s Office for People with
Disabilities
• Providing relief buses at testing sites
• Acting as a leader in the industry by
sharing best practices and educational
materials with other transit agencies
• Working to show ongoing appreciation for
frontline employees
METRO continues to monitor service needs throughout the region. We
remain dedicated to being the transportation provider for our region.
For additional information please visit RIDEMETRO.ORG
Emergency Funds
UHD has announced the Gator Emergency Fund for students impacted by COVID-19. Learn more about how you can help our students. If you’re a student who needs assistance, you can read more about the Emergency funds and application.
SER jobs: Young Adult Reentry online application (houston hire youth INCENTIVE)
Have you been involved with the juvenile or adult justice system? Do you believe your background is holding you back from attending school, getting a job, or obtaining valuable training?
If you are between the ages of 18-24, involved with the juvenile or adult justice system, reside in the city of Houston, Harris County, and interested in making a change in your life, this program is for you!
The Department of Labor funded program will provide education (GED classes), training (Occupational Skills Training), Paid Work Experience (paid internships), and employment support (job search, job readiness, and placement) all at no cost to you. If you are interested in any of these services or in all of them, complete your application now!
Please click link below to begin the application process.
DOL Young Adult Reentry Application
HCC is offering GED classes virtually.
Below is a link to register.
Legacy Community Health
Is still open and taking appointments via telehealth or in clinic for OB, Pediatrics, Family Medicine and Behavioral Health.
For more information please click on link below
https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/services/pediatrics/pediatric-telehealth/
Be Red Cross Ready
Coping with Sheltering at Home during COVID-19
For information on staying safe, see https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/coronavirus-safety.html
Local and state officials are using shelter-at-home (sometimes called shelter-in-place) orders to slow the
spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). By staying home, people can help minimize how many people are
getting sick at the same time, protect those at higher risk of severe illness and prevent our health care system
from getting overwhelmed.
Unfortunately, sheltering at home can disrupt your routines and make everyday activities, such as work and
caring for loved ones, challenging. These changes, on top of the general uncertainty around this pandemic,
can create feelings of stress, fear and nervousness. These feelings are normal, and people typically bounce
back after difficult times.
The following information can help you cope with stress and support others during this emergency
What is Sheltering at Home?
• Sheltering at home means that you remain at home,
and only go out to purchase essential supplies, visit
medical professionals or leave during an emergency.
• Following the instructions of local officials will
help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Coping Tips:
• Stay connected with loved ones through video calls,
phone calls, texts or social media.
• Remain informed with accurate, reliable
information. Avoid social media accounts and news
outlets that promote fear or rumors.
• Monitor your physical health needs and those of
your loved ones. Eat healthy food, and drink plenty
of water.
• Unless you are showing signs of illness or have
tested positive for COVID-19, going outside to
exercise and walk pets is ok. But don’t forget to
practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet
away from others.
• Hold an image in your mind of the best possible
outcome. Make a list of your personal strengths
and use these to help both yourself and others stay
emotionally strong.
• If you are religious or spiritual, follow practices
at home that provide you with comfort and
emotional strength.
It’s normal for people to have these
types of feelings right now:
• Fear about running out of essential supplies.
• Anxiety, particularly about being
separated from loved ones.
• Uncertainty about how long you will
need to shelter at home.
• Concerns for your physical safety and that of others.
• Fear of getting sick.
• Guilt about not being able to fulfill responsibilities,
such as work, parenting or caring for dependents.
• Boredom or isolation.
• Thoughts of blame, worry or fear.
• Worry about loss of income.
• Fear of being stigmatized or labeled by
this illness, if you become sick.
Helping Others:
• Reach out to older adults or people with chronic
health conditions and offer to help.
Talk to your children and explain why this is
happening and how long it might last. Use
language that is normal and consistent with
how you usually communicate. Be creative
and think of fun activities that will occupy their
time. Keep a schedule, set appropriate limits
and maintain usual rules when possible.
Take care of your pets, which can be an essential
part of your support system.
Show kindness to people who may not have a
support system or are isolated. There may be
limits to what you can do in reaching out, but a
little kindness may be just what someone needs.
Food Distribution Program
“The City of Houston is operating a curbside meal program at 50 community centers around the city.
The free meals are distributed Monday through Friday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The meals include lunch and a snack and are available for children and teens up to the age 18.
“Only children who come to the site for pickup can receive the meal,” the district reminded. “Parents are not allowed to take food for a child that is not present at the time of pickup.”
Families can also visit HoustonFoodBank.org to find out more places they can go to get food.”