Public Resources

Student and Community Resources

 

Community Resources

Unemployment Benefits

 

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Counseling

Muscatine Health Peer Drop-In Center

Mental Health Peer Drop-In Center is available virtually!
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

If you need 1:1 support, have questions, or want to sign up for groups please call 563-200-2742.

Groups will happen via Zoom on the computer. Please call 563-200-2742 to sigh up for groups.

We are excited to share that the Peer Drop In Center in Muscatine has now gone virtual to assist the members of the community. The staff can be reached by phone at 563-200-2742 for peer support, assistance in finding resources, coping skills or just to hear a friendly voice during this time of increased stress. At this time, the staff can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to calling in and speaking to someone on the phone, community members can also join online support groups hosted by the Peer Drop In staff.

Below is a link to join in on two different ongoing groups. Groups currently scheduled are a ‘Recovery Group’ which is scheduled daily, Monday through Friday, at 3:30 p.m. Then also, ‘Dealing with Stress’ which is also Monday through Friday, at 2pm. Community members who do not have online access, can also call in to this group by calling one of the phone numbers listed below.

Topic: Recovery Group
http://zoom.us/j/840432071?pwd=Rnd5UitmLOFQdlpsM1p5eXVIUWMzUT09 
Meeting ID- 840 432 071
Meeting Password-781726

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Community Referral Services:

You can find information on a variety of community resources to assist you and your family via the lists and referral services included below. 

Nationwide: Call 211 or  access links to local information based on your zip code: 211.org

Clinton Area

Muscatine Area

Scott Area

 

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Emergency Relief Fund Grants


During this time of economic and financial uncertainty, the Iowa Credit Union Foundation has launched an Emergency Relief Fund to provide one-time, $500 charitable grants to individuals and small businesses that are members of an Iowa credit union and have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are an Ascentra member and experience a hardship apply today. Grants will be funded on a first-come, first-serve basis until the fund is depleted. Learn more about the grant process and eligibility on the Foundation’s website. 

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Food Pantries and Pick Up sites

  • Riverbend Food Bank Listing of local food pantries and resources: https://riverbendfoodbank.org/find-food/  Please note: Riverbend Food Bank does not distribute food directly to families, but does serve your local panties.  They have a listing on their website of area panties.

  • United Way complete list of pantries

  • Nichole Sorgenfrey, United Way
    Food rescue/meal delivery Volunteer Manager
    nichole@unitedwaymuscatine.org  
    Direct # 563-217-4534 

  • https://www.foodpantries.org/ 

  • Buffalo
    Buffalo Activity Center
    329 Dodge Street
    Tuesday 9 a.m. to noon

  • Columbus Junction – Community Action (CAP)
    205 E. Access Road
    Columbus Junction, IA
    Phone: (319) 728-2314
    Hours / Days of Operation:
    8 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 - 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
    Food Pantry available to Louisa County residents with Columbus, Letts, or RR#5 address.

  • Mechanicsville Community Cupboard Food Pantry
    307 East First Street
    Mechanicsville, IA 52306
    Phone: (563) 432-7716
    Hours / Days of Operation:
    Second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 - 7:30 p.m.,
    fourth Saturday of the month at 9 - 10 a.m.
    FOOD PANTRY: Provides food and personal products.
    PERSONAL PRODUCTS: Provides personal products for those in need.
    Bring photo ID.

  • Muscatine – Food Pantry at MCSA
    312 Iowa Avenue, Muscatine
    Phone: (563) 264-3278
    Hours / Days of Operation:
    Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

  • Muscatine (L&M) – Island Lighthouse Food Pantry
    Island United Methodist Church
    2598 Stewart Road
    Muscatine, IA 52761
    Phone: (563) 263-0674
    Hours / Days of Operation:
    3rd Tuesday of each month from 9 - 11 a.m. and 4 - 6 p.m.
    Resource updated: August 22, 2019

  • The Island Lighthouse Food Pantry is available to residents of the Louisa-Muscatine Community School District.Photo ID and proof of address are required.

  • Tipton – Bread of Life Food Pantry
    1100 Hwy 38 North
    Tipton IA, 52772
    Phone: (563) 886-6418
    We provide food assistance for individuals and families in need who reside within Cedar County. Assistance is limited to twice a month.3rd Saturday of each month from 9-10:00am or by appointment

  • West Liberty – Voluntary Action Council
    1027 North Calhoun Street
    West Liberty, Iowa 52776
    (319) 627-4347
    Resource updated: August 21, 2019
    Voluntary Action Council aims to serve the needs of the community in West Liberty School;

  • Wilton/Durant
    408 Cedar Street Wilton Iowa
    1st and 3rd Tuesday 9 to 11 a.m.
    6 - 7 p.m.

 

Check with local schools regarding school breakfast and lunch distribution for your school aged children.

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WiFi or Internet Data Resources

  • FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.
  • Comcast COVID-19 response: offers free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
  • Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
  • AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families
  • Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers, but following the FCC agreement.
  • Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
  • T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge 
  • Mediacom is providing reduced costs, increased data access and other access opportunities

 

Davenport Public Library Outreach Vechicle


The Davenport Public Library is happy to announce that we will be out and about in our community offering free wireless internet beginning Monday, June 8. Recently, the Library acquired an outreach vehicle with capabilities to provide free internet to our community. Be sure to look for the OWL while out and about! We will be parked at the following locations and times weekly and may add additional stops in the future.

Mondays: Roosevelt Community Center Parking Lot 1:30-2:30
Tuesdays: Family Enrichment Center 1:30-2:30
Wednesdays: Buchannan Elementary School Parking Lot 1:30-2:30
Wednesdays: Emeis Park Parking Lot 3:00-4:00
Thursdays: Slattery Park 3:00-4:00

For right now, this will be a contact free service to abide by social distancing regulations. So we do ask that you remain in your vehicle or bring something to sit on and remain 6 feet from the other users. To locate our wifi on your device, you will need to log on to DIRECT-MBUX 24322 as the wifi source and the password is: Qvze9vee9gp2. Please don’t worry about remembering all of this, we will have sign with all of this information outside the vehicle.

Outdoor Wifi at MCC


Public wifi is now available in the parking lots behind MCC’s Strahan Hall and beside student housing. This has been made available thanks to the help of our partners at MP&W, Muscatine Power and Water.

Wifi is also now available at riverfront downtown playground parking lot in Muscatine.

Outdoor Wifi at SCC


Public wifi is now available in the parking lot outside Door 4. 

After connecting, users will see a splash screen similar to the splash screen when using the EICC Public WiFi inside the building.

Outdoor Wifi at CCC


Public wifi is now available in the parking lot behind the Bookstore at the Clinton Community College campus.

After connecting, users will see a splash screen similar to the splash screen when using the EICC Public WiFi inside the building.

Outdoor Wifi at Columbus Junction Center


Public wifi is now available in the parking lot between the Columbus Junction Center and the high school.

Wilton Community School District WIFI Access


We have turned on our public WIFI network for everyone to access. Use elementary pickup/drop-off lane for best results between 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Connect to WCSDPublic (no password required).

Free Parking Lot WiFi


Some area public libraries have extended their free WiFi to include their parking lots.  We encourage you to check out your local public library website to inquiry about current WiFi availability.

Other businesses may offer extended WiFi that covers their parking lot during this time of closed business.  McDonalds and Starbucks may be examples.  We caution you to protect your computer when using open source public WiFi networks. 

View full list of area schools, libraries and businesses offering free parking lot Wifi here

Drive Up Wifi Hotspots in Illinois


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Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents


The federal government has provided some guidance on some temporary relief for student loan borrowers.  For the most recent information, please visit here: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus 

The most important step you can take to assist in managing your student loan payments is  to contact your lender. 

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Small Business Assistance

 

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Mortgage Relief


The federal government recently passed guidance on some mortgage relief. Details are pending, for now, please review the Federal Housing Finance Agency Information or contact your mortgage lender. https://www.fhfa.gov/Homeownersbuyer/MortgageAssistance/Pages/Coronavirus-Assistance-Information.aspx

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Low-Income Home Energy Program


The Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) application period for heating assistance
has been extended to May 31st, 2020.

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Iowa Legal Aid COVID-19 Hotline


The Iowa COVID-19 Legal Hotline is a free service available to Iowans who are experiencing legal issues due to the public health crisis. Iowa Legal Aid is hosting the hotline and working closely with the Iowa State Bar Association and the Polk County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project, to get all Iowans access to the key legal information and advice they need during this crisis.

The Hotline operates between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Iowans experiencing any type of legal problem related to the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis, such as facing eviction, being denied unemployment benefits, experiencing employment issues, or being a victim of identity theft, can call 1-800-332-0419. Callers will leave a message and Iowa Legal Aid staff will call them back. Those who meet Iowa Legal Aid’s guidelines will be connected with an Iowa Legal Aid attorney; those who are outside of Iowa Legal Aid’s guidelines will be connected with volunteer attorneys through the Iowa State Bar Association and the Polk County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project. 

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DHS


All DHS offices are open, but not accepting walk-ins.  A person can call their local DHS office to schedule an appointment with the exception at this time for Lee Co. 

The majority of the DHS staff are telecommuting and checking their office voicemails regularly.  However, there is a very limited number of DHS staff still working in each office and answering phones.

Child Welfare staff are conducting in-person visits following a pre-visit COVID 19 screening and/or videoconferencing.

To apply for Iowa Benefits:

  • To apply for Food Assistance, FIP and Medicaid, Go to: DHS.IOWA.GOV
  • To apply for Medical Assistance only via telephone, call : 1-855-889-7985
  • To apply for Food Assistance only via telephone , call: 1-855-944-3663
  • To request a paper application, call the local DHS office

In addition at this time,

  • Medical Assistance reviews have been pushed out for 3 months.
  • Effective March 13, 2020, DHS is waiving all co-pays, premiums, and contributions for Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP), Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD), Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki) and Dental Wellness Plan members until the emergency declaration is lifted.
  • Food Assistance and FIP reviews have been pushed out 6 months.

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Coronavirus Information Resources

        Health Departments

       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

       World Health Organization

       United States Department of State

 

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