Community Resources

This section provides a centralized directory for community resources in Topsfield and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis.

Please email Paula Burke at pburke@topsfield-ma.gov to suggest additional resources for people of all ages.

Health & Wellness

       Global Resources    

• World Health Organization

       Federal Resources

• What To Do if You Are Sick (including CDC's Self-Checker)
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
• Managing Stress and Anxiety (CDC)
• SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.  SAMHSA is providing COVID-19 guidance and resources to assist individuals, providers, communities, and states across the country.

        State Resources

• Massachusetts COVID-19 Test Site Locator
• Buoy's Online Resource to assess symptoms and find the right care (not to be used in place of emergency medical care. If this is an emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room)
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)
• Massachusettts Department of Public Health's (DPH) COVID-19 FAQ

• Telehealth

  • "Coronavirus in Massachusetts: Health insurance must cover ‘medically necessary’ telehealth services, Gov. Charlie Baker mandates"-masslive.com on March 16, 2020

  • Telehealth (Massachusetts): COVID-19 Inspires Relaxed Telemedicine Technology Requirements and Mandates Payment Parity-The National Law Review on March 22, 2020
• Mass 211
  • Dial 2-1-1 for Free, Confidential Information
  • Call2Talk provides confidential, compassionate listening to assist people, including those who may be despondent or considering suicide, during stressful times:  DIAL (508) 532-2255 or TEXT "C2T" to 741741
  • SafeLink is Massachusetts’ statewide 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline and a resource for anyone affected by domestic or dating violence.

        Local Resources

• SeniorCare, Inc., Topsfield's Area Agency on Aging, offers numerous services and continually adapts to the changing environment
• HAWC Healing Abuse Working for Change strives to help abused women, children, men, and nonbinary people live free from violence and fear. As a leading domestic violence agency in Massachusetts, HAWC provides a domestic violence helpline, emergency shelter, legal services, advocacy and counseling services to more than 2,500 families in the North Shore area each year.  HAWC’s community-based services will be available via phone during regular business hours (Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM) and by calling our 24-hour hotline at 1-800-547-1649 after hours. Offices in Salem, Lynn, and Gloucester will be closed to the public until May 4th.
• Element Care (PACE) provides complete and highly personalized care to help seniors live independently, safely and comfortably in their homes for as long as possible
• Disability Resource Center supports people of all ages, with any type of disabilitiy, to live independently and participate fully in community life
• Care Dimensions:  Hospice, Palliative Care, Support Services

• Tri-Town Council for Youth & Family Services - We are Here for You!

  Coping with the uncertainty of COVID-19 is very stressful. Adding your children isolated from friends, out of school and normal routines, financial worries, and fear of the unknown creates anxiety.  TTC has a 24 hour phone line, Project Safety Net-call or text 24/7 978-771-4619.

  Please check out our website for additional resources and support. www.tritowncouncil.org

        Non-Profit Organizations

• Alzheimer's Association:  Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers
• Disability Resource Center:  Supporting people of all ages, who have any type of disabilitiy, to live independently and participate fully in community life

Nutrition

        State Resources

• Project Bread Food Source Website (multiple resources listed)
• Project Bread Food Source Hotline (the only comprehensive statewide information and referral service in Massachusetts for people facing hunger):  1-800-645-8333

        Local Resources

• Top Cupboard Food Pantry assists all Topsfield residents who request help.  During the COVID-19 crisis, operations are constantly evolving to keep clients and volunteers safe.  Call (978) 807-8775 for updated information.
• The Open Door in Ipswich serves Topsfield residents.
• ACORD Food Pantry in Hamilton serves Topsfield residents.  Acord Food Pantry is open and we are here to help, especially our seniors and others who may be at higher risk from this virus. Whether someone is a current client of Acord or not, if they need food, they can reach out via mail acord.director@gmail.com or phone 978-468-7424. Or, stop by during our regular distribution times (Wed 9:30-11 am, Thurs 6:30 - 7:30 pm and Sat 9-11 am). Seniors are also invited to visit Acord during our Senior Only Distribution Day which is every Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Special arrangements can be made for those who are considered high risk. We want to be sure that every person who needs food assistance during this public health crisis is able to access it.
• Northeast Harvest Summary of Regional Farm Offerings

Consumer Issues

• Delay a Credit Card Payment
• MA Attorney General Issues Emergency Regulation to Protect Consumers from Harmful Debt Collection Practices During Covid-19 Emergency

Utilities

• Internet Essentials from Comcast

Employment

        Federal Resources

• United States Division of Labor:  Occupational Safety & Health Administration

        State Resources

• Employee Rights and Employer Obligations
• Register for Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Virtual Town Halls

Information for Families

• Talking to Children about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - A resource for those interacting with children (CDC)
• Tri-Town Council "supports the evolving needs, concerns and priorities of the community and its stakeholders through cooperation and collaboration with our schools, parents, youth, law enforcement, public health, community organizations, legislators and many local and regional resources.  We work with thousands of youth, parents, educators and vested community members providing parent education, youth programs, professional development, prevention services, after-school enrichment and various types of family and community support.
• Tri-Town Council's Staying Centered in an Upside Down World

Information for Veterans

• Topsfield Veterans Services Officer, Dick Cullinan, is always available to veterans and their families.  Contact Dick by phone (978) 380-8397 or email dick.cullinan@verizon.net
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans Need to Know

Information for Caregivers

• Caregiver Help and Information  Learn about caregiver supports, tips, and resources at mass.gov
• Family Caregiver Resource Guide produced by MassOptions, a free state-sponsored resource that makes accessing community services and supports simple
• Free Resources for Dementia Care Partners compiled by Topsfield's Dementia Friendly Task Force

Information from Massachusetts Attorney General

• Resources during COVID-19

Outreach

• Brighten the day of a quarantined resident/patient at Masconomet Health Care in Topsfield.  Whittier Health Care has established a dedicated email address to send encouraging messages:  TopsfieldCares@whittierhealth.com

Places of Worship

• St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
• Congregational Church of Topsfield
• Our Savior Lutheran Church
• Trinity Episcopal Church

Travel

       Federal

• U.S. Department of State

       State

• Travel Information Related to COVID-19 in Massachusetts

Enrichment

• Topsfield Town Library
• The Art Room at Home
• Essex National Heritage Area - Heritage At Home
• Tri-Town Council's Virtual Community Activities Calendar

Programming

• Topsfield Council on Aging Offers a Variety of Enrichment & Fitness Virtual Programs Monday through Thursday (see monthly calendar in Senior Scoop)

Resources on Social Media

• Facebook-LOCAL Coronavirus Information Center

How to Help

• Donate Blood:  Those who are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
• Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund
• GIVE LOCAL:  Make Financial Contributions to local charitable organizations/funds that are making a significant impact now:
  • Top Cupboard Food Pantry: Mail checks payable to Top Cupboard to P.O. Box 98 / Topsfield, MA  01983
  • Friends of the Topsfield Council on Aging:  Mail checks payable to Friends of the Topsfield Council on Aging to P.O. Box 173 / Topsfield, MA  01983
  • Elderly and Disabled Tax Fund (EDTF):  The purpose of this fund is to grant awards to elderly and/or disabled homeowners of low-income to assist with paying real estate taxes.  For more information about the Elderly and Disabled Tax Fund or other programs that can provide tax relief to qualifying senior citizens/adult-disabled, contact the Assessor’s Office at (978) 887-1514.

Residents of all ages:

      Volunteer or Donate

• EMAIL topsfieldMAcoa@gmail.com or CALL (978) 887-6866

        Request Assistance

• EMAIL topsfieldMAcoa@gmail.com or CALL (978) 887-6866