COVID-19 Campus Resources

COVID-19 Campus Resources

It would be an understatement to say that this semester will be the one of the most challenging times for this community. From students to seniors, to working-class residents, COVID-19 will worsen Madison's socioeconomic divide. We're not going to sugarcoat the predicament we're all in. UW-Madison's 'Smart Restart' plan is at the core equating human life to UW's endowment--a compromise we can't accept

The compromise will irreparably harm an entire generation: for some, it will be fatal; others will be forever disabled. The risk will also reach our families and many working-class marginalized communities who have to choose a paycheck over their safety. We find this entire plan in diametric opposition to nearly every principle this institution claims to hold. 

We would be remiss not to speak to the massive financial constraints due to COVID-19 and years of Republican disaster-politicians like Scott Walker and Robin Vos. We recognize the financial hardship incompetent leadership has put us in over the years, but argue there is no compromise between human lives and the fiscal need for tuition. The very idea of a threshold, not to mention keeping it a confidential metric, is a slap in the face to the Wisconsin Idea.

In reality, not even stringent guidelines could sufficiently mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus. A plan that abdicates enforcement to individual students is doomed to fail. Administrators across the country are preparing to blame an inevitable outbreak on students. Even the smallest mitigation of risk could be saving a life, which is why we can't leave anything up to chance. We've implored UW administrators to consider the long-lasting consequences of their actions despite little interest in listening.

We, Supervisor Elena Haasl and Alder Max Prestigiacomo, are committed to using our respective platforms to mitigate risk and reduce harm for students and particularly marginalized communities. Along with other Madison & Dane County Elected Officials, we signed a letter that takes a holistic review of the 'Smart Restart' Plan, including recommendations on how to move forward with equity and safety in mind. We're demanding the UW-Madison leadership team prohibit in-person contact and move instruction online. We wholeharadly agree with the statement issued by the Associated Students of Madison and implore UW-Madison to listen. Below is a compiled list of community resources that could apply to UW-Madison students ranging from food access to financial assistance. Please share widely and remember to practice recommended COVID-19 guidelines.

Our communication lines are always open, so email us at haasl.elena@countyofdane.com and district8@cityofmadison.com if we can help in any way. 

UW-Madison COVID-19 Resources

Testing Sites

• Henry Mall, Fluno Center (students and faculty)
• Ogg Hall, Frank Holt Center (university housing)
• Testing process and steps outlined here: www.uhs.wisc.edu/medical/testing/

'Navigating Campus' during COVID-19 created by UW Admin

All 'Smart Restart' information for: Departments & Units, Employees, Graduate Students, Instructors, Researchers, Students, and Supervisors.

• Read detailed plan here: https://smartrestart.wisc.edu/plan/ 

UW-Madison COVID-19 Dashboard (Daily Updates)

UW-Madison Basic Needs Resources

• Food, Mental Health, Tech, Child Care, Employment, & Financial Resources

Financial Assistance

Student & Faculty Assistance

UW-Madison

• Student $500 Emergency Crisis loans: https://doso.students.wisc.edu/services/crisis-loan/

Student Financial Assistance Directory

Employee Emergency Loan Program

TAA Mutual Aid Fund Request

• For graduate students and their families to request up to $100 per semester, no strings attached.
• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMZg0Fw9kfRuwHyLEsXtiO56Vhk05xk2SGHApSdzo-lx3hiQ/viewform

Edgewood College

• https://www.edgewood.edu/covid-19/covid-19-relief-funds

Madison Area Technical College (MATC) 

• https://madisoncollege.edu/covid/cares

State of Wisconsin Wisconsin Emergency Assistance

• Apply online at www.access.wisconsin.gov or download the application and email the completed application to: emergency.assistance@countyofdane.com
• Phone number: (608) 242-7458

211 Wisconsin Cash Assistance

Humanity Forward has created a COVID-19 emergency relief fund that will target populations primarily consisting of Americans in lower-income brackets who depend on wage work to support them and their families.

• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj1LKD8kAQJDlMUSsMjVb70PRl5K87_jaZ7KqrXZwJDKfR-g/viewform?fbclid=IwAR1SmkKupKkFcOa_ceLyewyBqMCC14yaSawPvEh-b6xVwR49JPUL0MhAZCg

Unemployment Information

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

• https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/apply/

• Instructional Video: https://media.wisconsin.gov/ui/ext/benefits/how_to_apply.htm 

Free Urban League of Madison Career Development Services

• https://ulgm.org/employment-programs/application/

Southern Smoke Foundation Emergency Relief Fund (Food Service Industry)

Compiled List of Funds for Madison-Area Artists

Rental Assistance for Ho-Chunk Nation and other Native American Tribal Enrolled Members

WiFi/Technology Access

Laptop Checkout

Managing Bandwidth and Connectivity Issues on Campus

ALL Madison Public Libraries have free WiFi that can be accessed from outside the building

WiFi Access for MMSD Students

UW Campus-wide WiFi

Food Access

Student Food Pantry (Open Seat)

• https://asm.wisc.edu/the-open-seat/
• Weekly distribution of prepackaged food boxes at Union South.

Campus-wide Food Assistance Programs & Events

List of Dane County Food Distribution Sites

School District Meals

Community-run Food Distribution

Housing

Federal Eviction Moratorium (September 4th - December 31st)

• Tenants must present a signed declaration to their landlords. The declaration requires the tenant to state that:
  • Annual income is less than $99,000, OR you were not required to report income tax in 2019, OR you received a stimulus check;
  • You are unable to pay rent due
  • You would become homeless
  • You will make partial payments -- "using best efforts to make timely partial payments that are as close to the full payment as the individual's circumstances may permit, taking into account other non-discretionary expenses".

Rent and Eviction Support: Contact the Tenant Resource Center

FREE Legal aid to low-income tenants facing eviction

Housing Vacancies in Madison

Mental Health

UHS crisis line (608-265-5600, option 9)

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) Crisis Hotline: 608-251-4445.

Journey Mental Health Suicide Prevention Hotline: 608-280-2600.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

Free Disaster Distress Helpline is s a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. (toll-free and confidential)

• https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline 

Online AA Meetings

• http://www.12step-online.com/meetings/online-aa-meetings
• www.aamadisonwi.org 
• http://www.aaphonemeetings.org/ 

Narcotics Anonymous Online Meetings

• http://www.badgerlandna.org/meetings
• http://www.virtual-na.org/

Baby, Pet, Hygiene, and Home Care Resources

Project Babies Aid Request Form

• Diapers and other needed supplies

Dane County Diaper Bank

Statewide Child Care Resources (YoungStar Search)

Madison-area Veterinary Access

Community Support

Dane County Mutual Aid Facebook Group

Dane County Community Defense is offering support: Food/Supply deliveries, Medical Question Support, Emotional Support, Support Identifying available resources, Financial support

• www.tinyurl.com/dccd-request