MFS COVID-19 Response & Service Availability
For more information or to get help, call our Intake Line at 312-986-4000.
AS OF THURSDAY, APRIL 16
Our agency was founded in 1857 as the Chicago Relief & Aid Society; we’ve existed through challenging times for more than 160 years. While we are in the midst of an unprecedented situation, responding in support of our communities during times of need is in our DNA.
Protecting the well-being of our clients and staff is our highest priority, and we are making every effort to safeguard the well-being of all.
Provide financial assistance directly to families affected by COVID-19: DONATE
UPDATE: EARLY LEARNING
Thursday, April 16
Metropolitan Family Services DuPage has partnered with Edward Elmhurst Hospital to offer emergency child care services for hospital employees, other first responders, and essential workers.
- Services will be provided at the Bensenville Early Learning Center.
- Children ages 0-5 will be provided with three full meals and two snacks, as well as access to a modern early learning classroom staffed by highly qualified early childhood professionals.
- Services will be offered Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- For more information, call 773.682.5424
UPDATE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES, LEGAL AID SOCIETY SERVICES
Thursday, April 9
- All domestic abuse services – including assistance with orders of protection and our Domestic Violence Hotline – are open and will remain open! Please call the 24/7 hotline at (630) 469-5650 to get help.
- Legal Aid Society is still open during this time to provide free legal services on various matters. For assistance, please call our voice message hotline anytime at (312) 986-4105. Leave your name and phone number, and our intake specialists will call you back.
UPDATE: DUPAGE COUNTY COURT
Tuesday, March 24
In compliance with the COVID-19 protocols issued by CDC, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker:
- For those seeking assistance with filing orders of protection, please call Family Shelter Service’s 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline at (630) 469-5650 to speak with a court advocate.
- Please note: court advocates will not be available for court accompaniment until further notice.
Below are updates regarding service availability, as of Thursday, March 19:
INFORMATION ON OUR SERVICE AVAILABILITY
Our DuPage ECE Centers are closed until March 30. Our Chicago ECE Centers will be closed starting Tuesday, March 17 until March 30.
Except for the programs bulleted below, we will be providing client services via phone.
- For clients who have questions regarding their existing appointments, please call your Metropolitan service provider staff contact.
- For general Metropolitan Family Services, call our main line: 312-986-4000.
- For legal assistance, call our Legal Aid Society Intake Number: 312-986-4200.
The following programs will remain open:
- Community Integrated Living Arrangement housing (for seriously mentally ill clients)
- Family Shelter Service of Metropolitan DuPage Shelter
- Family Shelter Service of Metropolitan DuPage Hotline (630-469-5650)
- Domestic Violence Courthouse (555 W. Harrison St., Chicago)
- DuPage Court Advocacy program
- Adult Protective Services
- Mobile Crisis Response (provides intensive mental health services for clients experiencing acute psychiatric episodes)
- Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) outreach services
Clients who receive injectable medications as part of their care at Metropolitan will be seen at our sites. Those clients should contact their Metropolitan service provider staff contact regarding their appointments.
METROPOLITAN WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS
Please stay connected with us for updates via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as here on our website, www.metrofamily.org/covid-19.
We also recommend checking:
RESOURCES
Take care of your mental health! Our Behavioral Health team shares a few key resources on managing mental health amid social distancing and self-isolation – and feel free to share with anyone you know who may be struggling:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Coronavirus Disease 2019 Managing Anxiety and Stress
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
- Mental Health America, Mental Health And COVID-19 – Information And Resources
- If you need one-on-one assistance or are having thoughts of harm to yourself, these resources are always available to you:
- NAMI Chicago helpline: 833-NAMI-CHI
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Greater Chicago Food Depository: FIND FOOD
- Latino Policy Forum: Index of Coronavirus Resources
- All CPS Schools to Offer Free Meals for Pick Up During Closure Beginning Tuesday, March 17
- City of Evanston, Evanston Schools partner to provide breakfast lunch services to youth
- Comcast Increases Access to and Speeds of Internet Essentials’ Low-Income Internet Service to Support Americans Through the Coronavirus Pandemic
- ComEd Taking Steps to Support Customers: ComEd is suspending service disconnects, providing resources and payment accommodations for those who may have challenges paying their monthly energy bill
Metropolitan’s leadership is working closely with public health authorities to ensure we respond to facts, not fear. This is a challenging time, but it’s challenging times like these that we need each other the most. For all our neighbors in all our communities, let’s stay strong and safe.