COVID-19 Information Center
Up-to-date Information
For up-to-date information about what emergency programs are open & available, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211lifeline.org
For information about Open Access and hours at CFC please visit our Contact Page.
Phone: (585) 546-7220
Email: cfc@cfcrochester.org
Special opportunity
New York State COVID Rent Relief Program is accepting applications through August 6.
This NYS COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. Home Care Registry (HCR) will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.
Go to https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP to begin the online application process (or download the application form). More information is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Korean and Bengali.
Essential Program and Services Information What remains ever the same, and what may have temporarily changed at CFC during this period of COVID19
First and foremost, as a provider of essential services, we are and will remain open. Our emergency and shelter services, addiction treatment programs, mental health clinic, and services to the elderly, families and refugees provide services that are clearly aligned with the definition of essential services. We will continue to carry out our mission.” – Marlene Bessette, President and CEO, Catholic Family Center
Our CFC family continues to apply measures ensuring the safety and wellness of our clients and staff, in accordance with NYS Department of Health recommendations.
Update: We are no longer allowing guest visits to our community residences and administrative office buildings; we have implemented telehealth and remote service delivery wherever prudent and possible; and we have changed processes to accommodate safe social distancing.
Following are specific updates from our programs and services teams:
Services for Older and Vulnerable Adults
- We continue to provide some limited driving and food delivery through our STAR services.
- Our Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) is continuing to operate with modifications to reduce case manager home visits.
- Our Eldersource Care Coordination (shared program with Lifespan) is continuing to operate primarily over the phone and with some limited in-person visits.
- Our Guardianship Services program is continuing to operate primarily over the phone and with limited in-person visits.
Services for Children and Families
Our Preventive case managers and social workers are still seeing families for home and other visits as required.
- Our Early Intervention team is working remotely from home, providing client support via telephone
- Our Foster Care program is still supporting unaccompanied refugee minors and their foster families. Most services are provided via telephone during this time
- Our Adoption and Pregnancy Counseling teams are finishing active studies with clients as requested during this time. However, we are not taking on new cases at this time.
Emergency Needs: our Community Resource Services
Our 539 Joseph Avenue location is closed but we are operating remotely and are open to take new cases for emergency rent, security deposit and utility financial assistance and other crisis management by phone. Call (585) 232-2050 to schedule an appointment for a phone meeting.
For up to date sources for food assistance, call 2-1-1 as new alternatives are being developed for emergency food distribution during this crisis.
Kinship Navigator
Providing information, referral, and an advocacy network for kinship caregivers across all of New York State
Our team continues to offer telephone warm-line services ((877) 454-6463). Please visit their New York State website to address specific concerns of family members caring for their kin, including grandparents temporarily caring for grandkids.
Refugee and Immigration Services
Refugee resettlement is closed for new arrivals, as no new travel is allowed at federal level. Our case managers are still working with existing new individuals and families who arrived before March 15th
- Download here: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in 14 languages
- Our team is still providing crisis intervention as necessary and are providing other assistance by phone to the greatest extent possible. We have begun seeing clients for urgent matters by appointment only. Please call (585) 546-7220 x4601
- Our Immigration walk-in hours have been cancelled for the time being. Our case managers are accepting new cases through phone interviews and in person by appointment for urgent and immediate needs.
- ESL and Citizenship Preparation classes are being offered virtually during the summer! Please visit our webpage for enrollment information, or view details on the CFC Facebook page.
Behavioral Health
All of our outpatient programs are open
- Mental Health Clinic
The Mental Health Clinic’s Walk-in hours are Monday from 1-3 PM, and Tuesday through Thursday, 9-11 AM. During this time of crisis, our team will do what they can to accommodate all who seek help. New York State “temporary waivers” allow most of the services we provide to be offered using telehealth and telephone, including new client intake sessions and “bridge” prescriptions. - Restart Outpatient Clinic, providing services for those struggling with addiction
Restart’s Walk-in Hours are 8:30 AM-2:30 PM Monday-Thursday, and 8:30 AM-1 PM on Friday. During this time of crisis, our team will do what they can to accommodate all who seek help. New York State “temporary waivers” allow most of the services we provide to be offered using telehealth and telephone, including new client intake sessions and “bridge” prescriptions. - Restart Residential Programs, providing a safe and supportive residential option for those struggling with addiction
Our Intensive Residential and Community Residences are still taking some new clients. Intake for both supportive residential services (“820s”) and Community Residences is based on severity of need and whether or not the person has a safe alternative outside of congregate care. Referring providers should follow current Monroe County referral and intake processes. - Health Homes
Care management services continue to accept referrals and conduct safe new member enrollment via telephone, video conference or in person. Care Management services at CFC offer linkage to most important resources for individuals and families during COVID -19 such as linkage to food, cleaning supplies, assistance in application for benefits and entitlements, etc… We continue to support members to maintain connection with providers and receive the help they need. Please visit our webpages for contact information and more details.
Bridges to Success
Bridges to Success pairs individuals with a mentor/navigator to help them meet their goals on their way to self-sufficiency.
We continue to provide mentor-participant peer coaching via telephone, and are actively recruiting for our next cohort. If you or someone you know would benefit from our Bridges program, please fill out our contact form.
Housing and Homeless Shelters
Our Emergency Shelters are open. All clients are screened, and their temperatures taken at intake.
As always, anyone who is currently homeless or at risk of being homeless, and is in need of emergency housing must go in person to the Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) at 691 St. Paul Street to be assessed for placement. The DHS “after hours” information line is (585) 442-1742 for after-hours placement.
Workforce Development
- Effective July 1st – Workforce Development is seeing clients by appointment only. Please contact our Program Manager at 546-7220 ext. 7032 to schedule an appointment to meet with a Job Counselor.
- YouthBuild: As we are coincidently between cohorts, our team is recruiting for our next cohort, and keeping in touch with previous cohort participants.
If you or someone you know would benefit from our YouthBuild program, please fill out our contact form.
While the CFC family will continue to carry out our mission, it is clear that the people we serve will be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Our clients comprise a majority of our community’s lowest wage earners, many of whom may lose their jobs in the coming weeks, and many do not have sick leave or health insurance. At times like this, our friends and neighbors who have no safety nets need us more than ever. If you would like to help us to continue our work by making a cash donation, we would be grateful for your donation, in any amount.
If you would like to volunteer, we encourage you to visit the United Way’s volunteer portal for information about volunteer needs at CFC and other agencies in the Rochester area.
We are so grateful to our staff who continue to work diligently to foster a healthy environment for our clients. And to thank so many of you who have asked how you can help. We are so grateful for your words of encouragement and hope. You are special to our agency and the people we serve.