Message from the City Manager and Chief of Equity and Inclusion

Dear Dallas Residents, As the pandemic continues to unfold throughout the Dallas area, the City of Dallas recognizes the various hardships residents are facing. It is important that the City is here for our residents and help find avenues to relief from COVID-19. The purpose of this newsletter is to help inform the Dallas area of the different initiatives and programs at different levels of the government to residents. Please share this with your friends, family, colleagues, and community members. With the Governor’s Order to Reopen Texas, it is important that Dallas residents are equipped with proper information to help with this transitioning time. This week the city has launched new programs to help the people of Dallas during the pandemic. It is our primary objective to make sure the residents of Dallas are healthy and safe. We would like to wish all the mothers and grandmothers a wonderful Mother’s Day.  Don’t forget to tell your mother how much you love her on Sunday. Sincerely,

                                           T.C. Broadnax            Liz Cedillo-Pereira

                                            City Manager      Chief of Equity and Inclusion

City of Dallas Emergency Response Order:

In line with the Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 18 the City of Dallas has issued an Emergency Response Order. Effective May 1, 2020 at 3:20 pm

 The Emergency Response Order allows individuals to leave their home to obtain or provide essential activities and non-essential services such going to the grocery store, a healthcare professional, a pharmacy, or to take care of a sick relative. Some non-essential services would include salons and barbershops. This Order does allow outdoor activities such as walking, biking, and running. Individuals must comply with social distancing measures of staying 6 feet apart.

• Starting May 8, Non-Essential Services include cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, and nail salons for licensed individuals to practice their trade. It is mandatory for social distancing precautions of staying 6 feet apart must be practiced. 
• Starting May 18,  Manufacturing, Gyms, and exercise facilities can operate only at 25% of their total listed occupancy.

For more information visit the Full Order. For more information on re-opened services please visit the Governor's website for more information.  

COVID-19 Testing Sites 

There are two COVID-19 testing sites in Dallas. Criteria for testing sites are as follows:

• Must show a temperature of 99.6 or higher and shortness of breath or, cough OR
• Anyone 65 years and older OR
• Anyone with chronic health issues (diabetes, asthma, heart issues, etc) OR
• Any first responders, DART workers, healthcare workers, grocery and essential retail workers.

• The sites operate daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are located at:
  • American Airlines Center, Parking Lot E, 2500 Victory Plaza
  • Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S Polk St.

If you meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing, please do not delay acting. Any photo ID is sufficient including a recreation center ID, a Student ID, an ID with your name and photo. It does not need to be a government-issued ID. For more information contact OEMdepartment@dallascityhall.com   or visit Dallas County COVID-19 Testing locations.

Walgreens has partnered with US Health and Human Services to open drive-thru testing facilities across five states, including Texas. The site selected for Dallas is located at 2060 S. Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX, open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, seven days a week and begins testing on April 24, 2020

• For more information regarding eligibility and how to sign up, visit: https://www.walgreens.com/coronavirus 

On May 8, Walmart will open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site, at no cost. Residents who are interested must take a pre-screening test to see if it is necessary. Once they qualify the resident will make an appointment to get tested.

• 9410 Webb Chapel Rd., Dallas, TX 75220
• Testing Hours:  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 am to 9pm 

To pre-screen and a make an appointment visit Do I Need a COVID-19 test

Starting May 9, Kroger will be administering free COVID-19 tests. Residents must take a virtual pre-screening to see if they qualify for a test. If they qualify then there will be an email confirmation and an appointment set up. Residents must complete their paperwork before they go to their test appointment. 

Kroger testing site: 

• City Square Parking Lot, 1610 Malcom X Blvd., Dallas, TX 75226
• Testing Hours: Starting Saturday, 5/9 Saturday and Monday: 8:30AM — 2:30PM,  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 1:00PM – 5:00PM

To register for a Kroger COVID-19 test, click here.

There is now various Drive-thru COVID-19 testing, to find a location near you visit Texas Department of State Health Services and enter your zip code.

Small Business Association (SBA) Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be offering low interest loans for small businesses that have faced economic harm due to COVID-19. These loans can be used for instances such as pay fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable, as well as other expenses that cannot be paid due to the disaster. To learn more visit the Dallas Economic Development SBA Disaster Loan guide. 

To apply for the loan visit: the SBA COVID-19 webpage.

Student Loan Relief from the Federal Government

Due to the Corona virus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) the payments on federal loans will stop on March 13, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Student borrowers are automatically placed on administrative forbearance. A student loan borrower can still choose to make payments. For more information visit the Federal Student Aid website.

Grow America Fund

The National Development Corporation (NDC) has the Grow America Fund as a lending program for small businesses to help create jobs in underserved communities. The NDC has a preferred lender status by the Small Business Association. Visit the NDC website to apply for the program.

Resilience in a Box

The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with UPS has created a guide for small business owners that may be struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources will provide guidance preparedness issues and business resilience. These resources are offered in Spanish, Arabic, Turkish and French. To learn more about Resilience in a Box visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Texas Disaster Declaration 

On April 12 Governor Greg Abbott extended the State of Disaster Declaration due to the continuing spread of COVID-19.

For more information view the full Disaster declaration here.

COVID-19 Electricity Relief Plan

 Public Utility Commission of Texas has ordered that all retail electric providers must offer a deferred payment plan at the customer’s request. Retail electric providers must also suspend disconnections if the client is under the state’s low income and unemployed list.To enroll in the state’s low income and unemployed list, contact 866-454-8387 for the administrator.  To request a deferred payment plan call your electric provider for more information.

Childcare Services for Essential Workers

Frontline Childcare in partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency, Office of the Governor, Texas Human Health Services, and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has created a childcare service locator for essential workers. There is a map where an essential worker can find a childcare service near their home or work. The service follows the Health and Safety Minimum Standards from the Texas Human Health Services Commission and the Center for Disease Control For more information visit the Frontline Childcare website.

City Services

• The City of Dallas has created a COVID-19 resource hotline. The hotline includes information about how to navigate through the pandemic with local resources. Please call 214-670-4636 for access.
• Small Business Continuity Fund: Application Period- Monday May 4th – Monday, May 11th. A lottery will be conducted to select businesses for funding. Dallas micro-businesses (less than 5 employees), and small businesses (less than 50 employees), may be eligible for up to $10,000 in grants, or up to $50,000 in loans if they can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in sales/revenue due to COVID-19. To see if your business is eligible visit the Eligibility form. To apply fill out this form.
  • For more information on the lottery system check the Small Business Continuity Fund FAQ.
  • For more information contact SBCF@dallascityhall.com.

• Parks and Recreation Facilities Open: 
  • Golf courses, tennis centers, and outdoor programs and facilities are now open. Restrictions, cleaning routines and amended practices are in place to comply with social distancing. 
  • Elm Fork Gun Range is now open will have every other shooting lane open to practice social distancing.
    • For more information and guidelines to the reopened facilities visit the Dallas Parks and Recreation website. 
• Sanitation:
  •  Brush and bulk trash collections are delayed in many areas of Dallas due to higher than usual set out volumes.  Sanitation asks for the public's patience as we work to keep up with the current increase in volumes.  Residents should continue to follow the normal set out schedule for their areas at this time. Code Compliance will suspend the issuance of bulk trash violations during this time in the affected areas.
    • Collections are delayed for April Week 4 areas and is scheduled to be completed by Saturday, May 9. Collections are also delayed for May Week 1 areas. For more information and to find your schedule visit the Department of Sanitation Services website.  
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program:
  • WIC has 15 clinics up and running with staff trained and ready to serve WIC families. WIC staff are providing families their WIC benefits using a drive through method that ensures strict adherence to the parameters of effective social-distancing.
  • For more information about the WIC Program email AskWIC@dallascityhall.com
• Keep Dallas Clean
  • Many Dallas residents are spending more time outdoors exercising and getting fresh air. Walks are a wonderful reprieve from the house. If you spot a large amount of litter messing up our natural spaces, report it to 3-1-1 or use the Our Dallas smart app. If you decide to pick up litter, please take precautions to stay safe and healthy. Here is some simple guidance for your personal COVID-19 clean up: Make Litter Your Business and Earth Day Every Day.

DART Services Reopened

DART is ready to help residents get back to work or visit reopened businesses. DART has made temporary service adjustments, requiring rear bus boarding, instituting social distancing protocols and continues with thorough and regular cleanings to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

For more information on the new service adjustments visit the DART website.

The Dallas Area Agency on Aging (DAAA)

The DAAA provides services to seniors and caregivers under the Community Council of Greater Dallas. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the DAAA individual counseling services at senior centers has been suspended until further notice. Telephone assistance remains available for questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other public benefits. To speak to a Benefits Counselor call (214)871-5066 or 1-800-252-9240.

Access to Food in Dallas 

Due to the hardships of COVID-19 there is a worry for access to food for Dallas residents. Throughout the area there are a handful of resources to help residents find proper nutrition in these uncertain times.

• The City of Dallas has created an online hub to help residents find local resources such as food pantries, delivery services, and emergency food services in their area.
• The North Texas Food Bank has launched a food bank locator with fellow partner agencies to help Texans find food banks near them. Visit the locator and enter your zip code for a food bank near you
• Wilkinson Center 3402 N. Buckner Blvd, suite 302, Dallas, 75228
  • Open: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 12 pm and Tuesdays 1pm- 4pm. For more information call (214) 821-6380
  • Picture ID is required and proof of residence such as a utility bill, lease, or other government mail. This food bank serves all zip codes of Dallas County.
• The Jewish Family Services 5402 Arapaho Rd, Dallas, TX 75248 in partnership with North Texas Food Bank
  • Open Thursdays 9am – 2pm in the parking of the Jewish Family Services building.
  • For more information visit the Jewish Family Services food pantry website.
• DART is doing a grocery pick up and delivery service. Customers must make the order for the groceries and provide the driver with a pickup information. From Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
  • For more information DART programs call 214-828-8588.
• DART in partnership with the Brady Center, a Catholic charity, will deliver food to seniors on Wednesdays.
  • For more information DART programs visit the DART website or call 866-223-7500

Access to Food for Families with Students

• Dallas ISD has provided an extensive list of places where families in the Dallas ISD system can pick up meals for their students. Parents must bring their students, if they cannot then they must provide proof of having a Dallas ISD student. Food distribution will be every Thursday 10 am to 1 pm.
  • Visit the DISD website for a list of locations for families to pick up meals.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created a Meals for Kids locator map. Residents will need to enter their zip code for a list of nearby food resources for families with students. Visit the US Department of Agriculture Food for Kids webpage to find a resource near you.
• School Meal Finder also helps families with students locate meal services in their area by entering their zip code. The query can be narrowed down to type of meal, such as Breakfast or Lunch and specify pick up days. For more information visit the Meal School Finder map.

Dallas ISD Hotspot Request

Dallas ISD is distributing 10,000 mobile hotspots to help ensure students have Wi-Fi access while learning from home. The devices enable students to access online instructional resources and Internet. Dallas ISD hotspots will also include security and content filtering to protect the students online.

To request a hot spot, fill out this form.

Representation for Detained Immigrants

Immigrants continue to be detained at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. The International Rescue Committee provides legal representation at no cost to immigrant detainees from the City of Dallas, under a grant from the City of Dallas and the Vera Institute of Justice. Dallas is one of 18 cities participating in the Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Cities Network, a public/private endeavor coordinated by the Vera Institute and dedicated to the goal of providing publicly funded universal representation to people facing deportation.

For more information or to inquire about obtaining representation for someone in detention, contact the International Rescue Committee at  (214) 461-9781 or visit International Rescue Committee.  

Resources for Displaced Workers

Due to the economic stresses from COVID-19 there are many organizations that are hiring.

• Dallas Public Library has an employment-seeking website that assists with resumes, cover letters, and job searches. It has job listing websites and residents can seek assistance through, email, phone, or text. 
  • Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4pm. 
  • For more information visit Dallas Public Library's website  or call 214-670-1468. 
• Texas Health Resources is hiring different positions within the healthcare industry. From nurses, radiation techs, and patient registrars. Visit the Texas Health website for more information.
• Greater Workforce Solutions Dallas has a list of job posting websites to help residents of the Dallas area to find jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information visit the Texas Workforce Commission website. 
• The Work in Texas website has immediate and ongoing access to job matching services visit their website for more information.
• Goodwill is helping Dallas residents search for jobs . Email jobs@goodwilldallas.org with your name, city/zip code, contact number. From there a Goodwill Job Specialist will help you set up an appointment for employment services. Or access the Job Connection Center by phone: 214-638-2800 x185.

Small Business Relief Resources

• The Dallas' Small Business Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) have created these loan services to help local businesses during COVID-19
  • DreamSpring: For payment relief on an active loan, click here.
  • Lift Fund: Up to $50,000
  • PeopleFund: Quick turnaround, disaster assistance loans .
• Visit Dallas Economic Development for more information.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grant for South Dallas Brownfields 

The City is working to promote community-oriented revitalization beginning in South Dallas through an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant awarded on May 6, 2020.  Along with TREC, St. Philip’s School and Community Center, and Lone Star Justice Alliance as primary coalition members, the City will be able to leverage $600,000 in federal funding to activate underutilized and contaminated brownfields.  The key to making this an immediate success will be working with our coalition members to ensure inclusive and equitable community engagement to ensure we are working in tandem towards common goals to the benefit of all.

Click here for more information related to the EPA Grant. 

Census 2020 Video Challenge 

COVID-19 has impacted self-completion of the 2020 Census. In Dallas County, only 42% of residents have completed it. Census representatives are encouraging residents to contact friends and family to complete their survey. Residents are also eligible to receive up to $30,000 for videos submitted that feature creative ways to get residents to complete the census. If you have not already, visit the Census website to fill it out - it only takes 10 minutes. To submit your entry for the Census Video, visit the webpage. For information about the video challenge contact: j.wallace@2020census.gov

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