Center for Early Relational Health

Resources for Participants

The COMBO vision is to develop a lasting partnership with the Washington Heights and greater New York City community to understand effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on an underrepresented group in research: babies and their mothers. This work could not be done without our participants. Together, we can support our next generation's healthy development. To this end, we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and adds an enormous stressor to the stress of being a new or expectant parent. Below we have compiled a list of resources that may be of use if you are struggling with mental health, feeling unsafe in your home, facing hunger and food insecurity, need breastfeeding support, and/or wish to find out more about pregnancy and COVID-19.

If you are feeling stressed, depressed, or overwhelmed, the following resources are available 24/7

  • NYC Well: Free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance misuse support, information and referral. Call 888-NYC-WELL (692-9355), text “WELL” to 65173, or start an online chat.
    • Español: Press 3
    • 中文: Press 5
    • Interpreters are available for 200+ languages. Stay on the line, and you will be connected with a counselor who can connect you to translator services.
  • National Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 in any type of crisis to connect with a crisis counselor.
  • Disaster Distress Hotline Provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Call 1-800-985-5990, text “TalkWithUs” to 66746, or visit Disaster Distress Helpline.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 997 or 800-273-TALK (8255) or visit 988 Lifeline.
  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

If you don't feel safe in your home

  • Violence Intervention Program - a live, 24 hour, bilingual (English/Spanish) domestic violence hotline. Call 1-800-664-5880 or visit the Violence Intervention Program website.
  • The New York State Domestic Violence Hotline is also available 24/7 (English/Spanish) - call 1-800-942-6906.
  • Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) – free, confidential 24/7 support for survivors of sexual violence. Call 1-800-656-4673 or visit the website.

If you are experiencing hunger or food insecurity

  • Hunger Solutions New York: For help with applying to SNAP (provides monthly benefits to spend at local grocery stores) and WIC (supports moms, moms-to-be, and kids under 5 with healthy food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition advice).
  • NYC families and individuals can find free meals across NYC by texting: “NYC FOOD” or “NYC COMIDA” to 877-877 (text messaging and data rates may apply).
  • To find Community/Neighborhood Fridges located around NYC with free food donated by community members, visit Food Help NYC.
  • Catholic Charities NY offers meals to take home and hot meals on site, as well as resources to reduce the need for emergency food supplements. For more information, visit the website. For food related inquiries, email ccfood@archny.org and/or call the Catholic Charities Food Hotline number at 646-457-9730
  • For a list of Washington Heights-specific food resources, visit NYC Food Resource Guide: Washington Heights/Inwood .

If you are seeking postpartum advice 

If you need help with or have questions about breastfeeding

For information on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pregnancy

For a variety of general support programs 

  • Visit Community Resources Library for an interactive neighborhood map to see what services are available in your area. Some services include financial assistance, volunteers who can help run errands for you, food support, etc. 
  • A nurse-led maternal health and home visitation program, Nurse-Family Partnership partners low-income, first-time moms with maternal and child health nurses. The resulting trusted relationship gives these moms the support they need to have a healthy pregnancy, improve their child's health and development, and become more economically self-sufficient.

For childcare-related resources 

  • EarlyLearn (through the NYC Department of Education) offers free/low-cost child care and education options to eligible families. This includes programs up to 10 hours per day for infants and toddlers, including center-based care for children aged six weeks to four years old and home-based care for children aged six weeks to three years old through family childcare networks. To learn about eligibility and enrollment, contact CCapplication@schools.nyc.gov or call Monday–Friday, 8am-6pm at 718-935-2009.
  • OCFS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) – helps eligible NY families with financial assistance for child care. The CCAP Help Line at 518-474-9454 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am. to 5:00 pm).
  • For free diapers if you receive WIC and/or SNAP, call The HopeLine on Mondays between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm at (718) 402-1212. Visit the website.

For assistance coping with COVID-related loss (for children, teens, and adults)

  • Sesame Street in Communities provides parents and guardians with videos, articles, and and activity plans designed to help children up to 10 years old cope with COVID-related loss. Learn more about Sessame Street and grief management.
  • The Dougy Center is a national organization with a wide variety of resources, activities, podcasts, articles, and tips for processing grief after losing loved ones. Targets children and teenagers. Learn more. 
  • The COPE Foundation, based in Long Island, offers free bereavement support groups for children, teens, and adults, as well as a hotline for grieving individuals. Call 516-364-COPE (2673). Available Mon–Thurs 9 am–9 pm and Sat–Sun 10 am–3 pm.

Contact Us

Enrollment is now closed. Are you already a COMBO participant and have questions or feedback about the surveys or video visits you’ve completed? We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to us at newborncovidstudy@cumc.columbia.edu.