City of Warwick Contacts & COVID-19 Resources

Mayor Frank Picozzi's office remains open.

Please call (401) 738-2004, visit warwickri.gov, or email mayorsoffice@warwickri.com


Warwick Departments

While City departments are increasing access for the public, it is still highly recommended that those needing to business at Warwick City Hall try to do it online or over the phone. Many City departments have online resources and services.

 

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)

Behavioral/Mental Health Resources

  • RIDOH has a list of resources, which can be found at https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/.
  • If you are experiencing a mental or substance use crisis made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and you need immediate assistance, please call BH Link 24/7 to be connected to care: 401-414-LINK (5465).For those under 18, please call 855-KID(543)-LINK(5465).
  • During the COVID-19 crisis, BH Link reminds everyone that it is important to safeguard your mental health, and recommends the following websites, which have tips to help you and your loved ones stay healthy during this time:
  • People with moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD) can access telehealth service for initiation of buprenorphine treatment at 401-606-5456.
  • If you would like to speak with someone who has experience with mental health and/or substance misuse issues, you can contact one of the state's Recovery Response Call Lines. Click here for a list.
  • If you feel overwhelmed or are having difficulty coping with stress, please contact the Disaster Distress Helpline, 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. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. To connect with a trained crisis counselor, call 1-800-985-5590 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

Business Support

  • RI Commerce has resources for businesses affected by COVID-19:
    • Small Business Hotline: (401) 521-HELP (4357) or e-mail info@commerceri.com
    • Financial Support: Resources have been directed into the RI community through both federal and state programs. This includes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans dispersed by the Small Business Administration. For questions on this, please email ppp@commerceri.com.
      •  RI Commerce also has information on emergency grants and funding for businesses, including bridge loans for restaurants and micro-businesses
    • Tech Help:
      • If a business needs help getting online, creating a website, moving to online marketing or ordering, etc., they can access free tech help through RI Commerce. Visit https://commerceri.com/covid-19-business-resources/ for more information and to sign up for a consultation with an expert.
      • Thanks to a donation from Microsoft, 500 laptops also have been donated to help businesses with less than 25 employees. More information is available on Commerce’s website: www.commerceri.com.
    • PPE for Small Businesses: Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees can access about a month’s worth of face masks and disinfectant solution from local chambers of commerce and business associations free of charge. Click here for more information.
    • Guidelines for businesses during the COVID-19 crisis
  • Reopening the Economy: Guidance documents for childcare, faith-based organization, retail, restaurants, and transit can be found at https://www.reopeningri.com/.
  • RI Department of Business Regulations (DBR): DBR COVID-19 guidance documents and business assistance can be found on https://dbr.ri.gov/. COVID-19 questions or complaints can be asked at https://dbr.ri.gov/critical/.
  • Affected businesses with questions on Unemployment Insurance, Paid Sick and Safe Leave, or other work-related programs should contact the DLT at (401) 462-2020 or dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov.
  • The US Small Business Administration has COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans available. Click here for more information or to apply.
  • The Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island have launched a fund to support local nonprofit organizations at the forefront of COVID-19 response efforts. Click here for information on grant opportunities.  
  • Employers facing slowdowns in business due to COVID-19 may be able to benefit from the RI Workshare Program.
  • The Rhode Island Superior Court is rolling out a new Business Recovery Plan to assist businesses that have been significantly disrupted by this virus. This program will give qualifying businesses vital protection so that they can get back on their feet after this crisis is over.
  • LISC, with funding from Verizon, will provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital. The application period is currently closed, but you can register for updates on the next round of funding.

Child and Family Assistance

  • Family Care Community Partnerships (FCCPs) are the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ primary prevention resource for the state. FCCPs partner with families and communities to raise healthy children in a safe, caring environment. The Department recognizes that all families struggle and need supports they can turn to from time to time. These supports range from basic needs to bridging family rifts with the overarching goal of increasing the overall well-being of families. FCCP agencies, which are part of DCYF's network of prevention-focused providers, brings community-based services to children and families to build a stronger, brighter futures. For more information, or to contact your local FCCP, please visit http://www.dcyf.ri.gov/fccps/.

COVID Guidance in Multiple Languages

Employment Support

Food Resources

Health Insurance Information

  • You may qualify to sign up for coverage through HealthSourceRI.com if you have lost your employer sponsored coverage due to job loss, or if you have experienced another qualifying life-changing event. You must sign up within 60 days of your qualifying life event.
  • Rhode Island Medicaid will be suspending all terminations and quarterly income verifications for the duration of this emergency. Uninsured individuals who are Medicaid eligible can enroll at any time. Visit HealthSourceRI.com to enroll or call customer support or use the web chat function between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1-855-840-4774.
  • Health plans issued in Rhode Island are now providing temporary new benefits during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Click here for more information.
  • The Governor signed an executive order to relax onerous regulations and eliminate barriers to care during this crisis. The order includes the following protections through May 27th:
    • Medications: Insurers cannot make changes to what drugs are covered unless the changes benefit patients.
    • Provider Referrals: Insurers are required to relax the referral process to allow for more time and leniency. No referrals are necessary for telehealth.
    • Prior Authorization: In-patient hospital and rehabilitation, long-term care and telemedicine in-network services cannot be suspended because an individual doesn’t have prior authorization. In addition, no prior authorization is needed for testing or treatment of COVID-19.
    • Behavioral Healthcare: No referrals or other benefit review approvals are required for a patient to access needed mental and behavioral health care.

Housing Assistance

  • Renters and Homeowners: For constituents seeking housing-related information and resources, RIHousing’s COVID-19 webpage includes important updates and information for renters and homeowners.
  • Housing Help RI: A statewide homelessness prevention initiative to assist Rhode Islanders who are experiencing housing insecurity. The program provides emergency housing assistance to very low-income renters who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 emergency and are at immediate risk of homelessness. Information and FAQs can be found online at https://www.housinghelpri.com/.

 

Restaurants

  • Starting Monday, May 18th, restaurants are able to begin limited outdoor dining in addition to their take-out, delivery, and drive-through operations. Regulation and guidelines are available at reopeningri.com.
    • For a list of local restaurants offering outdoor dining, click here
  • Establishments with a food license can continue to conduct pick-up, drive-thru and delivery.
    • For a list of local restaurants offering take-out, delivery, or drive-through options, click here.