COVID-19 Community Resources
Scott County building mask requirements: Updated May 14, 2021
On Thursday, May 13, Governor Tim Walz announced the elimination of the statewide mask mandate effective May 14. In following the Governor’s direction, Scott County will not be instituting its own mask mandate, either as a local government or employer.
PLEASE NOTE: This information pertains to Scott County government facilities only; anyone entering the Scott County Justice Center building will still be required to continue to wear a mask and follow social distancing requirements. We expect to receive further instruction from Chief Justice Gildea following the Judicial Council meeting on Thursday, May 20.
Effective immediately, members of the public and employees will no longer be required to wear masks when entering a County building (**with specific and certain exceptions, please see below).
Importantly, the Governor also encouraged that people continue to wear masks when there are large gatherings in public spaces to protect those who have not been vaccinated, either due to their choice or due to their specific health conditions.
**Scott County employees will continue performing health screenings and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with our clients and customers in close proximity and closed spaces (e.g., in-home visits, providing transportation, et cetera).
**In addition, many of our services have state or federal requirements related to health and safety (such as the Scott County Jail, the Court system/Justice Center, the Juvenile Alternatives Facility, Transit, Public Health) and those must continue to be followed.
If you have questions about any specific department or business unit practices or restrictions, we encourage you to call ahead – the Scott County general number is 952-445-7750, simply ask to be directed to the right area.
Community Resources - Updated April 20, 2021
Our community is coming together to help Scott County residents in need. Select from one of the tabs below to find resources from state and local organizations, including links to important applications. If you are a community nonprofit, business, or faith-based organization wishing to offering community assistance, please contact cmadsen@co.scott.mn.us.
For additional information, please see Metro-wide resources from Carver County, Dakota County, and Hennepin County.
- COVID-19 Info & Testing
- Addiction & Substance Abuse Recovery Support
- Child Care
- Donations
- Economic Assistance
- Employment
- Family Activities
- Food Access
- Healthcare & Mental Health
- Housing
- Internet Access
- Masks & Protective Equipment
- Transportation
- Volunteer Opportunities
What to Do if You Feel Sick / Lo que debe hacer en caso de enfermarse
If you feel sick, please follow these guidelines.
- MDH COVID-19 Hotlines (Interpreters available)
- CDC Guide - What to Do if You Are Sick (in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean)
- CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker can help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care. This tool is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of disease or other conditions, including COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing Sites in Scott County
| Allina Health Shakopee 1601 St. Francis Ave. Suite 100
| Hy-Vee Pharmacy Savage 6150 Egan Dr.
| Hy-Vee Pharmacy Shakopee 1451 Adams St. S.
|
| Parkview Medical Clinic 1400 1st St. NE
| Ridgeview Belle Plaine Clinic 165 Commerce Dr. W.
| Additional testing sites can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health testing site webpage |
Public Information Sources about COVID-19
- Governor Walz’s Official COVID-19 in Minnesota site. Provides latest data on ventilators, ICU beds, PPE and testing.
- MN Dept. of Health (MDH) Situation Update - Updated daily at 11:00AM by MDH.
- U-MN CIDRAP
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) - Situation Summary
Make a Plan, Minnesota
How to Stay Healthy and Safe
Addiction & Substance Abuse Recovery Support
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, chemical health assessments/Rule 25 assessments may be provided virtually. To inquire about how to proceed with applying for and obtaining Rule 25 services, please contact Kasey Theis at 952-496-8358 or Scott County Central Intake at 952-496-8959.
Child Care Resources
- List of childcare providers for emergency workers
- MN.gov - Child Care for Critical Sectors
- For best practices regarding COVID-19, see the Summary of COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care Settings from the MN Dept. of Health.
- Scott County HHS Guide: What You Need to Know
- Scott County Licensed Family Child Care Association
- Family Activity Ideas
- Sesame Street in Communities: Activities for children, as well as free professional development
- To apply for Child Care Assistance, use the MN DHS electronic application.
- Your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) may have other helpful resources.
CAP Agency
The Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency is seeking donations of hand sanitizer, toilet paper, diapers, and wipes for the families in our community they serve. They are especially in need of hand sanitizer to provide to their volunteer drivers when delivering meals to seniors.
CAP is also asking for donations of emergency kits for local families in need. These bags would include the following items: dish soap, tissues/Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels. Other item suggestions: coloring books, puzzle books, puzzles, blank greeting cards/notecards, gift cards for grocery stores or pharmacies.
Donations can be dropped off at CAP Agency (712 Canterbury Rd South, Shakopee). The donation door is open Monday-Friday from 8 AM - 3:30 PM. Visit the CAP Agency’s website.
Food Shelf Donations
Click here to see a list of local food shelves operating in Scott County, their needs, and donation instructions.
Cash and Emergency Assistance
- To apply for Cash or Emergency Assistance, use the electronic application from the MN Dept. of Human Services.
Energy Assistance Program
Scott County Tech Packs
If you need consistent access to a computer and WiFi to apply for jobs, you may request a Tech Pack through your local Scott County Library. Click here to learn more.
Unemployment
If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment benefits.
- Apply for Unemployment in Minnesota
- MN Dept. of Employment and Economic Development:
- Information for Workers
- Information for Employers and Small Businesses (small business loans, sales tax, and more)
- Veteran’s Services
- Please know that your Scott County Veteran Service Office is ready to help and respond to your needs via telephone – contact them at (952) 496-8176, Monday through Friday, any time between 8 AM and 4:30 PM, and they will do everything they can to make sure you get what you need. You were there for all of us in our time of need, and we’ll be here for you when you need us.
- Employment and Training Service Changes, effective August 4, 2020
The Career Lab is open on a limited basis, by appointment only. Current hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 AM -12:30 PM. Please call the Career Lab Help Desk at 952-496-8310 to schedule an appointment. Appointments must be scheduled at least one day in advance.
All onsite hiring events and workshops are currently suspended. To view a list of virtual hiring events and workshops, go to CareerForcemn.com. We will continue to work during this time and all appointments and orientations will be done over the phone. All paperwork will be processed per usual and as it is received. You can drop off paperwork in our secure 24-hour drop off box located right outside our main office door at 752 Canterbury Road South in Shakopee. Items in the drop off box will be collected every hour during our normal business hours.
You can also use our fax at 952-496-8675 . If you call your Employment Counselor direct or call 952-496-8310, please leave your full name, case number (if applicable), and a detailed message. All calls will be returned within 24-48 hours. Thank you for your patience during this time.
Scott County Employment and Training is a division of Health and Human Services Department and a Dakota/Scott CareerForce partner.
Are you unemployed or underemployed? Are you looking to update your current skill set? You can complete and return a Contact Record to our office and call us to discuss your options at 952-496-8310.
Family Activities
- Sesame Street in Communities: Activities for children, as well as free professional development
- CDC Recommendations: Protect Yourself While Visiting Parks & Playgrounds (Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese)
- Check the Parks tab on our COVID-19 Response page to see the status of Scott County regional parks and city playgrounds.
Family Mental Health
- Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 (Available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other languages.
- Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in Scott County: During this time of isolation, friends, family members and neighbors need to actively engage in preventing child abuse and neglect. Learn how to recognize the signs.
Scott County Restaurant Openings and Services
- Scott County Restaurant Updates
- Restaurant Openings (updates daily at noon)
WIC & SNAP
- CAP Agency - WIC: Scott & Carver CAP Agency WIC staff are taking calls, doing certification appointments over the phone, and issuing benefits as usual electronically.
- The food shelf continues to operate with a curbside model to administer boxes of food.
- For questions about WIC services, contact CAP Agency.
- To apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), use the MN DHS electronic application.
Food Access Locations
- Fresh Food Distribution at the River Valley YMCA in Prior Lake
- Scott County COVID19 Food Resources
- Scott County COVID19 Recursos Alimenticios (Espanol)
- Food Resources for Families (MDH)
- Scott Carver Dakota CAP Agency - Food Shelf
- Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf
- Elko New Market Hope for the Community
- Peace Center Food Shelf of New Prague
- Resources for groceries and essential supplies
- Second Harvest Heartland *Free* Surplus Food Distribution (second Thursday of every month)
- Children’s Dental Services: Available to serve any patient with urgent care needs during this time, whether or not it is a current patient of record, and regardless of age. Given the lack of access to urgent and emergency services, CDS providers will serve anyone from birth to 100+. If you know of a patient with active caries/cavities, pain, swelling or any other urgent care need, please have them call (612) 746-1530 or (866) 543-6009.
Health Coverage
- Apply for MNSure Coverage
- Need help navigating the system? Portico Healthnet continues to help clients apply for and renew coverage through MNSure. They are serving clients by phone appointment only. Individuals who were recently laid off or lost income will be newly eligible for MA and MinnesotaCare. Contact Portico at 651-489-2273 (CARE) or visit their website for more info. Help available in English, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, and Hmong.
- Virtuwell Online Diagnosis and Treatment: Online nurse practitioner provides diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription in about an hour. Cost is $49 by credit card, or your co-pay. Available 24/7. JavaScript must be enabled on your computer.
- DrSays Online Clinic: Online (audio or video) physician for consultation, prescription refills, and treatment. $35 flat fee. Labs available, some prior to consultation. Hours of availability vary and are limited.
- River Valley Health Services: Free nursing assessment/consultation for the uninsured or underinsured via phone. Spanish interpreters available. Free. See website for staff contact information.
- Shakopee CVS Minute Clinic: Located at 4050 Dean Lakes Blvd, Shakopee. Low-cost care provided by nurse practitioner. See website for conditions they treat and costs. No COVID testing available.
- Resources for groceries and other essential supplies
- Federally Qualified Health Care Facilities: The following neighborhood clinics in the metro area are taking new clients. Most use a sliding fee scale. They will NOT see suspected COVID patients.
Southside Community Clinic - 324 East 35th St, Minneapolis, 55408. Phone: (612) 827-7181
Westside Community Health Services (La Clinica) - 153 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul. Phone: (651) 602-0676
CARES Funding for Qualifying Renters & Homeowners
Update 4/20/21: HousingLink has added a form for tenants and their attorneys to request documentation that their landlords were paid rental assistance through the Hennepin, Dakota, and Scott County Rental Property Support Programs. If you need to receive this verification, please click here to submit your request.
COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program
Update 4/20/21: The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program is closed. All processing is complete and no requests for assistance can be submitted to this program. If you have questions about your application, please contact your local administrator. If you don’t know who your local administrator is, please email mhfa.covidhap@state.mn.us and staff can connect you with your administrator.
Help for Homeowners
- Scott County CDA: Provides foreclosure counseling to homeowners struggling with mortgages.
Help for Renters
- Rent Help MN: A statewide program to help Minnesotans who have fallen behind on rent or fear this could happen. See if you qualify at the link or call 211. Applications open as of 4/20/21.
Other Information for Renters & Landlords
Emergency Housing
- Scott Carver Dakota CAP Agency: For those currently experiencing homelessness, or need to discuss resources to retain your current housing.
- Beacon Families Moving Forward: For families with children under 18 who need shelter immediately
- Youth Services Network: For transitional-aged adult (over 18) and youth-specific homeless-dedicated & housing resources.
Internet Access
- Until further notice, all Comcast Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots are now open to everyone on the “xfinitywifi” network. Public hotspots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas. Visit the Xfinity Find-a-Hotspot home page to see a map of locations and learn more.
- You may connect a mobile device to the public WiFi in Scott County Library parking lots as it is available. Click here to see Library locations and hours.
Centers for Disease Control Recommendation - Cloth Face Coverings
Wearing a cloth face covering helps protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms. We recommend the following resources from the CDC:
- CDC - Cloth Face Coverings Frequently Asked Questions
- CDC - Do-It-Yourself Cloth Face Coverings Guide | Guía en Español - Cómo usar cubiertas (tapabocas) de tela para la cara
Donations of Personal Protective Equipment
Scott County sincerely thanks everyone who has expressed their wish to donate PPE (personal protective equipment), and we’ll gratefully accept any unused, sealed donations. We have set up a secure drop box in the entry of the Law Enforcement Center (301 Fuller St S, Shakopee), right next to the “Take It To The Box” receptacle for these donations.
At this time, Scott County cannot accept unsealed, used, or hand-sewn donations, including handcrafted masks. However, Allina Health is accepting such donations.
Again, thank you all for your selfless and thoughtful contributions. With your help, we’ll get through this difficult time together.
Transportation - SmartLink/TransitLink
- Door to Door bus service is still operating. At this time, there is availability on the buses.
- We will also do pick-ups and deliveries of food and goods, if available. Visit the Smartlink/TransitLink page for more information about engaging this service.
Metropolitan Council
- Metro Mobility is providing free door-to-door service from home to work and work to home for any person who works at a healthcare facility, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to schedule a trip.
Scott County Volunteers
Scott County is coordinating with partners county-wide to help residents safely support each other and ensure needs are met. We seek volunteers willing to do the following:
- Make phone calls to isolated residents.
- Drive food from food shelves to families, or help at food shelves to package food.
- Shop for and deliver groceries to residents with transportation needs.
- Sew masks and deliver to areas in Scott County.
More opportunities are posted at www.scottvolunteers.com. Sign up and choose areas where you’d like to help. Our Volunteer Coordinator will match you to requests that come to the County, or with requests from cities and areas throughout the County.
Jordan Errands to Reduce Risk Program
- The City of Jordan is coordinating a volunteer program intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among Jordan residents that are at higher risk (including the elderly or immunocompromised) by connecting them with volunteers that are willing to run errands in their stead. Click here to learn more.
Allina Health
- Support Allina Health workers through the Caring for Caregivers program.