County of Mecklenburg issued the following announcement on Mar. 17.
How are Services Affected?
To help reduce the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect the community and staff Mecklenburg County departments are closing the following facilities and canceling services/events until further notice effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Public Health
Child Development Services Agency
Access the service here: https://www.mecknc.gov/HealthDepartment/cds/Pages/default.aspx
Communicable Disease (CD)
Call 704-336-2812 or visit the Communicable Disease Website
Dental Clinic
Services Temporarily Suspended
Environmental Health-State Inspections
Call the main Environmental Health number at 980-314-1620 or visit the Environmental Health website.
Family Planning
Limited services are available. Please call 704-336-6500 for more information.
HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic
Call 704-336-6500 or visit the HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic website.
Immunizations
Routine services will be postponed until a later date.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Care Program (BCCP)
Routine services will be postponed until a later date.
Tuberculosis
Call 704-336-6500 or visit the TB Control website.
Vital Records
Request Vital Records
Women, Infants & Children's Program (WIC)
Customers can call the NW and Charlotte East WIC Office at 704-336-6500. When possible, customers will be assisted by phone. Customers can also visit the WIC website.
Park and Recreation
All Park and Recreation centers, including aquatic, nature and senior centers, are closed. Park and Recreation is postponing all planned public meetings and presentations until further notice. Residents will be notified of rescheduled dates through the County’s calendar. Activities and events that anticipate more than 50 people in attendance will also be canceled for the next 30 days. Event organizers and registrants are being notified.
All County parks, nature preserves and greenways are open to the public except for organized athletics (practices and games). The department will honor existing reservations at picnic shelters and indoor pavilions for events under 50.
Social Services
The Department of Social Services is temporarily closed to the public. However, we are still providing all ofour services by telephone, mail, and online. If you want to file an application for benefits, call 704-336-3000 toapply by phone. The date you call us will be used as your date of application even if we have to mail the application to you. You can also apply for some programs online at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do. If you are turning in paperwork at our office (301 Billingsley Road, Charlotte), place it in the gray drop box in the parking area . If you came to our office because of a deadline or for an appointment, we will not cut off your benenefits or penalize you. If you want to file an appeal, you can do that by calling 704-336-3000. If you would like to report a change, call us 704-336-3000. If you have an emergency, be sure to mention that when you call.
Adult and Family & Children's Medicaid
Customers can apply online using ePASS (https://www.nc.gov/services/e-pass). After the application has been submitted online, a DSS employee will reach out to complete the interview by telephone.
Adult Protective Services (APS) Intake and Investigations
Call 704-336-CARE (2273).
Adult Protective Services (APS) Guardianship
Call Just1Call at 704-432-1111.
Child Care Resources, Inc. (CCRI)
Office will remain open at this time with limited staffing. Please call the main number at 704-376-6697 to confirm your appointment before arrival.
Community Social Work
Call Just1Call at 704-432-1111.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Adoptions and Post-Adoptions
Call 980-314-7700.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Family In-Home
Call 980-314-7700.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Independent Living
Call 980-314-7700.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Intake
To report child abuse, neglect or human trafficking call the 24-hour HELP line at 980-31-HELPS (43577).
Child Protective Services (CPS) Interstate Compact
Call 980-314-7700.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigations
Call 980-314-7700.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Permanency Planning/Foster Care
Call 980-314-7700.
Emergency Assistance, General Assistance and Crisis Intervention
With utility companies temporarily halting disconnections and NC courts stopping evictions and foreclosures, Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM) will close all facilities effective March 17, 2020 until further notice. After the COVID-19 threat has passed, struggling families will still need support. Should you like to help, financial contributions can be online anytime at https://www.crisisassistance.org/donate/challenge/.
Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) – Intake & Redeterminations
We encourage customers to apply online at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do or through a mail for all applications and recertifications. To receive a mail-in application and assistance in applying for benefits, call 704-336-3000. Recertification paperwork is automatically mailed to the customer’s last known mailing address. Completed recertification packets should be mailed to 301 Billingsley Rd Charlotte NC 28211. If recertification paperwork was not received and the case is due for recertification, customers can complete the process online using ePASS at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do. Customers can also call Customer Connect at 704-336-3000 for recertification assistance.
Food & Nutrition Employment Training Program
Service is currently suspended.
Food Pantry
Service is currently suspended at the DSS buildings. Customers can call Customer Connect at 704-336-3000 for assistance.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
Customers can apply online through ePASS at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do or complete a mail-in application. To receive a mail-in application, call 704-336-3000.
Mecklenburg Transportation Services (MTS)
For transportation scheduling, call 704-336-4547.
Senior Congregate Nutrition Program (SCNP)
SCNP has closed all congregate meal sites and is delivering meals to food insecure customers. For confirmation on a food delivery, call 704-432-1111.
Work First Employment Services
Service is currently suspended.
Work First Family Assistance
Customers wishing to apply for Work First Family Assistance should contact Customer Connect at 704-336-3000 to have an application mailed to them. Interviews will be conducted by phone once the completed application has been mailed back or left in the outside drop box at DSS at 301 Billingsley Rd Charlotte NC 28211.
Community Support Services
Domestic Violence Adult Services/Programa Confianza
Service is currently suspended. For domestic violence crisis support, call the Greater Charlotte Hope Line at 980-771-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Domestic Violence Children's Services
Service is currently suspended. For domestic violence crisis support, call the Greater Charlotte Hope Line at 980-771-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Teens experiencing dating violence can text loveis to 22522.
Coordinated Entry
This service is currently suspended for in person assessments. Customers call 211.
Homeless Resource Center
Will provide boxed meals on Monday, Thursday and Friday nights.
NOVA (New Options for Violent Actions)
Service is currently suspended.
Violence Prevention
Service is currently suspended.
Shelter Plus Care – Subsidies
Landlords and customers should contact Kenya Dawson, Program Supervisor, at 980-215-3694.
Substance Use
Service is currently suspended. For mental health emergency response, call Atrium’s Behavioral Health Help Line at 704-444-2400 or Mecklenburg County Mobile CriSyS at 704-566-3410 and select option 1 for support.
Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchange Center
No new referrals for this service at this time. Services continue for existing clients. Contact the center at 980-314-8680.
Veterans Services
This service is currently suspended. VA suicide crisis line is 1-800-273-8255. Veteran Bridge Home at 1-855-425-8838. Veterans can manage apply for and manage VA benefits online.
Department of Community Resources
Child Support
The Child Support Office will be closed to the public. Customers may reach Child Support online (childsupportezapply.com), by phone (704-432-9300) and via mail (5800 Executive Center Drive Suite 200 Charlotte 28212).
Community Resource Center
The Community Resource Center at the Valerie C. Woodard Center on Freedom Drive will be closed. The services offered by partner agencies can be accessed at those main offices, depending on availability at Novant, Legal Aid, Charlotte Works and CPCC.
Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA)
LUESA's main office on Suttle Avenue will not be accessible to the public. Customers are encouraged to go online or call to receive services.
Code Enforcement’s offices will be closed, but Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement is open for business. Code Enforcement is dedicated to serving their customers and to being a partner in building a thriving community.
- Customer service staff continues to be available to help customers navigate services by phone and via e-mail.
- Plan review will continue to be conducted electronically. While some staff will be working remotely to further reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, all staff will be reachable by phone and e-mail. Preliminary and other meetings cannot be conducted in person – staff will contact customers with scheduled meetings to make arrangements for a virtual or “video chat” meeting.
- Permitting will continue.
- Field inspections will continue, with some slight modifications made to accommodate social distancing on the job site. Residential inspections for occupied homes that cannot occur due to illness or concern on the part of the homeowner or inspector will be rescheduled (and documented in the contractor’s dashboard as a no-fault failure). Third party inspections cannot be conducted without a contract and pre-agreement, as is our normal procedure.
- The County Fire Marshal’s office will continue conducting inspections and investigations- but will take precautionary measures, as appropriate. Inspections at facilities with populations vulnerable to COVID-19 will be modified on a case-by-case basis for the protection of all involved.
Solid Waste has cancelled Shredding Saturday at Compost Central on March 21, 2020. WipeOutWaste.com will have the latest updates for this department. To help reduce the spread of novel coronavirus, we are asking visitors to the recycling centers to use the following precautions for health and safety considerations:
- Refrain from visiting the Full Service Recycling Centers, if you are sick.
- Maintain "Social Distancing" of at least six feet from others when visiting the Centers or current local guidance.
- Double bag trash items that are originating from quarantined homes, or other sources where people are sick.
- Recyclables originating from quarantined homes should be placed in the garbage, NOT recycling until the home is no longer quarantined. This will help recycling staff who hand sort at the recycling center. If someone is sick at your home please consider all your materials as trash until home is secure again.
- We are experiencing many customers and expect Saturday to be very busy, PLEASE come to our centers M-F to avoid the Saturday Crush. If you come on Saturday, please expect a wait as we are now following social distancing procedures.
- The City of Charlotte trash collection will stop collecting yard debris and bulky items this Monday. Our drop centers may have more people at these locations.
- Questions about Mecklenburg County Full Service Centers are answered on our Info Line at 980-314-3867; Questions about City Services can be directed to 311.
Events to celebrate Earth Month in April have also been postponed. 2020 Audobon North Carolina Summit, Open Streets 704, Charlotte Sustainability Awards, Recycle the Runway, and 8th Annual Big Tree Summit have been postponed. Earth Optimism 2020 CLT and City of Charlotte Earth Day Festival will be available virtually.
Criminal Justice Services
Criminal Justice Services will be closed to the public. All case management services (Pretrial, Re-Entry Recovery Court, and Forensic Evaluations Unit) will be provided remotely. Clients can call 980-314-1750 for questions or contact their case managers directly.
Office of the Tax Collector (OTC)
The OTC will close its service point counter to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18th. Taxpayers will not be able to obtain in-person customer service assistance or make payments at the counter.
The OTC drop box, located to the left of the service points, will be available for tax payments. Please use entrance E to access the lobby and the drop box. Only checks may be submitted through the drop box. Be sure to include the bill or parcel number on your check.
Taxpayers may also pay their bills using electronic checks (eChecks) or credit and debit cards online or by calling 1-800-994-1026. Please note that there is a service fee of 2.35% or minimum of $1.95 to use a credit or debit card. There is no fee for an eCheck payment.
To speak to a collections representative, please email, dial 311 (704-336-7600 if dialing outside the county limits), or visit the OTC Website.
The Mecklenburg County Office of the Tax Collector has cancelled all upcoming tax foreclosure sales including those scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th at 11 am and 12 pm at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 E. Fourth St., Charlotte.
County Assessor's Office (CAO)
The County Assessor’s Office will be closed to the public. Services are available by phone by calling 980-314-4226. Information including all forms (exemptions, appeals, etc.) are available
We will have phone service and our website should provide all information, forms (exemption, appeals and such), etc that someone should need. All of our email addresses will be regularly checked and answered. Staff will response to any emails, phone calls as soon as possible. Customers can send in any completed forms by mail or scan them and email them to the office.
Register of Deeds
Our office will provide limited access during this time. Online services remain available:
- Record research
- Historical Land Records
- Birth or Death Records
- Marriage Certificate Records
We will have limited staff available onsite to record real estate documents. For Real Estate Recording, electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC , or EPN is suggested.
Original source: https://www.mecknc.gov/news/Pages/COVID-19-Impact-on-County-Services.aspx
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