​*New* VIDEO UPDATE: Preparing PBC Parks for your return.

During these unprecedented times, PBC Parks continues to work for our community. Our staff is working to maintain our parks and facilities, protecting public park assets for when they reopen.

LATEST OPERATIONAL UPDATES FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY

PBC ORDERS, ACTIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Palm Beach County remains under a State of Emergency

Palm Beach County Issues Executive Order 20-004 Directive to Wear Facial Covers

Palm Beach County issued Emergency Order 20-004 effective as of 12:01AM Monday, April 13, 2020.The Emergency Order states all persons working in, patronizing, or otherwise physically present in grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles, vehicles for hire, and locations where social distancing measures are not possible should wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC. All other persons physically present in any public place in Palm Beach County are strongly urged to wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC.

Click here to view all Local Executive Orders.

*New* TESTING SITES SUMMARY

South County Civic Center-Cleveland Clinic Florida 

During the ninth day of drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the South County Civic Center, Cleveland Clinic Florida tested 138 patients. The Cleveland Clinic Florida COVID-19 Screening Center representatives have scheduled 96 appointments so far for Friday. Appointments can be made at 561-804-0250. You must call to be screened and confirm an appointment time.

Cleveland Clinic Florida has expanded our criteria for individuals eligible for COVID-19 testing. Beginning today, anyone over the age of 16 who has the following signs and symptoms will be eligible for testing at our South Palm Beach County drive-through locations: 

• Fever or Non Febrile respiratory illness (such as cough, shortness of breath, runny nose)
• Fever and gastrointestinal illness (such as diarrhea, vomiting)
  

Individuals must still call first to speak with a nurse to ensure they meet criteria and make an appointment for testing.

Health Care District of Palm Beach County's 15^th Day of Drive-thru Testing in West Palm Beach for Wednesday, 4-16-20:

During the 15th day of drive-thru testing for COVID-19 in Palm Beach County, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County's C. L. Brumback Primary Clinics tested 683 patients at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach.  There were 108 patients who did not show for their scheduled appointments. The average age of the patients tested was 53.  A total of 25 children were tested and the youngest patient was one year old.  Patients are notified when their results are in. A total of 6,496 tests have been administered at the site since it opened on March 31^st.

There are 800 appointments scheduled for drive-thru testing tomorrow in West Palm Beach. The Health Care District's Testing Hotline, 561-642-1000, reopens at 8 a.m. tomorrow to continue filling available appointments for Saturday and Monday.  The Health Care District's C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics' staff who are conducting the testing, along with on-site Palm Beach County staff and members of the Florida Army National Guard, thank patients for their understanding in this hot weather and appreciate their signs of support at the drive-thru site.  

To get tested for COVID-19 at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, individuals can be any age and need not be symptomatic.  Appointments are required.             

Belle Glade COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is available on a walk-up basis outside of the Primary Care Clinic at Lakeside Medical Center. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Individuals can be any age, and need not be symptomatic to walk up and see a provider to be registered on-site and tested. Results will be communicated by a Health Care District provider as soon as they are available. 

On Tuesday, April 14^th: 48 patients were tested. On Wednesday, April 15^th:  52 patients were tested. The total number of patients tested at the Belle Glade site since March is 283.

State of Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis' Executive Orders

More information on the Governor's orders: FL Executive Orders, Governor's Orders FAQs

RESOURCES

*New* Youth Services Providing Free Telemental Health Services to Residents of Palm Beach County

• Mental health services provided by the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department's Residential Treatment and Family Counseling (RTFC) Division are now available to the public via Telemental Health.
  
  
• Education & Training Center – psychologists and doctoral trainees offer family therapy, individual therapy, and parent training services through Zoom Video Telemental Health. Bilingual therapists (Spanish & Creole) are available. To schedule an intake appointment, please call 561-233-4460. The Education & Training Center also provides free weekly remote trainings on a variety of mental health topics.
   
• Highridge Family Center – currently accepting applications for future residents. Intake appointments and weekly family counseling sessions, in addition to virtual individual therapy and parental support, are ongoing via Telemental Health. To schedule an appointment, please call 561-625-2540.
   
• Family Violence Intervention (FVIP) – court diversion program is accepting cases referred from the State Attorney's Office. FVIP team of master and bachelor-level staff provide case management, case planning, referral advocacy and mediation telehealth services via Zoom Video.
   
• Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) – currently providing assessments, family and individual therapy, parent education and school-based behavioral health services via Zoom Video. Telemental Health services are offered in English, Spanish, French and Creole. To schedule an appointment, please call (561) 242-5714.
   
• For more information about Telemental Health and other services provided by Palm Beach County Youth Services, please visit our website.
  

*Reminder* First Responders, Emergency Personnel, and Critical Response Workers – Child Care Scholarships Available

The Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of Palm Beach County is now providing first responders, essential personnel and critical response workers with the Emergency Personnel Child Care Scholarship Program, to cover child care and out-of-school care cost for children ages 2-12 years old, for up to an initial period of 3 months. As a proud ELC partner, the YMCA of the Palm Beaches is here to serve you and is currently providing child care services for scholarship recipients.

For more information and to apply for the ELC scholarship, simply go to the link below:

ELC First Responder Child Care Application [trustedpartner.azuredge.net] 

FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA

Feeding South Florida Calendar of Food Distributions at www.feedingsouthflorida.org/covid19

These sites provide groceries in a drive-thru style. The list is updated daily, dates, times and
locations may change.

AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER (ADRC HELPLINE)

The Area Agency on Aging announced today a COVID-19 expansion to their Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC Helpline). Seniors 60+ are encouraged to call the ADRC Helpline for assistance with food, food stamps, COVID 19 information such as testing sites, and questions on Medicare or Medicaid. Call the ADRC Helpline at 1(866) 684-5885. Specially trained counselors are available to help in English, Spanish or Creole Monday through Friday 8:00 – 5:00.

FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES

The Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles authorizes the changes and extensions to driver licenses, identification cards, Registration, delinquent fees and in-person interviews. FLHSMV COVID-19 Emergency Order 041320 

SCHOOL INFORMATION

The School District of Palm Beach County continues its commitment to feeding students while schools are closed. Two important changes for the upcoming weeks:

• Until further notice, the 35 feeding sites will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Two days' worth of meals will be provided each day. Meals distributed will be lunch and dinner only.
• Click here for School District locations distributing 'Grab and Go' bags filled with breakfast, lunch, supper, and a snack, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
  

HOUSING & ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Palm Beach County Housing and business assistance programs can be found here.

ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL

Keep the momentum going! PBC Animal Care & Control is asking to help empty the rest of the shelter after making history by clearing an entire kennel. One of the three kennels at the shelter in West Palm Beach is empty for the first time since the county agency was created in 1969. This milestone would not have been possible without all the members of the public who have adopted shelter pets. Animal Care and Control also works with placement partner organizations far and wide. 

Adoptable pets are still available in the other two kennels:

• View adoptable pets online: https://secure.co.palm-beach.fl.us/snap/home
• For more information about fostering, Click here  
  

LIBRARIES

You can use the Palm Beach County Library system 24/7 from your computer, laptop or mobile device by visiting our website. You will find a lot of information available to you to help you pass the time while staying home. Check out the COVID-19 Resource Page and the Virtual Library offerings. You will need your library card to access many of these resources. If you do not have a Library card you can get a free temporary e-card today. Visit the Library COVID-19 page for all of our programs.

OFFICE OF EQUAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Palm Beach County Office of Equal Business Opportunity will host "Tuesday's Tips," a weekly teleconference created to provide up-to-date information to the small business community. The teleconference will be presented weekly for the small business community and will include tips for sustaining business in response to COVID-19 and other information to support local small businesses. For more information, contact OEBO at oebo@pbcgov.org or 561-616-6840.

PALM BEACH COUNTY VICTIMS SERVICES

The Palm Beach County Victim Services & Certified Rape Crisis Center helpline is available for information, options and support: 561-833-7273. Services are free, confidential and private.

PARKS AND RECREATION

All parks and golf courses, both public and private remain closed until further notice.

Virtual Recreation Center - PBC Parks TV

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
All Natural Areas are closed to the public until further notice.

PLANNING, ZONING & BUILDING

All Planning, Zoning, and Building public meetings for April are canceled. All public hearings scheduled at those meetings are postponed to dates to be determined. Once revised dates have been determined, the meetings will be rescheduled and all appropriate parties will be advised.

Visit our website for more information: Online Submittal Building Permit Notice.

TRANSPORTATION

PALM TRAN

*New* EFFECTIVE APRIL 13, 2020
All riders should have a paper or cloth mask covering their nose and mouth while riding transit.

*New* Maximum Occupancy per Bus
Palm Tran is limiting the number of people on buses to no more than 15 passengers. Please look to the head sign which may indicate the bus is full. In this case you'll need to wait for the next bus on the route. Please call customer service at (561) 841-4BUS (4287) for the next scheduled bus arrival time.

*New* Cleaning and Disinfecting
Every bus in the system is being cleaned and disinfected at the beginning and end of every line.

*New* Call Center - (561) 841-4BUS (4287)
The Palm Tran call center is operating from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Many trip planning functions may be done through our Palm Tran app and on palmtran.org.

Palm Tran Go Glades Service

• Effective April 13, 2020 Palm Tran's western community bus service, Go Glades, will be implementing a change to its daily service. Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 will no longer be serviced. You will be able to book a trip on Go Glades directly to and from your destination by calling:
  (561) 649-9838.
  

Fixed Route and Paratransit Operations

• Palm Tran fixed-route continues to operate on a Saturday schedule except routes 1, 2, 3, 43  
  and 62 which are on a regular weekday schedule. Sundays will continue to operate on a Sunday schedule. The number of people onboard has been limited to no more than 20 passengers.
• Palm Tran Connection is essential trips only.
  

*New* Tri-Rail

• Following the emergency orders issued by Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) is supporting the effort for people to use facial coverings while using Tri-Rail services. "All staff and contractors have been given a directive to wear face masks while working onboard trains and at stations," said Steven L. Abrams, SFRTA Executive Director. "Now we ask our passengers to follow this order, as it will ensure that we can keep operating our services as safely as possible and stop the spread of the Coronavirus."
• Seats onboard Tri-Rail trains have been taped off to discourage passengers from sitting next to each other and continue social distancing practices, while train conductors are making regular announcements to remind passengers to wear masks while riding.
• Tri-Rail continues to offer an amended schedule until further notice, with 18-trains every 2 hours starting at 4:17 a.m. on weekdays, and 12-trains every 3-hours starting at 5:17 a.m. on weekends. 

• Trains have suspended fares and are operating on a modified schedule:
  18 trains on Weekdays, 12 trains on Saturday, 12 trains on Sunday.
  

Brightline

• Train service is suspended until further notice.

SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY: https://swa.org/632/6702/COVID-19-Updates.

CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL

Hunger relief, baby and household supplies, and assistance with calls to 211 Helpline are among the programs supported through $234,690 in COVID-19 emergency funds released in the past two weeks by Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County (CSC). Council's funds are earmarked for food, basic needs (excluding shelter), and direct services to children and families. More info.

EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

Offering a limited number of child care scholarships for those serving on the front-line of the COVID-19 response. This is available for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old for up to 60 days for these critical employees. For more information, call: 561-514-3300.

SUICIDE PREVENTION
For resources to help cope during the coronavirus pandemic please follow this link: Suicide Prevention and COVID-19.

JURY DUTY

All jury selection proceedings are suspended through May 29. Jurors who were summonsed for jury duty through May 29 do not have to report for service. They do not need to take any further action.  Those with questions regarding jury service can call 561-355-2930 or visit www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/jury.

CIRCUIT COURT

The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is limiting most face-to-face hearings. In order to protect the public's constitutional right to access and to ensure the progress of essential proceedings, the courthouses have remained open. To help ensure that no person infected with COVID-19 enters the courthouses, anyone who enters the courthouse will undergo a non-invasive temperature scan. Any person who refuses to have their temperature taken or has a temperature of 100.4 º F, or higher, will not be permitted to enter the courthouses. For updated information, visit http://15thcircuit.com  

LOCAL CALL CENTERS
PBC Emergency Information Center remains open 7 days a week from 8 am – 6 pm. @ 561-712-6400

• Boca Raton 561-982-4900 
• Greenacres 561-642-2000 
• Town of Palm Beach 561-227-7070 
• Riviera Beach 561-812-6597 
• Wellington 561-791-4000
• West Palm Beach 561-822-2222
  

Frequently Asked Questions 

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Individuals with questions related to the coronavirus should call the Florida Department of Health's Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-779-6121 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week or  email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. They can also visit http://pbchd.org for the latest health information. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the latest information and updates from Palm Beach County, visit http://pbcg