Family
What statement best describes your situation?
"I am a parent or a caregiver"
How do I talk to my child(ren) about coronavirus?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created some guidelines on how to talk with children about coronavirus.
There are a number of resources to help children understand coronavirus:
NPR published "Just For Kids," a comic exploring the new coronavirus, available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
This article from PBS Kids that provides tips about talking to children about COVID-19.
Sesame Street created a guide on how to discuss COVID-19 with young children, and has printable coloring pages that teaches children how to wash their hands step-by-step.
"Why Are We All Stuck Inside" is a kit that provides activities to help answer your little kids' questions about coronavirus.
How do I transition to online learning for my children?
To learn how to set up at-home learning and use grade-based resources, check out this school closure learning guide by GreatSchools.org, which is also available in Spanish and is continually updated. The Colorado Child Welfare Training System has also created an e-learning resource center to help people set up online learning environments.
Additionally, there are a number of online education resources available to parents and caregivers:
Common Sense Media has provided an abundance of resources for parents and all ages.
Center for Parent Information and Resources updates new information, resources, and online learning tools for families during the coronavirus.
Wide Open School provides a free collection of online learning resources for kids from K-12, including offline activities as well as bilingual and English-language learner resources.
Mommy Poppins provides a list of 50 indoor activities to do as a family.
Amazing Educational Resources is an active spreadsheet with a variety of K-12 resources offering free subscriptions and more.
GoNoodle is a free online resource for kids and families. They offer yoga, mindfulness videos, daily activities, and more to do at home.
How do I supporting my children’s emotional well-being during this difficult time?
Child trauma experts from the Child Trends and the Child Trauma Training Center at the University of Massachusetts provided some guidance, recommendations, and resources to support and protect children’s emotional well-being during the pandemic.
How do I make sure my children’s access to technology is healthy?
Develop a family media agreement (like this one by Common Sense Media) before conflict arises, addressing issues like screen time, permissible online activities, and digital monitoring.
You can also watch this short “A Fact-Not-Fear Approach to Parenting in the Digital Age” video by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication.
Lastly, you can see this guide on "How to Balance Children’s Screen Time During the Pandemic" by Teach.com.
How do I access resources for childcare and basic necessities?
You should check if you're eligible and apply for Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) to get biweekly cash assistance for a limited time. This program is funded by the federal government but administered through your state.
Special supplemental nutrition program Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutritional supplement program that provides families with nutritious foods as well as nutrition counseling. Food and Nutrition Service has guidance on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and state WIC office contact information.
For childcare, Childcare Aware offers a national map that provides updated information about childcare programs in your state as well as resources available during COVID-19.
For diapers and other basic necessities, the National Diaper Bank Network helps families in need identify local resources to help provide diapers and other basic necessities in your community. Available in 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or visit 211.org.
How do I cope with the stress of coronavirus?
The American Academy of Pediatrics is providing advice to parents experiencing stress over COVID-19.
HealthyChildren.org provides tips to keep calm at home.
Tips for young parents provided by the Annie E Casey Foundation help young parents cope during the pandemic.
You can also see these resources and tips for parents by Prevent Child Abuse America.
I am a pregnant or expecting parent. What resources can help me prepare?
The CDC has provided safety precaution guidance and up to date information for pregnant, breastfeeding, or people caring for young children.
Pregnant or parenting apps can educate you on the journey of pregnancy and your infants journey, as well as keep up with reminders for your child's needs, including, for example, keeping track of your child's vaccination schedule.
Co-parenting apps are apps that make the co-parenting process easier and manageable. Some apps will help improve communication, scheduling, and expenses. Other apps even allow you to add an account for your child, so that their voice and opinion can be accounted for.
"I haven't been able to see my family or siblings"
What will family/sibling visitation look like during this time?
With COVID-19, in-person visits have been halted across the country in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease and to prevent the defection of foster parents who fear coronavirus infections coming back with foster children from visits with their birth parents. Talk to your social worker and advocate for yourself to be able to stay in touch with your family and siblings if you want to. Ask for the possibility to do video chats. If you don't have a smartphone and a data plan, ask for a phone call, or to be able to temporarily use your foster family's devices (if they have them). Know that the federal government advised child welfare departments that monthly mandatory home visits for children in foster care can be moved to videoconferencing, although departments should follow their own state's protocols.
In some states, like in Washington, it's recommended that families don't just communicate via phone call or email, but also stay in touch “at a minimum by mailing pictures, drawings or letter writing.” In Colorado, they suggest a variety of activities like "reading to each other; scavenger hunts [where] siblings can create a list, go find the items and share pictures or show each other all the items they found; art projects-painting, drawing and coloring together."
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