COVID RESOURCES
Food Security Resources
Food Pantry Locator
Free, statewide food pantry locator
http://www.ctfoodbank.org/get-help/pantry-locator/
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule
Updated Covid-19 guidance for mobile food pantries and the statewide schedule
http://www.ctfoodbank.org/get-help/connecticut-food-banks-mobile-pantry-schedule/
United Way: Schools Offering Free Breakfast and Lunch
List of school districts in Greater New Haven offering free breakfast and lunch with days/hours of distribution
https://uwgnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Free-school-meals-during-COVID19.pdf
Greater Hartford Crisis Resources for Food Insecure Families
Detailed schedule for children to receive free breakfast and lunch in lieu of school closures
Housing and Utility Resources
Covid-19 Homeless Response
Updated resource guide for families facing homelessness
Internet Essentials by Comcast
How to gain access to free/affordable internet for low income families during pandemic to help wiht transition to online schooling
https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
Connecticut Natural Gas/United Illuminating
Covid-19 service update
Altice USA: Offering Free Internet Access
How to access free broadband internet connections for students K-12 and college students
The Village: Free Financial Coaching
Connect to a specialist who provides free financial coaching including how to access state financial resources and secure housing
Parent and Children Resources
Diaper Bank Locator CT
Listing of all diaper distribution centers for free diapers given directly to families in need
http://www.thediaperbank.org/ddn-member-directory/
Connecticut Children’s Pediatric COVID-19 Hotline
833-226-2362
Prevent Child Abuse America: Covid-19 Resources for Parents, Children and Others
Comprehensive list of tips and resources
https://preventchildabuse.org/coronavirus-resources/
National Child Traumatic Stress Network Family and Caregiver Resources
Trauma-centered resources for families and caregivers to help children through pandemic
FBI Warning About Child Exploitation During Covid-19 Pandemic
Discussion of the dangers that children face from online predators during Covid-19 pandemic and how to approach child/adolescent safety from exploitation
Yale Medicine Guide for Pregnant Mothers During Pandemic
OBGYN’s answer commonly asked questions about pregnancy and Covid-19
https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/pregnancy-and-covid/
Child Mind Institute: How to Talk to Children About Covid-19
Discusses ways to engage children in age-appropriate conversation about the pandemic without adding more fear
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
DCF Guidelines and Resource Page
Includes housing, child care, domestic violence and mental health resources as well as updated DCF protocols
https://portal.ct.gov/DCF/COVID-19/COVID-19
UNICEF: Helping kids adjust to online learning
Provides tips to help children get the most out of online learning
Preparing for Extended School Closures
How to deal with extended school closures as a parent while still maintaining sanity
https://www.upworthy.com/tips-for-parents-coronavirus
Covid-19 General Information Sheets in 30 Different Languages
Up to date information on Covid-19 across the globe in 30 languages
https://wnycosh.org/coronavirus/
CT Children’s Medical Center School Closure Kit
How to educate children from home and keep them happy, healthy and active
https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/coronavirus/school-closure-kit/
ConnCann Distance Learning Plans by School District
Link to each school district in CT and their up to date distance learning plans
https://conncan.org/blog/comprehensive-list-of-ct-distance-learning-plans-by-district/
BookBub: Coronavirus Book for Children
Free, digital book that helps explain the coronavirus pandemic in a child-friendly way
https://www.bookbub.com/blog/coronavirus-book-for-kids?position=4&source=multicontent&target=title
Covibook: Reassuring Children Under 7
A short picture book to help support and reassure children under 7 about the pandemic in 25 different languages
Shared Parenting Resources During Covid-19
Tips for parents who share custody of their children
Covid-19: Five Helpful Responses for Families
Parenting tips to promote safety and connection while enduring a new normal with children
https://consciousdiscipline.com/covid-19-five-helpful-responses-for-families/
Child Mind: Supporting Kids During Coronavirus
Tips for nurturing and protecting children at home
https://childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/
Guide for Parents: How to Avoid Passing Anxiety to Children
How to help yourself and your kids by learning to manage stress in a healthy way
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-avoid-passing-anxiety-on-to-your-kids/
Guide for Parents: Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During Covid-19 Pandemic
Tips for parents managing older children at home
https://childmind.org/article/supporting-teenagers-and-young-adults-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/
Mental Health and Coping Resources
Center for Discovery Free Zoom Support Groups
Listing of support groups for a variety of eating disorders and mental illness via Zoom
https://centerfordiscovery.com/groups/
Family Stress Relief from the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Parental coping strategies for overwhelmed parents
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psyciatry: Resource Library
Includes links to teletherapy and trauma-informed methods for coping with the pandemic
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Libraries/Coronavirus.aspx
CDC Tips for De-Stressing during pandemic
Coping strategies and tips for children, parents, adults, high risk populations, and first reponders etc.
Common Sense Media: Stress reducing activities for children and families
Includes activities for children and families that promotes healthy coping and decreased stress response
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/help-your-family-de-stress-during-coronavirus-uncertainty
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Resources
12-Step online meeting information
https://www.12step-online.com/meetings/online-aa-meetings/
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Resources
12-Step online meeting information
https://www.12step-online.com/meetings/online-na-meetings/
Free Headspace Subscription for health care workers
Link to free subscription for public health and front line workers for mental health support
https://www.headspace.com/health-covid-19
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Guide to Helping Families Covid-19
Resource to help parents and caregivers think about how an infectious disease outbreak might affect their family— both physically and emotionally—and what they can do to help their family cope.
Child Mind: How Mindfulness Can Help During Covid-19
Tips for calming anxiety during difficult times
https://childmind.org/article/how-mindfulness-can-help-during-covid-19/
How to Cope With an Anxious Child
A guide for what to do and what not to do when children are anxious. Includes how to respect feelings without empowering fears
https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious/
Activities for Children of All Ages
Parade: 125 Activities to do With Children During Quarantine
Guide for at-home activities with children of varying ages
https://parade.com/1009774/stephanieosmanski/things-to-do-with-kids-during-coronavirus-quarantine/
30+ Virtual Field Trips for Kids
Includes links to virtual tours of landmarks, zoos, aquariums and famous mueseums
https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/virtual-field-trips-for-kids/
50 Arts and Crafts Ideas for Kids
DIY arts and craft project ideas to do at home
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/how-to/g1389/diy-kids-activities/?slide=6
Bill Nye the Science Guy: At Home Experiments
Science experiments designed for at home
https://www.billnye.com/home-demos
Homemade Playdough Recipe
How to make homemade play dough in less than five minute
https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
Youtube: How to Make Slime
Step-by-step guide on how to make slime at home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOrR06Cld6Q&feature=youtu.be
NASA Kids Club
Educational games to teach children about NASA and space
Free Online Art Classes
Children’s art classes through Facebook Live
https://www.facebook.com/events/art-simplicated/free-art-classes-online/813091502543022/
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: At Home Activity List
Offers activity ideas to parents and caregivers whose families are sheltering in place, social distancing, and homeschooling due to school closures amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
https://www.nctsn.org/resources/simple-activities-children-and-adolescents
YWCA Hartford Region: Activity List for How to Make the Best out of Being at Home
Each activity includes everyday materials that you can use in your home and a link to the instructions and other activities that you can do with your child.
https://www.ywcahartford.org/what_we_do/kids-corner.html
Indoor Activities for Kids
35+ Indoor Activities for Kids that are perfect for helping kids keep their bodies and minds active indoors when it’s too hot, cold or rainy to go outside.
https://www.theleangreenbean.com/indoor-activities-for-kids/
Audible: Free Audiobooks
Link to free audiobooks through audible; includes titles across six different languages
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
250 Ways to Keep Your Family Sane During Covid-19 Crisis
Creative activity ideas for children and families to make the most out of their time together
Scholastic: Learning at Home
Day-by-day projects to keep kids K-12 reading, thinking and growing during pandemic
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Wide Open School: Schools are Closed by Minds are Open
Free collection of the best online learning experiences for kids curated by the editors at Common Sense Media
CAC Resources
National Children’s Alliance: Covid-19 Health and Safety Guidelines
A guide for CACs and medical providers to safety for children, families, and personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic
https://learn.nationalchildrensalliance.org/covidmed
National Children’s Alliance: Teleforensic Interview Guidelines
A guide for the children’s advocacy center response during the COVID-19 pandemic
https://learn.nationalchildrensalliance.org/telefi
National Children’s Alliance: Covid-19 Webinar for CAC’s
A guide for CAC’s for conducting services during Covid-19
Law Enforcement Resources
International Association of Police: Tips for First Responder Family Safety
Safety strategies for families in which a parent is a first responder
https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/COVID-19-Families.pdf
CDC Coronavirus Guide for Law Enforcement
CDC recommendations for law enforcement during Covid-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/guidance-law-enforcement.pdf
Child Welfare Related Professional Resources
The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children: Letter to Child Welfare Professionals
Discussion of adjustments for child welfare workers during global pandemic
https://www.apsac.org/single-post/2020/03/18/COVID-19-Letter-to-Child-Welfare-Leaders
Monique Burr Foundation for Children: Online Child Abuse Prevention Education
Facilitator resources to conduct a live stream of child abuse prevention training for schools during pandemic
https://www.mbfpreventioneducation.org/covid-19-important-announcement/
Chronicles of Social Change: Child Welfare Systems and Covid-19 Changes
What child welfare systems need to think about during Coronavirus
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Letter to Child Welfare Leaders
Guidance to child welfare legal and judicial leaders on statutorily required judicial proceedings
Child Welfare League of America: Resource Page
COVID-19 information, news, & resources for child welfare professionals and others
https://www.cwla.org/coronavirus/
The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children:
Free or low-cost technology options for child welfare communications (please review privacy policies before the exchange of sensitive data
End Violence Against Children: Protecting Children During Covid-19 Outbreak
Resources to reduce violence and abuse
https://www.end-violence.org/protecting-children-during-covid-19-outbreak
Zero Abuse Project: Responding to Child Abuse During Pandemic
25 tips for MDT members
National Child Abuse Coalition: Summary of CARES Act Provisions
Discussion of the CARES Act Provision and how this impacts high risk families who have limited financial resources
General Guide to Coping with Compassion Fatigue
How to cope with increased compassion fatigue commonly found within helping professionals
https://www.onlinemswprograms.com/resources/social-issues/guide-to-compassion-fatigue/
Child Protection: Resource Menu for Covid-19
Drop box folder with collected global, regional and country level resources for Covid-19, including Arabic, Spanish and French folders
Meeting Families’ Needs During Covid-19 Shutdown
Tips and resources for volunteers and professionals
Educator Resources
State of CT Board of Education Letter to Teachers
Attendance guidance and ensuring student engagement during school class cancellations due to Covid-19
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus
Experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network share their recommendations for educators supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis.
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/a-trauma-informed-approach-to-teaching-through-coronavirus
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.
https://www.nctsn.org/resources/child-trauma-toolkit-educators
Children with Disabilities Resources
National Autism Society: Resources for Autistic People and Families
Autism related resources surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic
https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus/resources/helpful-resources.aspx
Child Mind Institute: Supporting Children with Autism During Pandemic
Tips for talking to your child with autism about the coronavirus
https://childmind.org/article/tips-for-talking-with-your-child-with-autism-about-the-coronavirus/
Tips for Speach Therapy at Home for Children with Autism
A guide written by a Speech Pathologist for parents conducting speech therapy at home during Covid-19
https://speechpathologymastersprograms.com/tips-for-speech-therapy-children-with-autism/
American Psychological Association: Advice for Caregivers who have Children with Disabilities During Covid-19
Psychological researchers offering ways to help families, caregivers and children cope during the pandemic.
https://www.apa.org/research/action/children-disabilities-covid-19
Unicef: Covid-19 Response and Considerations for Children and Adults with Disabilities
Fact sheet for minimizing virus spread for high risk individuals with diabilities
National Center for Learning Disabilities: Covid-19 Resources and Tools
Parent, educator and young adult resource guides, including legislative updates
CHADD: Resources and Tips for Children with ADHD During Covid-19
Tips and resources for children with ADHD, including how to navigate remote learning
