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Wellness Team Presents...Self-Care for Busy Parents

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Wellness Team Presents...Self-Care for Busy Parents

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Georgia Ave. Family Support Collaborative

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Georgia Ave. Family Support Collaborative

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https://gafsc-dc.org/about-us/

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Parents in the District of Columbia report experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety as they seek to manage the demands of parenting responsibilities, work, distance learning and the impact on their families. Parents have expressed the need for tools, resources and consultation that support their own mental well-being as well as that of their family members. Although a certain level of stress is normal, ongoing stress without coping techniques to manage feelings can be mentally and physically damaging to one's health. The Parent Support Program enhances the resilience of District families by providing coping tools and consultation services that help parents manage the stressors they are experiencing.

Wellness Wednesday

Wellness Wednesdays, an online parent support group is an opportunity for parents to learn about how to take care of themselves and how to foster resiliency for their children in these challenging times, share experiences and ask questions of school-based clinicians and early childhood specialists. Wellness Wednesdays occurs each week via WebEx from 5:30-6:30pm, starting on September 2, 2020. The first session will be "Self-Care for Parents". Wellness Wednesday is based on an evidence-informed parent program called Parent Café that is designed to support strong families. Parent Café provides a safe space for parents to build five Protective Factors-resilience, relationships, knowledge, support and communication-and create strategies from their own experience to strengthen their families

Parent Café is widely implemented throughout the country and currently used within the DBH child development center consultation program and the school-based behavioral health services. Wellness Wednesdays will be offered on WebEx and can be joined by clicking on the updated WebEx link ( https://bit.ly/2Kr4PDk Password: WW20) for English and ( https://bit.ly/2Ie8aoQ Contraseña: SPWW20) for Spanish. Parents can join by computer, tablet, or smartphone. Parents can also call in to the session by calling Toll free number: 1-650-479-3208 or Local (Washington D.C.) 1-202-860-2110 with the Access Code: 172 620 4243.

Mental Health Hotline. Parents can talk with a licensed clinician anytime for immediate support to discuss coping strategies, address crisis situations, and help resolve family stressors. Clinician also will connect parents to individualized consultation and support. The Mental Health Hotline, 1-888-793-4357 (1-888-WE-HELP) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Language interpretation services are available.

Individualized Consultation

Licensed clinicians will provide brief counseling and consultation services to support mental well-being. Parents can receive support for behavioral management; to establish routines, and to cope with stress due to juggling multiple responsibilities including distance learning, social distancing, and grief and trauma related to the loss of a loved one. Services will be provided through the telephone with audio only or through visual telehealth applications. Up to three visits are available to all District parents at no charge. If needed, clinicians will connect parents to ongoing, more intensive support.

On-Demand Video Library and Weekly Parenting Tips

Parents are busy. The on-demand library features virtual workshops and videos, including Wellness Wednesday, which that can be viewed at any time. The videos and workshops provide tools for parents to take care of their own mental health, parenting strategies during home learning, socio-emotional development activities for young children and youth up to high school age, a nd information about community resources. Parents can also view weekly parenting tips during the Wellness Wednesdays Webinars.

On-Demand Video Library [PDF]

On-Demand Video Library (Spanish) [PDF]

Parent Support Program Resources

Understanding your child's behavioral health needs and where to go for support are vital to the overall wellbeing of the child, parent/caregiver, and the family. The information provided in the below attachments includes community resources, peer supports, and networks to help assist parents and caregivers of children.

Early Stages Referral Form (2.8 - 5.10 years)
Early Stages Training Brochure
Early Stages for Providers
Early Stages FAQ
MILESTONES
Benning Terrace/Benning Park Family Success Center
Clay Terrace Family Success Center
Congress Heights Family Success Center
Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue Family Success Center
Stoddert Terrace/37th Place SE Family Success Center
Washington Highlands Family Success Center
Bellevue Family Success Center
Mayfair/Paradise Family Success Center
Anacostia Family Success Center
Woodland Terrace Family Success Center
SOR2 Peer Operating Centers (POC) FY'21
DBH PEER OPERATING CENTERS FY'20
Peer-Run Organization Provider Group Participants in DC

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The Parent Support Program enhances resilience of families, by providing coping tools and consultation services to help manage stressors.

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All District residents 5 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
For vaccine opportunities, visit vaccinate.dc.gov or call the COVID-19 Call Center at 1-855-363-0333. For deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals, dial 711 for TTY service. For any questions regarding the vaccine program, please email [email protected] .
About the Vaccine

The District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning. We are working with the federal government and local partners within the District to plan for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine as doses become available. Periodically check this page to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and the plans for the District.

District of Columbia COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) required all states and territories to turn in an interim plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution on Oct. 16, 2020. These plans are living documents and will change over time as we learn more about the vaccines and determine the most equitable way to distribute them.

DC COVID Clinician Champions Program (DC CCCP)

The COVID-19 Clinician Champion Program (DC CCCP) is a partnership between DC Health and MSDC to provide a cadre of medical experts who can serve as speakers during meetings and events focused on COVID-19 and the importance and science behind the COVID-19 vaccine. Request for speakers can be made through the DC Health Community Outreach Request Form.
For Providers
Vaccine Trials

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All District residents 5 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For vaccine opportunities, visit vaccinate.dc.gov or call the COVID-19 Call Center at 1-855-363-0333. For deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals, dial 711 for TTY service. For any questions regarding the vaccine program, please email [email protected] .

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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcps-parent-university-registration-101746171538

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District of Columbia's HealthCheck Provider Education System

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The HealthCheck Training and Resource Center is for use by health professionals who see children under 21 years of age covered by Medicaid in the District of Columbia to serve as a self-directed online learning experience; a review of important HealthCheck and EPSDT requirements and services; and a source for current information and updates.

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During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) continues to provide services and assist District residents.
Customers may call providers directly regarding existing requests or to apply for new assistance. All appointments will be conducted via phone.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps income-eligible District residents facing housing emergencies. The program provides funding for overdue rent if a qualified household is facing eviction (including late costs and court fees). The program also supports security deposits and first month's rent for residents moving to new apartments.

The amount paid on behalf of eligible households depends on a household's income and available resources and is subject to certain limitations. ERAP payments can only be used once per year for each eligible household.

ERAP APPOINTMENTS

To schedule an appointment, Washington, DC residents may click here or contact the following locations:

Catholic Charities
The Southeast Family Center
2812 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C., 20020
Office (202) 338-3100, or Fax (202) 338-3188
Website: www.catholiccharitiesdc.org
(Call-in for appointments:1st and 3rd Monday of the month 9 am - 11 am.
Those with WRITs: Call Monday - Friday to check availability
(Six [6] customers per week)

Housing Counseling Services, Inc.
2410 17th Street, NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C., 20009
Adams Alley (between Euclid and Kalorama Streets)
Office (202) 667-7006, or Fax (202) 667-1267
ERAP Recorded Information Line: (202) 667-7339
Website: www.housingetc.org
(Appointments Only: Call 9-5 on the first business day of
each month at (202) 667-7339)

Salvation Army (NW office)
National Capital Area Command
1434 Harvard St, NW Suite B, Washington, D.C., 20009
Office: (202) 332-5000, or Fax (202) 332-5156
Website: www.salvationarmynca.org
(Call in for appointments on 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.
WRIT walk- in every Thursday)

Salvation Army (SE Office)
The Solomon G. Brown Social Services Center
2300 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C.,20020
Office (202) 678-9771, or Fax (202) 889-8492
(Call in for appointments on 2nd and 4th Friday of the month)
WRIT walk- in every Wednesday)

Virginia Williams Family Resource Center
920 Rhode Island Avenue NE Washington, D.C., 20018
Office (202) 312-5510, or Fax (202) 312-5598
Website: www.community-partnership.org
(Appointments are scheduled on the 3rd Wednesday of each month starting at 9 am by phone call only. WRIT Walk-in Monday and Tuesday first 10 clients each day)

The United Planning Organization
2907 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20032
Fax (202) 562-3802 * Website: www.upo.org
ERAP Scheduling (202) 231-7922

The Greater Washington Urban League
2901 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Office: (202) 265-8200, or Fax: (202) 387-6515
Website: www.gwul.org
(Call in for appointments 3rd Monday of the month. WRIT walk-in on Thursday)

For more information please view FAQ.

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During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) continues to provide services and assist District residents. Customers may call providers directly regarding existing requests or to apply for new assistance. All appointments will be conducted via phone. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps income-eligible District residents facing housing emergencies.

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Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the District's COVID-19 needs hotline and web portal to streamline the ability for residents to access a variety of critical resources.

Residents who have been directed to self-quarantine by a medical provider can call 1-888-349-8323 or visit gethelp.dc.gov to have food and other essential items delivered to their homes

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Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the District's COVID-19 needs hotline and web portal to streamline the ability for residents to access a variety of critical resources.

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Parent Encouragement Program-Free Online Courses

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Parent Encouragement Program-Free Online Courses

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https://pepparentonline.org/p/why-dont-my-kids-listen-to-me

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https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/page_content/attachments/Testing-for-COVID19-4-22-2020.pdf

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Center for Parent and Teen Communication

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Center for Parent and Teen Communication

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https://parentandteen.com/

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https://childmind.org/

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https://coronavirus.dc.gov/food

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How to Access Unemployment and Other Benefits

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How to Access Unemployment and Other Benefits

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https://dcist.com/story/20/03/19/how-to-get-unemployment-and-other-benefits-in-d-c-virginia-and-maryland/

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http://www.community-partnership.org/find-help

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https://octo.dc.gov/wifi

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https://wifi.xfinity.com/

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EMERGENCY FOOD ACCESS

With school closures throughout the region, we know missing school can mean more than lost instructional time; it can also deprive children of critically needed nutrition. In this country, more than two-thirds of the 31 million students who regularly eat school lunch are economically dependent upon the meal, and low-income kids similarly constitute the majority of the 14.6 million who eat school breakfast and the 1.3 million who receive an after-school supper.*

So what will happen to at-risk children as this school-based social safety net falls prey to the growing pandemic?

Our team has compiled information for families who are impacted by these closures as it relates to accessing food and other resources during this time.

We have been working with D.C. Public School's Food and Nutrition Services who released the DCPS emergency food access plan. We have also been talking with local organizations throughout the Greater Washington Area to aggregate the most up to date information for families to know where to go for food pick-up amongst and other necessities.

Below we have also included resources on HOW TO HELP for those who are able. Many of you have asked how YOU can help, whether it be to deliver food, drop-off food or to provide donations - we thank you all in advance for helping our community.

If you are a school administrator, teacher, parent or someone who knows a family who may need help accessing food during this time, please forward them this information.

We are continuously updating this page. Please email our team at dcfoodproject@gmail.com if you have further information on food and resources access points in the DC-area.

With our thanks to all who are helping those who need it most during this difficult time,

DC Food Project Team

DCPS CLOSURES:

Monday, March 16 - Teachers and staff will report to school to plan for distance learning. No school for students.

Tuesday, March 17 to Monday, March 23 - DCPS will take its Spring Break for students and teachers. There will no longer be a Spring Break period in April.

Tuesday, March 24 to Friday, April 24 - Students will participate in distance learning.

Monday, April 27 - Schools will resume operations.

FREE DCPS MEALS:
DCPS will open several schools to serve FREE meals on weekdays, beginning Monday, March 16, from 10 am - 2 pm. ALL DC youth (including those not registered at DCPS) that are not quarantined are welcome. This Emergency meal service will be using a "grab and go" model. Participants may not consume meals inside; this is a take-home service only. Please be advised that this is an evolving list.

Please NOTE: USDA Makes Changes Requiring Students to Pick Up Meals from Meal Sites

NEW SITES ADDED 3/20/20 - Beginning on Wednesday, March 25th, meal service will be added to 10 DCPS schools in addition to the previously operating locations (*)

Please note that DCPS Meal Site Operations are in need of volunteers! Please complete their short survey and someone from their team will contact you.

Ward 1

Banneker High School, 800 Euclid St NW, Ward 1

Cardozo Education Campus, 1200 Clifton St NW, Ward 1

Columbia Heights ED Campus, 3101 16th Street NW, Ward 1

Marie Reed Elementary School, 2201 18th St NW, Ward 1 *

Ward 4

Coolidge High School, 6315 5th St NW, Ward 4

Roosevelt High School, 4301 13th St NW, Ward 4

Truesdell ED Campus, 800 Ingraham St NW, Ward 4 *

Ward 6

Eastern High School, 1700 East Capitol St NW, Ward 6

Jefferson Middle School, 801 7th ST SW, Ward 6

Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St NE, Ward 6 *

Walker Jones ED Campus, 1125 New Jersey Ave. NW, Ward 6

FREE DC PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL MEAL SITES: DC Public Charter School Meal Sites (locations and times) listed below, including hours meals will be served.

Ward 4

Paul PCS, 5800 8th Street NW - 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. M-F

Capital City PCS, 100 Peabody Street, NW - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. M-F5

Ward 5

Friendship Armstrong PCS, 1400 First Street, NW - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. M-F

Friendship Woodridge International PCS, 2959 Carlton Avenue, NE - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. M-F

Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS, 1404 Jackson Street NE - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. M-F

KIPP College Prep, 1405 Brentwood Parkway, NE - See kippdc.org/meals

Ward 6

Howard University Middle School of Math and Science PCS, Outside of Shaw Metro Station - 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. M-F

Friendship Chamberlain PCS, 1345 Potomac Avenue, SE - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. M-F

Kingsman Academy PCS, 1375 E Street, SE - Beginning March 23, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. M-F

Ward 8

Friendship Southeast PCS, 645 Milwaukee Place, SE - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. M-F

Friendship Technology Prep PCS, 2705 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. M-F

Ingenuity Prep PCS, 4600 Livingston Road, SE - 8 a.m.-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. M-F

KIPP Somerset PCS, 3301 Wheeler Road, SE - See kippdc.org/meals

KIPP Douglass Facility (Discover, Heights, AIM), 2600 Douglass Road, SE - See kippdc.org/meals

National Collegiate Prep, 4600 Livingston Road SE - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. March 16 & March 24 - 31

Rocketship Rise PCS, 2335 Raynolds Place, SE - 11am - 1pm

Early Childhood Academy PCS, 885 Barnaby Street, SE - Noon to 1pm M-F

Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS, 2427 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, SE - 10am - 1pm Bkfast & Lunch

Howard University Middle School of Math and Science PCS, Outside of Anacostia Metro Station - Noon to 1pm M-F

Eagle Academy PCS, 3400 Wheeler Road, SE - 11am - 1pm M-F

OTHER MEAL SITES:

& Pizza- Starting March 16th providing FREE pizza to hospital workers (valid id required). Text them at 200-03 #Hero to obtain unique code.

Arcadia Foods - Mobile market, pre-orders and FREE meals at each pick up site for youths affected by school closing.

Aunt Bertha - Aunt Bertha's network connects people seeking help by zip code. (Shelters, Food Services and more)

Bread for the City - Operating reduced hours at NW Center, but offering groceries to medical patients with urgent care needs. SE Center is closed through March 31st.

Capital Area Food Bank- Updated information continues to be added to their site notifying families where food will be distributed.

Costco - Has put restrictions on the number of people who can enter at any one time into its stores in some areas.

DC Central Kitchen - Serving takeaway food at Walker-Jones Education Campus (Ward 6), HD Woodson (ward 7), Thomas Elementary School (Ward 7), Ron Brown High School and Kelly Miller Middle School (Ward 7) Mon-Fri 10am-2pm.

Mobile feeding locations serving to-go breakfast and lunch for children.

Benning Courts Community Center- 1713 Benning Rd, NE (Ward 6) Mon-Fri 1-2pm

Brightwood Communities Community Center- 5805 14th St NW (Ward 4) Tues, Wed & Thurs 10-11am

Carver Hall Community Center- 2338 Pitts Place SE (Ward 8) Mon-Fri 10-11am

Children's Health Center @ THEARC- 1801 Mississippi Ave SE (Ward 8) Mon-Sun 12pm-3pm (also providing produce bags)

Congress Park Community Center- 1345 Savannah St SE (Ward 8) Mon-Fri 1-2pm

Frederick Douglass Community Center- 1427 Cedar St SE (Ward 8) Mon-Fri 11:15am-12:15pm

Greater Love Church- 4421 Jay Street NE (Ward 7) Mon-Sun 11am-1pm

King Towers Community Center- 1220 12th St NW (Ward 2) Mon-Fri 11:15am-12:15pm

Park Naylor Community Center- 2574 Naylor Rd SE (Ward 8) Mon-Fri 2:15pm-3:15pm

The Pentacle Community Center- 1509 Benning Rd NE (Ward 6) Mon-Fri 2:15pm-3:15pm

They are increasing meal deliveries to local shelters and nonprofit agencies, including an additional 450 meals per day now that shelters are remaining open during daytime hours.

They are continuing to deliver fresh produce and healthy snacks to corner stores through our Healthy Corners program and are announcing a price cut of up to 50% on our already discounted fresh, whole fruits and vegetables.

They are providing fresh produce bags to our Culinary Job Training program students and staff looking for additional support while at home.

DC Department of Aging and Community Living - All DACL-funded Senior Wellness Centers & community dining sites will be temporarily closed from March 16-March 31. Meals will be available for pick-up at each site between 10 am-2 pm for current participants. Adult Day Health Centers will be open. Call 202-724-5626 for info.

Edible DC - Delivery, Carry-out, Temporary Closures, Donations Needed: An Updated List of What's Happening

Feeding America Meal Connect - Restaurants can sign up and donate their surplus food (tax deductible) to food banks in the area. Restaurants can schedule a pick up time for food banks to pick the food up.

Food For All DC- Serving those who are homebound, including elderly citizens, handicapped, or single mothers with young children. Social Worker referral preferred. Deliveries every Saturday, 9:00am - 2:00pm. Call (240) 505-4607.

Food it Forward - Help keep DC restaurant jobs, and help feed DC families in need by buying a meal package. Martha's Table has teamed up with Clyde's Restaurant Group, amongst others, to deliver meals to those in need - while helping keep restaurant workers employed.

FRESHFARM - Markets are remaining open in select locations

Genuine Foods - Serving grab and go meals for children in the community at Paul Public Charter School 5800 Eighth St NW (Ward 4) 12:30pm-2pm Mon-Fri.

Good Stuff Eatery (Capitol Hill, Crystal City and Georgetown)- Kids eat FREE while schools are closed

Harris Teeter - Will be closing at 9pm each night until further notice.

Hook Hall - Family meals, care kits, homework HQ and more

Jose Andres - Think Food Group Restaurants - Operating community kitchens in select locations, beginning March 17th daily from 12-5pm for take out service only at their side doors. View link for all restaurants in the DC Metro Area.

Leon Restaurants - Offering FREE meals to all children. Open for take-away at 1724 L st NW 7am-4pm and 1350 Eye St NW 11am-6pm

Little Miner Taco (Rhode Island Ave)- Kids eat FREE from the kids menu during school closures in DCPS and MD (one meal per student per day)

Little Sesame - In partnership with Dream Out Loud, they will provide meals to vulnerable communities. Buy a gift card give a meal. Distribution begins March 16th at Kelly Miller Middle School 301 49th St NE, Weekdays 4-6pm

Martha's Table -

In partnership with DC Health and Capital Area Food Bank, they will support DCPS and DCPCS to ensure bags of groceries (fruits, veggies, pantry items) are available at designated food access sites. Details to come.

They will continue to offer pre-bagged groceries for neighbors at their SE and NW DC locations: The Commons (2375 Elvans Rd. SE) and The Maycroft (1401 Columbia Rd. NW)

They will continue to serve pre-packaged meals through McKenna's Wagon - a mobile food service that delivers hot meals to two downtown locations to support community members experiencing hunger and/or homelessness

In partnership with DC Health and CAFB, offering GRAB & GO GROCERIES (fruits and veggies until supplies run out):

Medium Rare - Delivering FREE meals to the senior community in DC

Milk & Honey Cafe - 1245 H St NE. Offering FREE breakfast for Kids. Monday-Friday 8:30-10am.

N Street Village- Providing bagged breakfast 7-8:30am daily, bagged lunch from 12-12:30pm daily. For other services visit their website.

Po Boy Jim - Serving FREE meals to kids while school is closed. H Street Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, 9th Street Tue-Wed 3pm-7pm, Thurs-Fri 11am-7pm, Both locations only available during business hours.

Purple Patch DC- Offering a FREE grab and go kids bagged breakfast daily from 8-10am. Opening a Purple Patch Pantry from 3-9pm offering desserts & easy to go foods. Full menu is also available for take out. More info found on their Instagram page @purplepatchdc

Rasa - Will be providing FREE take-out meals to children under 18, FREE take-out meals to hospital workers (valid ID) and FREE take-out meals for their team members and their families. More on their instagram page

Safeway - Reserve two hours every Tuesday and Thursday starting March 19th from 7-9am for seniors, pregnant women and children with compromised immune systems to shop.

Santa Rosa Taqueria (Capitol Hill) Kids eat FREE while schools are closed

Succotash - Hospitality workers who are now without work or a steady income can visit Succotash Penn Quarter between 5pm-8pm daily for a free to-go dinner, fresh produce, and supplies. Dinners are offered on a first-come, first serve basis and roughly 250 meals will be available nightly (limit 2 per person, unless there is an emergency situation).

Sweetgreen - Setting up outposts in hospitals to deliver FREE salad and bowls around the city. If you would like to sign your hospital up for a free sg outpost go to bit.ly/sgimpactoutpost

Target- Setting aside its first hour of business for older shoppers and those with underlying health issues to shop, starting Wednesday.

Trader Joes - Store hours will be from 9am-7pm.

Walmart - Store hours will now be from 6am-11pm.

We The Pizza (Capitol Hill, Crystal City & Ballston)- Kids eat FREE while schools are closed

Whole Foods - Starting Wednesday, March 18th, customers who are 60 and older to shop one hour prior to store opening. They will also be closing two hours early to give store workers time to restock shelves.

YMCA DC - Produce is available for anyone, regardless of their affiliation with the YMCA. This will be distributed while supplies last.

YMCA Anthony Bowen- Produce: (begins Monday, March 23rd) Mondays 4-6pm

YMCA Calomiris Program Center- Produce: (begins Monday, March 23rd) Mondays 4-6pm

MEAL SITES BEYOND DC:

MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA FREE MEAL SITES - Several meal sites have been announced in Maryland and Virginia, where students who rely on school lunches can receive food while schools are closed.

Arlington Food Bank - In need of food donations, so they can continue to feed families.

Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Rd. Arlington) - Grab-and- Go lunches. Monday- Friday 11am-1pm. Feeding families and children in need with the help of Real Food for Kids.

Canapes Catering (Frederick)- Offering FREE lunches for school age children Mon-Friday until March 27th

El Sapo and Urban Butcher - Starting today they will partially convert into a neighborhood kitchen to deliver FREE meals to the elderly community. (more info on their instagram page)

Fairfax County Public Schools - FCPS is providing grab and go meals at no cost for students at 18 sites.

Manna Food Center- Will remain open while MD schools are closed.

Montgomery County Public Schools Meal Sites

Nourish Now- In need of donations so they can purchase food for families in need

Prince George's County Public Schools Meal Sites

Prince George's County Food Assistance Resources

Relish Catering- order meals from them to be provided to seniors who are unable to cook for themselves.

University of Maryland Food Pantry- (open to anyone with a UMD ID) will remain open through closures thus far.

Wegmans - Virginia and NC stores will open from 6am-11pm.

YMCA MD - Produce is available for anyone, regardless of their affiliation with the YMCA. This will be distributed while supplies last.

YMCA Bethesda Chevy Chase - Produce: Wednesdays 4-6pm, Thursdays 9-12pm

CAQT Apartments (8733 Carroll Ave #4, Silver Spring, MD) - Produce: Wednesdays 1pm-3pm

YMCA Silver Spring - Produce: Wednesdays 4pm-6pm, Thursdays 9am-12pm

Trinity Lutheran Church (6600 Laurel Bowie Rd, Bowie, MD) - Produce: Mondays 4pm-6pm, Tuesdays 9am-12pm

YMCA VA - Produce is available for anyone, regardless of their affiliation with the YMCA. This will be distributed while supplies last.

YMCA Alexandria - Produce: Mondays 4pm-6pm (begins Monday March 30th)

YMCA Arlington - Produce: Mondays 4pm-6pm

YMCA Fairfax County Reston- Produce: Wednesdays 4pm-6pm

HOW TO HELP IN YOUR COMMUNITY:
If you are interested in helping our community to ensure that families and their loved ones have what they need during this trying time -- whether financially, donating your time OR dropping off food in locations, the following is a list of organizations who may be looking for assistance. You can also DONATE towards our Emergency Fund which will go towards children and families during this difficult time. We will continue to add to this list as we receive confirmation from other organizations over the coming days:

Aunt Bertha - Aunt Bertha's network connects people seeking help and verified social care providers that serve them by zip code. Contact your local shelter to see what help and/or items may be needed.

Black Lives Matter DC - Supply drive for families. In need of donations (toiletries, personal and baby products, bags and financial)

Black Swan Academy- Providing toiletries and other items to young people and their families in Ward 7 & 8. Donations are needed

Bread for the City - Accepting monetary donations for groceries, diapers, and medical supplies to give clients during open hours. Please consider making a donation to support their efforts here.

Calvary Women's Services - Donations. They will not close their doors and will maintain a safe and caring home for all the women in their housing programs.

Capital Area Food Bank - They are experiencing a shortage of volunteers, and are in critical need of help sorting and packing food in their warehouse and assisting at their offsite food distributions. To learn more and sign up, visit volunteer.capitalareafoodbank.org.

DC Central Kitchen - Donations. Financial contributions ensure that they can continue to serve the community.

DCPS Meal Site Operations - Need Volunteers! They are looking for help to support with DCPS meal site operation. Please complete their short survey and someone from their team will contact you.

Dining at a Distance - Support restaurants while practicing social distancing. Here is a list of local restaurants and business who are operating delivery and carry-out, as well as ways to support local business during temporary closures.

Edible DC - Delivery, Carry-out, Temporary Closures, Donations Needed: An Updated List of What's Happening

Feeding America Meal Connect - Restaurants can sign up and donate their surplus food (tax deductible) to food banks in the area. Restaurants can schedule a pick up time for food banks to pick the food up.

Food it Forward - Help keep DC restaurant jobs, and help feed DC families in need by buying a meal package. Martha's Table has teamed up with Clyde's Restaurant Group, amongst others, to deliver meals to those in need - while helping keep restaurant workers employed.

Food Rescue US D.C. - This organization delivers healthy food from businesses, to people who have too little. Volunteers needed

Food & Friends- Free meal and grocery delivery available to people living with life-challenging illnesses. Clients must be referred by a healthcare provider. They are in urgent need of extra volunteers throughout the coming weeks. There are two volunteer opportunities, food preparation and packaging and meal and grocery delivery. More information found here.

Grace's Table - Looking for volunteers to help feed the homeless each Saturday.

Greater DC Diaper Bank - Preparing to serve families for the next two months. Please consider making a donation to support their experts.

Martha's Table - May be in need of volunteers

Miriam's Kitchen- In need of financial donations to help neighbors experiencing homelessness receive access to a sink or have a home to stay when they are sick.

Momma's Safe Haven - Providing programming for youth and providing rides to/from DCPS meal sites. For a ride call 202-903-5122. Also consider making a donation to support their efforts.

Sasha Bruce Youthwork- In need of financial support to help them keep their doors open to homeless youth.

So Others Might Eat (SOME) - SOME is in need of items to support their clients who may be ill.

Ward 1 Errand Volunteers - Ward 1 has a sign-up sheet for volunteers who want to run errands for those who are housebound

Ward 5 Residents in need of fresh food. Social Conscience PBC, partnered with 3PH to start a CSA giving circle - funds raised are used to purchase CSA shares from 3PH for other members of the giving circle who indicate they need access to fresh foods. If interested sign up HERE.

We Are Family- Volunteer to deliver groceries to seniors.

YMCA DC Food Programs- Offering FREE online culinary cooking classes via their instagram @ymcadcfood

RESOURCES FROM DC HEALTH:
DC Health continues to recommend the same precautions that help to prevent the spread of those common illnesses:

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when feeling sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY:

* Civil Eats: https://civileats.com/2020/03/06/coronavirus-is-closing-schools-heres-what-it-means-for-millions-of-kids-who-rely-on-school-meals/

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With school closures throughout the region, we know missing school can mean more than lost instructional time; it can also deprive children of critically needed nutrition.

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https://marthastable.org/

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https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/familysupportservcies/

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https://www.ymcadc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/YMCA-CV-Emergency-Food-Marketing.pdf?mc_cid=9a4e613b18&mc_eid=8c578d8374

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https://www.wendtcenter.org/

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http://aphagetready.org/coronavirus.htm

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https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/protecting-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.html

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https://abigeyedfish.com/portfolio/free-remote-yoga-asana-practice/?fbclid=IwAR0lQIWxsVIEJjhc_7OaudwgYIw_6Aa7uQlUcvXl75nPluyeDr0uEguI2tE

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https://doee.dc.gov/energyassistance

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DC Access Line for Mental Health Support

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DC Access Line for Mental Health Support

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The Access HelpLine at 1(888)7WE-HELP or 1-888-793-4357 is the easiest way to get connected to services provided by the Department of Behavioral Health and its certified behavioral health care providers. This 24-hour, seven-day-a-week telephone line is staffed by behavioral health professionals who can refer a caller to immediate help or ongoing care. The Access Helpline can activate mobile crisis teams to respond to adults and children who are experiencing a psychiatric or emotional crisis and are unable or unwilling to travel to receive behavioral health services.

Call the Access Helpline to:

Get emergency psychiatric care

Help with problem solving

Determine whether to seek ongoing mental health services or other types of services

Find out what services are available

Young people can call the Access Helpline for help dealing with the drama of family, death, school, drugs, gangs and violence. We can help you sort out and manage feelings of hopelessness, anger, grief, stress or whatever is troubling you.

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The Access HelpLine at 1(888)7WE-HELP or 1-888-793-4357 is the easiest way to get connected to services provided by the Department of Behavioral Health and its certified behavioral health care providers. This 24-hour, seven-day-a-week telephone line is staffed by behavioral health professionals who can refer a caller to immediate help or ongoing care.

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Betancourt Macias Family Emergency Fund 

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Betancourt Macias Family Emergency Fund 

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https://www.undocuscholars.com/

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Free Online Yoga - Practice Anytime, Anywhere | DoYogaWithMe

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Online yoga videos from DoYogaWithMe. We offer tons of free yoga videos, including classes, yoga poses, breathing exercises, yoga challenges, and guided meditations.

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Miguel is a young person who faced numerous obstacles both during his childhood in Guatemala and after immigrating to the US. This included the loss of family members, extreme poverty, and the discovery that he had a chronic medical condition. Additionally, Miguel spoke only his indigenous Mayan dialect, which led to a considerable language barrier....

Read More

LAYC + MMYC

We have 3 sites in Washington, DC and Maryland and dozens of service points through partner schools and organizations.

Promotor Pathway® National Network

Our signature youth development model is implemented nationally. Learn more about the Promotor Pathway ® National Network.

Join us at LAYC's Annual Gala Celebration!

Save the date for our Gala 2020-Our Youth Matter! Join us at the Washington Hilton on May 6, 2020. We will be uplifting the inspiring stories of our youth and their families. We look forward to bringing together public and private sector leaders, LAYC supporters, and our youth. Click on the button below for complete event details.

Tickets and Event info

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Latin American Youth Center | We believe in your future.

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Miguel is a young person who faced numerous obstacles both during his childhood in Guatemala and after immigrating to the US. This included the loss of family members, extreme poverty, and the discovery that he had a chronic medical condition. Additionally, Miguel spoke only his indigenous Mayan dialect, which led to a considerable language barrier....

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You Matter. Get Counted.

All residents must respond to the census by April 1, 2020. Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

All residents must respond to the census by April 1, 2020. Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

All residents must respond to the census by April 1, 2020. Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

We're here to take care of you. Learn about our new hours and clinic procedures.

We're here to take care of you. Learn about our new hours and clinic procedures.

We're here to take care of you. Learn about our new hours and clinic procedures.

Quality care is a human right.

Join our community of supporters to help make quality care accessible to all.

Signup For Our Newsletter

Introducing our new look

We are proud to introduce our new brand look which better reflects our ongoing mission to provide high quality services to all communities across Washington DC and Maryland. Click below to learn more about the reason for our transition and what it means to our participants and staff.

Watch Our Video

This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).

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You Matter. Get Counted. All residents must respond to the census by April 1, 2020. Respond online, by phone, or by mail. All residents must respond to the census by April 1, 2020. Respond online, by phone, or by mail. All residents must respond to the census by April 1, 2020.

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Our services are open to everyone

Find the help you need in Washington, DC, Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and St. Mary's County. Our doors are open to everyone regardless of race, religion, orientation, or status.

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Our services are open to everyone Find the help you need in Washington, DC, Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and St. Mary's County. Our doors are open to everyone regardless of race, religion, orientation, or status.

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By Rubina Kapil on March 20, 2020
If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor.
This is a stressful time for many. With the government and media sharing updates throughout the day and the fear of the unknown, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. You are not alone.

Millions of people across the country are facing the same worries and challenges that you are. During this time, it is important to remember that it's OK to not be OK. It's also important to take care of your mental health.

While practicing physical distancing, there are easy self-care strategies that can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, or prevent anxiety before it even starts.

Use these tips from the MHFA curriculum to take care of your mental health while practicing physical distancing.

1. Eat healthfully to keep your body in top working order.

2. Exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, whether we're working out at home or taking a solo jog around the neighborhood.

3. Practice relaxation therapy. Focusing on tensing and relaxing muscle groups can help you relax voluntarily when feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious.

4. Let light in. For some people, increased exposure to light can improve symptoms of depression. If you can, open the shades and let more sunlight in.

5. Be kind to yourself! Treat yourself with the same compassion you would a friend.

6. Stay connected. Even if you can't get together face-to-face, you can stay connected to friends, family and neighbors with phone calls, text messages, video chats and social media. If you're feeling lonely, sad or anxious, reach out to your social support networks. Share what you are feeling and offer to listen to friends or family members about their feelings. We are all experiencing this scary and uncertain time together.

7. Monitor media consumption. While you might want to stay up-to the minute with COVID-19 news, too much exposure can be overwhelming. Balance media consumption with other activities you enjoy, such as reading, cooking or listening to music.

Self-care doesn't require you to go outside or spend a lot of money. Adding small changes to your routine can make a big difference to your overall mood and well-being.

Thank you for choosing to #BeTheDifference and remember to practice self-care with Mental Health First Aid.

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How to Care for Yourself While Practicing Physical Distancing

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If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA)

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There's no shortage of mindfulness and meditation apps these days, promising to help you combat anxiety, sleep better, hone your focus, and more. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports that more than 2,000 new meditation apps launched between 2015 and 2018, and offerings have only increased as a result of higher demand during the pandemic-according to the New York Times, mindfulness apps surged in 2020. We took the overwhelm out of finding the most valuable and easy-to-use meditation apps that are available free and narrowed it down to these four apps.

4 Free Meditation Apps We're Happy We Downloaded

Available for iOS, Android, and web

Entry price: Free

Insight Timer has a huge library of content: over 80,000 free guided meditations from over 10,000 teachers on topics like stress, relationships, healing, sleep, creativity, and more.

Right from the beginning, the app feels like a global community-the world map on the home screen shows a collective of 18 million meditators, and announces, "741k today, 7k now." After you finish a meditation, you'll learn exactly how many people were meditating "with you" during that time-and by setting your location, you can even see meditators nearby and what tracks they're listening to.

Once you find a teacher you enjoy-like Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Sharon Salzberg, or Rhonda Magee -you can follow them to make sure you don't miss any new content. You can also tune in to free talks for life advice and inspiration. For those craving real-time interactions, Insight Timer offers live events every hour of the day to join on a whim or plan into your schedule.

You can even sign up to Circle for Teams, one of their newer offerings, which allows you to create circles (read: groups) to meditate in real-time with friends or colleagues.

If you prefer a quieter meditation, however, you can simply set a timer and meditate to intermittent bells, calming ambient noise, or soothing music.

Depending on your preferences, Insight Timer's extensive collection can be either a blessing or a curse-an endless list of choices that leave you overwhelmed or a buffet of tempting options to sink your teeth into.

Paid option: For $60 per year (with a 30-day free trial), you get access to courses with well-known teachers, the ability to download meditations and listen offline, and advanced player functions like repeat mode and fast forward and rewind.

Available for iOS, Android, and web

Entry price: Free

Smiling Mind hits the sweet spot for a free mindfulness app in so many ways.

The not-for-profit app features hundreds of meditations, enough to keep you engaged without overwhelming you with choice. They are organized into structured programs like Mindful Foundations (35 sessions), Sleep (6 sessions), Digital Detox (8 sessions), and Stress Management (10 sessions), but you have the flexibility to choose where to start and to easily jump between programs. Most meditations are in the five- to fifteen-minute range, with a few practices up to 45 minutes for advanced meditators. Smiling Mind also offers bite-sized meditations between 2 to 5 minutes for moments when you're in need of a quick, mindful pause in the day.

Downloaded by over 5.5 million people, the app also has a variety of specialized programs for families, children and teens of various ages, healthcare workers, and educators (including curricula they can use in the classroom); all developed with the help of psychologists and health professionals.

While you could use a meditation app as a temporary break from your hectic life, Smiling Mind wants you to take your mindfulness practice off the cushion and into the rest of your day. Interspersed with some of the meditation programs are instructions for "activities" like Journaling Exercise, Go Offline, Where Did My Food Come From, and Count Your Senses. In the Count Your Senses activity, for example, the audio prompts you to bring your attention to your senses by counting things that can be seen, felt, heard, smelled and tasted.

Smiling Mind was originally created for kids, so they offer a robust selection of kid- and youth-appropriate mindfulness sessions.

Created by a nonprofit by the same name, Smiling Mind is entirely free-so you don't have the distraction of paid content that's inaccessible to you as a free user. The app wants to put a "smile on your mind"-and it might just succeed.

Paid option: None

Available for iOS and Android

Entry price: Free

If all the research on mindfulness has persuaded you that you need to meditate, the UCLA Mindful app could be a good place to start.

Developed by the Mindful Awareness Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the app features about a dozen meditations of different types in English and Spanish. You can learn to focus on your breath, your body, or sounds; work with difficult emotions; and cultivate loving-kindness in sessions ranging from 3 to 19 minutes long.

If you're new to mindfulness, you might choose to take advantage of their Getting Started section, which offers information on what mindfulness is, how to choose a meditation, which posture is best for your practice, and what research-backed benefits you might expect from it.

As a bonus, the app also offers longer meditations that it calls "podcasts." These are half-hour audio recordings of meditations that include talks, typically by UCLA Director of Mindfulness Education Diana Winston, before and after the meditation, as well as plenty of silent practice time.

If you're looking for an app that is heavily grounded in the science of mindfulness, you can put your trust in UCLA Mindful.

Paid option: None

Available for iOS and Android

Entry price: Free

The Healthy Minds Program app wants to help you develop the skills for a healthy mind-by strengthening mental focus, decreasing stress, and growing resilience, compassion, and better immune health.

Founded by neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson (who also founded the research institute Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison), the app integrates neuroscience and research-based techniques with meditation training to increase overall well-being.

The framework of the app's mindfulness and well-being training is organized into four pillars: Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose. Each pillar consists of three to five parts, and each part contains three series and multiple sessions within. For the Connection pillar, for example, the Innate Self-Worth series includes five sessions packaged to foster self-worth (think sessions like Practice Seeing the Good In Ourselves, and Learn Negativity Bias). You have a choice of either a Sitting or Active type of practice-"active" practices include guidance for being mindful while you exercise, or during your commute-and you can customize the length of time (five minutes to 30 minutes).

The app offers a collection of 27 meditations outside their four-pillar wellness framework, including one-minute Micro Practices for when you're in need of a brief respite.

At times the podcast-style app may encourage more thinking compared to typical guided meditations, but for the listener who is seeking guided meditations with the greater goal to increase awareness, cognition, and well-being, Healthy Minds Program app may be just the ticket.

Paid option: None

When we meditate, we inject far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives: We lower our stress levels, we get to know our pain, we connect better, we improve our focus, and we're kinder to ourselves. Let us walk you through the basics in our new mindful guide on how to meditate. Read More

Practicing gratitude has incredible effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships with others. Explore ways you can be more appreciative in our mindful guide to gratitude. Read More

Mindful writing can lead you on the path of inner discovery. It can be the place where your experience meets your mindfulness practice, a place to encounter the twists and turns of your emotional life-and a bit of solid ground to stand on. Read More

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Free Meditation Apps Worthy of Your Attention

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We scoured the app stores to find the most popular, educational, and easy-to-use free meditation apps available.

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Updated on March 16 at 1:56 p.m. ET. This comic has been updated. Click here for the newest version.
Kids, this comic is for you.

It's based on a radio story that NPR education reporter Cory Turner did. He asked some experts what kids might want to know about the new coronavirus discovered in China.

To make this comic, we've used his interviews with Tara Powell at the University of Illinois School of Social Work, Joy Osofsky at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and Krystal Lewis at the National Institute of Mental Health.

Print and fold a zine version of this comic here. Here are directions on how to fold it. To read this comic in Chinese, click here.To read it in Spanish, click here.

Malaka Gharib is an NPR editor and the author and illustrator of I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir, about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American.

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Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus

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You may have heard the word "coronavirus" online or on TV. You probably have a lot of questions. Check out our comic to get some answers - and print out a zine version at home.

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National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

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Families across the country are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most schools, places of public gathering, and nonessential businesses are closed, and parents and other caregivers are faced with helping their families adjust to the new normal. This includes trying to keep children occupied, feeling safe, and attempting to keep up with schoolwork as best as possible. None of this is easy, but it helps to stay focused on what is possible in order to reinforce a sense of control and to reassure children that they are okay, and that the situation will get better.

It is very important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. Acknowledging some level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and can result in taking the necessary actions that reduce the risk of illness. Teaching children positive preventive measures, talking with them about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help reduce anxiety. This is also a tremendous opportunity for adults to model for children problem-solving, flexibility, and compassion as we all work through adjustting daily schedules, balancing work and other activities, getting creative about how we spend time, processing new information from authorities, and connecting and supporting friends and family members in new ways. The following tips can help.

STAY CALM, LISTEN, AND OFFER REASSURANCE

Be a role model. Children will react to and follow your reactions. They learn from your example.

Be aware of how you talk about COVID-19. Your discussion about COVID-19 can increase or decrease your child's fear. If true, remind your child that your family is healthy, and you are going to do everything within your power to keep loved ones safe and well. Carefully listen or have them draw or write out their thoughts and feelings and respond with truth and reassurance.

Explain social distancing. Children probably don't fully understand why parents/guardians aren't allowing them to be with friends. Tell your child that your family is following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which include social distancing. Social distancing means staying away from others until the risk of contracting COVID-19 is under control. Showing older children the "flatten the curve" charts will help them grasp the significance of social distancing. Explain that while we don't know how long it will take to "flatten the curve" to reduce the number of those infected, we do know that this is a critical time-we must follow the guidelines of health experts to do our part.

Demonstrate deep breathing. Deep breathing is a valuable tool for calming the nervous system. Do breathing exercises with your children.

Focus on the positive. Celebrate having more time to spend as a family. Make it as fun as possible. Do family projects. Organize belongings, create masterpieces. Sing, laugh, and go outside, if possible, to connect with nature and get needed exercise. Allow older children to connect with their friends virtually.

Establish and maintain a daily routine. Keeping a regular schedule provides a sense of control, predictability, calm, and well-being. It also helps children and other family members respect others' need for quiet or uninterrupted time and when they can connect with friends virtually.

Identify projects that might help others. This could include: writing letters to the neighbors or others who might be stuck at home alone or to healthcare workers; sending positive messages over social media; or reading a favorite children's book on a social media platform for younger children to hear.

Offer lots of love and affection.

MONITOR TELEVISION VIEWING AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Parents/guardians should monitor television, internet, and social media viewing-both for themselves and their children. Watching continual updates on COVID-19 may increase fear and anxiety. Developmentally inappropriate information, or information designed for adults, can also cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children.

Dispel rumors and inaccurate information. Explain to your child that many stories about COVID-19 on the internet may include rumors and inaccurate information. Older children, in particular, may be accessing a great deal of information online and from friends that contains inaccuracies. Talk to your child about factual disease information.

Provide alternatives. Engage your child in games or other exciting activities instead.

TAKE TIME TO TALK

Let your children's questions guide you. Answer their questions truthfully, but don't offer unnecessary details or facts. Don't avoid giving them the information that experts indicate as crucial to your children's well-being. Often, children and youth do not talk about their concerns because they are confused or don't want to worry loved ones. Younger children absorb scary information in waves. They ask questions, listen, play, and then repeat the cycle. Children always feel empowered if they can control some aspects of their life. A sense of control reduces fear.

BE HONEST AND ACCURATE

Correct misinformation. Children often imagine situations worse than reality; therefore, offering developmentally appropriate facts can reduce fears.

Explain simple safety steps. Tell your child this disease spreads between people who are in close contact with one another, when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or when one touches infected objects or surfaces.

Stay up-to-date on the facts. Go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlfor additional factual information.

KEEP EXPLANATIONS AGE-APPROPRIATE

Early elementary school children. Provide brief, simple information that balances COVID-19 facts with appropriate reassurances that adults are there to help keep them healthy and to take care of them if they do get sick. Give simple examples of the steps people make every day to stop germs and stay healthy, such as washing hands. Use language such as "adults are working hard to keep you safe."

Upper elementary and early middle school children. This age group often is more vocal in asking questions about whether they indeed are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 spreads in their area. They may need assistance separating reality from rumor and fantasy. Discuss the efforts national, state, and community leaders are doing to prevent germs from spreading.

Upper middle and high school students. Issues can be discussed in more depth. Refer them to appropriate sources of COVID-19 facts. Provide honest, accurate, and factual information about the current status of COVID-19. Engage them in decision-making about family plans, scheduling, and helping with chores at home.

For all children, encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Be a good listener!

STAY CONNECTED TO SCHOOL

Locate learning resources. Schools' capacity to conduct virtual learning experiences will vary greatly, but most schools are providing lessons and learning activities for children to do. Take advantage of the many companies and online platforms currently offering free learning opportunities.

Identify additional resources. Know if your school or district is providing additional resources, such meals, or technology, such as a laptop or tablet.

Stay in touch. Find out how the school is communicating with families and students. Be sure to read any communications you receive. Check with you children, particularly older ones, as they may be receiving information directly that would be helpful for you to know.

Connect with school staff. Reach out to your child's teacher and other relevant school staff if you have concerns about their coping and keeping up with assignments or activities.

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

According to the CDC, symptoms of fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath appear within 14 days after being exposed to the disease.

For some people, the symptoms are similar to having a cold; for others, they are more severe or even life threatening.

MODEL BASIC HYGIENE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PRACTICES

Practice daily good hygiene. Encourage your child to practice these simple steps to prevent spreading the virus.

Wash your hands multiple times a day for 20 seconds. Singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or "Happy Birthday" twice is about 20 seconds.

Compliment your children when they use a Kleenex or sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow. Teach them the importance of throwing away used tissues immediately after sneezing or coughing.

Sadly, handshakes and hugs need to be limited to immediate family members, at least for now.

Foster a sense of control. Offering guidance on what your child/children can do to prevent infection offers them a greater sense of control, which reduces anxiety.

Build the immune system. Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly; this will help them develop a robust immune system to fight off illness.

BE AWARE OF YOUR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH

Most children will manage well with the support of parents and other family members, even if showing signs of some anxiety or concerns, such as difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Some children, however, may have risk factors for more intense reactions, including severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors. Risk factors can include a pre-existing mental health problem, prior traumatic experiences or abuse, family instability, or the loss of a loved one. Parents and caregivers should contact a professional if children exhibit significant changes in behavior or any of the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks.

Preschoolers -thumb sucking, bedwetting, clinging to parents, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, fear of the dark, regression in behavior, and withdrawal.

Elementary school children -irritability, aggressiveness, clinginess, nightmares, school avoidance, poor concentration, and withdrawal from activities and friends.

Adolescents -sleeping and eating disturbances, agitation, increase in conflicts, physical complaints, delinquent behavior, and poor concentration.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For more information related to schools and physical and mental health, visit www.nasponline.org and © 2020, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East Wes t Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-657-0270 www.nasn.org.
Adapted from, Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource, National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses, NASP, 2020.

Contributor: School Psychologist Kathy Sievering

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Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19

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Families across the country are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most schools, places of public gathering, and nonessential businesses are closed, and parents and other caregivers are faced with helping their families adjust to the new normal.

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Participate in assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, and others, or are enrolled or enrolling in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) with Xfinity.

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See if you qualify for low-cost, fast and reliable Xfinity Internet from Comcast now! low-income households benefit from access to online resources

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