FAMILY

RESOURCES

Updated Resources

(Updated August 2020)

YMCA Scholastic Support Centers

The local YMCAs have established a program to provide childcare and academic support for dependents. The Triangle YMCAs have developed a Scholastic Support Center, a program where students from Kindergarten through 8th grade can go to participate in their online school classes in physical locations. The YMCA has many locations throughout the Triangle where these Scholastic Support Centers will be established. We will communicate these locations and their availability of openings with UNC Health employees as more information becomes available. The Scholastic Support Centers will be launching August 24.

Sign up for participation in the Scholastic Support Center is handled on a day-by-day basis (not in weeklong increments) to provide flexibility for employees whose schedules may not require support for their children five days a week.

The program is offered either Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. with an extended day option for those who need full-day care, or as a full-day program from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Hours vary by location, and exact times may vary depending on school system student attendance policies.

Cost is:

7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - $24.00 for YMCA member, $28.80 for program participant (non-YMCA member)

3:30 – 6 p.m. – Additional $15.40 for YMCA member, Additional $18.40 for program participant (non-YMCA member)

The YMCA is also partnering with Orange County Schools to provide a supervised space for children to complete their school work while also adding in time for physical activities. The YMCA is also partnering with the local Faith-Based communities to create additional Scholastic Support Center locations around the Triangle. This will increase the number of students who can be served and also provide more variety and convenience in location options for our staff.

NCDHHS - Child Care Subsidy (Help Paying for Child Care)

The Child Care Subsidy program uses state and federal funds to provide subsidized child care services to eligible families.

The Child Care Services Association (CCSA)

has compiled a list of resources to help support safe child care. The resources range from a toll-free hotline for parents to help with finding childcare as well as sharing information for additional hotlines that provide support and services.

The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Durham

is providing academic support centers that mimic the school day but at their locations. In addition to academic support, they are also providing Wi-Fi access and chrome books to students who don’t have them. Students will also receive breakfast, lunch, and a snack. Parents interested in learning more, please email joshua.dorsette@uss.salvationarmy.org

The Families and Schools Together (FAST) Initiative

strives to bring community partners together to help address the childcare crisis facing our community. FAST is a collaboration of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), WakeEd Partnership, and key out of school time childcare providers and community organizations in Wake County.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

has also compiled a list of child care resources and academic support. Please click here to access the link.

Individual Faith-Based organizations

are exploring options as well to support the needs to dependents with child care and academic support.

Education Resources

Department of Public Instruction

The Department of Public Instruction has developed a robust website that includes information on Remote Learning and Parent Resources to support children birth to grade 2.

Educational Resources offering Free Subscriptions due to Coronavirus

This spreadsheet describes and links to educational companies that are offering free subscriptions to their online educational content due to school closings. The spreadsheet is organized alphabetically and includes content for children K-12 across all school subjects. Link

Survive Learning at Home with Kids

This resource offers learning at home supports to caregivers through both discussion boards and resources on topics such as kitchen science experiments, cooking, indoor recess activities, etc. Learning at Home with Kids

Coronavirus Resources for Parents and Caregivers

This document includes links to resources and other information to assist parents and caregivers in supporting their students’ learning at home. Topics include: how to talk to your children about coronavirus, general recommendations for home learning, learning videos, online learning games, movement, offline activities. Link

NCDIT Coronavirus Internet Service Offerings Map

Use this webpage to find the most up-to-date list of free or low-cost internet service options during COVID-19. Link

Khan Academy Free Remote Learning

Khan Academy is offering daily livestreams for students, parents, and teachers at 12pm EST weekdays during COVID-19. Khan Academy also offers exercises, quizzes, and tests so students can practice and master skills, as well as instructional videos to help students learn or review materials. The Khan Academy Kids app is also available for children between ages 2-7 to build early literacy, writing, math and social-emotional skills. Link + Khan Academy Kids app

Food and Utilities

Free, Healthy Meals for Kids in NC Locator

With this resource, you can free, healthy meals drive-thru or pick up sites for children under 18 in North Carolina across the state by either: texting FOODNC to 877-877 or exploring No Kid Hungry’s interactive map. Text FOODNC to 877-877 to receive a text with the three drive-thru or pick up sites with meals for kids closest to you. Use the interactive map below to find drive-thru or pick up sire with meals for kids across the state. **Families can also text “COMIDA” to 877877 to get the message in Spanish.**

NC School District Meals Updates During COVID-19 Closures

This document will tell you which schools in your district are providing free meals as well as when and where you can pick up those meals. It is organized alphabetically by school district and is updated with new information. Link

Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina Food Finder

This resource allows you to search by zip code to find agencies offering food to those in need. *notes, this resource is not COVID-19 or child-specific. Link

Duke Energy

Duke Energy will not disconnect your electricity for nonpayment.

AT&T and Verizon

AT&T and Verizon Will not terminate services for nonpayment and will waive late fees for 60 days

https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/update-verizon-serve-customers-covid-19

Spectrum

Spectrum will offer free internet to students without access because of COVID19. Call 1-844-488-8395 or visit website

https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more

Comcast Will not terminate services for nonpayment and will waive late fees for 60 days, will make Xfinity wifi hotspots available to everyone for free including non-subscribers and will offer 2 months of free internet to low-income households in its service area

https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19

Supporting Your Kids During the COVID-19 Pandemic

You may need help beyond childcare. Below are resources to help you talk to your kids about the pandemic.

A cartoon from NPR

Information on helping kids cope with stress from the World Health Organization

Information about talking to children about COVID-19 from the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Association of School Nurses

Tips for talking to teens from the New York Times

How your kids might react

Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the grown-ups around them. When adults deal with COVID-19 calmly, they can help support children.

Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include:

More crying than usual or anger in younger children
Going back to behaviors they have outgrown (like accidents or bedwetting)
More worry or sadness than normal
Sleeping or eating too much or too little
In teens: easily becoming annoyed and “acting out"
Trouble concentrating
More headaches or body pains
Using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

There are a lot things you can do to help your child:

Take time to talk with your children about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer their questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your children can understand.
Remind your child or teen that they are safe. Tell them it is OK to feel upset. Teach them how you deal with stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
Try to not watch news too much around your children, including social media. Children do not always understand what they hear and see on the news and social media and may be scared about things they do not understand.
Try to keep up with regular routines. Create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities at home.
Be a role model. Take breaks, get regular sleep and exercise. Eat well.
Connect with your friends and family members by talking to them on the phone, texting, or talking through email or social media.

Resources for managing stress in children

COVID-19 is causing many kids to feel worried and stressed out; here are some resources to help with stress and worries about COVID-19.

Optum with United Health Care has a toll-free 24-hour Emotional Support Help Line with mental health professionals for people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress around COVID-19. Reach them at 866-342-6892.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-TALK) offers free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources and best practices for professionals
Visit The National Child Traumatic Stress Network website to view a list of possible emotional responses in children depending on their age group and the best way parents can respond.
Core Power Yoga is offering all of their online yoga classes for free to practice at home and reduce stress
Peleton App is offering a 90-day free trial that includes all their at-home workouts, guided runs and meditations.
Utilize free versions of several meditation smartphone apps to help children cope with stress and anxiety.

Headspace, Calm and Stop, Breathe, and Think are all great.

Social Emotional Learning Resources During COVID-19

This webpage offers resources for parents, and educators to support social emotional learning during COVID-19. Topics for parents include: talking to children about coronavirus, planning activities at home, and coping with stress and anxiety. Link.

Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19

This article provides recommendations and links to resources to support and protect children’s emotional well-being during the pandemic. Link.

Young Children at Home during the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Importance of Self-Care

This article describes the importance of self-care for parents and caretakers during the pandemic and offers strategies to incorporate self-care at home. Link.

Other North Carolina Resources

NC COVID-19 Information:

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to be referred to organizations in your local community that are best equipped to address your specific health and human services needs. This could include food, shelter, energy assistance, housing, parenting resources, health care, employment, or substance abuse treatment.
Sign up for updates by texting COVIDNC to 898211

National Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990 or text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746

Additional Childcare Guidelines

Childcare guideline communication from North Carolina as well as from the CDC here.

North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence

919-956-9124 or visit https://nccadv.org/contact

Coronavirus Resources and Important Information

The Public School Forum of NC’s webpage offers a compiled list of articles and resources organized by topics including: education resources, student nutrition information and strategies, virtual learning, mental health information and strategies, physical health and strategies, school closures and cancellations. Link.

Injury Prevention Professionals Launch #StayAtHome

Injury prevention professionals are anticipating a possible increase in child maltreatment and unintentional injury in the home due to the increase in time families are spending at home, increased stress levels on family, potentially unsafe settings, and decreased visibility by those outside the home in the current COVID19 climate. While it will be important for researchers to study this over time, there are actions we can take now to address this issue. Injury prevention professionals around the US will be using #StayAtHomeSafety starting today to share resources and give families tips and activities they can do to help reduce the risk of these types of injuries.

Twitter chat participation and promotion Wednesday, March 25th will be the day the #StayAtHomeSafety will launch. You can start using it right away to promote the concept and the Twitter chat. Here are some other actions you can take to help families get information about this important topic.

Go to www.preventchildinjury.org/COVID19. This will be the place for all of the resources for this hashtag.
For the complete announcement, click this link: https://associationdatabase.com/aws/SAVIR/ebulletin/view_mail/160137/2270224