COVID-19 Resources for Families and Early Ed Professionals
Our Healthy Kids Bright Futures team has put together this list of resources to help families with young children during the COVID-19 crisis.
Updated April 2, 2020
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Family Needs Assessment
Early Care and Education Center Closures
- Kiddie Kollege, 2400 Maxine Williams Drive, Kansas City Kansas (March 23-unknown)
- Learning and Fun Preschool, 6007 Swope Pkwy, Kansas City, MO (March 24-unknown)
- St. Luke’s Early Education Center, 9420 James A Reed Road, Kansas City, MO (March 27th-April 26th)
Local, State, and National Agencies
- Center for Disease Control
- Child Care Aware of America
- Childcare Aware of Missouri Childcare Status Map
- Kansas Department of Health and Environments
- Kansas Department of Health and Environments: FAQs
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
- Northland Human Services
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Zero to Three: Tips for Families
- Zero to Three: Answering Your Young Child’s Questions about Coronavirus
- American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Financial Assistance
- Kansas Department for Children and Families Medicaid, food assistance and childcare subsidies
- Kansas Department of Labor Unemployment
- Missouri Department of Social Service Medicaid, food assistance and childcare subsidies
- Missouri Department of Labor Unemployment
- United Way of Wyandotte County BPU Hardship Assistance Program Clients can either email documents to bpuassistance@unitedway-wyco.org or fax to 913-371-2718. In-person case management will only be utilized if absolutely necessary and must be scheduled well in advance. Clients are required to provide: 1) proof of hardship 2) copy of state ID 3) copy of a current BPU bill. The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities will not disconnect utility service for non-payment as customers and communities are facing potential hardship from coronavirus. This temporary moratorium includes residential and business customers. Additional information: www.BPU.com
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Child Care
COVID-19 CCAMO Child Care Status Map
- info@ks.childcareaware.org
- (855)750-3343
- referralcenter@mo.childcareaware.org
- (866) 892-3228
YMCA Care for Essential Employees and First Responders
Meal Distribution
- Shawnee Mission School District School Meals
- Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Curbside Meal Pickup
- Kansas City Public Schools (KCMO) Curbside Meal Pickup and Delivery
- Hickman Mills School Lunch
- North Kansas City School Lunch
Children’s Mercy Hospital-Grab-n-Go-Sack Lunches
Ages 1-18-year-old. Monday – Friday
11:30a.m.-1:00p.m. Children’s Mercy Broadway Clinics (3101 Broadway)
11:30a.m.-1:00p.m. Children’s Mercy Don Chisholm Building (610 E. 22nd Street)
Sack lunches include: turkey sandwich, carrots, apple, and milk
*allergen-free option available with gluten-free bread and soy milk
Access to Food
- Kansas SNAP & TANF
- Kansas Emergency Food Assistance Program(TEFAP)
- Missouri SNAP & TANF
- United Way 211 Meal Information
- Harvesters
WIC
Kansas WIC Program Now Available Without Physical Presence
- Wyandotte County 913-573-5000
- Jackson County –800-392-8209
Food Pantry Recipes
Internet Service
Spectrum has announced that it will provide free internet for 2 months for K-12 and college students affected. Call 1-844-579-3743 to enroll.
Employment Information
Parent Support
Are you feeling frustrated, upset, confused?
- National Parent Helpline 1-855- 4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736)
- The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Multilingual and confidential.
- Kansas – 1-800-CHILDREN
- Child Mind Institute
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-TALK (8255)
Helpful Articles & Websites
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS Kids with a resource list
- Coronavirus and Parenting: What You Need to Know Now, NPR
- Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus, Child Mind Institute
- Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Sesame Street in Communities
- Sesame Streets: Health Emergencies
- Sesame Street: Caring for Other
- Going to the grocery store during coronavirus outbreak? Here are tips for shopping safely
- COVID-19: Five Helpful Responses for Families
- Need Activities? Child Care Aware Family Activities Text CCAKCS to 59925
For Children
Imagination Library: Dolly Parton reads every Thursday on Facebook-April 2-June 4 at 6 pm
Why Can’t I Go to School Today?
Books
- Books about Feelings
- Books to Build Character and Teach Values
- Children’s Books from CDC
- Coping After a Disaster (Ready Wrigley Books), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Cómo sobrellevar los desastres o eventos traumáticos (Read Wrigley Books), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- LISTO CALIXTO se prepara para la temporada de influenza, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- LISTO CALIXTO se prepara para la temporada de influenza, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Staying Active
- 50 Things to Do with Beach Balls
- Ages and Stages Activities
- Active Play
- Lets Move
- Active for Life
- What Mom’s Love: 87 Energy-Busting Indoor Games and Activities
- 101 Screen-Free Activities
Favorite Characters
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Sesame Street
Curious George
Super Why!
Early Care and Education Center Staff Resources
Funding Opportunities
The CARES Act: Small Business Relief
For Kansas Programs Only. Available April 2, 2020, $500/per program- Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund
Professional Development
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- April 29, 1:00om: Physical Activity Webinar
- (Recording) COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic: Considerations for Early Childhood Professionals
Professional Resources
- Kansas Labor- Shared- Work Program
- Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program –Missouri Labor
- Free Activities from Child Care Aware of Kansas. Text CCAKS to 59925
Opportunities to Advocate
Babies Need an Accurate Census! You Can Help- April 9, 2020. 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
Parent Self Care- Coming Soon