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General Covid Information
Underrepresented Communities
Tribal Nations and Communities
For Families and Children
Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Children and Young Adults with Complex Medical Conditions
Mental Health
Civil Rights
Policy
For Organizations
Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Below are COVID-19-related resources that are relevant to families of children and youth with special health care needs. Browse by scrolling down the page, or use the “Navigate this page” menu to jump to a category.
Additionally, Family Voices has created a special Resource eBlast Series focused on a variety of topics aimed to support families of CYSHCN in the context of COVID-19, available in English and Spanish.
General COVID-19 Information
CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
A trusted source for up-to-date information on COVID-19. “Coronavirus Disease 2019 Basics” is a good place to start, and the “Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs” page helps answer common questions.
| The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19: What do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know?
Frequently updated information available in English, Spanish, and ASL on a number of relevant topics related to COVID-19 for the disability community.
| The Administration for Community Living
Useful Resources
Resource eBlast: COVID-19 Series
This special Resource eBlast series created by Family Voices focuses on a variety of topics aimed to support families of CYSHCN in the context of COVID-19.
| Family Voices
Find a Local Chapter of the ARC
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and serving them and their families. There are 600 chapters of The Arc across the United States.
| The ARC
List of Protection & Advocacy Systems by State
Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) work at the state level to protect individuals with disabilities by empowering them and advocating on their behalf. There are 57 P&As in the United States and its territories, and each is independent of service-providing agencies in their states.
| The Administration for Community Living
Eviction Prevention/Housing Assistance Resources
Two national organizations that collect and update resources for eviction prevention, legal assistance, tenant rights, and education/advocacy. Resources are organized by state.
| Just Shelter; National Low Income Housing Coalition
Emergency Preparedness
Are You Ready? Preparing for Emergencies: Tips for Families
Now is a good time to assess your family’s level of preparation for handling an emergency. Family Voices’ tip sheet can help you feel prepared.
| Family Voices
Document Organization Checklist if You Fear Deportation or Removal
This checklist is a guide for key documents to gather for your child with special healthcare needs if you fear detention or removal.
| Family Voices
Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities
Resources for individuals with disabilities and special health care need to prepare for unexpected emergencies.
| Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Underrepresented Communities
Cultural and Ethnic Diversity
Growing Data Underscore that Communities of Color are Being Harder Hit by COVID-19
Kaiser Family Foundation presents data on race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 cases and death. The interactive map feature allows users to zero in on information by state.
| From The Kaiser Family Foundation
Racial Disparities In COVID-19 Impact Emerge As Data Is Slowly Released
A transcript and audio recording about the disturbing, disproportionate impact on communities of color, particularly African Americans.
| NPR
Why the Virus Is a Civil Rights Issue: ‘The Pain Will Not Be Shared Equally’
Informative article highlighting the data demonstrating the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on African Americans and efforts to encourage equity in the response and recovery.
| The New York Times
Tribal Nations and Communities
Fact Sheets for Tribes and Urban Indian Communities
A collection of resources focusing on the impact COVID-19 has across Indian Country including tribes, Urban Indian Health Programs, and urban Indian communities.
| The Urban Indian Health Institute
Indian Health Service Expands Telehealth Services During COVID-19 Response
Press release on the use of telehealth from Indian Health Service to expand access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
| US Department of Health & Human Services
Physically Distant but Socially Close: Indigenous Resilience and COVID-19
Ideas to adapt indigenous cultural practices and traditions in response to COVID-19.
| The Urban Indian Health Institute
Resources in Other Languages
Explaining COVID-19 Relief for Latino Families
A series of videos in Spanish and English on general COVID-19 information, the economy, health, immigration, and education.
| UNIDOS US
Family Voices eBlasts
Special resource eBlasts from Family Voices in Spanish on self-care, telehealth, and parenting.
| Family Voices
Asian American and Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander in-language COVID-19 resources
A crowd sourced collection of COVID-19 resources available in multiple languages.
| Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum.
COVID-19 Translated Resources Directory
A guide with links to COVID-19 resources in 73 languages.
| Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
Parents and Caregivers
CDC COVID-19 Resources for Families: Daily Life and Coping
Guidance for parents and caregivers on managing stress and maintaining their household and family during COVID-19.
| The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Parenting during coronavirus: What to know about play dates, online learning and more
Practical tips for parents managing caregiving during the pandemic.
| The Washington Post
Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Early Intervention and COVID-19: Advice for Parents of Children Ages 0–3 Whose Services Are Interrupted
Guidance for families experiencing an interruption in early intervention services due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
| American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development
Resources and recommendations for parents, caregivers, and care providers about the impact of COVID-19 on early child development.
| From the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
Tips for Families: Receiving Early Intervention Services Through the Phone, Tablet, or Computer
A guide for families to prepare for using online or phone methods to receive Early Intervention services.
| UCONN Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities: The Early Childhood Personnel Center
School Age Children
Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
A comic created for children to explain the Coronavirus and its impact on daily life. Also available in Spanish.
| NPR
The Pandemic Is a Crisis for Students With Special Needs
An article outlining the challenges of delivering special education supports through distance learning.
| The Atlantic
Best Adapted and Inclusive PE Games
PE games and activities that have been modified to accommodate students with disabilities or who have gross motor delays.
| Marathon Kids
Equity and Learning During COVID-19
A compilation of resources by state to help families and educators cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC)
Young Adults
Coronavirus – COVID-19 & College Students with Disabilities
A collection of information and resources to support college students with disabilities through distance learning.
| National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD)
COVID-19: Resources for Parents and Teens
Resources for adolescents and their caregivers on a number of topics, including resources for online education, how to talk with your child about social distancing, and sexual health considerations.
| From Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM)
Children and Young Adults with Complex Medical COnditions
COVID-19 Information from Complex Child
COVID-19 information specifically tailored to the needs of medically complex families.
| Complex Child
COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Guidance on what parents can do to keep themselves, their families, and their children with special health care needs safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
| American Academy of Pediatrics
Mental Health
Parents and Caregiver
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Information for parents and caregivers about COVID-19 and how to cope with stress and anxiety.
| The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Self-Care for Parents, Caregivers and Family Members
A free online course for parents and caregivers about how to incorporate self-care into their daily lives.
| The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Tips for quarantined parents in the times of COVID-19
Tips on emotions, discussions and activities in English and Spanish for parents and caregivers supporting at children while at home.
| The American Psychological Association
Children and Young Adult
Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
A collection of guidance, recommendations and resources from child trauma experts to help parents and caregivers support children’s emotional well-being.
| Child Trends
Supporting College Students with Mental Health Conditions In the Wake of COVID-19
This helpful document includes resources shared in a March webinar to support college students during COVID-19.
| The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research
How teenagers can protect their mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19)
This page outlines six tips for caregivers to support teenagers’ mental health during the pandemic.
| UNICEF
Civil Rights
Disability Justice and COVID-19 Resources
A compilation of disability justice resources for nondiscrimination in education and healthcare during the COVID-19 crisis.
| The Center for Disability Studies at NYU
#NoBodyIsDisposable
This site highlights a campaign against discrimination against triage and a Know Your Rights Guide. #nobodyisdisposable is also a hashtag on social media, posting content about disability rights in healthcare during COVID-19.
Disability Nondiscrimination in Health Care and Community Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A thorough compilation of common questions and answers around disability rights law in healthcare settings and beyond. Some areas explored on this page include “Disability Nondiscrimination and Medical Rationing During COVID-19″ and “Reasonable Modifications and Effective Communication in Health Care.
| Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Know Your Rights in Health Care During COVID-19
Recording of a webinar delivered on April 15, 2020 on risks of discrimination in health care. Webinar hosted by Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), #NobodyIsDisposable, and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF).
| Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Policy
Medicaid
How Can Medicaid Enhance State Capacity to Respond to COVID-19?
Informative brief on potential changes and interventions from Medicaid to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Kaiser Family Foundation
Medicaid, CHIP, and COVID-19 Webinar
A slide deck and webinar providing an overview of Medicaid and CHIP’s opportunities and challenges in responding to COVID-19.
| Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Center for Children and Families
Medicaid Emergency Authority Tracker: Approved State Actions to Address COVID-19
An interactive map, frequently updated, tracking approved Medicaid Emergency Authorities.
| Kaiser Family Foundation
COVID-19 Medicaid Waiver Soup Explained
A helpful explainer breaking down Medicaid Waiver Activity for the general public.
| Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Center for Children and Families
COVID-19: State Flexibilities Approved by CMS
Links to CMS-approved state flexibilities requested in response to the COVID-19 national health crisis.
| National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services
Income
COVID-19 Economic Benefits How-To Guide
Information about accessing your CARES Act payment, accessing food resources and understanding unemployment insurance.
| RespectAbility
Receiving Government Benefits? Here’s What to Know About Your Stimulus Payment
Guidance on stimulus payment for individuals receiving SSI, SSDI, and other forms of government benefits.
| Time
For Organizations
CARES Act
States Can Use CARES Act Funding to Support Health-Related Social Needs Exacerbated by COVID-19 Pandemic
An article outlining how states can address new social needs, including housing, food, transportation, education, and employment, and how the CARES Act can support and amplify their work.
| The National Academy for State Health Policy
HHS Announces Nearly $1 Billion in CARES Act Grants to Support Older Adults and People with Disabilities in the Community During the COVID-19 Emergency
Press release outlining the release $955 million in grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities as communities implement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
| US Department of Health & Human Services
Impact on the Disability Community – Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and Family First Response Act
An analysis of the possible impact of the CARES Act and Families First Response Act on individuals with disabilities and their families, disability-related nonprofit organizations.
| National Disability Institute
Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
Know Your Rights: Emergency Paid Sick Days and Paid Leave for Child Care and Coronavirus
A helpful basic overview of how emergency paid sick time and emergency paid family leave for child care work on the national level, with links to additional state-specific information.
| The National Partnership for Women & Families
COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers
Q&A on the expansion of FMLA for employees and employers.
Encourage confidence to act
