COVID-19: How can we be helpful?

Many CHDI staff are still working remotely, and can be reached by email. A list of CHDI staff email addresses can be found here. 

CHDI has compiled a limited list of information and resources for our partners and the public, which will be periodically updated as new information becomes available.*

The State of Connecticut and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as your local health departments have the latest COVID-19 updates, resources and valuable health information.

Information and Resources

HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION

• Stay Safe! Get Vaccinated! Visit Connecticut's Vaccine Portal.
• For resources and information about the State of Connecticut's response visit ct.gov/coronvirus, as well as your local health department.
• For the latest information about keeping your family safe, go to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• Connecticut Children's Coronavirus Information Center and COVID-19 Hotline: 833-226-2362 provides resources and answers questions for families.  
• Yale New Haven Health has a COVID-19 information and call center for those concerned about COVID-19. The number is 833-275-9644. 
• Hartford HealthCare has set up a COVID-19 Clinical Command hotline staffed with professionals. To reach the 24-hour hotline, call 860-972-8100 or (toll-free) 833-621-0600.  
• UCONN Health has a COVID-19 call center and information page.  The call center number is 860-679-3199. They also have drive through COVID-19 testing by appointment only.
• The Office of the Child Advocate and Office of Early Childhood developed the "Keeping Your New Baby Safe in the Time of COVID-19" resource guide to support new parents. The information is available in English and Spanish, and includes: tips for new parents, ways to keep their baby safe, basic needs resources, local supports, and national resources.
• The Connecticut Vaccine Program works to ensure that children get vaccinated and provides information for providers and parents. Download a "Do Not Wait - Vaccinate Your Children" flyer for parents and caregivers from the State of Connecticut in English, Spanish, French Creole, Portuguese, Arabic, Dari, Polish, Pashto, Tigrinya, Swahili, and Vietnamese.

ECONOMIC SUPPORT & FEDERAL RELIEF INFORMATION

• Connecticut Recovers brings state and municipal officials, community-based organizations, nonprofit providers, and philanthropic partners together to establish local long-term recovery committees to meet urgent needs, accelerate economic recovery, and expedite coordination with the state’s emergency management structure.
• The CT Housing Finance Authority, with financial support from the State of CT, has launched a homeowner assistance program for low and moderate income households in CT who are struggling to pay their mortgages due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 
• The Connecticut Department of Labor has information on unemployment, federal relief, and FAQs about coronavirus for workers and employers.
• Senator Chris Murphy posted a comprehensive summary and FAQs of federal coronavirus relief to help workers, families, hospitals and their staff, small businesses, and the unemployed during this crisis. It includes information about direct payments, unemployment insurance, emergency leave, support for the State of Connecticut, small businesses, utility and nutrition assistance, housing, education, children and families, and more.
• CT Voices for Children's  “Q & A Blog Series” provides information about unemployment insurance, paid sick leave, and family medical leave in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and their coronavirus Crisis Response Report provides information on federal efforts to address the pandemic.

FOOD, LEGAL AID, AND SOCIAL SERVICES RESOURCES

• 2-1-1 Connecticut: Families can call 2-1-1 from any Connecticut phone or visit https://www.211ct.org/ to find local services and supports.
• Free legal aid for people with very low incomes, as well as resources and information on rent and eviction rights during COVID, work, benefits, and other topics can be found at CTLawHelp.org or by calling the legal aid hotline: 1-800-453-3320. 
• The Hartford Courant developed a list of Coronavirus crisis resources in Connecticut: From food to legal aid and housing.
• Clifford Beers compiled a list of health, wellness, and community resources to support families during the coronavirus outbreak.
• A poster with important crisis resources in Connecticut for housing, food, mental health, unemployment, internet, utilities, and more was developed by the Connecticut Commission on Children, Women, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity. 
• The Connecticut State Department of Education shared information on districts providing meals to enrolled students, as well as distribution sites for children that DO NOT have to be a resident to access meals. 
• Access Health CT can help families who have lost their health insurance determine if they qualify to enroll through a special enrollment period. 
• The Center for Children's Advocacy's Medical-Legal Partnership Project is working with their clinical partners to provide legal assistance and consultations on cases involving the health-harming legal needs that effect the state’s vulnerable children and families.

SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING 

• Child Trends provides recommendations for supporting and protecting children's emotional well-being during COVID-19, as well as information on using the five Protective Factors to promote children's resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network created a Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
• Yale Child Study Center created Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Yale’s Guide for Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• The Village for Children and Families’ mental health experts share COVID-19 resources and guidance for families on navigating the uncertainty and stressful disruptions in routine, schooling and employment caused by the pandemic.
• Connecticut Children's School Closure Kit includes advice for families from pediatric experts on a variety of topics, including how to structure your child’s day, engage them in learning, answer their coronavirus questions – and help your whole family stay calm.
• The Jordan Porco Foundation's Check In At Home consists of six activities that will help reduce stress, get your body moving, and put you in a positive mindset.
• Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health is a great free resource from Prevent Suicide CT to help you and your kids with your sad, mad and worried feelings during this tough time. And, this link has fun activities you and your kids can do alone or together inside and outside. The book is available in English or Spanish (online or print copies).
• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University: A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development includes ways caregivers can support early child development during the pandemic.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS RESOURCES

• Connecticut's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services offers help from trained behavioral health clinicians for children in crisis by calling 2-1-1. Learn more at https://www.empsct.org/.
• PreventSuicideCT.org offers crisis and prevention resources. If you are in a crisis, call 2-1-1 in Connecticut or text CT to 741741 (free Crisis Text Line). If you live outside Connecticut call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
• Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) provides crisis services for adults through local mental health authorities. DMHAS-funded emergency crisis intervention centers are located throughout the state.
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
• Hero Hotline - 888-217-HERO: CHR is providing a Free Hotline to Help Frontline Workers and Anyone Struggling with Ongoing Stress of the Coronavirus Crisis. The hotline is staffed by a professional trained in the treatment of Acute Stress Reaction and other conditions related to prolonged stress and anxiety.
• Hartford HealthCare's Behavioral Health Network is launching a Community Care Center hotline at 1.833.621.0600. 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES

• The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides information about shelters, programs and other resources. All services are confidential, safe, free and voluntary. 

RESOURCES FOR PEDIATRIC HEALTH PROVIDERS

• CHDI's has compiled resources for pediatric providers during COVID-19, including: Supporting Families During Well-Child & Other Visits: New Issues during COVID-19, pediatric behavioral health resources and printable Quick Guide of services during COVID-19, and virtual Educating Practices trainings on 21 topics. 
• American Academy of Pediatrics' resources and guidance for physicians: Critical Updates on COVID-19.  
• Connecticut Children's Medical Center has COVID-19 Updates for Clinicians.
• Child Trends: recommendations for school-based health centers to deliver care to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: guidance on Telehealth remote communications during the COVID-19 emergency and HIPAA during a nationwide public health emergency.
• Centers for Disease Control: information for healthcare professionals.

RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

• American Psychological Association Society of Clinical Psychology: COVID-19 Resources for Clinical Psychologists includes information on telepsychology. 
• National Association of Social Workers:  Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources and information.
• American Psychological Association online article: COVID-19 and Psychology Services: How to Protect Your Patients and Your Practice 
• ACES Connection online guide: A Guide to Providing Telehealth During the COVID-19 Crisis.
• Responding to COVID-19 Resources from the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network

RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

• The Connecticut State Department of Education's COVID-19 Resources for Families and Educators includes guidance, waivers and numerous helpful resources on distance learning, special education, nutrition, and other topics. 
• Education and Mental Health During COVID-19: How are Children and Caregivers Doing, Really? The National Federation of Families surveyed 1,100 families about their experiences with education, balancing work and caregiving, and mental health during the pandemic.
• CHDI created a School Mental Health newsletter series featuring resources to support the school community during COVID-19.
• Issue #1: Mental Health and Social Emotional Learning 
• Issue #2: Caregiver Wellness 
• Issue #3: Digital Citizenship
• Issue #4: Staff Wellness 
• Issue #5: Additional Resources for the School Community
• Issue #6: Back to School Guidance
• Gurian Institute: strategies for the covid classroom  is a guide for parents and teachers to consider when educating children.
• UConn's Collaboratory on School and Child Health created trauma-informed resources to help school re-open.
• Responding to COVID-19: Planning for Trauma-Informed Assessment in Schools
• Responding to COVID-19: Simple Strategies Anyone Can Use to Foster an Emotionally Safe School Environment (written in partnership with colleagues from EASTCONN and CHDI) 
• Child Trends offers guidance for schools (as they reopen) for addressing COVID-19-related trauma and mental health issues. 
• The National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland has compiled an impressive list of COVID-19 Resources for school staff, administrators, students and parents.
• "A trauma-informed approach to teaching through coronavirus — for students everywhere, online or not," published in the Washington Post and compiled by Teaching Tolerance with expert advice from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
• Ci3T: Comprehensive, Integrated, Three-Tiered Model of Prevention is providing materials to support educators and families as they transition to a world of online and continuous learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a series of brief practice guides to support positive, productive environments for students, families, educators, and administrators. 
• Responding to COVID-19: School Mental Health Resources from the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network
• RULER (Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence) created a Coronavirus Resources for School Communities webpage with articles, free webinars, and resources to help leaders, educators, students, and families build and sustain positive emotional climates.
• The California Association of School Psychologists has compiled useful COVID-19 resources for psychologists, educators and families; including a Technology Checklist for School Telehealth Services and  Pupil Personnel Services Check In Guidance Document (check list and flowchart).

RESOURCES FOR EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS

• The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance are  providing the latest updates and guidance on issues affecting early care and education on their websites and through the eceinfo listserv.
• Zero to Three: Coronavirus Resources for Early Childhood Professionals and Considerations for Developmental Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Child Care Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• The Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University's guide: Thinking About Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Impacts Through a Science-Informed, Early Childhood Lens.
• Child Trends has developed 5 ways early care and education providers can support children’s remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESOURCES FOR FUNDERS AND NON-PROFITS

• The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for funders and nonprofits.

RESOURCES FOR POLICYMAKERS

• Child Trends offers action steps for policymakers to consider for children with disabilities who are returning the school. 
• Health Equity Solutions provides policy priorities and COVID and Health Equity articles, podcasts, and tools highlighting the differential impact COVID-19 is having on people of color in Connecticut.

*We recognize this is not a comprehensive list.  These materials are provided for informational purposes only. CHDI does not endorse any particular affiliation which may appear on the provided resources.