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COVID-19

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On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) as a global pandemic. [WHO: 2020] The situation in the United States is evolving rapidly with changes to school schedules, business operations, and other services across multiple states.
Our Services Directory offers information about a variety of potential service providers, including respite care, emergency food and financial assistance, and housing information. Please contact individual providers to confirm their hours and programs before visiting as many may have adjusted operations at this time.
Stay up-to-date on the global, national, and local situation using the links below. If you know of other resources or have other suggestions for information we should include on this page, please suggest them via our Feedback page.

Information on COVID-19 and the Pandemic

National and Global Information

The following links have general information for parents and families located anywhere in the United States:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic (WHO) : Information from the World Health Organization about COVID-19 internationally, including information about response planning, informational and training videos, and the situation in different countries.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) (CDC) : Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about COVID-19 in the United States, including information about travel, symptoms, and the situation in different states.

School-Related Information

General School-Related Information

Schools and Childcare Programs​ (CDC) : Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Includes information for school and program administrators about Preparing for a Safe Return to School and Operating Schools During COVID-19, and information For Parents and Caregivers about Deciding How to Go Back to School and Checklists for Going Back to School.
Return to School During COVID-19 (Healthy Children) : Information about returning to school for families from Healthy Children from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Risk-Based Approach to Reopening Schools Amid COVID-19 (Children's Hospital Colorado) : Information from Children's Hospital Colorado. Considerations for reopening schools and discussion of risk mitigation factors.

Resources for Parents & Families

Information about COVID-19 for Families

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Caring for Children (CDC) : Information for families from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Includes information about keeping children healthy.
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Healthy Children) : Information for families from Healthy Children from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The general page provides an overview of COVID-19, including symptoms and health risks, dealing with school closures, and how to talk to your children about the disease. Families may also be interested
Coronavirus Information and Resources (Family Voices) : Information for families from Family Voices, including information about preparation and planning.
COVID-19 and the American Workplace (USDOL) : Guidance from the US Department of Labor for employers and workplaces around preparing for COVID-19, temporary paid leave, and information from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Includes posters and handouts.
Considerations for Young Children and Those With Special Needs as COVID-19 Continues (JAMA Pediatrics) : Information from JAMA Pediatrics, published by the American Medical Association, for families with young children and children with special health care needs.
ADHD and COVID-19 (CHADD) : Information from Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) on supporting children with ADHD during COVID-19, including with learning.

Mental Health During COVID-19

Advice for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities in the Era of COVID-19 (APA) : Information from the American Psychological Association for parents and caregivers of children and youth with disabilities with a focus on the unique challenges during COVID-19 and managing stressors.
Behavioral Health Resources for Coronavirus (On Our Sleeves) : Resources and guides from On Our Sleeves, an initiative for child mental health from Nationwide Children's Hospital, about managing life during COVID-19.
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resource Library (AACAP) : Resources from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry for parents, patients, and clinicians to help with the impact of COVID-19.
COVID-19: 24/7 Parenting (Parenting for Lifelong Health) : Open-access online parenting resources from Parenting ofr Lifelong Health in various languages. Working with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, the Internet of Good Things, USAID and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Public Health Resources (NCTSN) : Information from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on responding to public health emergencies.
Supporting Families During COVID-19 (Child Mind Institute) : Information and resources from the Child Mind Institute for families trying to balance work, child care, and self-care during this period.

Staying Connected and Occupied

It's important to stay connected socially during physical isolation. Some creative ideas to connect with other family members or friends and family near and far are:
  • Cook or eat a meal "together" via video chat
  • Do an art or craft project
  • Watch a movie or read a book and discuss it together
If you have questions about a technology, app, or media, common sense media is an independent source for media recommendations and advice for families. The site includes reviews and ratings for media, games, and apps. Includes reports on various technology and connection platforms, including concerns and age recommendations.

Connection Technology

In addition to phone, text, email, social media, and mail, there are a number of other technologies available for free or low cost for connecting to friends and family with audio and video options. Please see individual services for paid and free options and limitations as well as privacy policies. The Portal does not endorse specific technologies.

Entertainment Options

If you have an internet connection, check out online storytimes from libraries, booksellers, and authors. Many libraries, museums, and parks are also offering online activities.
If you don't have a reliable home internet connection, check options in your local community. Some libraries are closed but offering internet connections outside their buildings. Some craft stores and nonprofits are offering low cost options for at-home craft kits.

Resources for Healthcare Professionals

Clinician Resources

Critical Updates on COVID-19 (AAP) : Information for pediatricians about COVID-19 from the American Academy of Pediatrics, including clinical guidance, information on PPE, Practice Management Resources, telemedicine and telephone care resources, coding information, information for families, physician wellness tips, and advocacy information. Now includes a discussion board for members.
Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers (CDC) : Information for pediatric clinicians from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including information on immunization recommendations, symptoms in children, and more.
COVID-19 Resources for Children with Special Health Care Needs (LPFCH) : Information from the Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health with links to resources for clincicians, other professionals, and families regarding care for children with special health care needs.
Pediatrics COVID-19 Collection (Pediatrics) : from Pediatrics, a compilation of recently pre-published articles on pediatric aspects of COVID-19.
Coordinating Treatment with School-Based Mental Health Providers Didactic Presentation Slides (MAPP-Net) (PDF Document 133 KB) : from the New England Journal of Medicine, a collection of articles and other resources on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, including clinical reports, management guidelines, and commentary.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC) : News Alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about seeral cases of a recently reported multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with coronavirus disease 2019.

Educational Resources

COVID-19 Conversations : Webinar series exploring the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and globally, with a focus on the emerging evidence on how to best mitigate its impact. From the American Public Health Association and the National Academy of Medicine. Recorded versions of past webinars available.
Coronavirus Center (AADMD) : resource and hub for knowledge sharing for individuals, caregivers, and, in particular, health care workers serving the special needs population. From the American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry. Virtual Grand Rounds on COVID-19 & People with IDD, Part 2 4/22/20 at 8pm ET.

Resources from Portal Partner States

For Families

Coloring My Way: Learning About Coronavirus (Bradley Hospital) (PDF Document 2.3 MB) : An informational coloring book for kids about COVID-19 from Bradley Health in Rhode Island.

Authors & Reviewers

Initial publication: March 2020; last update/revision: April 2020
Current Authors and Reviewers:
Contributing Author: Medical Home Team

Page Bibliography

WHO (World Health Organization).
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020.
(2020) https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-.... 3/16/20 added for COVID-19 page - LRB. Accessed on 03/16/2020.