COVID-19 Resources
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Child Care Food Program Caterers Listed By County
Emergency Food Distribution & Food Pantries
Project UP-START is the Education Program for Children and Youth Living in Transition in Miami-Dade. The program assists schools with the identification, enrollment, and attendance of students in transition to help ensure their successful academic achievement.
Click here for more information in English, Spanish or Creole
Visit Project Upstart WebsiteHow to Self- Quarantine: (March 6, New York Times):
This article by Roni Caryn Rabin, published by the New York Times March 6, 2020, provides information on the difference of self-quarantine and self-isolation. The importance of staying home, the challenges, and the measures you should take to keep others and yourself out of risk from the coronavirus.
Talking with Students about Coronavirus
- Guide to helping families Cope with Coronavirus (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
This article provided by the NCTSN offers information on what you should know about the Coronavirus & COVID-19, and how to prepare your family for a potentially infectious disease outbreak, with links to the most up to date and accurate information by the CDC. Also, it provides preventive measures on reducing your family’s risk, coping with stress, and helping children cope, with a chart of how to help them by age group along with phone numbers and links to seek additional help.
- Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crises (American Academy of Pediatrics)
This article provides important tips offered by pediatricians to help support children and families suffering emotional and psychological reactions to disasters and other crisis events.
- Talking to children about COVID-19: A Parent Resource (National Association of School Psychologists)
This is a parent resource offers tips and specific guidance on how to best have a conversation concerning COVID-19 with children and how to keep explanations age-appropriate. Also, the article provides a link to access the most correct information to stay informed, as well as a few additional resources that you may find helpful in regards to talking to children, coping with stress, CDC and prevention, and handwashing.
Additional Resources
University of FL. Health: This is a website created by the University of Florida is a comprehensive resource for updates and information about COVID-19. Please stick to the Overview tab as it is the only tab that provides all the pertinent information such as; definition to the coronavirus, alternative names, causes to the coronavirus, symptoms, exams and tests, treatment, outlook (prognosis), possible complications, when to contact medical professionals, and most importantly prevention. As well as, 3 short videos about common colds, pneumonia, vacation health care, and coronavirus images.
Environmental Protection Agency: This specific link provides updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance. This website provides key EPA resources on the coronavirus, along with resources related to COVID-19.
Florida Department of Health: This website provides what you need to know about COVID-19 in Florida; what you can do to prevent and prepare for COVID-19, what to do if you think you have been exposed, and what to do if you are sick. Additionally, this website provides the latest updates on Florida’s current resident and non-FL resident confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. Lastly, this website has the COVID-19 call center phone number which is available 24/7.
Guidance for Child Care Providers: When you visit this website please go to the bottom of the page and click on the blue box that reads “schools & Childcare”, and you will be routed to the following link; https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/schools/ and it will inform you of the role of your school in regards to responding to COVID-19, how your school should prepare, and what to do when a confirmed case has entered the school, regardless of community transmission.
Florida Department of Health Coronavirus toolkit: When you visit this website please click on the “resources” tab at the upper right hand of the page, it will route you to the following link https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/resources/ and it offers a link to the CDC, any outreach materials all related to COVID-19.
Feeding Florida: This link (https://www.feedingflorida.org/allows) you to find food sources anywhere in the county. On the website, they have a map available to view available locations by city or zip code or the option to view all. Feeding Florida provides food to all Floridians facing hunger; children, seniors, working poor, single parents, veterans, and they also work with shelters and group homes to provide sustenance necessary to find permanent housing, income, and other critical services.
A New Normal
This guide has been prepared for you – the residents, business and commercial establishment owners and people who operate other facilities throughout Miami-Dade County – to provide information you will need as we move to a New Normal. Click here to download the guide from Miami-Dade County.
Basic Principles
Following basic principles can help keep students, teachers, and staff safe at school and help stop the spread of this disease. Recommendations for healthy schools are:
- Sick students, teachers and other staff should not come to school
- Schools should enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, alcohol rub/hand sanitizer or chlorine solution and, at a minimum, daily disinfection and cleaning of school surfaces
- Schools should provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities and follow environmental cleaning and decontamination procedures
- Schools should promote social distancing (a term applied to certain actions that are taken to slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease, including limiting large groups of people coming together). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends group sizes of 10 or less.
Tips for Maintaining Social Distance
- Staggering the beginning and end of the school day
- Canceling assemblies, sports games and other events that create crowded conditions
- When possible, create space for children’s desks to be at least three feet apart
- Teach and model creating space and avoiding unnecessary touching
Click here for the CDC guidelines on how to make your own cloth facemask.
Do you need help finding open child care centers? Call CCR&R 305-646-7220 for help.
Parent Information & Resources
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Emergency Food Distribution & Food Pantries
StayHome.Miami Launches to Provide Fun & Activities for Miami-Dade Families
The Children's Trust has launched StayHome.Miami, a new website that serves as a central repository for resources to parents and the community at large during the COVID-19 crisis. This resource is full of valuable information to help families cope with the challenges they are facing right now. More importantly, it give parents and caregivers useful tips and activities to help them and their children navigate the disruptions to daily lives. StayHome.Miami will help families enjoy their time together while staying safe at home. Resources and activities include read-aloud e-books, free downloadable coloring books, and many other fun and interactive options. If you have any resources, activities, or ideas to contribute to the website, please reach out to us and let us know.
FREE Mental Health Online Support Groups
Details can be found online at https://namimiami.org/
National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade Support Groups are now available online and by phone. The groups are available in English and Spanish for either individuals with mental health conditions or for their family members/caregivers. Bilingual parents/caregivers of youth free support groups have been added on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. NAMI Basics is now available for parents/caregivers of children under the age of 21 with a mental health condition.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade "Virtual Club"
Are your kids starting to get cabin fever from being home all day? Well, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade are offering "Virtual Club" to all youth ages 5-17. While Boys & Girls Clubs physical locations remain closed due to COVID-19, the Clubs are allowing youth to participate in fun activities virtually through Zoom. Activities include story time, STEM, arts & crafts, physical fitness, yoga, homework assistance, mentoring, social-emotional learning, "virtual get-togethers " and more.
For information about the "Virtual Club" and how to register your child, please email Diana Perez at dperez@bgcmia.org or Franchon Green at fgreen@bgcmia.org
Newsletters
YMCA of South Florida Youth Development Weekly E-Newsletter: April 15 - April 21, 2020
World's Greatest Babies - Resources and News - Week 3
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource
This website reviews specific guidelines and tips on talking to kids about coronavirus. It also includes information on COVID-19 symptoms and hygiene tips for a healthy lifestyle.
COVID-19 and Students with Disabilities
https://www.ncsecs.org/news/covid-19-and-students-with-disabilities/
This article explores the critical considerations schools must take as they develop plans to educate students with disabilities during these uncertain times. Check information often, as updates are being made frequently to keep up with the evolving situation.
Coronavirus: Latest Updates and Tips for talking with kids
The coronavirus impacts everyone and it creates added challenges for some people, that includes kids and adults with learning differences or disabilities. Navigate various tools and information to help at home, at school, and at work in both English and Spanish.
Policy Innovators in Education Network
https://pie-network.org/article/rapid-response-coronavirus/
A collection of resources that may be helpful to families as well as local, state, and district leaders.
Free Internet
https://internetessentials.com/
Comcast is offering free internet for two months to qualifying customers.
Sample Daily Schedule
Khan Academy has created sample schedules for children preschool to 12th grade.
How Should Parents Prepare for Coronavirus, School Closures, and Getting Anything Done?
Tips to help parents feel as prepared as possible to keep their children home when schools are closed.
Kids and COVID-19: What Parents Should Know
https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/22996/
Answers various questions parents might have about COVID-19 and how it affects children.
11 Questions Parents May Have About Coronavirus
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/09/parenting/coronavirus-parents-need-to-know.html
Article last updated March 22 answering some of the most pressing questions on parents’ minds regarding COVID-19.
Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus in Homes and Residential Communities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html
Recommended precautions for household members, intimate partners, and caregivers in a nonhealthcare setting of a patient with confirmed COVID-19 or a patient under investigation.
Child Care Aware
https://www.childcareaware.org/our-issues/crisis-and-disaster-resources/
Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) is committed to providing news and the latest information to help prepare families, child-care providers and policymakers as we closely monitor the situation around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. To equip communities, CCAoA gathered resources to ensure the safety of all individuals. We are also interested in learning how Coronavirus has impacted your community. Your comments will help inform CCAoA and policymakers.
Head Start/ECLCK
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/physical-health/article/coronavirus-prevention-response
The Office of Head Start (OHS) recognizes that grantees are concerned about the impact Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have on their programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs should take steps to prevent the introduction and spread of coronavirus among their staff, children, and families. Through collaboration and coordination with local health departments, programs can take steps to disseminate information about the disease and its potential transmission.
Zero to Three
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3210-tips-for-families-talking-about-the-coronavirus
These resources offer tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.
Sometimes our toddlers ask us questions that are hard to answer—especially when we are not sure what the right answer is, like the situation many communities are facing with COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). For children under three years, it is best to answer their questions simply in a language they understand.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Available in English, simplified Chinese, and Spanish)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading national public health institute of the United States. Its main goal is to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and internationally. Find the latest information on - What You Need to know relating to COVID-19, Resources for the Community, COVID-19 Cases in the U.S., and Information for Healthcare Professionals.
Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html
Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs - plan, prepare, and respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html
Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs - before and during an outbreak
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children
https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html
Helping children cope with emergencies
https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/tools-and-resources.html
Caring for children in a Disaster - Tools and Resources