Children’s Institute knows that children’s social emotional health is greatly impacted by times of anxiety and the recent news about COVID-19. Following are resources on how to share information such as this with young children as well as other useful topics to help children and their families navigate through the current situation.
PLEASE NOTE: You can continue to reach any Children's Institute staff member by calling 585-295-1000 or through email. We are working at this time from home offices and will respond in a timely manner.
How Has the Pandemic Exposed Structural Racism
Children’s Institute’s Racial Equity and Justice Institute (REJI) team humbly offers this detailed, evolving, and far from exhaustive public account of the vastly disproportionate health, economic and educational fallout on communities and people of color—nationally and locally— revealed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Presented in slide deck form, this report captures data that:
- illuminate pre-existing racial inequities in health, education, and economics that were overwhelmingly exacerbated during this pandemic,
- provide a timeframe of inaction and inadequate response that led to preventable morbidity and mortality, and
- illustrate the imperative of implementing and coordinating policies to dismantle structural racism throughout the Monroe County community in order to reduce or eliminate harm among families of color who bear the greatest burden—by far—of this pandemic.
Our goal is to provide a resource for awareness and action. We invite you to join with Children’s Institute in collective impact efforts and as we stand with communities of color in tangible ways to support equity of access and wellbeing among all children and families.
Information for Families
ROC the Future: COVID-19 Resources for Families
Online Counseling Programs: Crisis Planning and Counseling for Parents with Shared Custody
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University: How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak
IRIS Center: Parents: Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
NYS Parent Portal: Resources for parents & caregivers of young children
Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA): COVID-19 Resources
The Chicago Parent Program: Supporting Parents with Young Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Transform Research Center: COVID-19 resources
Healthi Kids: Resources for Families: COVID-19
CASEL: Strategies for Being Your Best Possible 'SEL'f with Dr. Marc Brackett
The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds: 7 Ways to Support Kids and Teens Through the Coronavirus Pandemic
Scholastic Classroom Magazines: Teaching Our World: The Coronavirus
Child Trends: Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Zero to Three: Answering Your Young Child’s Questions About Coronavirus
NASP - National Association of School Psychologists: Health Crisis Resources; COVID-19: Resource Center
Child Mind Institute: Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus; How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
Psychology Today: How to Stay Calm in the Midst of the Coronavirus Crisis
NCTSN - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Helping Children Cope with Emergencies; Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children; Preparing for an Outbreak -- FAQs for Individuals and Families; Manage Anxiety & Stress
PBS for Parents: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
Stanford Children's Health: COVID-19: What Parents Need to Know
Permanente Medicine: Family Feeling Stressed About Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Ibero-American Action League: Noticias e información local sobre la pandemia COVID-19 en Rochester, N.Y.
Educastur: INFOGRAFÍA. Impacto emocional por COVID-19. Ministerio de Sanidad
The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds: 7 MANERAS DE APOYAR A NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES DURANTE LA PANDEMIA DEL CORONAVIRUS
Kids Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Qué pueden hacer los niños; ¿Cómo hablar con su hijo sobre este virus?
unicef: Cómo pueden los profesores hablarles a los niños sobre la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19)
aulawabisabi: Recursos para explicar a los niños el coronavirus (COVID 19) e ideas para hacer con niños los días sin cole
Activities for Children
Games to play when leading groups of teens
Coronavirus - A Book for Children
Mind in the Making: Skill-Building Opportunities
Headspace: A NY state of mind
Wide Open School: Schools are closed-Minds are wide open
Kids Out and About: Master guide to COVID-19 online activities for kids, teens, families, and adults
Scholastic: Learn at Home
Audible Stories - FREE library of children's and young adult's literature audiobooks (different languages available)
Kids Out and About: 250+ Creative Ways to Keep Your Family Sane During the COVID-19 Crisis
CNN: All the virtual concerts, plays, museums and other culture you can enjoy from home
Family eGuide: Boredom Busters: 110 Fun At-Home Activities for Families & Kids
Planning with Kids: 10 Activities To Do At Home With The Kids
NPR: Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
Parenting Healthy: Social & Emotional Learning Resources – Covid-19 Resources for Kids & Teens
USA Today: Indoor Activities to Keep the Kids Entertained During COVID-19 Isolation
123 Homeschool: 101 FUN Things to do in COVID-19 Isolation
NESCA - Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents: Making the Most of COVID-19 School Closures
Information for Educators and Providers
Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals: Home Visiting Rapid Response Webinar Recordings
Help Me Grow National Center: HMG Affiliate Resources for Responding to COVID-19 - Maintaining connection is our greatest source of strength in these times
Center on the Developing Child / Harvard University: A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development
Child Trends: COVID-19 recovery presents an opportunity to fill critical gaps in knowledge about equipping schools to address trauma
Second Step: Resources for Educators and Families
Early Childhood Investigations: COVID-19 Financial Survival Strategies for Early Childhood Programs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Path Forward
Other Resources
Chicago Tribune: What is herd immunity? And how do we get there?
New York State Education Department: Recovering, Rebuilding, and Renewing: The Spirit of New York’s Schools
New York State Education Department: State Education Department Presents Framework of Guidance to Reopen New York State Schools
ROC COVID-19: Keep tabs on COVID-19 in the Greater Rochester region
Monroe County COVID-19 Response: Get tested; Help is here
University of Rochester Medical Center: Community Resources for Youth and Families with Behavioral Health Challenges During the COVID-19 Crisis
NYS Office of Mental Health: Information on Novel Coronavirus
City of Rochester: Responding to Coronavirus and COVID-19 in Rochester
University of Rochester: Student Food Pantry; Student Support
Call 2-1-1 — or visit the 2-1-1 website
Foodlink: How To Find Food; Mobile Pantries
The Community Foundation: COVID-19 Resource Page
SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak
Rochester First News: Charter to offer free access to Spectrum broadband, WiFi during virus outbreak
Fingerlakes1: Latest information, resources, and cancellations due to spread of Coronavirus
Community Check-In Conversation Series
Join us and others in our community to simply listen, support and connect. The Virtual Community Connection is a series of virtual community discussions intended to foster human connection and inform our anticipation of needs as we navigate an unprecedented time.