Updates and information on changes to Wisconsin programs and services

• Many Department of Health Services programs have provided updates as part of the DHS COVID19 website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm
  • Forward Health (Badgercare) has updates on what services are impacted here. 
  • Children’s Long Term Supports program updates are here. Their recent editions of the All in for Kids newsletter also provides important information for families here.
  • Birth to 3 updates here
• Well Badger Resource Center COVID19 specific resources/ updates at:  www.wellbadger.org/s/article/COVID-19-Resources?language=en_US
• ABC for Health/Healthwatch WI has a list of resources and videos regarding Badgercare, Economic Income Payments and other information here: safetyweb.org/healthwatchwi/covid19.html

Face Masks

• Information on Masks from the American Academy of Pediatrics www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Cloth-Face-Coverings-for-Children-During-COVID-19.aspx
• Information regarding Mask Mandates and the American with Disabilities Act from the Regional ADA Centers
• Help for kids struggling with masks
  • Help My Kid Won’t Wear a Mask from Children’s Wisconsin
  • Social Story from Pennsylvania in English and Spanish here
  • From New Jersey- Helping Individuals with Autism wear Face Masks

Resources specific to families with children with Special Health Care Needs/ Disabilities 

• Autism Society’s COVID-19 toolkit of resources is here.
• Family Voices has information on their website.
• A resource list from the ARC is here.
• Carol Gray Social Stories: carolgraysocialstories.com/pandemic-social-stories-direct-access/ 
• Center for Autism and Related Disabilities Social Story:  youtu.be/xkZ23tDzN4c
• Balancing Complex Care Giving and Educating Children from Complex Child
• Information for youth from the National Transitions to Adulthood Research Center is here.
• An article on COVID-19 is from Autism Parenting Magazine 
• The National Deaf Center has information on masks, accessing assistive technology. and advocacy here. 
• Information from the National Down Syndrome Society and others on COVID19 is here. 

Schools and Special Education

• American Association of Pediatrics guidance on schools re-opening  June 2020
• National Association of School Nurses Considerations for Post COVID Return to School for Students with Disabilities and Special Healthcare Needs July 2020
• Information from DHS regarding Cloth Face Masks in school July 2020 
• Federation for Children with Special Needs: Fall Re-opening Resources
• Information from DPI’s Special Education Team regarding the provision of special education services and COVID-19 is here. 
• Information from the American Bar Association on Special Education during this time 
• A resource library from a group of national special education organizations.
• Virtual IEPs: Tip Sheets from the national Parent Resource Center

Resiliency/ Trauma

• Resources and information from the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry
• Trauma-Informed School Strategies during COVID-19 from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Resilience during COVID-19 toolkits  from Rogers Health and other partners
• A collection of resources from DPI on Mental Health and Wellness
• Resilient Wisconsin
• Parent/ Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with Coronavirus Disease (COVID) 19: Provides information for parents and caregivers about infectious disease outbreaks in your community. Knowing important information about the outbreak and learning how to be prepared can reduce stress and help calm likely anxieties.

Fun Stuff for both Kids and Parents

• Saner at Home this Summer Resource List from Family Voices 
• Locally, Children’s Wisconsin- Family Resource Centers have virtual activities on their Facebook pages:
  • Marshfield Family Resource Center
  • Marathon County Family Resource Center
  • Northwoods Community Resource

• Camp Kinda: (In English and Spanish) | Here’s a free, virtual summer camp experience designed to keep kids engaged, asking questions, and having fun even while they’re stuck at home. “Open” each weekday starting June 1 to September 1. On any given day, kids may be exploring the art of graphic novels, unlocking the mysteries of history, or jumping into the world’s craziest sports. Also available in Spanish.
• Art at Home: a comprehensive list of online/ virtual tours of museums, games, and art activities.
• But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
• List of children’s authors reading their stories
• Sign up to Skype a Scientist
• The Kids Should See This- lots of science related videos- thekidshouldseethis.com/
• Bird Library: youtu.be/_SEQHPg6gRA
• Videos of trains– can be soothing or exciting
• Make a Time Capsule– might be a good activity for kids that don’t have an interest in journaling. 
• A list for teens of different things to do: Managing-Social-Distancing-So-It-Doesnt-Suck

Childcare, Early Childhood, and Camps

• Early Childhood Development: This guide pulls together information on COVID-19, what it means for child development and easy-to-share resources that can help parents and caregivers, as well as child care providers, pediatricians, and others who work with families.
• A list of daily tasks that are important learning opportunities is here. 
• Supporting Your Child in Virtual Formats– a two page guide from the Florida Inclusion Network. Also in Espanol 
• MatchUS is a community-driven project that connects educators and kids with disabilities/IEPs/support needs during this time of social distancing. This comes from Massachuessetss but is available across the country.
  mfofc.org/matchus/
• Scholastic Books is offering free lesson plans by grade level online.
• List of free education resources/software available at this time: www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
• Working and Learning from Home from the American Academy of Pediatricians
• DHS information page on schools and childcare including information on graduation ceremonies and camps: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/schools.htm
• Department of Children and Families’ information for Licensed Day Camps dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/press/2020/covid/bbb-camp-recs.pdf

Education Access

• Internet Service Expansion information, including coverage maps, free public access, and changes can be found here. 
• Information from DPI regarding internet access and other tools for schoolwork: dpi.wi.gov/broadband/connectivity-during-covid-19-school-closing

Economic and Food Assistance: 

• Economic Impact Payments are coming to most Americans through the IRS. If you have questions you can go to this site: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments. Questions regarding payments for SSI/SSDI recipients is available from the Social Security Administration here. Other questions like whether these payments impact programs like SSI/SSDI is available from the Social Security Administration here.
• Additional Food Share Benefits information is available from DHS here. 
• Financial resources from UW Extension are here, including how to connect with a financial educator
• WIC has expanded the list of available products that can be purchased. Use the WIC app to learn more. 
• Your local 211 is a great resource regarding basic needs.  The statewide site has a searchable database here.