coronavirus covid-19
Resources for FamiliesThe following are resources to help families, children, and caregivers in our Siskiyou communities
cope with and learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic and response.
- Activities for Children
- Child Care
- Community Resources
- Education & Literacy
- Entertainment
- FRCs/CRCs
- Health & Safety
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
- Parenting Resources
Here’s Your Guide to All of the Online Activities for Your Kids that We Could Find
This is a very large “bouquet” of wonderful and amazing resources for children, and their parents and caregivers.
BackPocket Learning is collection of activities that every garden educator or parent should have in their “Back Pocket”. The activities and recipes are all tried and true and are used weekly in their camps, field trips and school-based programs. The activities are listed by type, age range, and length of time — very cool resource for lots of wonderful ideas!
First 5 California is a wealth of information and resources! Find Read, Talk, Sing, and Play activities for ages 0-5 that promote healthy brain development. First 5 California also has a Pinterest page with logs of wonderful ideas. Looking for a dance party? Try the First 5 Kids Station on Pandora.
KidsActivities.com
An entire list of education companies offering free subscriptions due to school closings PLUS so much more!! Virtual field trips, screen-free activities, crafts, fun food projects — lots of printables and wonderful activities for kids! (for babies through 8th grade).
Find fun activities by age at ZERO TO THREE that you can do with your child (0-3years) at home with everyday materials. The activities can be found in English and Spanish.
12 Easy DIY Sensory Activities to Entertain BabiesEverything featured here can be crafted from simple, recycled materials and stuff found within reach around the house.
Essential Workers — If you are in need of child care during this time of crisis, please contact Margaret at Siskiyou Child Care Council by phone at 530.938.2748 or by email at mhoaglen@siskiyouchildcare.org.
Community Resources
Care, Cope, Connect — Sesame Street in Communities — This guide can help support families who may be experiencing fear, anxiety, or loss.
CalFresh (or SNAP) is a program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. Learn more by visiting the CalFresh website or by calling or visiting Siskiyou County Human Services, 818 S. Main Street Yreka, CA 96097 — (530) 841-2700.
Food Assistance for individuals or families in need in Siskiyou (Week of April 20th to 25th).
A new Immigrant Guide is now available online from the California Dept. of Social Services to help immigrants with English language learning, workforce skill development, naturalization preparation, legal assistance, and MUCH more, including COVID-19 related resources.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FACT SHEET –
ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS
HOJA DE DATOS DE LA AGENCIA FEDERAL PARA EL DESARROLLO DE LA PEQUEÑA EMPRESA – PRÉSTAMOS DE DESASTRES POR PÉRDIDAS ECONÓMICAS
A new Immigrant Guide is now available online from the California Dept. of Social Services to help immigrants with English language learning, workforce skill development, naturalization preparation, legal assistance, and MUCH more, including COVID-19 related resources.
WIDEOPENSCHOOL.ORG | We are a family | Schools are closed. Minds are wide open.
On April 1st, Common Sense Media announced the launch of a brand-new, free online resource to support families and educators who are transitioning to remote learning as a result of the coronavirus. We are still exploring the magnificence of this site – Wide Open School! It’s an inclusive portal to many wonderful resources for kids pre-k – 12th grade.
Looking to Learn? Explore.org is the world’s leading live nature cam network and documentary film channel. WOW!
From MindHeart ~ Manuela Molina created this short book (printable as a PDF at this site) to support and reassure children around the world regarding COVID-19. The author invites families to discuss the full range of emotions arising from the current situation. It is important to point out that this resource does not seek to be a source of scientific information, but rather a tool based on fantasy. It is recommended to print this material so children can draw on it. Remember that emotions are processed through repetitive play and stories read multiple times. Share COVIBOOK and help families ease children’s anxiety. You will find this book in many different languages at this website.
WIDEOPENSCHOOL.ORG | We are a family | Schools are closed. Minds are wide open.
On April 1st, Common Sense Media announced the launch of a brand-new, free online resource to support families and educators who are transitioning to remote learning as a result of the coronavirus. We are still exploring the magnificence of this site – Wide Open School! It’s an inclusive portal to many wonderful resources for kids pre-k – 12th grade.
Looking to Learn? Explore.org is the world’s leading live nature cam network and documentary film channel. WOW!
Health & Safety
A Guide to Sleeping with Coronavirus Anxiety ~ This Guide is packed with helpful information and tips on how to improve the quality of your sleep during this difficult time.
Should Kids Wear Face Masks? We asked a Pediatriacian
Prioritize your Social-Emotional and Mental Health
What to Do if You are Sick Flyer
How to Stop the Spread of Germs Flyer in English and Spanish
Workplace, School and Home Safety Guidelines
Information for Pregnant Women and Children
FAQs for Individuals and Families ~ from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CalFresh (or SNAP) is a program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. Learn more by visiting the CalFresh website or by calling or visiting Siskiyou County Human Services, 818 S. Main Street Yreka, CA 96097 — (530) 841-2700.
How to Protect Kids’ Mental Health During the Pandemic
This is some great information and ideas for supporting kids who miss their old lives and are stressed from all the bad news.
How You and Your Kids Can De-Stress During Coronavirus
“Research shows that just being in the presence of a compassionate, safe adult can help kids calm down. As families, we can be “that person” for each other…..” | PBS KIDS for Parents
Four Things to Do Every Day for Your Mental Health
Make time in your schedule for these core human needs.
TIPS FOR COPING DURING THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS (for all those who live with, care for, or teach children) This list was put together after an information gathering/brainstorming session with College of the Siskiyous Mentor Teachers. It is intended to inspire early care and education providers, parents, and all those in a helping role to practice self-care while helping children and adults through stressful times.
Are you experiencing a mental health crisis? Call the Access/Crisis Line at 1-800-842-8979
24-hours a day, 7 days a week, for confidential help.
Siskiyou County Behavioral Health provides a broad range of mental health and substance use disorder services.
Parenting Resources
Co-Parenting Tips for Divorced Parents
Unless your family has faced serious issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse, co-parenting—having both parents play an active role in their children’s daily lives—is the best way to ensure that all your kids’ needs are met and enable them to retain close relationships with both parents. Research suggests that the quality of the relationship between co-parents can also have a strong influence on the mental and emotional well-being of children, and the incidence of anxiety and depression. Of course, putting aside relationship issues, especially after an acrimonious split, to co-parent agreeably is sometimes easier said than done.
Ways to Talk to Kids About Racism and Protests
Dr. Jacqueline Douge, a pediatrician and co-author of The American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy statement on the impact of racism on children, tells Dylan Dreyer and Al Roker about the types of conversations parents should have with their kids about race and protests happening across the country.
How to Talk to Your Children about Protests and Racism
A video clip on CNN and article that provides information to parents about how to protect their children from seeing the worst of the violence while simultaneously explaining the ravages of racism.
Newborn Care: The Ultimate Guide for New Parents and Families
This in-depth resource guide, recently released by the University of North Dakota,was created for pediatrics, mothers, women health organizations and parenting communities who are looking to share information on how to take care of a newborn baby after arriving home from the hospital. This guide provides detailed insights and resources on a wide range of topics!
12 Easy DIY Sensory Activities to Entertain Babies Everything featured here can be crafted from simple, recycled materials and stuff found within reach around the house.
FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions) as a Grounding Tool in Uncertain Times
Resource#5: Doing
A new Immigrant Guide is now available online from the California Dept. of Social Services to help immigrants with English language learning, workforce skill development, naturalization preparation, legal assistance, and MUCH more, including COVID-19 related resources.
WIDEOPENSCHOOL.ORG | We are a family | Schools are closed. Minds are wide open.
On April 1st, Common Sense Media announced the launch of a brand-new, free online resource to support families and educators who are transitioning to remote learning as a result of the coronavirus. We are still exploring the magnificence of this site – Wide Open School! It’s an inclusive portal to many wonderful resources for kids pre-k – 12th grade.
How You and Your Kids Can De-Stress During Coronavirus
“Research shows that just being in the presence of a compassionate, safe adult can help kids calm down. As families, we can be “that person” for each other…..” | PBS KIDS for Parents
Emotions & Self-Awareness/ Development for Kids
When kids develop a strong emotional toolkit, they are better able to handle the ups and downs of life. As parents, we can help children name their feelings, understand them and develop strategies for expressing them in healthy ways. | PBS KIDS for Parents
First 5 California is a wealth of information and resources! Find Read, Talk, Sing, and Play activities for ages 0-5 that promote healthy brain development. First 5 California also has a Pinterest page with logs of wonderful ideas. Looking for a dance party? Try the First 5 Kids Station on Pandora.
Talking to Children about COVID-19
CDC: Talking with children about Coronavirus
Child Mind Institute (also available in Spanish)
PBS Parents
New York Times: How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus
National Public Radio (NPR): A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
Understood (resources for kids and adults with learning differences or disabilities)
The Autism Educator: What is the coronavirus?
Autism Little Learners: Why do I have to stay at home?
Free Resources for the classroom and home – from Lakeshore Learning
Talking to Children about Coronavirus in Developmentally Appropriate Ways
Ways to Talk to Kids About Race and Protests
Dr. Jacqueline Douge, a pediatrician and co-author of The American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy statement on the impact of racism on children, tells Dylan Dreyer and Al Roker about the types of conversations parents should have with their kids about race and protests happening across the country. This is the link to the policy statement on race and racism published by the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/…/2/e20191765
Co-Parenting Tips for Divorced Parents
Unless your family has faced serious issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse, co-parenting—having both parents play an active role in their children’s daily lives—is the best way to ensure that all your kids’ needs are met and enable them to retain close relationships with both parents. Research suggests that the quality of the relationship between co-parents can also have a strong influence on the mental and emotional well-being of children, and the incidence of anxiety and depression. Of course, putting aside relationship issues, especially after an acrimonious split, to co-parent agreeably is sometimes easier said than done.
FMC opens COVID-19 testing to community
Fairchild Medical Center is now offering COVID-19 testing to the general community, for those who do not have any coronavirus signs or symptoms, through an order by Siskiyou County Public Health Officer Dr. Aaron Stutz. Two options are available, per Stutz: a polymerise chain reaction, or PCR nasal swab test to detect the presence of COVID-19; or a PCR test and an antibody test.
??T?o protect ourselves and others from COVID-19, the CDC now recommends ?cloth face coverings be used when outside. But what about children? Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions about cloth face coverings and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are your kids having a hard time getting used to wearing masks? It’s understandable if they’re afraid of them at first. This article has some good ideas to help make them seem less scary…
Newborn Care:
The Ultimate Guide for New Parents and Families
This in-depth resource guide was created for pediatrics, mothers, women health organizations and parenting communities who are looking to share information on how to take care of a newborn baby after arriving home from the hospital.
This guide provides detailed insights and resources on many topics, including feeding, bonding, and sleeping tips; newborn safety advice; hygiene, cleaning, and bathing resources; and much more!
How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak
This guide is a wealth of information with resource links to articles, videos, podcasts, and PDFs to print. It pulls together information on COVID-19, including what it means for child development, and shareable resources that can help parents, caregivers, child care providers, pediatricians, and others who work with families.
How Do You Decide if Children Can Play Together Again?
“I’m getting it every day in my office: what do we do, we can’t stay home forever, we need some activities,” said Dr. Sally Goza, the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.“I try to explain to parents, this virus is not gone, it’s still here, we need to be smart in how we go about being around other people.
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How You and Your Kids Can De-Stress During Coronavirus
“Research shows that just being in the presence of a compassionate, safe adult can help kids calm down. As families, we can be “that person” for each other…..”
When kids develop a strong emotional toolkit, they are better able to handle the ups and downs of life. As parents, we can help children name their feelings, understand them and develop strategies for expressing them in healthy ways.PBS KIDS for Parents
“….my research shows that the couples who survive crises with their relationship and careers intact are those who discuss and agree on certain principles as the crisis begins. These should capture what matters most to them, what they need and want to achieve, what they need from each other, and what they must give in return.
Californians are required to stay at home except for essential needs. What’s open? What’s closed? Find out here.
We must all work together to keep California healthy so that we can get back to normal as soon as possible.
YouTube – March 24, 2020
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Social Distancing
To stop the spread of coronavirus, health officials have instructed the public to practice social distancing — staying home, avoiding crowds and refraining from touching one another.
– Teri Sforza – The Mercury News – 3/22
Parental dilemmas abound in the thick of the coronavirus crisis. But foster parents juggle an extra layer of complexity as they try to protect their young charges — and still honor court-ordered visits with biological families eager to get those children back.
A Comprehensive Guide.
Questions about COVID-19 and food safety, answered. Published: Very helpful.
Please share with others.

Handling Your Kid’s Disappointment When Everything is Cancelled ~By
School and events are shutting down, impacting children in unexpected ways. Here’s how to deal with the letdown.
A Word
From Our Executive Director
” We encourage you to please take good care of yourself and your families, read together, talk about your day, sing silly songs, dance spontaneously, play music, eat healthy foods, and stay active!
It feels more important than ever to draw on one another’s strength and compassion, share our voices, stay informed, and uplift and encourage each other. We want to know how you are doing and how we can help. Please feel welcome to contact me at (530) 261-1297.
Stay well — let’s work to stay together even when we have to be apart.”