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COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS AND CHILDREN

COVID-19 Variants, Vaccines & Protecting CA’s Children Frequently Asked Questions

• California’s Vaccination Plan: Vaccination is one of the most important tools to end the COVID-19 pandemic and is free. For more information on available vaccines, when you can get vaccinated, statewide vaccination data, and more, click here.
• MyTurnCA: Sign up for vaccination appointments at myturn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255 to find out if it’s your turn. If you’re eligible, you can schedule an appointment, or register to be notified when one is available.
• Contact my local public health department: Some local health jurisdictions provide vaccination appointments separately from My Turn. 
• You can always use the CDC VaccineFinder tool to find vaccination locations near you: https://vaccinefinder.org/
• The COVID-19 vaccine is available to kids 5 years old and up. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11.
  • School Health: FAQs from Parents: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) California Chapter 2 answers some questions you may have about school health and safety of your children 
  • Parents and Caregivers – What Is Your School Doing to Protect Your Child from COVID-19?: CDC answers some of your questions about vaccines, mask wearing, testing and contact tracing, how to ask schools about their COVID-19 precautions, among others 
  • Are We There Yet?: Talk with a pediatrician about questions you may have about vaccinating your children
  • San Mateo county has put together recommendations on COVID-19 safe fall activities for children and families
  • Vaccinating your children is one of the most important tools of protecting your family and community from COVID-19. You can get yourself and your children vaccinated free of cost! For more information on statewide vaccination data, when to get your child vaccinated, and more, click here.
  • Visit myturn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255 to sign up for vaccination appointments for yourself and your children. You can also use the CDC VaccineFinder tool to find vaccination locations near you: https://www.vaccines.gov/. Some local health organizations may provide vaccination appointments separately from My Turn
  • With school back in session, COVID still at play, and flu season in full swing, don’t forget to get your children the flu shot!  AAP has put together some immunization resources for you and your child that includes up-to-date immunization schedules, information to counter vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19 vaccination for children.
• Get your flu shot today! 
• US FDA’s factsheet for parents and caregivers as they prepare to vaccinate their children 5 to 11 years of age
• Click here to watch videos by FDA and CDC on all things COVID-19 vaccination!
• Make your COVID-19 vaccine appointment through CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Publix, and GoodRx today!
• Check out Planifica Tu Vacuna to get all the information you need about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.Resources in Spanish:  
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services answers some of the most commonly asked questions about vaccine safety, effectiveness, side effects, variants, costs, and availability.

PRECAUCIONES COVID-19 Y NIÑOS

• Variantes de COVID-19 , Vacunas, y Protegiendo los Niños de California
• Departamento de Servicios de Salud responde algunas de las preguntas más frecuentes sobre la seguridad, la eficacia, los efectos secundarios, las variantes, los costos y la disponibilidad de las vacunas
• ¡Haga clic aquí para ver videos de la FDA y los CDC sobre todo lo relacionado con la vacuna contra el COVID-19!
• Hoja informativa de la FDA de los Estados Unidos para padres y cuidadores mientras se prepara para vacunar a niños de 5 a 11.
• ¿Ya llegamos?: Hable con un pediatra sobre las preguntas que pueda tener sobre la vacunación de su hijo.
• ¡Haga su cita para la vacuna contra el COVID-19 a través de una clínica comunitaria, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Publix y GoodRx hoy!
• Consulte Planifica Tu Vacuna para obtener toda la información que necesita sobre cómo recibir la vacuna contra el  COVID-19

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT COVID-19

• Sesame Street: Sesame Street has filled their site with content you can use all day long to spark playful learning, offer children comfort, and focus a bit on yourself, too during the COVID-19 health crisis.
• Talking to Children About COVID-19:   Sesame Street has tips for answering young children’s questions regarding COVID-19 without overloading them with scary information, while still providing comfort.
• Caring For a Family Member with COVID-19 & Dealing with Childcare and School Closings: Healthy Children has information on how to protect your family and others during the COVID-19 health crisis, while also offering advice for reassuring children.
• Working and Learning from Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Healthy Children has written a guide with insights on caring for children while working and schooling from home.
• Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home: Health Children has organized tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics on helping children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behavior and build resilience.
• Supporting Families During COVID-19: The Child Mind Institute is open and available for you and your child during this crisis with resources to help balance work, child care and self care. Telehealth appointments for ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders and learning disorders are also available.
• Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource.
• Free Kids Educational Resources: There’s 200 free videos, lessons, apps, books, websites and more.
• Scholastic Learn at Home: Day-by-day projects to keep children reading, thinking, and learning.
• Daily Lunch Doodles: Daily virtual videos where kids can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing.
• Free Online Dance Classes: Designed for kids in pre-k through 5th grade, kids can learn more dance moves such as the Irish step. There are even some dances for grown-ups too!
• Does your family have a self-care activity you want to share with others? Check out or My Green is Lime Green Self-Care Contest!

ECONOMIC SECURITY

• American Rescue Plan Act Resources for Families
• Employment Development Department guide applying for unemployment benefits in California
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
• EDD Information for people who are laid off, sick or caring for family members 
• Know Your Rights During COVID-19: The Medical-Legal Community Partnership Los Angeles has put together a resource  describing COVID-19 rights and protections around housing, employment, health care, and stimulus payments.
• The California Parent and Youth Helpline: Provides support and resource referrals to parent and youth during the current COVID-19 pandemic, 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Call or text 1-855-4APARENT (855-427-2736) for services in English, Spanish and other languages.

IMMIGRANT FAMILIES

• American Rescue Plan Act Resources for Families
• Medi-Cal COVID-19 PE program: Presumptive Eligibility for Medi-Cal is available so that all individuals may seek access to all medically necessary care related to COVID-19  at no cost to the individual.
• Disaster Relief Fund and CA Immigrant Resilience Fund: The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is providing one-time disaster relief assistance to undocumented adult immigrants impacted by COVID-19, who are ineligible for most other forms of pandemic assistance, including direct assistance under the CARES Act and unemployment insurance.1
• Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Public Programs:  The Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign has compiled a general overview of some of the federal public programs available to support individuals and families during the COVID-19 crisis under existing law, as well as the recently passed federal aid packages.
• Understanding the Impact of Key Provisions of COVID-19 Federal Relief Bills on Immigrant Communities: The  National Immigration Law Center has written a policy brief  to provide information on the COVID-19 relief package’s impact on low-income immigrants and suggestions for urgently needed improvements in any future relief bills, with a focus on health, public benefits, economic support, and employment protections.
• Undocumented Workers’ Employment Rights: Legal Aid At Work provides an overview of frequently asked questions regarding Undocumented Workers’ Employment Rights.
• CIPC resource guide: The California Immigrant Policy Center has organized a guide of COVID-19 resources for immigrants in California.

INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY ACCESS

• CA Department of Education, Getting Internet Access: CDE has listed a table containing special offers extended by various providers throughout the state.
• Internet for All Now: Several Internet Service Providers offer low-cost, affordable Home Internet for qualifying low-income households.
• 14 Tips for Helping Students with Limited Internet Have Distance Learning: The MindShift community shares strategies, tips or activities to do distance learning with students who only have access to cellphones and limited data or internet. 
• Tech Against Coronavirus. This collection of resources includes online learning platforms and video conferencing tools for educators to connect with students.
• Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books & More: is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.
• Learning Heroes (bilingual): a “roadmap” to help parents keep their children on track  with math, reading, life skills and more while school is closed.
• The Help Group – Virtual Parenting Classes: These classes will provide you with strategies and knowledge to help you create your own parenting style. We will focus on empathy training, setting limits, brain development and expanding your emotional vocabulary.
• EveryoneOn is a nonprofit dedicated to creating social and economic opportunity by connecting low-income families to affordable internet service and computers, and delivering digital skills trainings.
• Microsoft Digital Literacy
• Grow with Google
• Oasis Connections
• Goodwill Community Foundation
• Microsoft Digital Literacy
• Common Sense Media
• Common Sense Latino

NUTRITION & FOOD ACCESS

• CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application: The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices.
• LAUSD Resource Guide: The County of Los Angeles has listed food resources available through COVID-19 response efforts.
• The California Parent and Youth Helpline: provides support and resource referrals to parent and youth during the current COVID-19 pandemic, 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Call or text 1-855-4APARENT (855-427-2736) for services in English, Spanish and other languages.
• CalFresh & Medi-Cal Eligibility Screener: Alluma has launched an online Quick Screener tool for public use, to help millions of Californians check if they are likely eligible for California’s food and health insurance assistance programs, CalFresh and Medi-Cal.

HEALTH

• CA Department of Public Health, COVID-19 Resources:  The California  Department of Public Health has listed resources and information for various frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19.
• Supporting Children’s Health During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic:  The National Institute for Children’s Health equity has listed potential solutions and relevant resources to address the potential far reaching overall impact COVID-19 will have on children’s health outcomes.
• Tips for Physical Distancing in a Multigenerational Home
• Harm Reduction Tips: Safer Drug Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak 
• Staying Safe During COVID-19: Resources and Support for Those Coping with Abuse During COVID-19 “Stay at Home” Directive
• Interactive guide to safety planning:   If you have safe access to a computer, you can use this Interactive Safety Planning Guide to help keep yourself safe, created by Loveisrespect a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY, or if you’re unable to speak safely, text LOVEIS to 22522. Anyone facing abuse of any kind can call this hotline.
• RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline): call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• The National Child Abuse Hotline
• Adult Abuse Hotline: call 1-800-222-8000
• The California Parent and Youth Helpline provides support and resource referrals to parent and youth during the current COVID-19 pandemic, 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Call or text 1-855-4APARENT (855-427-2736) for services in English, Spanish and other languages.
• CalFresh & Medi-Cal Eligibility Screener: Alluma has launched an online Quick Screener tool for public use, to help millions of Californians check if they are likely eligible for California’s food and health insurance assistance programs, CalFresh and Medi-Cal.
• Talking about COVID breakthrough infections: Recommendations for public health practitioners. Media coverage on breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated make talking about COVID more complicated. We hope these initial talking points will be helpful. As this issue evolves, the talking points may evolve as well.
  • Comunicación acerca de la vacuna contra el COVID-19: Guía y mensajes de muestra para trabajadores de salud pública.Conforme nos acercamos a la fecha de distribución de las vacunas contra el COVID-19, los legisladores y el público en general buscan información y tienen preguntas acerca de su eficacia y seguridad. Los trabajadores de salud pública en los departamentos de salud y en otras partes pueden jugar un rol muy importante en resolver estas dudas y fomentar la confianza necesaria para distribuir las vacunas equitativamente. Este documento contiene recomendaciones para ayudar a los líderes de salud pública a comunicarse más clara y efectivamente cuando hablen sobre las vacunas. (This is the Spanish version of BMSG’s Communicating about the COVID-19 vaccines: Guidance and sample messages for public health practitioners)

MENTAL HEALTH

• CA Peer-Run Warm Line: The Peer-Run Warm Line (1-855-845-7415) is a non-emergency resource for anyone in California seeking emotional support. They provide assistance via phone and webchat on a nondiscriminatory basis to anyone in need.
• CA Youth Crisis Line: The California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis.
• Steinberg Institute MH Youth Services: The Steinberg Institute has compiled a list of resources to support youth’s mental wellness throughout California.
• How teenagers can protect their mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19): UNICEF organized six strategies for teens facing a new (temporary) normal.
• Child Trends provides recommendations and resources to support children’s emotional well-being
• Tips for Self-Care During COVID-19
• SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Line: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. 
• Teen Line: Text “TEEN” to 839863 between 6:00pm-9:00pm PST for teen-to-teen education and support or send an email using their website.
• Older Californians can stay connected with their communities during isolation, and receive help accessing food or medical supplies by calling 833-544-2374.
• The California Parent and Youth Helpline: provides support and resource referrals to parent and youth during the current COVID-19 pandemic, 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Call or text 1-855-4APARENT (855-427-2736) for services in English, Spanish and other languages.
• CDC: Stigma and Resilience During COVID-19
• CDC: Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• SAMHSA: Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During an Infectious Disease
• CDPH and ACEs Connection created this flyer to provide families with tips and resources to cope with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• CDPH y ACEs Connection crearon este folleto para ofrecerles a las familias consejos y recursos para enfrentar el estrés durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

TELEHEALTH

• Telehealth Mental Health Services for Children & Teens: The Child Mind Institute’s gold-standard, evidence-based care for children, teens, young adults and families is now being provided via telehealth.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
(enrichment and learning)

• CA Dept of Ed Frequently Asked Questions for Early Learning and Care Programs
• Reading Tips for Parents in 13 languages: Colorín Colorado has one-page Reading Tip Sheets available in thirteen languages that offer ideas for parents to help kids become successful readers.
• Ideas for Baby’s Development While at Home: Healthy Children offers ideas for caretakers looking for new ways to entertain and play with your young child during social distancing. 

EDUCATION
(learning)

• KQED At-Home Learning Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Supporting English Learners during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Resources for Learning at Home When Schools Close: Shares virtual resources by subject area, along with instructional planning and family communication tips.
• Distance Learning Classroom Resources for Students: PBS NewsHour is updating this collection of teacher-produced resources and lesson plans on current events, government and civics, and more.
• Distance Learning for Immigrant families and English Learner students: Privacy Considerations

ESPAÑOL

• American Rescue Plan Act Resources for Families
• FDA:
  • https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-en-espanol/enfermedad-del-coronavirus-covid-19
• Guía sobre COVID-19 (Departamento de Salud Pública de California, CDPH):
  • https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Covid19-Poster-SPANISH.pdf
• Recursos del gobierno de California
• Video educacional de Abriendo Puertas sobre COVID-19 
• Actividades sin pantalla para hacer en casa con niños: Estos recursos, recomendados por Abriendo Puertas y Early Edge, enfatizan la importancia del tiempo de pantalla consciente y alientan las actividades que no requieren un dispositivo.
• Sección Amarilla: 10 actividades en casa para niños y niñas 
• HealthyChildren.org: 10 actividades sin costo y lejos de una pantalla
• Conmishijos: 20-entretenidas-actividades-para-hacer-con-los-niños-en-casa  
• La Diversiva: 70 ideas fáciles para jugar con los peques dentro de casa  
• Zero to Three: ¡Juega conmigo! Actividades que hacen divertido el aprendizaje desde el nacimiento hasta los doce meses. (0-12 months) 
• La Guía de Estrategias del Asesor General de Salud Publica de California: Alivio del estrés durante la pandemia de la COVID-19 se ha traducido a los siguientes idiomas: árabe, chino, coreano, español, tagalo y vietnamita.
• Niveles de estrategia. Este documento describe el proceso de cuatro pasos de BMSG para planificar la acción política a través de los medios de comunicación, a este proceso lo llamamos los niveles estratégicos. El proceso se apega a la idea de que el mensaje nunca debe ser lo primero en lo que nos enfocamos. En lugar de eso el primer paso, y el más importante, es el desarrollar una estrategia general que apoye una campaña de acción política para cambiar políticas públicas. De ahí parte la estrategia de los medios, de mensaje y de acceso a los medios. (This is the Spanish version of our Layers of Strategy)
• Hoja de ejercicios: Desarrollo de mensajes. Para cambiar políticas de salud pública, es importante para quienes buscamos estos cambios saber cómo comunicarnos de manera estratégica acerca del asunto que queremos abordar, explicar por qué es importante y que es lo que se tiene que hacer para resolver el problema. Usa esta hoja de ejercicios para practicar el desarrollo de mensaje con tu audiencia objetivo en mente. (This is the Spanish version of our Message Development Worksheet)
• Estrategia general para planificación de acción política. Antes de ir a los medios para traer atención al asunto en el que quieres trabajar, o antes de decidir cual va a ser tu mensaje, es necesario que tengas claro cuales son tus metas de abogacía tanto como los pasos que vas a dar para lograrlo. Las preguntas en esta hoja de trabajo te pueden ayudar a identificar la información que necesitas para ir avanzando y cuales son los siguientes pasos por tomar. Piensa en esta hoja como tu guía principal: tu estrategia mediática y tu estrategia de mensaje se derivan de esta estrategia general, de manera que todas tus acciones estén alineadas con tus metas de abogacía. (This is the Spanish version of our Overall Strategy Worksheet).

LGBTQ+

• COVID-19 LGBTQ+ Help Center: Equality California has launched a help center website and hotline for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Includes full lists of service providers in all 53 counties and will feature free webinars for people out of work.

REGION SPECIFIC

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

• LA Care Teladoc: Talk to a doctor by calling Teladoc or by scheduling a video chat on the Teladoc app to treat non-emergency medical issues. Teledoc doctors can prescribe medication if necessary, which you can pick up at your local pharmacy.
• California Connected Contact Tracing: Under this program, health workers will talk to those who have tested positive. They’ll alert anyone they may have exposed, keeping names confidential. Contact tracing is an anonymous way to do your part. The more people answer the call, the more lives and jobs California saves. Your information is always kept confidential. Available in multiple languages: English | Spanish | Traditional Chinese | Simplified Chinese | Korean | Armenian | Tagalog | Arabic | Farsi | Cambodian | Russian | Japanese | Vietnamese

ORANGE COUNTY

• Senior Center Lunch Cafe Locations: Meals on Wheels Orange County delivers nutritious meals at community centers in the following cities providing a hot, nutritious lunch to older adults.
• Anaheim Union High School District and Brea Olinda Unified School District are offering meals to children ages 18 and under.
• The Buena Park School District will provide drive-thru meals to community members with children 18 and under at two of its campuses.
  • *Children must be present to receive meals*
• Centralia School District will provide free meals to children 18 and under.
  • *Children must be present to receive meals*
• Fullerton School District will be offering free breakfast and lunch to children under the age of 18 via curb-side pickup at all school locations.
  • *Children must be present to receive meals*
• La Habra City School District will offer grab-and-go curbside lunches for children ages 18 and under at three of its campuses from 9 am to 12 pm.
  • *Children must be present to receive lunch*
• Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District will provide free breakfast and lunch to all children ages 18 and under from 9 am to 11 am at four of its campuses.
  • *Children must be present to receive lunch*
• Savanna School District will provide free lunches for children ages 18 and under at various times and campuses.

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS/EDUCATORS & PARENTS

• California Safe Schools for All: California’s School Reopening Plan
• BEAM Tool Kits & Resources: Mental health resources for Black students.
• Behavioral Health Impacts During & After COVID-19: What to Expect and Ways to Prepare for the Return to In-Person Learning
• Check out the #virtualschool hashtag on your social media feeds. During Education Week, teachers shared examples of how they are collaborating during school closures, including through virtual professional learning communities and resource-sharing.
• Sample Daily Schedules by Khan Academy.
  • These schedules are meant to be templates that you could adopt as is or copy and modify to better suit the needs of your children, classroom or district.
• Resources, Strategies, Considerations, and Articles for Educators Teaching at Home Due to COVID-19.
  • Members of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) are curating this list of resources and strategies for teachers, along with tips for implementation.
• Resource Hub for Online Learning.
  • Instruction Partners shares resources, tools, and guidance to support school and system leaders in planning for school closures and supporting continued learning for students.
• Free, Emergency Virtual-Learning Resources for Every School:
  • Resources intended for students in K-12 including articles, images,  videos and primary sources of information, presented in an “engaging interface,” optimized for smart devices. The resources are translated into multiple languages.
• Children’s Data Privacy During COVID-19 Closures: 10 Questions to Ask
• US Department of Education: Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services: Requirements and Best Practices