If you have young children, this is likely the first time you’ve had to parent through a pandemic. COVID-19 has completely upturned our daily lives, our routines—everything.

And we have concerns about our health, our children’s health, how to talk to our kids about Coronavirus, and where to get financial support during a time of unprecedented layoffs—and some of us just need ideas on how to keep our kiddos busy and engaged all day!

There are lots of wonderful resources floating around the web, and we’ve conveniently compiled them here for families to easily access. Stay healthy, families!

General Community Info: 

• Lane County Public Health – www.lanecountyor.gov/coronavirus  
• Lane County Call Center – 541-682-1380
• City of Eugene – www.eugene-or.gov/coronavirus
• Oregon Health Authority – COVID-19
• Centers for Disease Control – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
• WIC – https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYPEOPLEFAMILIES/WIC/Pages/interest-form.aspx

 

Help With Basic Needs:

• Food for Lane County: For real-time referrals, closures, and updated food resource information, please contact the front desk at 541-343-2822 (M-F 9am-4pm).

• NAACP: The Eugene/Springfield NAACP is partnering with Food for Lane County to host biweekly food distribution at the historic Mims House for low-income community members

• • March 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 from 4:30-6:30 pm at 330 High St.
  • Bring a reusable bag; no documentation required
  • Food includes shelf-stable dry goods, fresh produce, frozen meat, and yogurt
  • Any household that is 185% above Federal Poverty Level
  • For more information call 541-343-2822 or visit foodforlanecounty.org

• Xfinity and CenturyLink are suspending shut offs, waiving late fees, and providing unlimited data for the time being.

• EWEB: Temporarily suspending service disconnections and late fees for customer non-payment during the coronavirus crisis; Expanding bill assistance programs and implementing residential and commercial loan deferrals to help customers through the economic disruptions caused by the virus outbreak; Starting April 1, EWEB will expand the EWEB Customer Care program to provide a $260 credit to any customer who loses a job.

Virtual Opportunities for Learning and Play:

• Virtually tour a National Park!

• Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems.Uploaded  daily  YouTube.

• Little Notes Music Time with Eugene Suzuki Academy. Every Wednesday, from 9:30 am to 10 pm on Facebook Live.

• Adventure Children’s Museum’s Adventure @ Home: Daily challenges, craft ideas, story time—all supplied in a handy e-newsletter.

• Virtually tour a museum!

• Attend a virtual dance class!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activities In The Home:

• Learn cooking techniques with Kids a Cookin’.

• Free audiobook streaming through Audible for kids while schools are closed.

• Use your local library card to access free newspapers, movies, and TV shows.

•Visit  Parenting  Now!’s  Facebook  Page  for  daily  Squishivities  ideas,  including  painting,  puppets,  homemade  musical  instruments,  and  more.

 

Talking with your child about COVID-19:

• “Something Strange Happened In My City:” A social story about the coronavirus pandemic for children.

• “How To Talk To Children About The Coronavirus,” from Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.

• “Understanding Coronavirus and How Germs Spread,” from Brains On!

• “Helping Children Cope With Emergencies,” from the CDC.

• “Tips for Families: Coronavirus,” from Zero To Three.

• “Healing In Place: Game on to find the flip of the Covid-19 threat into a positive experience for our children,” from Johns Hopkins University.

 

Tips for Creating a Daily Schedule and Routine/Distance Learning:

• “How Do I Put My (Suddenly) Stay-At-Home Kid On A Daily Schedule,” from National Geographic.

• Distance Learning Readiness Kit from Schoology.

• “When Everything Is Cancelled: How To Help Students Make The Most Of Their Newfound Freedom,” from The Washington Post.

• Distance learning resources for parents and educators.

 

Resources To Take Care of Yourself As A Parent:

• WellMama virtual support groups, and text support: 541-525-0495.

• White Bird Crisis Line is accessible 24/7 by phone at 541-687-4000

• “COVID-19 Uncertainties: Caring For Yourself, Caring For Your Kids,” from Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1/800-273-8255 (voice) 838255 (text) 

• The Friendship Line (24-hr hotline/warm line) 1/800-971-0016

• Free live-stream exercise classes.

• Tips for Working at Home from ACEs Connection Staff.