Resource Directory /

COVID-19 Resources

  • Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource

    Information from the National Association of School Psychologists.

  • Talking with Children During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a tip sheet for caregivers, parents, and teachers on talking with children during infectious disease outbreaks.

    SAMHSA tip sheet provides information for toddlers to teens and includes:

    • Possible reactions
    • Talking with children and youth in different age groups
    • Supporting children and managing their responses
    • Self-care
    • More resources

  • Teachers and Parents: Working Together to Make Distance Learning Work

    This fact sheet from Mental Health America provides tips to help parents and teachers work together to make sure kids and teens are learning and to monitor their mental health.

  • Teaching kids hand washing during COVID-19

    Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics

  • Telehealth Tip Sheet

    The Child Neurology Foundation provides a telehealth tip sheet to help families and children prepare for video or phone appointments and make them as comfortable and successful as possible.

  • Ten Ways Children With Language Disorders Can Maintain Both Physical Distance and Social Connection During the Coronavirus Pandemic

    The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides tips to help children with language disorders make social connections while sheltering in place.

    English

    Spanish

  • Testing for COVID-19

    COVID-19 testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and lowering your chances of spreading the virus to others. Visit the Testing for COVID-19 page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on the types of COVID tests, how to get a test, and how to interpret your results.

    Please note we share this resource for information purposes only. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) does not manage or coordinate COVID-19 testing programs. Please use the contact information on the website provided.

  • Testing Sites for COVID-19

    COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the United States, including the uninsured. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an online tool for finding health centers and pharmacies offering low or no-cost testing in your state.

    Check your local health department and local news for additional testing sites in your area.

  • The Arc of Illinois Financial Assistance for Training

    The Arc of Illinois, through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, administers the Financial Assistance for Training Program. The program provides funds for people with developmental disabilities and their family members to attend conferences of their choice that are directly related to developmental disability issues.

    Due to the pandemic, there is a need for training, important meetings and conferences to be virtual. This program will now allow stipends to pay for the assistive technology needed to attend virtual events.

  • The Arc’s Virtual Program Library

    The Arc’s Virtual Program Library is a free hub full of on-demand activities that people with disabilities, and their families and service providers can do at home.

    Topics include arts, community and life skills, health and wellness, virtual clubs, and more. Service providers can also find and share resources to facilitate or deliver live, remote programming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.