COVID-19 Resources
(217) 525-1736
Caring for Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides extensive guidance for physicians and families on topics ranging from how children with special healthcare needs should wear face coverings to when to get a COVID-19 test and how to provide optimal care at home and school.
As families shelter in place due to COVID-19, children with hearing loss may need additional help. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers this guidance to parents, available in English and Spanish.
CaringInfo, a program of the National Alliance for Care at Home, provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers to make decisions about serious illness and end-of-life care and services.
The site provides guides and resources about topics including advance directives, palliative care, caregiving and hospice care.
Caritas Family Solutions is a non-profit social services agency that works to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of people in southern Illinois.
Services include adoption support, foster care, community integrated living arrangements, counseling, parenting classes, pregnancy care and more.
Online screening tool, information, resources
Catholic Charities COPE Line
A free service for all people living in the 28-county Springfield diocese. Therapists will provide a calming, professional and empathetic ear to those experiencing situational stress and anxiety related to COVID-19.
Call (217) 321-8343.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield Crisis Assistance
Catholic Charities offers a crisis assistance program to help individuals and families facing short-term, one-time crises that may put them at risk of eviction or utility shut off. The service is free for residents living in the 28-county Springfield diocese.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, serves the following areas:
- Effingham office at (217) 857-1458, Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Granite City office at (618) 877-1184, ext. 201 or 205, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Springfield office at (217) 523-4551, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
CDC Coronavirus Information
How to protect yourself, symptoms, resources for the community and the latest information about the outbreak.
CDC COVID-19 Materials for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers
COVID-19 is challenging to explain, live through and communicate about. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides videos, posters, social stories, and interactive activities to help communicate with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities about COVID-19.
Five topics are featured in the toolkit:
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine
Wearing a mask
Social distancing
Hand washing
Getting a COVID-19 testThe CDC also has a one-page, easy-to-understand tip sheet for caregivers.
The materials are also available in Spanish.