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Family Resources and Suggestions for Coping with Coronavirus

Talking with Children

The National Association of School Psychologists

Guide for parents addressing talking to children and creating structure and predictability for daily life at home, available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Amharic, Korean, French, and Vietnamese 

World Health Organization

Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCov outbreak 

Child Mind Institute

The American Academy of Child Psychiatry

14 Tips for Talking to Children 

Children’s National

Answers Adults Can Offer to Answer Common Questions Children May Ask 

SAMSA

Guidance for talking with children of different ages in helpful ways

Yale Child Study Center

Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Yale’s Guide for Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Resources to Share with Children

Social Story About Coronavirus 

NPR Comic Book to Calm Fears About Catching the Virus 

Children’s Guide Appropriate for School-aged Children 

PBS Article Information Language for Talking to Kids about Coronavirus - Links to Television episodes that address different aspects of health 

Science Podcast for Kids Explains Coronavirus for kids, available in English and Spanish 

Free children’s book in Spanish to help children and adults talk about Coronavirus (with useful parent guide) 

Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development

Resources for young children and children with developmental disabilities

Activities for at Home Learning

Resources for Stretched Families

211.Org - Resources for families 

Internet

Art Activities & Inspiration

Board & Card Games

  • Checkers 
  • Candyland 
  • Chutes & Ladders 
  • Uno 
  • War 
  • Sorry 
  • Chess 
  • Zingo 
  • Jenga 
  • Monopoly 
  • Cootie

Books & Storytelling

Cooking Activities & Inspiration

Cool Sites, Podcasts & Apps

Media Guides

Benefits Information

Unemployment Insurance Expansion

The CT Dept. of Labor (DOL) is announcing modifications to unemployment insurance to help protect workers during this difficult time. Specifically, CTDOL is suspending the requirement that workers applying for new unemployment benefits directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic be actively searching for work.

Moratorium on Utility Shut-Offs:

The CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has ordered a moratorium on all utility shut-offs. Specifically, PURA has ordered the gas, electric, and water public service companies it regulates to implement a shut-off moratorium and refrain from terminating utility service to residential customers, except for reasons of public safety, for a 30-day period subject to renewal to ensure all residents may safely remain home during the epidemic.

Expansion of AccessHealth CT Benefits

The Office of Health Strategy Executive Director Vicki Veltri is reminding all CT residents that any worker in the state who receives health insurance through their employer, becomes unemployed, and loses minimum essential coverage or receives COBRA – whether it is due to the COVID-19 outbreak or otherwise – qualifies all year-long for open enrollment through AccessHealthCT, the state’s health insurance marketplace. Those interested in applying can find more information at 

A Resource for Uninsured Families

Food Resources