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Covid-19 Information, Resources, and Stress Reduction Techniques
September 2020 Parent Newsletter - Returning to School During COVID-19
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COVID-19 Information
Ulster County COVID-19 Hotline: 845-443-8888
- Monday–Saturday, 9:00am–5:00pm
NYS Coronavirus Information Hotline: 888-364-3065
Reach Out: 1-844-863-9314
- The NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Line is staffed by trained volunteers who can help
Centers for Disease Control website
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Community Resources
Optimum is providing 2 months of free internet to low-income families. The only cost is a $30 installation fee, but assistance may be available
- 1-855-846-8376
Ulster County Department of Social Services
- 845-334-5000
- Temporary assistance, food stamps, Safe Harbour program, and more
Safe Homes Orange County
- 845-562-5340
- Assistance with domestic violence, support, counseling, advocacy, and emergency housing
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Office of Addiction Supports and Services Hotline, 24/7
- Call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text 467369
Wallkill Central School District Resources for Families
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Community Food Resources
Wallkill School District
- Food Order Form
- This form is intended for those families that are in need of food for all children (age 18 years and under) in their home during our school closure
Plattekill Food Pantry
- Open 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, distribution from 4-6pm at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church
- Must bring proof of residence
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
- Located at Wallkill Reformed Church
- Must bring proof of residence
- Open: Thursday 6:00pm-7:30pm; Friday 11:00am-1:00pm
Project Resilience
- Ulster County with United Way to bring food and assistance to those who cannot afford it or cannot leave home during the outbreak. Sign up at: https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/meal-deliveries/
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Hotline/Emergency Numbers
Ulster County Mobile Mental Health
- Mobile Mental Health is operated by ACCESS: Supports for Living, between the hours of 10am-10pm.
- Call 1-844-277-4820
- Connect with a trained counselor when stress, depression or other mental health circumstances create a personal crisis. All calls are kept confidential
- This service is available to all Ulster County residents at NO CHARGE
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1-800-273-8255 provides free 24/7, confidential support
- If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help
Family of Woodstock
- 24-hour, free hotline: 845-338-2370
- For over 45 years, they have been providing services for children, teens, adults, and families
Textmeback.org
- Text 845-679-2485
- A free text & chat support line
The Orange County Crisis Call Center
- 1-800-832-1200: Connects people, with support for mental illness, substance use, developmental disability, sexual assault, or information and referrals 24/7 for free
Text 4 Teens: 845-391-1000
- Free, 24/7 text line for teens
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Activities to Help Reduce Stress
While Social Distancing:
- Take a walk
- Draw
- Do some crafts
- Listen to music
- Have a dance party
- Family game night
- Do a puzzle
- Look up and try some new recipes
- Send letters & emails to family & friends
- Stay connected with other people through technology
- Set up a virtual play date
- Listen to famous people read children’s books
- Collect items from nature and make a collage
- Spend time with your pets
- Watch a movie together
- Go on a virtual tour of a museum
- Exercise
- Meditate
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How to Talk to Children About COVID-19
- When helping children cope with COVID-19, it’s important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events
- Acknowledge concern without panic
- This is appropriate and can result in them taking necessary actions to reduce the risk of illness
- Teach children positive preventive measures, talk with them about their fears, and give them a sense of some control over their risk of infection, this can help reduce anxiety
- Model problem-solving, flexibility, and compassion as we work through adjusting schedules, balancing work & other activities, getting creative about how we spend time, processing new information from authorities, and connecting & supporting friends & family in new ways
- Stay calm, listen, offer reassurance
- Monitor TV viewing and social media
- Make sure news sources are reputable, limit time watching news
- Take time to talk, be honest & accurate, keep explanations age appropriate
- Stay connected to school
- Know the symptoms of COVID-19
- Model basic hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices
- Be aware of your child’s mental health
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Help Change Your Mindset
I’m stuck at home I get to be SAFE in my home and spend time with my family
I will get sick I will self-isolate and wash my hands, this will significantly DECREASE my chances of getting sick
I will run out of items at home during self-isolation I have prepared for this and I will use my items wisely. I have everything I NEED for now
Everything is shutting down, I’m panicking The most IMPORTANT places, such as medical centers, pharmacies, and grocery stores, will remain open
There is too much uncertainty right now While I can’t control the situation around me, I CAN control my actions. Doing breathwork, calling loved ones, getting enough sleep and proper nutrition, and doing activities I love at home will help during this time