The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents, teachers, child care providers, and others who work closely with children to filter information about crises and present it in a way that their child can accommodate, adjust to and cope with. HealthyChildren.org provides information on where to start and how to provide the right support in this article, “Talking to Children About Tragedies and Other Traumatic News Events.”

HealthyChildren.org provides information on understanding how racial bias works in children as well as strategies to help them deal with and react to racial differences.

Home visiting is an essential service for families as they navigate social isolation, economic uncertainty, the challenge of balancing work without child care, and other unique and heightened stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fact sheet provides information on how to access virtual home visiting and how it can benefit families.

Because of COVID-19, the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program is offering to provide EI through live video visits (also known as teletherapy or telehealth). This document provides some frequently asked questions and answers for families who are considering live video visits for EI.

The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development put together these resources about race, racism, diversity and inclusion that may support you, your children, your family and your community.

HealthyChildren.org’s “Cloth Face Coverings for Children During COVID-19” provides answers to some frequently asked questions about cloth face coverings and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Illinois Early Learning Projects provides a simple step-by-step plan to help parents and caregivers develop structure and routine for young children with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis.

Help Illinois Families expands on the existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Community Services Block Program (CSBG). New eligibility thresholds make Help Illinois Families available to more individuals and families. If you meet the income requirements and submit your application, you may be eligible for emergency assistance to cover the costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food and other household necessities.

LIHEAP helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services. This includes assistance with heating, gas, propane and electricity. The last day to apply online with the Request for Services form is April 15. After that date, you can still apply through your local administering agency through May 31 2022.

CSBG offers Illinoisans an opportunity to receive support for an array of essential services including rent assistance, food, temporary shelter, medicine and more. CSBG applications are avaialble year-round.

This initiative remains available for all qualifying households with low income, regardless of how they may be affected by COVID-19. Eligible families may qualify for hundreds of dollars of support.

Chicago Children’s Museum’s Parenting Playbook for parents and caregivers provides ideas, strategies and fun activities to try at home.

Beginning June 5, weekend food packages are available for southern Illinois families with children ages birth to 5 at the Stress and Trauma Treatment Center, 1201 Locust St., in Eldorado.

Follow the Stress and Trauma Treatment Center’s Facebook page for more information about upcoming food distributions.