Rockford Resources
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Where to Get Help FAQ for Illinois Families
Information for Illinois families on how to find assistance with meals, childcare, unemployment, housing, learning and instruction, healthcare and immigration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Kids with Special Healthcare Needs” Podcast
On this podcast from RadioMD, which features experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, a pediatrician who focuses on children with special healthcare needs discusses ideas for how families can cope with the pandemic, especially when the supports provided by schools are unavailable.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides tips to help children with language disorders make social connections while sheltering in place.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association explains how to use everyday activities around the house to help develop young children’s communication skills.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides guidance to parents and caregivers of students who are bilingual and/or English language learners to help continue their development.
The American-Speech-Language Hearing Association provides advice for parents when it comes to taking care of hearing aids at home and creating a better listening environment overall so that children can participate to the fullest extent in interactions at home and online.
American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center
In order to provide support to families and communities who have suffered the loss of loved ones, the American Red Cross has developed a Virtual Family Assistance Center (VFAC) as a hub for resources and contact with its partners.
Illinois Extension’s COVID-19 Resources for Families
Illinois Extension educators have cultivated a set of materials that will help you navigate these unchartered waters. Make the most of your time together as a family by helping those you love develop the skills and attitudes that will help them thrive during uncertain times. Topics include cooking and meals, food safety, personal and family well-being, health and safety and financial wellbeing.
COVID-19 Memory Book for Children and Families
To help children express themselves and record their experiences during the Stay at Home Order, we’ve created our own COVID-19 Memory Book that families can print out and complete.
The book includes an “About Me” section for children and youth to fill out as well as their favorite ways to stay busy, what they are thankful for, how they’ve stayed connected with others and a list of celebrations that happened during social distancing. There’s also a page for children to fill out if they celebrated a birthday during the pandemic.
Updates and information from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Families Services regarding COVID-19.