COVID-19 Resources
This resource directory from the Illinois Early Learning Project provides contact information, descriptions of programs, state agencies, and non-profit organizations in Illinois that provide support for families of young children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
The directory includes food resources, housing resources, clothing and diaper resources and more.
Resources and Strategies to Support Children with Disabilities and Their Families During COVID-19
COVID-19 has deeply impacted early childhood programs, children and families, and their communities.
This resource list, jointly created by the Office of Special Education Programs, the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, the Office of Head Start and the OHS TA National Centers, may be helpful when seeking guidance and resources to help leaders, services providers, teachers, support staff, children and families during reopening and continuity of services.
Resources for Immigrants During the COVID-19 Crisis
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights created this comprehensive guide to address the needs of the immigrant and refugee community in the state of Illinois.
Resources for Immigrants in C-U: COVID-19 Edition
Compiled by the New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA
Resources for Parents During Extended School Closures
A handout from the Learning Technology Center of Illinois that includes helpful resources by subject.
Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Child trauma experts at Child Trends and the Child Trauma Training Center at the University of Massachusetts provide these guidance, recommendations and resources.
Resources to Support the Social and Emotional Needs of Families During the Pandemic
Healthcare company Viatris and Sesame Street have partnered to create new resources to support the social and emotional needs of families across generations and around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They designed these resources to help young children talk through and name big feelings like stress or fear, encourage positive caregiving strategies and routines, and help families find ways to celebrate together when far apart. The animations and activities are available in English, Spanish, Hindi and Portuguese.
RespectAbility’s COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Information for People with Disabilities
RespectAbility has compiled an extensive list of COVID-19 resources for people with disabilities, including vaccine information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in easy-to-read formats, communications tools in a wide variety of languages and entire toolkits in American Sign Language (ASL).
They also include a toolkit with steps for making events accessible for all and information focusing on accessibility, well-being and assistance programs from a variety of sources.
RespectAbility’s Virtual Education & Students With Disabilities Resource Guide
RespectAbility’s Virtual Education & Students with Disabilities Resource Guide offers a student with a disability or an adult (parent, guardian, teacher or otherwise) who is championing success for a student with a disability a wide range of information for supporting student success in the time of COVID-19 and beyond.
The toolkit includes virtual resource guides, homeschool programs, information on legal rights, special education resources, mental health resources and more.
Return to School for Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago put together the “Return to School for Youth with Special Healthcare Needs: Key Questions and Considerations for Families” document to help families decide how their child will participate in their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes questions to discuss with your child’s doctor and questions to discuss with your child’s school.