Parenting/Caregiving Resources
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“Got You Covered” in Carterville
“Got You Covered” is a non-profit organization that provides diapers, baby wipes and infant hygiene products to families in need. Diapers are available for infants, children and adults.
“Got You Covered” is located in the First United Methodist Church in Carterville. Diapers are provided as available. Anyone needing access to diapers, or who wants to donate diapers, can call (618) 922-6355 or reach out through the organization’s Facebook page.
It’s easy to view self-care as a low priority when your child is diagnosed with a serious illness. Your role as a parent and parenting partner has unexpectedly changed. The child has urgent and complex medical needs; you must manage appointments and service providers, and learn new information about the disease and medical treatment—all while tending to the needs of other family members, work and/or other responsibilities.
The Courageous Parents Network provides this guide to help parents make time and find ways to take care of themselves.
Advice for Parents Experiencing Stress Over COVID-19
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents facing stressors over COVID-19 to practice self-care, to reach out to others for help, and to use healthy discipline techniques, such as time-outs.
Are You Ready? Preparing for Emergencies: Tips for Families
Information from Family Voices on how families of children with special healthcare needs can prepare for emergencies.
Blueprint for Families of Loved Ones With Mental Health Issues
Mental health challenges affect the whole family and are hard on everyone. The Caregiver Action Network provides a Blueprint for Families of Loved Ones With Mental Health Issues.
The guide includes information on discussing mental health with doctors, screening for mental health issues, the value of knowing early diagnosis and intervention, and more.
Camp Kinda is an exploratory learning experience designed to keep kids ages 3 to 13 engaged curious, and having fun — even if they’re stuck at home. It’s like summer camp (kinda).
Families can sign up for access through May 2022 for $25 per family. The subscription includes access to the entire catalog of Camp Kinda and Camp Kinda, Jr. adventures—more than 350 hours of activities, Fee waivers are available for families facing financial hardship.
Caring for Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides extensive guidance for physicians and families on topics ranging from how children with special healthcare needs should wear face coverings to when to get a COVID-19 test and how to provide optimal care at home and school.
COVID-19 is challenging to explain, live through and communicate about. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides videos, posters, social stories, and interactive activities to help communicate with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities about COVID-19.
Five topics are featured in the toolkit:
- Getting a COVID-19 vaccine
- Wearing a mask
- Social distancing
- Hand washing
- Getting a COVID-19 test
The CDC also has a one-page, easy-to-understand tip sheet for caregivers.
The materials are also available in Spanish.
Center for Parent Information and Resources: Multilingual Resources on COVID-19
Various multilingual resources to help families.
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies
All children have unique needs in emergencies, but care for children with special healthcare needs is often more complex because of their various health conditions and extra care requirements. They may have a hard time moving from one place to another, urgent or constant medical needs, difficulty communicating or have trouble with transitioning to different situations. A disaster can present all these difficulties at once.
The CDC provides information on how to prepare and respond so you can help maintain calm and keep your family safe.