COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Children

Accessing Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Resources

Visit their Coronavirus Resources page (link) and see the following documents about how to access programs such as MaineCare, TANF, Food Supplement, and Child Care Subsidy:

Supports for Parents with Children with Disabilities or Special Health Care Needs

Maine Parent Federation which provides information, referral, one on one telephone support, and training to parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs, is hosting a series of on-line trainings to support parents during COVID-19. 

Previously recorded trainings can be viewed on-line the following links:

Home Schooling Your Special Needs Child During COVID-19

This training, entitled “It’s Okay to Be Overwhelmed”, led by Carrie Woodcock, Executive Director, of Maine Parent Federation walks parents through the IEP process during COVID-19 and provides other information specifically about home schooling for special needs children. 

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports at Home During COVID-19

This training hosted by the Maine Parent Federation and Courtney Angelosante, a professor at the University of Maine offers concrete tips for parents who are supporting children with challenging behaviors at home during COVID-19. 

For links to more trainings and information about upcoming webinars and parent support groups, visit the Maine Parent Federation website.   To be added to the Maine Parent Federation email newsletter, email parentconnect@mpf.org.

Programs for Parents of Children and Adolescents Living with Mental Illness

NAMI Maine, which supports individuals and families affected by mental illness, is providing on-line educational programming and services for parents. 

  • NAMI Basics: This is a FREE educational program for parents and primary caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. It covers the fundamentals of caring for yourself, for your family and for the child in your life who is struggling. This class meets for six, 2.5 hour sessions and is led by two trained facilitators.
  • NAMI Family to Family: This is a FREE educational program for those who have a loved one with mental illnesses. This course covers the basics about mental illnesses, coping skills, handling crisis and relapse, suicide prevention, caring for yourself, communication techniques, and more. This class meets once a week for eight, 2.5 hour sessions and is led by two trained facilitators.
    • There are TWO upcoming Zoom Family to Family classes:

*For questions about these classes please contact Natalie at natalie@namimaine.org or (800) 464-5767 ext. 2305

Talking to Your Children about COVID-19

Center for Disease Control on Managing Stress and Anxiety
Helpful advice for parents for talking with their children, a bulleted list of key steps to take to reduce stress for young children, and even a downloadable coloring book for dealing with disasters.

PBS for Parents on How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus 
Tips for parents about how to talk with children about the virus and what you can do to stay healthy, as well as a number links to additional articles/tools/ideas for helping to reduced children’s anxiety.

National Association of School Psychologists on Helping Children Cope with Changes Related to Coronavirus 
Simple steps that parents can take to respond to children’s needs related to COVID-19.

Coping with Stress and Anxiety

Child Mind Institute Resources to Support Parents Coping During COVID-19
Helpful resources to support parents cope with stress and anxiety during this challenging time, including specific resources for parents with children with special needs.

Anxiety and Depression Society of America Resources for Parents and Children
Expert tips and resources to help parents and children for managing COVID-19 anxiety.

American Academy of Pediatrics: Crianza positiva durante el COVID-19: 10 consejos para ayudar a mantener la calma en el hogar
Consejos útiles para padres en español (useful tips for parents in Spanish).

Fun Activities for Your Children

While At Home For Parents
Thorough list of links to online games and academic resources for children. Also includes wellness tips and strategies for parents and children.

Stuck at Home? 20 Learning Activities to Keep Your Children Busy
Links to 20 learning activities that are simple and fun for your child to try.

Autism Society of Maine Family Information Page
Includes links to resources for parents and fun activities for children and families.

Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents
Check this list from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network of simple activities to help parents engage children and adolescents while families are home and social distancing due to COVID-19.     

Activities for the Whole Family from the Bangor YMCA
The Bangor YMCA has gone virtual.  Their website includes links to activities for kids, virtual family outings, workouts videos with their staff and mental health and stress management videos with their staff. 

PBS KIDS Read-Along series with Michelle Obama
As part of the PBS KIDS Read-Along series, Michelle Obama will read four of her favorite children’s books (one book every Monday through 5/11!). The first book is “The Gruffalo.” Watch on the @PenguinRandomHouse & @pbskids Facebook pages at 12 pm ET!

Information about Keeping Your Family Healthy

American Academy of Pediatrics Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe and Healthy (in English)

Consejos de la Academia Americana de Pediatría para mantener a su familia segura y saludable (en Español)

COVID-19 and Breastfeeding Resources
This site answers questions for moms who are breastfeeding.

Helpful Reminders For Parents

Article from PBS Kids: Parenting During Coronavirus: You are enough

Article from SLATE Magazine: You are not your Child’s Teacher
Many parents feel unable to meet the academic needs of their children. This article reminds parents that you are not your child’s teacher, you are the parent. Parents do not need to panic about educating their children during quarantine.