COVID-19 Resource Page for Foster Parents

At KVC, the safety and well-being of our team members and the children and families we serve are our first priorities. We hope this page serves as a resource for you during this difficult time.

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Contents:

National and Local Resources

How to Prevent the Spread of Illness

What to Do If You or Someone in Your Family Has COVID-19

Tips for Talking to Your Child About COVID-19

KVC Contact Information

Helpful and Fun Resources

Need Help With Groceries or Other Essential Items? Let Us Know

National and Local Resources

  • National: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates its website daily with the latest information. You can view it at cdc.gov.
  • State: In addition, the Kansas Department of Children and Families is also releasing helpful information on its website at http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
  • Local: Finally, your local county health department may offer information as well.

How to Prevent the Spread of Illness

Please continue to take action to prevent the spread of illness of any kind at this time of year. We know these following routine healthy habits help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

  • Frequently wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a video to share with children and answers important questions about handwashing and hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing if possible, otherwise cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

What to Do if You or Anyone In Your Home May Have COVID-19

If you think that you, a child you are caring for, or anyone in your home has been exposed to COVID-19 and you/they develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately. Unless it is an emergency, it is best to call ahead before visiting your doctor so the healthcare provider’s office can take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Also, call us at (913) 499-8100 immediately or within 24 hours so we can take steps to keep others from getting infected or exposed.

In the event the spread of the Coronavirus would warrant other measures, we will keep you informed of what steps we are taking. Information will be shared via our website, phone and email messaging system and social media.

We hope the spread of illness does not affect your family, but we need to be prepared. Safety and health are of the utmost importance.

If you have specific questions about a family member’s symptoms or illness, please contact your healthcare provider.

Tips for Talking to Your Child About COVID-19

  • Start by asking them what they’ve heard. Then you can correct any misinformation they may have heard. Try not to give more details than needed so that they don’t feel overwhelmed.
  • Remind them that not everything they hear is true, so it’s important that they talk to a trusted adult when they have questions.
  • Give them space to share their fears and concerns. Listen closely and tell them it’s okay to be confused or worried.
  • Speak calmly and reassure them. It’s important for your child to feel their environment is safe. When you speak calmly about topics that may be scary, you will help them feel more at ease.
  • Keep information simple and easy for them to understand—using visuals can be a great tool. Focus on age-appropriate words and topics.
  • Let them ask questions. Remind them there are no “dumb” or “silly” questions. Encourage them you won’t judge them and they can openly share anything with you.
  • Help them feel in control by reminding them of things they can do to stay healthy (washing their hands for 20 seconds, not touching their face, keeping a safe distance from others in the home).
  • Help them understand the basic concepts of germ spreading (cover your mouth when you cough, sneeze into your elbow, don’t share hygiene products).
  • The news can make situations feel overwhelming. Watch the news together and then have a conversation about what was said. Ensure news-related topics being shared with your children are age-appropriate.
  • Talk with them about how their daily routine might be different right now. Help children understand how their day-to-day will look and let them give input on the development of a daily routine or schedule.
  • Discuss what ways they can stay socially connected. Kids are used to seeing their friends at school and building those important social and emotional connections. Talk with your child about who they want to remain in contact with during this time and find ways to facilitate that (virtual playdates, sending friends emails and letters, talking on the phone).
  • Ensure your child is not feeling isolated. Help facilitate connection through socialization time as a family, keeping a regular schedule, getting fresh air and exercising.
  • Offer comfort, honesty, and an “open-door policy” any time they have questions or want to talk about COVID-19.

Sesame Street in Communities

Sesame Street in Communities has also announced that it will be creating new resources to help guide families through these challenging times, including this guidance on how to talk to kids about COVID-19. Learn more at SesameStreet.org/HealthEmergencies.

Here are a few of Sesame Street’s tips:

  • Notice and focus on any kindness or cooperation you see around you, no matter how small. Point out that in every tough situation, there are always people helping.
  • Be aware of your own feelings. It’s normal to feel helpless when you can’t protect your child from changing circumstances; keep in mind that children respond to and learn from your reactions.
  • It’s okay to take a moment to think about how to respond before answering. It’s also okay to say you don’t know and that you can find out the answers together. It’s important to be honest with your child so you don’t tarnish their trust.

Every family has a different style of communication that works best for them, so be confident in sticking with what works for your family. The most important thing for families in times like this is frequent open and honest communications.

KVC Contact Information

  • Hiawatha, Lawrence, Ottawa, Topeka – Anastasia Ramirez, (913) 575-4585, aramirez@kvc.org
  • Chanute, Independence, Pittsburg, Wichita – Lisa Milford, (620) 670-5834, lmilford@kvc.org
  • Leavenworth, Olathe, Kansas City – Jessica Elliott, (913) 259-9448, jeelliott@kvc.org

Helpful and Fun Resources

If you need food, click here: https://www.harvesters.org/get-help

Create a Boredom Jar https://www.care.com/c/stories/3780/things-to-do-when-kids-say-im-bored/

Over 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/preview?fbclid=IwAR2gzmeO6N6l_cl2LFylD_hq0BpNevwA9H7m9KU9e9M2GIFvEaRdI2_NFOg&pru=AAABcRJ89bA*vKtiIG4a8dHGbl_iujVing

Google Earth Virtual Tours
https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/google-earth-virtual-tours-of-us-national-parks?fbclid=IwAR0u5bNHAtqM1HQwbg0uutQPWj7mbAMT18GRBeobZUMStx90SlA4eiddN2E

Virtual Field Trips
http://origin.americandairy.com/news-and-events/dairy-diary/dairy-farming/virtual-farm-tours-while-youre-stuck-at-home.stml?fbclid=IwAR2yzT0bEGjSV5OfUHICbku9jTbOvw5rbA_31M5aKu5aoJXUIrSI4ebyWCk

Educational Resources
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/ 100s of Education resources
www.Education.com  – They have so many free worksheets/booklets that can be printed!
www.tutor.com – Get extra help from a tutor
https://alldigitalschool.com/

Ted Ed  https://ed.ted.com  – All sorts of engaging educational videos

Blockly https://blockly.games  – Learn computer programming skills – fun and free.

Scratch https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/  – Creative computer programming

The Kids Should See This https://thekidshouldseethis.com  – Wide range of cool educational videos

Crash Course https://thecrashcourse.com  – You Tube videos on many subjects

Crash Course Kids https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids

Crest Awards  https://www.crestawards.org  – Science awards you can complete from home.

Duolingo  https://www.duolingo.com  – Learn languages for free.

Tinkercad  https://www.tinkercad.com  – All kinds of making.

National Geographic Kids  https://www.natgeokids.com/  – Activities and quizzes for younger kids. Check out the Brain Booster section (mid-page)!

Prodigy Maths  https://www.prodigygame.com

Toy Theater https://toytheater.com/  – Educational online games

Geography Games https://world-geography-games.com/world.html  – Geography gaming!

30 Day Science Activity Planner for Kids – https://www.darcyandbrian.com/30-day-science-activity-planner-for-kids/?fbclid=IwAR3HsIdF7o1KDTBwalBaw1d4L9Z9Jj4DZkSPtFNa11vKOO7CMLBG4SdKSH8

Tumble Book Library/Math  https://www.tumblebooks.com/

Wow in the World  https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world

Scholastic Teachables  https://teachables.scholastic.com/teachables/guesthomepage.html

Muzzy  https://www.muzzybbc.com/ – Learn a new language(younger children)

Mango Languages https://mangolanguages.com/ – Learn a new language (older children)

Vocabulary https://freerice.com/ – Vocabulary program that adjusts to the child’s reading level.

Math Games
https://www.education.com/games/
https://sso.prodigygame.com/signup
https://accounts.explorelearning.com/reflex/student?_ga=2.93750429.1442451891.1584382446-154235947.1584382446
https://www.sumdog.com/user/sign_in
https://www.ixl.com/

Typing https://www.typingclub.com/

Spelling
https://www.spellingcity.com/1st-grade-spelling-words.html
https://www.k12reader.com/spelling-worksheets/

Art Class https://facebook.com/events/s/lunch-doodles-with-mo-willems-/2544781879094126/?ti=icl

Reading
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
https://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/archives/readingmachine.shtml
https://www.funbrain.com/books

Online Games
Kiloo https://www.kiloo.com/en/kids-games/
PBS Kids Games  https://pbskids.org/games/  Get daily activities & tips to help kids play and learn at home. http://public.pbs.org/PBSKIDSDaily?source=pbskids.org
Sesame Street https://www.youtube.com/user/SesameStreet

Online Physical Activity
Gonoodle https://www.gonoodle.com/
Kids Yoga https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
Kidz Bop Dance  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKE0Xnj818IDaHvIcRiq0Bg

Crafts
Disney Crafts https://simplifyingfamily.com/disney-movie-crafts/
The Artful Parent  https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/
Red Ted Art  https://www.redtedart.com
The Imagination Tree  https://theimaginationtree.com  – Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.

Netflix Party https://www.netflixparty.com/  – watch Netflix with Friends

Fun Chatbots
Eliza https://tinyurl.com/AIEx-Eliza
Mitsuku https://tinyurl.com/AIEx-Mitsuku

Things to do:
https://fox40.com/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-quarantine-things-to-do-at-home-with-your-kids-while-schools-are-closed/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McD6_oOWs-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlg052EKMtk
https://www.thedatingdivas.com/50-fun-crazy-family-games/
https://www.getoutdoorskansas.org/trails/list
https://www.parents.com/fun/sports/exercise/10-ways-to-exercise-as-a-family/
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=at+home+family+fun+fitness&qpvt=at+home+family+fun+fitness&FORM=VDRE
https://familyeguide.com/boredom-busters-110-fun-at-home-activities-for-families-kids-2/
https://diyprojects.com/diy-outdoor-family-games/

Need Help With Groceries or Other Essential Items? Let Us Know