COVID-19 Family

Resource Guide
COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

Introduction

This guide is intended to offer resources and information to support families

with children with special healthcare needs and/or disabilities who reside in
Indiana. This guide is not extensive, and the information is current at the time
of publication. Families may contact us directly at 844-323-4636 or by
emailing [email protected] for further support.

General Information regarding COVID-19

Be sure to access information regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus from

trusted sources. The following websites offer accurate, up-to-date information.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

World Health Organization (WHO):

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

American Academy of Pediatrics/Healthy Children:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-
lungs/Pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx

Indiana-specific information

Daily updates, including statistics and guidance are available from the
Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) at this link:
https://coronavirus.in.gov/

Indiana has put together the COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE FOR HOOSIERS
LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE. This resource includes information on travel,
unemployment, childcare assistance, SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid, WIC,
housing, and more. Families may call 2-1-1 for local or state resources.
https://coronavirus.in.gov/files/COVID-
19%20Resource%20Guide%20for%20Hoosiers.pdf

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COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) has made

temporary policy changes to the waiver programs administered by the Bureau
of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS). These changes include the
Family Supports Waiver and the Community Integration and Habilitation
Waiver.
https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/5762.htm

Explore a state-wide directory of services, programs and helpful articles for

the disability community via FINDER:
https://www.indianadisabilityresourcefinder.org/home

The Central Indiana Community Foundation offers resources to the greater

Indianapolis area, including food, financial, shelter, utilities, immigrant
information, and more:
https://www.cicf.org/covid-resources/

Indiana Legal Services is addressing COVID-19 related issues, including (but

not limited to) unemployment, housing, immigration, employee protections,
LGBTQ issues, and more:
https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/1019

Daily Life

List of grocery stores that accept EBT cards for delivery:

https://foodstampsnow.com/list-of-grocery-stores-that-accept-ebt-online-for-
delivery/

These recorded webinars “Managing Life During the Pandemic” offer practical
information for families featuring representatives from BDDS, Family Voices
Indiana and The Arc of Indiana. Sponsored by the Indiana Family and Social
Services Administration.

Part 1: https://youtu.be/KJG8RVSyVrQ

Part 2: https://youtu.be/MlgbMX5gZFQ

Plain language fact sheet on COVID-19:

https://www.aahd.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Plain-Language-
Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf

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COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

Education Resources

The Indiana Department of Education 2020 COVID-19 Remote Learning page

is updated regularly and covers most subjects along with special education
information and guidelines, social-emotional learning, and family resources.
https://www.doe.in.gov/covid-19/resources

IN*SOURCE provides parents, families, individuals and service providers in the

state of Indiana the information and training necessary to help assure
effective educational programs and appropriate services for individuals with
disabilities.
http://insource.org/resources/coronavirus-outbreak-information/

Kuder.org is currently offering free access to their system to support

continuous learning. Access lesson plans, webinars, and much more:
https://www.kuder.com/success-at-home/

Financial Resources
Governor Holcomb issued an executive order prohibiting providers of essential
utility services such as gas and electric, broadband, telecom, water and
wastewater services from discontinuing service to any customer during the
public health emergency. Customers should contact their utility company for
financial assistance options.

Hoosiers may call 2-1-1 to connect with services in their local community. The
call is free and available 24/7.

Search FindHelp.org by zip code for local resources.

Indiana CORONAVIRUS EVICTION & FORECLOSURE RESOURCE GUIDE:

https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4464.htm

The IRS has extended the deadline for filing and paying taxes until July 15,
2020:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/payment-deadline-extended-to-july-15-2020

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COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

The Social Security Commissioner offers guidance about COVID-19 Economic

Impact Payment for SSI Beneficiaries in this 4/10/20 press release:
https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/#4-2020-2

Healthcare

Autism:

Autism Society of America COVID-19 page offers resources for the autism
community by topic.
https://www.autism-society.org/covid-19/

Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times is an online

toolkit which includes social narratives and visual supports specifically
targeted to children on the autism spectrum.
https://www.aahd.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Supporting-Individuals-
with-Autism.pdf

Down Syndrome:
https://www.lumindidsc.org/t21covid/

Epilepsy:
https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2020/3/concerns-about-covid-19-
coronavirus-and-epilepsy

Spina Bifida:
https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/news/coronavirus2020/

Complex Child Magazine (online magazine) is currently focusing on COVID-19

articles:
https://complexchild.org/editions/covid-info/

Gov. Holcomb’s executive order gives Hoosiers with chronic health issues the
ability to get a 90-day supply of their non-controlled prescriptions.

Caring for Children with Complex Medical Conditions During COVID-19

Recorded Webinar: https://youtu.be/7XFfkLbUC00

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COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

First Steps has updated their policies to offer families several choices in
terms of service delivery for example, continuing services as is, putting
services on hold for 14 days, offering home programs and tele-intervention
services, including phone calls. Learn more:
https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/3399.htm

What is Telehealth?
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-
management/Pages/Telehealth-Services-for-Children.aspx

Videos for Learning about Telehealth visits:

https://learntelehealth.org/telehealth-etiquette-series/

Tips for Teletherapy:

https://ecpcta.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2810/2020/03/Tips-for-
Families-Remote-Home-Visit-Flyer-pg2.pdf (English)

Tips for Teletherapy in Spanish:

https://ecpcta.org/wp-
content/uploads/sites/2810/2020/03/TipsforFamiliesFlyerSPApg1.pdf

*Parent Tip: If you are doing a telehealth call with a provider who does not regularly
care for your child with special health care needs, be prepared that they do not know
your child. Have your care binder or important medical information nearby so that you
can easily share.

Mental Health

The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health offers videos,
toolkits, activities to use at home and more to support parents and caregivers:
https://www.ffcmh.org/covid-19-resources-for-parents

This article from Jelena Kecmanovic of Georgetown University offers science-

based strategies for dealing with coronavirus anxiety.
https://theconversation.com/7-science-based-strategies-to-cope-with-
coronavirus-anxiety-133207

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COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

Active Minds offers digital community groups for support for young adults,
parents, schools, and communities, and remote workers:
https://www.activeminds.org/about-mental-health/be-there/coronavirus/

Love is Louder is offering a free, confidential online chat with a trained

counselor, as well as other tips for taking care of your mental health.
https://www.loveislouder.org/ (And check out their digital concerts!)

The Salvation Army has launched a spiritual support hotline. Officers who are
pastors and emotional-care personnel are available to listen 9am - 9pm (EST).
English and Spanish. Call 844-458-HOPE

Child Mind offers daily Facebook chats, resources, and tips for families.
https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/

Parenting a child with existing healthcare needs can be especially stressful

during a disease outbreak or pandemic. The Healthcare Toolbox can help:
https://healthcaretoolbox.org/tools-and-resources/14-health-care-
toolbox/tools-and-resources/602-covid19-children-and-families.html

Immigrant

My Undocumented Life has a list of resources and news that can help
undocumented and mixed-status families during the pandemic:
https://mydocumentedlife.org/2020/03/30/resources-for-undocumented-
immigrants-and-their-families-during-covid-19/

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. operates the Immigrants’ and Language Rights
Center (ILRC) to reach vulnerable and underserved immigrant and limited
English proficient populations within Indiana.
https://www.indianalegalservices.org/ilrc

Advocacy

Fact sheet|Safeguard Against Disability Discrimination During COVID-19 from

the Center for Dignity in Healthcare
https://www.ucucedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Center-for-Dignity-
in-Health-Care-fact-sheet-on-rights-for-people-with-disabilities.pdf

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COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

HHS Office for Civil Rights in Action Bulletin 3.28.20:

https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr-bulletin-3-28-20.pdf

The COVID-19 Communication Rights Toolkit (1) explains your communication

rights; (2) provides tips on advocating for them, and (3) has
an accommodation request form the family can bring to the hospital.
https://communicationfirst.org/covid-19/
If you believe you have a family member with disabilities whose rights have
been violated, you may file an official complaint or report a disability-related
rights violation by contacting Indiana Disability Rights at 1-800-622-4865
or email [email protected].

Advance Planning

Who speaks for us if we’re unable to speak for ourselves? We can take the
time to make sure they know what matters most to us. Have this conversation
today.
https://theconversationproject.org/starter-kits/ (Spanish available)

Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a healthcare

representative:
https://respectingchoices.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/03/Proactive_Care_Planning_for_COVID-
19_A_Guide_for_Healthcare_Agents.pdf

Emergency Information Form to assure prompt and appropriate care:

https://www.acep.org/by-medical-focus/pediatrics/medical-
forms/emergency-information-form-for-children-with-special-health-care-
needs/

Family Fun

This site offers a link to more than 20 virtual field trips for your family to take,
as well as activities, educational resources, and webcams.
https://adventuresinfamilyhood.com/20-virtual-field-trips-to-take-with-your-
kids.html

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COVID-19 Family Resources Guide

Scroll through the National Federation Home Resources Facebook page for
hundreds of ideas, activities, resources and information for families to use at
home.

Storytime with famous actors:

https://www.youtube.com/user/StorylineOnline

Storytime from NASA astronauts in space:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpotjVqWv3KfGHjWztjPKgg
For as long as schools are closed, kids everywhere can instantly stream via
Amazon Audible an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six
different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just
being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone, or
tablet.

Great list of at-home recreational activities:

https://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txdd.htm

Dance:
https://www.youtube.com/user/GoNoodleGames

Play virtual board games:

https://tabletopia.com/

Explore Arts & Culture:

https://artsandculture.google.com/

Explore our Pinterest boards for therapy ideas, crafts, play, self-care, meal
planning, and much more:
https://www.pinterest.com/fvindiana/

Check with your local library for programs that may be accessed online via
your library card.

Please follow our blog for up-to-date information and further resources:
http://fvindiana.blogspot.com/