COVID-19 Education Resources
March 25th, 2020
Category: News
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the education world.
As schools, families, advocates, and lawmakers continue to adapt to this ever-changing environment, Rodel will utilize this space to share information and resources. We will update this page as new information reaches us. [Last updated: 5/12/20 at 4:16 p.m.] Please send additions or modifications to info@rodelde.org.
LATEST DELAWARE NEWS
- Stay tuned to Delaware Division of Public Health Coronavirus Response for the most up-to-date information on child care.
- Governor Carney ordered all Delaware schools to remain closed through the remainder of the school year, at least, to help fight the spread of COVID-19. This closing goes along with his March 23 stay-at-home order and the closing of all non-essential businesses.Visit the state’s COVID-19 resource pages(schools and universities) for the most up-to-date and accurate state-level guidance for families, teachers, schools, and childcare programs, locations for free Wi-Fi, and more.
- CLASP’s fact sheet suggests Delaware can expect to benefit from over $9M in child care funds from the CARES Act.
LATEST FEDERAL AND NATIONAL NEWS
- Click here for info on the federal stimulus package
- EducationCounsel: Latest news on Congressional action and education issues
- First Five Year Fund: Latest news on Congressional action and child care and education issues
- Alliance for Early Success: Compilation of national and other state COVID-19 resources and news related to early childhood care and education policy.
- EducationTrust: Compilation of COVID-19 resources related to equity in education
- USDA: Learn more about federal support for food access with the passage of the Pandemic Extended Benefits Transfer (or P-EBT) passed on 3/20/20.
- Education Counsel: The “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act”: Summary of Major Early Childhood, K-12, and Higher Education Provisions
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
- For information on child care, including options for families during a crisis, visit this page.
- To locate schools offering free meals for children, visit DDOE’s nutrition sites map.
- Internet providers are providing free hot spots and broadband service to students and families in need. Comcast, Xfinity, AT&T, and Spectrum announced all their hot spots are free.
- Food Bank of Delaware: learn how to help or find food assistance.
- Child care providers with capacity to assist families in need at this time are asked to let the state know by filling out the form on this site so Delaware can help families in need find openings.
- If you or someone you know has an immediate need such as food, shelter, or supplies – please contact the United Way of Delaware at their 211 emergency line.
- Prevent Child Abuse Delaware has curated parent and community resources and tips to manage during the changing environment.
- YMCA:
- Emergency Child Care – The Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA, the Brandywine YMCA and the Sussex Family YMCA will begin offering childcare services for any emergency personnel and essential staff. This service is open to the public. Care will be available for school age children (5-12 years old) from 6:30 am- 6:30 pm Monday- Friday. Children will enjoy arts, crafts, games, sports, movies, and supervision from experienced Y staff. Those interested in utilizing these services should visit www.ymcade.org/emergency-child-care for more details and to register. TheCentral and Walnut Street YMCAs are also providing childcare to families that are already enrolled at those sites. As the demand for emergency childcare increases, we will look at opening other facilities to support our essential personnel and first responders. Financial assistance is available.
- Food Distribution – YMCA has partnered with the Food Bank of Delaware to provide multiple food distribution sites throughout New Castle County including the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA, Brandywine YMCA, Central YMCA, and the Western Family YMCA. Community members will be able to pick up boxes of pre-packaged non-refrigerated/non-perishable food staples from these locations. For more information and a schedule of pick up times, visit www.ymcade.org/food-distribution/.
- Parents and caregivers looking for online learning resources for children can explore:
- DDOE’s online learning activities
- EdSurge, “How to Keep School Rhythm and Routines for Young Children at Home”
- Some tips from Prepared Parents
- NewSchools Venture Fund compiled a Google spreadsheet filled with resources with links on providers ranging from ST Math to Zearn and reading and writing resources like Newsela and Quill
- Khan Academy: Help desk for how Khan Academy can be used during school closures, and you can view their suggested daily routines by grade level here.
- Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has created an education toolkit for at-home learning filled with free resources that can continue to help children build literacy skills while at home, from read-aloud books to reading games.
- CASEL, Inside SEL, and Panaroma Education have curated lists of resources that focus on social and emotional well-being.
- Zero to Three offers Getting Started with Mindfulness: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Organizations. This resource offers providers guidance on how to build emotional resilience during challenging times.
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
- COVID-19 and Homelessness: Strategies for Schools, Early Learning Programs, and Higher Education Institutions
- COVID-19 Resources for Traditionally Underserved Youth in the U.S.
- Language Development Resources for English Learner Students by Language
- Child Care Aware of America adapted A Coronavirus Flowchart: When Should I Close My Child Care Program? From the CDC’s guidelines for K-12 schools. The flowchart provides guidance to help child care centers determine whether or not they should remain open.
- Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the Department has releasednew information clarifying that federal law should not be used to prevent schools from offering distance learning opportunities to all students, including students with disabilities.
- CPRE: The Latest From a Nationwide Survey: Districts Continue to Struggle Toward Online Learning
- The College Board is working to ensure every AP student impacted by COVID-19 has the tools & connectivity they need to review AP content online & take the exam from home. Students and teachers can request devices or connectivity here through April 24.
RESOURCES FOR NONPROFITS
- From Philanthropy Delaware: COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits, including links and info on emergency response grants and loans.
- National Council of Nonprofits: Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act
- Delaware Does More: COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund is a collaboration between the Delaware Community Foundation, Philanthropy Delaware, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, and United Way of Delaware. The initiative aims to raise and manage funds that will address immediate needs resulting from the crisis. The fund will focus on alleviating the near-term impact of COVID-19 by working to supplement and support efforts related to children in low-income households, the working poor and seniors. Click here for more information. Click here to donate.
- Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement: Coronavirus information for nonprofits. DANA is compiling resources related to the Coronavirus from both the Delaware Health and Social Services Division of Public Health and from its partners and other trusted resources around the country.
- Grant Opportunities
- No Kid Hungry is offering emergency grants to support local school districts and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to ensure kids get the nutritious food they need.
- Facebook Small Business Grants Program
- Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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- Volunteer opportunities from Delaware 2-1-1, the state’s referral hotline.
- Visit Volunteer Delaware to find way to help.
- Needed: an Experienced Grant Writer to assist nonprofit leaders who do not have grant writing resources to help them.
- Needed: Financial Analysts to provide assistance to nonprofit leaders who do not have access to financial expertise to help them determine cash flow and operational health in light of the state of emergency.
- Help Christiana Care provide caregiver support, as they too face the impact of COVID-19 on their families.
- St. Francis Hospital is accepting donations on health and medical supplies.
- Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children is accepting donations on health and medical supplies.
Author:
Paul Herdman
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