Great Start Collaborative

Hillsdale County - May 2020

May COVID-19 update


As you may already know the Governor has extended the stay at home order until mid-May. The Hillsdale County Great Start Collaborative has canceled the May PLAY event and the May Parent Coalition Meeting. As we all navigate this new normal please follow our website and Facebook page for updates, news, and tips.
We hope that you are settling into some kind of routine that works for you and your family. Finding balance with all the demands of this new normal can be stressful. Please be sure to give yourself some grace and get outside to enjoy some of the nice spring days that we are having.

____________________________________________

Thrive with Your Family

C.S. Mott Children's Hospital has introduced a new weekly online video series supporting families during the coronavirus pandemic called Thrive With Your Family.


You can join their nationally recognized panel for a series of candid conversations about parenting, child behavior, mental health, and relationships during the ever-changing environment of our current global pandemic.


We’ll tackle the stressors, concerns, and difficulties families are facing. Most importantly, we’ll talk about how to maintain a sense of hope and understanding, and tips for maintaining a problem-solving mindset even amidst circumstances that can feel out of our control.


You can submit topics and/or questions on their website. You will also find previous episodes on their website to view at your convenience.

____________________________________________

Preschool Registration

____________________________________________

The Hillsdale Intermediate School District's Early Childhood Preschool team has developed a YouTube channel to provide families with educational videos for circle time, storytime, music, and movement, along with other activities and craft ideas. Check it out here.

____________________________________________

For full activity kit click on image

____________________________________________

Helpful links on COVID-19 and related topics

This infographic explains the basics of what COVID-19 is, and what it can mean for stress levels in both children and the adults who care for them. It also offers some easy and concrete solutions to help caregivers ensure that both they and the children they care for don’t experience long-term effects of stress. Finally, it explains how all of us as a society can work to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our fellow community members, both now and in the future. Click image for full article and a link to a free activity guide.

Helpful links for kids around COVID-19

Looking for something more...

Check out the New York City School Library System's collection of free eBooks for children about the Covid-19. Click here.


40+ books with varying age ranges/reading levels. Additional languages are available as well.

____________________________________________

ZOOM

To download full document click on any page and follow the direct download link.

____________________________________________

Fresh Food Distribution

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

The COVID-19 pandemic has many people facing challenges never experienced before. LifeWays is offering a community support group to help cope with those feelings of isolation, stress, and anxiety. Groups are hosted by master’s level clinicians.

Click on the image to find the zoom links, meeting ID, and passwords.

____________________________________________

WIC Program Updates

The safety and health of your family is the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program's top priority during the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). To protect all families and staff, your local WIC clinic may be closed, may have changed its hours, or maybe providing remote assistance. To learn more about these changes and to get answers to common questions, such as how to contact your local WIC office or obtain breastfeeding support, please review the WIC FAQ document.

____________________________________________

Are you an Essential Worker and in need of Child Care?

Please fill out the form if you are in NEED of care for a child, ages birth through 12 years only, and are part of the Essential Workforce, as defined by Governor Whitmer’s Executive order.

This service provides a connection to child care providers who have openings. Fees will apply. Please allow at least 48 hours for a response. Click here.

____________________________________________

Memes for the month

Because this was a long newsletter. Thanks for making it to the end.