Once a week during the pandemic, we are sending our Community Connections Newsletter which provides the latest resources available in our community. Sign up for the most up-to-date information.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO BE TESTED AND TREATED FOR COVID-19
Some people with developmental disabilities may not be able to describe their internal states and symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. Please keep this in mind during the COVID-19 screening process.
- Social narrative about getting tested for COVID-19
- Patient Summary for Person with DD
- COVID-19 Disability Form
- Free communication tools for patients with COVID-19
- Testing and Treatment Equality
- Safeguard Against Disability Discrimination
MULTILINGUAL OPTIONS FOR GOV. DEWINE'S PRESS CONFERENCES
Click here to watch Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Press Conferences.
To change the language, follow these steps:
- Click on the video you'd like to watch.
- Click the CC (CloseCaption) button at the bottom right of the video.
- Click the settings wheel next to it and select a language.
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
UNDERSTANDING THE CORONAVIRUS
- King Covid and the Kids Who Cared downloadable book
- Plain language guide to COVID-19
- Social narrative about COVID-19
- Social narrative about having to stay home due to COVID-19
- Social narrative about staying as healthy as possible
- Social narrative about day program closure
- Social story on the importance of wearing a mask
- Episode 1: How to Stay Healthy
- Episode 2: What Should I Do If I Think I’m Sick?
- Episode 3: What I Should Do If I Get Sick
- Episode 4: What To Do If a Caregiver or a Family Member Gets Sick
- COVID-19 Visual Communication Card for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
FUN ACTIVITIES
- InsideOut Studios Art Mini Sessions each Wednesday at 1pm
- LunchTime Live by Melodic Connections each weekday at noon
- Family Activities to Try
- Daily free arts & crafts tutorials
- Kings Island Roller Coaster Virtual Rides
- Special Olympics' School of Strength - exercise videos to help you stay fit!
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FUN AND FUNCTION: This company designs sensory-friendly tools and toys for kids, but they are going above and beyond right now to provide free resources for you through the coronavirus crisis. Some of these resources include webinars, sensory tools, educational support, social stories, activity videos and discounts on products. Enjoy an extra 15% off online using the code WeCareC19. Click here to access these free resources.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Butler County Historical Society Driving Tours
- Wide Open School is a free collection of online learning experiences and activities for kids to help families and educators adapt to online learning.
- Having a Meaningful Day during Ohio's Stay-at-Home Order
- Ohio History Connection Learn at Home
- Considerations for Students with Disabilities During Ohio’s Ordered School-Building Closure
- Scholastic Learn at Home
- Amazing Educational Resources
- Online Learning Schedule
- Virtual Activities for Teachers and Families
- Butler County Historical Society Driving Tours
RESOURCES
- Cincinnati Children's COVID-19 Resources for Families
- STABLE Account Response to COVID-19 - Don't know what a STABLE Account is or haven't set one up yet? Click here to learn more.
- Find Meals for Kids When Schools are Closed with this interactive map.
- ChartingtheLifeCourse Integrated Star for Social Distancing
- MRSS is a free service in Butler County to support families with children up to age 22. When you call, they will immediately send an expert to help calm the crisis situation where it is happening, assist you in determining next steps, and connect you with ongoing support. Simply call 1-844-427-4747 during a crisis.
- Free/reduced internet services and Public WiFi Hotspot Locations
- Shared Harvest is providing nonperishable food boxes to our agency upon request. If you and your family/household are in need of food, please contact your Support Coordinator or Early Intervention primary service provider.
- The Home Energy Assistance Program has been extended until June 1
- Resource Guide for Ohioans with Disabilities: How To Stay Healthy and Safe During the Coronavirus
- Shared Harvest SNAP Outreach: Call 800-352-3663 to apply for food stamps M-F 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Social Care Network: Free/reduced cost services based on zip code
- Cincy/SW Ohio Mutual Aid Facebook Group
- Coronavirus child care resources
- Prescription Delivery Options Available
- Financial Resilience Center - Developed by the National Disability Institute to help people with disabilities navigate financially through COVID-19. Includes information on employment/unemployment, stimulus, money management, public benefits, scams, and housing/food/healthcare. One-on-one financial counseling is also available at no cost.
- Cincinnati Children's COVID-19 Resources for Families
- These tools are meant to help document personal safety networks. This is especially important now that we are all disconnected - signs of abuse and neglect may go unnoticed.
STRESS & ANXIETY
- COVID CareLine: 1-800-720-9616 is a new, toll-free number and emotional support call service through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Behavioral health professionals are available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. After 8 pm, the CareLine will forward to the National Suicide Prevention Helpline.
- Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook
- Ask a Psychologist - This is a new type of virtual visit being offered by Cincinnati Children's Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics' psychology team. New and existing patients may call 513-636-8107 to schedule a 45-minute appointment with the next available psychologist. This service is not intended to be a crisis hotline.
- Butler County DD Community Facebook group - for caregivers of those with developmental disabilities to connect with one another, seek advice, and share resources, ideas, challenges and success stories of how you and your family are dealing with these uncertain times.
- Pause Family Network Facebook group - connect, process, share ideas and benefit from interactive Zoom meet-ups with other caregivers of children with special needs in Butler County. Also check out their full day schedule and half day schedule developed to help establish structure throughout the day during this time.
- VirusAnxiety.com
- CDC's recommendations
- Ohio Department of Health's list of resources
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COVID CareLine: 1-800-720-9616 is a new, toll-free number and emotional support call service through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Behavioral health professionals are available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. After 8 pm, the CareLine will forward to the National Suicide Prevention Helpline.