In this time of uncertainty, it can feel overwhelming trying to take care of ourselves, our families, and our community. We are acutely aware of the devastating impact of not only the COVID-19 virus itself, but the ensuing school, child care, business and other closures, especially on the most vulnerable members of our community. The items below are a partial compilation of just a few key COVID-19 resources. KidSafe Collaborative will continue to share selected information about COVID-19 as it comes.

The first thing we can do is keep ourselves healthy. Please follow CDC guidelines such as washing your hands often, social distancing when you must go out in public, and covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. For more information on recommended guidelines visit CDC.gov - Coronavirus

DCF Family Services – If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call 1-800-649-5285 to report it — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Prevent Child Abuse Vermont – PCAVT has put together a COVID-19 Parent & Caregiver Guide. You can download the PDF here:

COVID-19 Parent & Caregiver Guide

UVM Medical Center Child Safe Program – The Child Safe program is able to do tele-health visits. They can coordinate after hours emergency visits if needed. 1-802-847-8200

Howard Center - First Call for Chittenden County (24/7 crisis line) offers phone support, crisis intervention and assessment, referrals to appropriate services, and connection to follow-up care. If you experience longer than a 15-minute wait for a call back, please call again.

1-802-488-7777

School Meals – School districts throughout Vermont are providing free breakfast and lunch to those under 18. Hunger Free Vermont has put together a document to help find school meal information by district. That list can be found here:

VT School Closures Meal Service Tracking

Child care and COVID-19 - Let's Grow Kids hosted a presentation with Breena Holmes, MD, pediatrician and Vermont’s Maternal and Child Health Director, providing an overview of current data and guidance, to explain what changes families might expect, and to answer questions and concerns gathered from parents and caregivers across Vermont. The video can be found here: 

COVID-19 Child Care Health & Safety Guidance for Families

Vermont 2-1-1 – 2-1-1 is the number to dial to find out about hundreds of important community resources, like emergency food and shelter, disability services, counseling, senior services, health care, child care, drug and alcohol programs, legal assistance, transportation agencies, educational and volunteer opportunities, and much more. You can also text your zip-code to '898211' for support Monday through Friday 8AM – 8PM.

Hunger Free Vermont – Hunger Free Vermont has information on the resources that can help you access food at this time. Visit hungerfreevt.org

DCF Economic Services - In response to COVID-19, DCF's Economic Services Division is extending housing supports for homeless individuals. For more information, contact our Benefits Service Center at 1-800-479-6151 — Monday to Friday, 8:00AM to 6:15PM until further notice.

Spectrum - Drop-In is continuing to stay open through our to-go food program, we serve youth 14 to 25, Monday through Friday, from 12 to 1 pm and from 5 to 6 pm at our temporary location 191 Bank St. Burlington, VT. 1-802-864-7423

The Vermont Network – If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic or sexual violence resources can here: vtnetwork.org. The Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-228-7395. The Sexual Violence Hotline is 1-800-489-7273.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 1-800-273-8255 for a free and confidential support for those in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Vermont Multilingual Coronavirus Task Force – Videos translating COVID-19 news as well as best practices for protecting yourself have been translated in the following languages (Somali, Kirundi, Vietnamese, Nepali, Swahili, Dinka, Spanish, Arabic, Lingala, Bosnian, ASL, French, Burmese, Maay Maay) All videos can be found here: Vermont Multilingual Coronavirus Task Force - YouTube

Vermont Family Network – Digital Sibshops available. Siblings come together for fun activities and to meet others who know what it’s like to be a sibling to those with disabilities or special health care needs, for ages 6+. For questions or to register, please contact Molly.Lawney@vtfn.org.

Puppets in Education – Along with the Vermont Family Network puppets in education has put together a video on coping with anxiety around COVID- 19. The video can be found here: Vermont Family Network's Puppets in Education Anxiety short for COVID-19

Another video with UVM Children's Hospital's very own Dr. First can be found here:  Keeping VT Children Safe: A Conversation with Dr. First and puppet- Jordan

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health - (D-HH) has launched a mental health webinar series in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The series features Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) and Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine experts who discuss the challenges and concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation. This webinar is a six-part series streaming live each Wednesday, beginning April 22, 2020. For the schedule and how to access the series visit: DHH - Mental Health Webinar Series

Sesame Street – The Sesame Street family has been putting together videos about COVID-19 to help ease stress and anxiety. Louie, Elmo’s dad, has a reminder parents should take a moment for themselves which can be found here : Sesame Street: A Moment to Yourself | Parent PSA