Community Food Resources

This flyer from the Heart Association has information about food resources in Colorado. Call 2-1-1 for more information and about information for other types of resources.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UK4WUq5S-oZcp-vepPXSU0HTM-kRFh9P/view?usp=sharing

This list includes 11 organizations that assist with food needs in the local area.

List of 11 Area Food Resources

Local Food Bank

The Food Bank at Westwood's Community Church has an abundance of food and is supporting local families. Each family receives one large box of food, and you can pick boxes up for multiple families. There is no need to get out of your car and all food comes from local grocery stores. All volunteers are wearing appropriate gloves and masks.

Westwood's Community Church

7700 W. Woodard Dr.

Lakewood, CO 80226

You can drive up to the Church anytime from 12noon - 2pm Monday - Thursday and a volunteer will bring out a box of food to you no questions asked. You may NEED the following information about the student: 1) last name, 2) zip code, 3) number of people in the family. Plan on the whole process taking around an hour.

Community Resources

For support in connecting with various Jefferson County Resources

Support in connecting with Jeffco Community Resources #303.232.6301

Denver Salvation Army Citadel - provides renty, utility, and other assistance in Lakewood

Denver Salvation Army #303.922.4549

Childcare

Colorado Emergency Child Care Collaborative for essential personnel Covid Childcare Colorado

Jeffco Schools Foundation - raising money for hardest hit Jeffco Public Schools students & families

Jeffco Schools Foundation Assistance

NAVIGATING MENTAL WELLNESS - Information from Jeffco Public Schools

Checking In with your child and your own mental wellness

Take an opportunity to talk with your child/children one-on-one. While engaging in something enjoyable for you both, ask them how they are doing. If they are feeling down, listen (without judgment) and ask questions. Provide support and information related to what is going on and ideas and resources related to physical and social-emotional wellness. Also check in with yourself and access resources that will support you during this time, which also supports your child/children.

Helping Your Child/Children Cope with Changes Related to COVID-19

Helping Kids Manage Anxieties Around Coronavirus

Taking Care of Your Mental Health In Times of Uncertainty

If you think your child may be struggling with their mental health

If you are worried about your child's mental health beyond their current fears and possible anxieties surrounding the COVID-19 but it is not related to immediate safety, we encourage you to reach out for more support to your school-based mental health professionals (Counselors, Social-Emotional Learning Specialists, Mental Health Providers) or community mental health supports. Your school-based mental health professionals will likely also have access to a list of community mental health supports in your area.

Below you will find additional steps to take if you are looking for access to community-based mental health support. Currently, most community-based mental health providers are working to provide services remotely via the phone and teletherapy.

• Contact your health insurance for a list of covered providers

• Talk with your employer to see if you have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Ask your child’s primary care physician for referrals/ideas

• If your family does not have insurance, take a look at some more flexible alternatives such as

• Jefferson Center For Mental Health

• NAMI-National Association for Mental Illness

If you are worried that your child may be at risk for suicide

If at any point, you are worried about your child’s immediate safety (or their friend’s, cousin’s, etc.), please reach out for help from a mental health professional immediately. Tips for Supporting your Child can serve as a guide for navigating this challenging and extremely important situation.

Additional Resources

Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)

Colorado Crisis Text - text TALK to 38255

Police - 911

Safe2Tell

Colorado Crisis Walk-In Centers

Books about Corona Virus for Children:

A Story of the Oyster and the Butterfly: The Corona Virus and Me

A picture book about the Corona Virus written by Ana Gomez (a Jeffco parent)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D3Sc4p2UYCQDW0S4xI7-Bcalc7a8Swf3/view?usp=sharing

Corona Virus: Clear Answers for all Kids

A picture book with short, simple text and picture graphics to help children understand about COVID-19.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F6v4heOikiFz5zBGvTpqlj3xHWTOG-CF/view?usp=sharing

Child Mind Institute - Parent Resources for supporting children during remote learning & COVID-19

• Managing Anger and Frustration: Tips for staying calm with your kids.

• Supporting vs Enabling: How to tell what's helping and what's not when a child has challenges.

• When Siblings Won’t Stop Fighting: How parents can help kids learn to resolve conflicts.

• Preventing Parent Burnout: Meeting the emotional challenges of caring for children with mental health issues.

• https://childmind.org/guide/family-resources-for-remote-learning/

Ideas for talking with your children about the Coronavirus:

VIDEO: Children's Hospital Colorado "Answering Kids' Questions About The Coronavirus"

FOR KIDS: A Clever NPR-made Comic for Kids About Coronavirus

Tech Resources for Families

TIPS FOR WORKING AT HOME WITH KIDS

• Create a daily schedule based on schoolwork. Wake, eat, dress at the same time every day.

• Prioritize the schedule based on when kids are most focused.

• Get the bulk of your important work done during the kids’ nap/lunch/technology time.

• Set boundaries and communicate them to your kids. Explain how you are juggling their school and your own work and you need their help to navigate everything.

• Tell them when you need to be in “do-not-disturb” mode. Have kids make signs (stop sign, thumbs up/down) that you tape to your work area to show when it is okay/not okay to interrupt.

• Take necessary breaks. Don’t overextend yourself due to the remote work dynamic.

• Every hour of work warrants a 10-minute break. Walk, snack, stretch...wake up your brain!

• Reward good behavior. No interruptions, focused work = fun activity, small prize, tv show, etc.

Co-Parenting During Remote Times

Co-parenting is difficult enough during a “regular”school year! Planning schedules, Friday folder communication, parent teacher conferences, the list continues. Throw in this homeschooling wrench and it can really push parents to the edge. “This isn’t the way my teacher does it...dad doesn’t make me do this”... continues to echo in my household and makes me snap at my moody teenager. To save my sanity and my relationship with my daughter I have gone back to Divorce 101. Navigating through the swamp has taught me the following:

COMMUNICATE: I cannot emphasize this enough. Even if I cannot handle the sound of my ex's voice I had to put my big girl pants on and talk and LISTEN to him. He had information from working at the school district, I had information from emailing teachers. We had to talk and listen to one another to put this all together to begin to understand what remote learning would entail for our daughter.

COORDINATE: My ex and I had to develop a schedule and expectations for our daughter. I had to breathe and learn that my way was not the highway on this. I wanted my daughter to sit by me at the table and work online all day, her dad was more flexible and thought she should have freedom to lay in her bed and use her day to work on school. Together we came to terms with a schedule that all 3 of us could live with.

CONTROL: I had to let go..LET GO. I cannot control what happens at her dad’s house, I cannot control what is happening in remote classrooms, I cannot control what is happening with Co-vid. However, I can control my reactions, my emotions, my words, and my interactions. Knowing this propels me to use this control to have patience, reflection, and flexibility.

These 3 teachings and realizations have been helpful guidance as my daughter learns remotely at my house AND her father’s.

Good Luck Parents! Reach out if you need support!

-Jen ( jepage@jeffco.k12.co.us)

I'm Still Standing Parent Support During Coronavirus

Covid Virtual Workshop Ongoing.pdf

Virtual Zoom Talks on Anxiety, other challenges, & Gratitude with CU's Depression Center

Every Tuesday and Thursday for the foreseeable future, CU’s Depression Center at Anschutz is offering virtual zoom talks on anxiety, mental health challenges, and gratitude. Some of the talks are for parents and others are for the whole family. Doctors at the center will give these talks. If you can’t make a live call, no worries, you can find the recorded meetings here. More details on weekly discussions and services can be found here.

Finding Hope Through Happiness and Gratitude

A weekly Tuesday discussion with Dr. Amy Lopez on the science behind happiness, hope, and resilience. Learn concrete strategies to guide you through this time.

Starting April 14th at 4:30pm MST

https://ucdenver.zoom.us/j/548311036 (same link each week)

Parenting in the Age of Anxiety - Part II

Dr. Scott Cypers will be presenting Part II of a virtual toolbox topic on anxiety.

April 14 from12:00-1:15pm MST

https://ucdenver.zoom.us/j/132274167

You can access the video for part one the website, Part One: Parenting in the Age of Anxiety