Coping with COVID-19
Brief personal reflections and special creative content from Phyllis Cole-Dai, multi-genre author and curator of “Staying Power: Your Virtual Care Package for the Pandemic.”
New podcast episodes are produced weekly. Staying Power “care packages” (free) are emailed every Sunday.
Subscribe to the email list here: https://bit.ly/2×2lGFW. Learn more at https://phylliscoledai.com.
March 16, 2020
Hello Marvelous MJ Parents!
As you know, all schools in South Brunswick are currently closed due to the coronavirus in an effort to ensure the safety of everyone. I want you to know that, in spite of this, I am still here to continue providing social emotional support to you and your children. I will be available during the school day via email. If you would like to speak with me via phone, please email me with your preferred time and number for contact or fill out the Request for Help form in the pink section below. Please assist your child or let them know they can reach out to me as well if they would like to talk. I will be reaching out to students with whom I have frequent contact to make sure that they are feeling comfortable and supported. Finally, I will continue posting helpful materials to my website to assist you and offering a variety of virtual online social emotional learning resources for your children to enjoy at this challenging time.
Looking forward to seeing all of you again soon. In the meantime, I'm keeping all of you in my thoughts and heart!
Stay safe and be well:)
Warmly,
Mrs. Scaglia, LCSW
Monmouth Junction School Counselor
Every day, the Child Mind Institute publishes a video and social tile with a tip for supporting families through the coronavirus crisis.
Sign up here for daily practical email tips for parents.
On April 25, 2020, CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall aired: CNN's Erica Hill and Dr. Sanjay Gupta partner with Sesame Street to explain the ABC's of coronavirus in a town hall for parents and kids. Watch the full event here.
PBS: How Play Helps Kids Navigate Difficult Times
Playworks Play-At-Home Playbook: Looking for some games to play at home with your child during the school closure? Making playtime run smoothly often starts with game rules, while still keeping it fun. In this guide, you will find the rules of games that require little to no equipment, can be played with one child or siblings, and can be led by families, caring adults, and peers. This Play at Home guide is accompanied by resources available online. Visit www.playworks.org/PlayatHome for more games and resources.
For more social emotional learning activities, videos and websites, check out my Fun Website and Video page here.
Mental Health Resources
In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or Perform Care (Mobile Response) for mental health needs at 1-877-652-7624.
Rutgers UBHC (24 hr mental health crisis screening center)
671 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ
#: 1-800-969-5300 (24 hr call center)
This resource offers 24/7 crisis counseling to those who text HOME to 741741
Second Floor (youth and suicide prevention hotline)
#: 1-888-222-2228
Princeton House Behavioral Health (Variety of mental health services)
#: 1-888-437-1610
High Focus (Outpatient treatment services)
#: 732-303-9900