Resources for Adults
How Can You Help Your Child at Home This School Year?
Review your child’s homework/school work on a regular basis and be available for homework help.
Read to your child and encourage him or her to read to you. Set a good example by letting your child see you read for fun.
Encourage your child to participate in sports or other physical activity.
Praise your child for any accomplishments.
Create a quiet place for your child to study and do homework.
Monitor your child’s computer/tablet/phone/TV usage. Limit the amount of time in front of the computer/TV playing games and/or watching videos. Limit the types of games or videos your child plays and watches on the computer.
Make sure your child receives a healthy, balanced diet, including breakfast each morning.
Make sure your child gets to bed early and receives at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
Make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.
Notify the teacher of any health or emotional concerns.
Keep your child home if he or she is not well.
Establish a set of rules and routines for your child at home.
Consequence your child fairly and consistently.
Take your child to local museums, cultural events, and libraries.
Get involved in your child’s education by volunteering in his or her classroom and participating in school activities, if possible.
Parents and Guardians, it's important to take care of your own wellness, too! This is a new and unpredictable situation for all of us, which is likely to cause some anxiety. Try setting a schedule for yourself that includes physical activity, time for yoga or mindfulness, and staying social over the phone or by video chatting. Talk to a trusted partner or friend about how you're feeling. Take a break from constant news and social media updates. Check out these resources for more information and ideas:
Additional Resources
Rental Assistance
Utility Assistance
Utility Assistance
The Ohio Development Services Agency has secured approval from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to extend the Winter Crisis Program from March 31, 2020, to May 1, 2020, and to extend the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) from March 31, 2020, to June 1, 2020. The Winter Crisis Program helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in their tank maintain their utility service. The HEAP provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their home energy bills through a one-time benefit applied directly to their utility bill or bulk fuel bill.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio also has also extended its winter reconnect order through May 1, 2020, which helps Ohioans reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service during the heating season.
For customers enrolling in the Winter Crisis Program or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) for the first time, you are NOT required to have a face-to-face appointment at this time. Your local Energy Assistance Provider will complete your application during a phone appointment
Visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply for assistance or to find contact information for your local Energy Assistance Provider.
-Information obtained from the Ohio Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation
Other Assistance
P-EBT Information
Some of you may have already received a P-EBT card last spring and fall (P-EBT: Pandemic - Electronic Benefit Transfer). These are like SNAP ("food stamp") cards that can be used at any grocery for food. The latest card value may be as much as $350 per child for each school aged child. These cards are automatically mailed to families who qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS), using addresses that are automatically uploaded from school districts.
This is not a school program, but we want to be sure families recognize this mailing and know how to use it. Please note that unlike many public assistance programs, a SS# is NOT required for eligibility. A child's 4 digit year of birth can be used instead of the last 4 digits of SS# when activating.
P-EBT cards have been mailed recently, or will be soon, from ODJFS. Families: DO NOT THROW OUT THIS MAILING! Be sure to save the card as well because more funds may be added in the coming months!
Jan-2019 STREET CARD.pdfComputer/Internet
According to a Dispatch article from 5/15/2020, families of students who have free/reduced lunch are eligible to buy a used PC from the library for $20. There is a link to register at the bottom of the article. Families can also purchase low-cost internet.
Unemployment Information
Unfortunately, this situation has led to many hardworking adults being laid off from their current place of employment. Please use the following resources to help if you are facing unemployment or struggling with rent/utility payments at this time.
Give To Others
If you are interested in helping other Worthington families during this difficult time, please see the Worthington Bridges Website to give financially or to find out about volunteer opportunities.