NSSED Parent to Parent Contacts

Tracy Hellner, NSSED Parent Engagement Facilitator at thellner@nssed.org

Kristen Endre, NSSED APS President at apspresident@nssed.org

For the Virtual Parent Series from CPI’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention for Caregivers Facilitated by CPI Certified Instructors and NSSED Coaches please go to our Workshops page

Summer Opportunities

Tellin' Tales Theater: Young Adult Writers’ Workshop Goes Online!

Online workshops will be held via Zoom. To learn more or register contact Stephen Donart at Steve@tellintales.org Check out the Flyer for more information.

NSSRA Virtual Programs: https://www.nssra.org/covid19/virtual-connection/

Remote Learning/Technology

You will continue to receive classroom or program specific links, but these are helpful overall guidelines.

Video Conferencing Support for Families

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kjnCVC5VU5FLAZThynGGXbr3EjJhWmi3OfSF-nvfU0I/edit 

Video Conferencing for Students

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dlv2ceAn44i7v_7J5ez8JbnTFgNLwmg9KKL4FvgLr-E/edit  

Learning and Home Supports

From visuals to learning supports:

Easterseals Visuals for creating a schedule for home:

School Closure Toolkit

Corona Virus downloadable Social Story from the Autism Educator:

Printable - What is Corona Virus?

University of North Carolina supports for children (autism specific, but broadly applicable):

Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times Full Packet

Early Childhood supports:

https://www.dec-sped.org/ei-ecse-resources-covid-19

Learn at Home (from the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation but broadly applicable):

https://www.dsrf.org/programs-&-resources/learn-at-home-5196/

Family/Financial Supports

These are broad, helpful sources for both general and targeted needs. For more specific, local resources please check your county, township or community website.

The Arc of Illinois: www.thearcofil.org

DHS-Illinois Department of Human Services: www.dhs.state.il.us 

Illinois Respite Coalition: www.Illinoisrespitecoalition.org 

Clearbrook Respite Services Application: 2019 Application downloadable form

Glenkirk: Respite Services and application

The Illinois Housing Development Authority has a grant program up to $15,000 for emergency mortgage assistance. https://ema.ihda.org/

Fun Family Activities/Diversions

The links here can help round out your child(ren)’s day in a way that’s meaningful and engaging. 

Physical activities: http://www.specialolympics.org/school-of-strength

Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga 

Create a Time Capsule for your Family: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MaM2RBrqyDeyKFCG8impDgfuZ8a2tIZ-/view

Health and Wellness

A compilation of downloadable resources from Ingrid Thompson, NSSED nurse.

• Coronavirus A Book for Children
• Wearing A Mask Story for Children
• Tips For Caregivers, Parents, And Teachers Covid

Emotional and Mental Health

We all are challenged by this separation and isolation. While these are good general resources we will continue to add more specific links as we find them. 

A compilation of downloadable resources from Ingrid Thompson, NSSED nurse.
Coronavirus A Book for Children
Wearing A Mask Story for Children
Tips For Caregivers, Parents, And Teachers Covid

Ways to Promote Children’s Resilience to the Corona Virus:

• Grounding, meditation, and mindfulness techniques free of charge from Calm. (Suitable for kids too!)
• Mental health, grief, anxiety, and other coping resources from NAMI

Free Mental Health Hotline 

Call for Calm - Dealing with stress, uncertainty and isolation during the Covid 19 crisis.  Text “Talk” to 552020. Your call will be returned within 24 hours.

Parent to Parent Support 

If you are looking to connect with other families or ask specific questions these are great places to start.

IPADD Unite: www.ipaddunite.org

City of Support: www.cityofsupport.org

Family Support Network: www.familysupportnetwork.org

Understood: www.understood.org/en/family/

Connecting Chicago Parents: Developmental Differences Parent Support Group Online Session April 22: https://www.npnparents.org/events/3384

KGH - Virtual Parent Support Group: www.kghconsultation.org/calendar/event/virtual-parent-support-group/

AMITA Health: Virtual Parent Support Group Flyer

Webinars

Positive and Productive Child Care While the Kids are Not In School

• Presenter: Randy Sprick from Safe and Civil Schools Webinar Recording

TASH Webinars and Resources:

https://tash.org/tash-covid-19-response-and-resources/