You may wonder what all of the ongoing COVID-19-related news means for kids. Keeping kids safe and healthy during these unprecedented times will take collaboration and coordination. If you have any ideas or information to share, please email us.
News
For Monday, October 18
HealthData.gov reports 7 pediatric patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.
37.9% of West Virginians ages 12-15 in WV have received at least one vaccination dose. 49.2% of those ages 16-20 have received at least one vaccination dose.
Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you
West Virginia Feeding Map- A partnership between the Governor’s Office and WV 2-1-1.
COVID-19 and West Virginia Schools
WVDE has launched a webpage that gives you county info on enrollment, COVID funding, and- big deal alert- mitigation plans for every county school. It’s called the County Recovery Snapshots site, and it’s a great resource for those tracking how correlations between mitigation plans affect school outbreaks.
Current COVID-19 Outbreaks in WV Public Schools- (includes extracurricular activities) are found on WVDE’s page. Please note, this list is not comprehensive. Contact your school and visit their social media pages for local information.
State Guidance
How do I connect with feeding sites in my county while schools are not in session? The West Virginia Department of Education’s Feeding Site Information Page lists guidance and resources by county. If you’d like to volunteer to help address food insecurity in your community, join this Facebook group.
WVPath is where you can go to see if you qualify for assistance such as SNAP, child care support, and health care. There is a screen for assistance wizard that makes the process easy. And there’s great news: Medicaid and CHIP have extended their redetermination periods for three months. No additional action is required. SNAP is extending its certification period for one additional month. You don’t need to take further action.
Are you interested in volunteering? Contact Volunteer West Virginia for current opportunities.
Resources for Talking to Kids about COVID-19
World Health Organization: COVID-19: IFRC, UNICEF, and WHO issue guidance to protect children and support safe school operations
CDC: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children
ACEs Connection’s COVID-19 resources for parents, educators & people practicing resilience (all of us)
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Talking to Children About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book Online: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infections (updated often)
National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
PBS: 10 tips for talking about COVID-19 with your kids
UNICEF: How to talk to your child about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
NICHQ: Supporting Children’s Health During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Child Trends: Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Zero to Three: Tips for Families: Coronavirus
