Updated Program Announcement
in Response to Coronavirus Concerns
March 25, 2020
Dear parents and community members,
I hope you and your families are doing well. We have been concerned about all of you, as things have progressed this last week. Many managers and staff have been pulling together resources and we have been putting them on our website for you to access. Last week we put out a parent survey asking about child care needs. We heard from over 400 families with 38% identifying the need for child care. However, as the number of COVID-19 cases has risen in Oregon, our governor has increased restrictions.
Based on Governor Brown's latest Executive Order which "require[s] child care providers - licensed and recorded programs - to close unless they are providing emergency child care" we must close our classrooms and the office to the public through Friday May 1, 2020. We will use Friday May 1st to return to our classrooms and ready them for the following Monday May 4, 2020 for classes to start.
I recognize that this is a hardship for all of our children and families. We are working through spring break remotely in our homes to develop a new remote program model. This way we will be able to reach out to both you and your children remotely. The week of March 30th our staff will begin working from their homes to reach out to each family to gather information so we can make plans to provide services for your family.
Specific information about our services during the month of April will be out by early next week. Until then know that you are on our minds and in our hearts. We will be in touch soon!
Sincerely,
Pam Greenough Corrie
Executive Director
“In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice…, the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Resources
Below are links to various resources for food, shelter, and information to assist you during our closure:
For Food, Shelter and other Resources and Services please call 211 or visit www.211info.org with questions regarding other shelter and childcare and transportation resources. Call the Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis Line at 503-988-4888 for assistance related to behavioral health concerns. Mental health clinicians can provide direct phone assistance to individuals experiencing mental health crises, including escalated symptoms of agitation, anxiety, depression, psychosis, dangerousness to self or others, substance use, etc.
Here are links to other resources available to assist you during this closure:
Community Resources
Family Resources and Assistance: https://app.box.com/s/hokp9tgngpthjdgbaovqrbki1ixfhc1t
Recursos familiares y asistencia: https://app.box.com/s/0l3xo3higxop1wxtwgrhk8oa2kitlf06
Multnomah County Health Department: https://multco.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19
Multnomah County Primary Care changes the way it serves to help slow the spread of COVID-19
El tratamiento médico o los servicios preventivos para el coronavirus (COVID-19) no contarán contra aquellos que buscan residencia permanente en los Estados Unidos.
Medical treatment or preventive services for coronavirus (COVID-19) will not count against those seeking permanent residency in the United States.
Oregon Employment Department: https://govstatus.egov.com/ORUnemployment_COVID19
Prepare for a stimulus check: https://news.yahoo.com/stimulus-checks-coming-heres-sure-205014838.html; if you do not have to file taxes, you still need to submit a tax form. Do this for free at the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
Additional assistance available from Oregon Department of Human Resources, Employment Related Day Care (ERDC): https://oregonearlylearning.com/oregon-expands-child-care-benefits-to-support-families-and-providers-during-spread-of-covid-19/
Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 Updates: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/28470bd
Multnomah County Freeze on Evictions:
https://www.kxl.com/portland-and-multnomah-county-freeze-evictions-related-to-covid-19/
https://www.oregoncat.org/cat-covid19-resources?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=aa5726cb-66fd-4799-a9f8-77a9f3cb598e
Guidance outlines exemptions for people experiencing homelessness and social service providers
Resources from Future Generations Collaborative (Multnomah County Health Department): https://app.box.com/s/77cky9l14id2kvh1skxw2bxksrez1lw9
SnowCap: http://www.snowcap.org/
Information from Futures Without Violence on COVID-19 for survivors, communities and domestic violence/sexual assault programs: https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/get-updates-information-covid-19/
Domestic violence services: Domestic violence service providers have a message for survivors: “We are still here for you”
Taking Care of Your Mental and Emotional Health
Taking care of your mental health during trying times like these is essential. One of the ways to uplift your mood is getting outside, and taking a walk, while still making sure to distance yourself from others physically.
Mental Health Services in East Multnomah County: https://app.box.com/s/dllrfps3zlcifti58a1ng4k2cxifac57
Information from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf?lang=en-US
Here are some resources to help if you are struggling:
- Multnomah County Call Center/Crisis Line: (503) 988-4888
- Urgent Walk-In Clinic: 4212 SE Division (503) 963-2575 (like Zoom Care for Mental Health)
- Parkrose Multnomah County Health Clinic: (503) 988-3392 – Both Physical and Mental Health available
- Kaiser Crisis Line: (503) 331-6425
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline
English: 1 (800) 273-8255
Spanish: 1 (800) 628-9454
- Oregon Youthline: Text: Teen2Teen to 839863 to instantly text with another person or call (877) 968-8491.
- Trevor Project: Text START to 678678 or TrevorLifeLine 1(866) 488-7386.
Covid-19 Mental Health Resources in multiple languages
How older adults can stay positive while staying home
Services
Comcast: https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/03/comcast-offers-free-wifi-hotspots-unlimited-data-waives-late-fees-during-coronavirus-outbreak.html
Library: Multnomah County Library is issuing library cards online and seeing an increase in use of digital resources.
Food Hero Initiative: It's searchable database has plenty of quick, tasty, and low-cost recipes. You can search by a particular ingredient or sort by category.
Guidance for businesses about whether to stay open or closed
Multnomah County created a Business Resources page
TriMet Information:
Guidance for using public transportation
TriMet Reduced Services
TriMet is no longer taking cash fares on buses
Educational Resources for Your Children
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
https://fluencyandfitness.com/register/school-closures/
Coronavirus, A Social Story: https://app.box.com/s/1t714npyx9fnx8b1w4hovyedlhfs4hqq
Children's Reactions to COVID-19 and Ways to Help: https://app.box.com/s/v21fim9j9amywz72q3hlya00t2qp51ok
https://readyrosie.com/en/healthyathome/
https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/get-updates-information-covid-19/
Resources to help you share about COVID-19 with your children:
English: https://app.box.com/s/h8khgop50qdj44lej9b8xot43wnclfdc
Spanish: https://app.box.com/s/rlnmtgzk2cuyh9k2xt6xpt1x856ozgv8
123Care: https://app.box.com/s/537piszty7xc80tq47slag766oyfyfo7
General Information
COVID-19 information in the following languages:
Mixteco, Zapoteco, Maya, Nahuatl, Chatino, Purepecha, Otomi, Tlahuica, Mazahua, Matlatzinca, Ashi Añane, Huasteco, Mixe, O’dam, Triqui, Embera, Garifuna, Tseltal, Chontal, Tzotzil, y Hñähñu
President Donald Trump approves a major disaster declaration for Oregon
President Trump extends social distancing guidelines to April 30.
