ACF/Children's Bureau Updates
- New Children's Bureau Guidance on Caseworker Visits During the Coronavirus Crisis.
- ACF Information Memorandum Regarding Flexibility for Grantees - The Administration for Children and Families released an Information Memorandum (IM-ACF-OA-2020-01) dealing with grant flexibilities in conducting human service activities related to or affected by COVID-19. The guidance provides short-term relief for administrative, financial management, and audit requirements for ACF applicants and grantees/recipients who are conducting human services activities related to or affected by COVID-19. Read IM-ACF-OA-2020-01 here.
- Children's Bureau Letter on Judicial Hearings - The Children's Bureau released a letter addressing legal and court-related issues during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The letter offers guidance to courts, CIPs and administrative offices about where courts have flexibility and about what services are required. It also provides guidance for courts specifically about maintaining family time during the crisis and ensuring that parents maintain access to critical services and treatment. Read the letter here.
- Tech Options from the Children's Bureau - The Children's Bureau has provided a list of low- or no-cost tech options that can be used to facilitate child welfare-related communication amidst the COVID-19 public health crisis. The list offers information platforms, including the associated costs and supported devices, as well as a list of major internet providers that are offering free services to low-income families and households with students. Find the list here.
Cable and Data Resources
- Various cable and internet providers are offering special discounts to assist with remote working and learning. Those offers are listed here.
Distance Learning Resources
- Online communication platforms to assist with distance learning are listed here.
Field Resources
- The National Conference of State Legislatures has compiled a list of state actions related to COVID-19.
- The FosterClub COVID-19 page provides links to resources, information, and opportunities for current and former foster youth to find support.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics has information on the COVID-19 pandemic, including symptoms, how to protect your family, how to prepare for school or childcare closings, and talking to children. The AAP also has information on handwashing.
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has a list of approved Medicaid 1135 waivers that can be used during a disaster to create flexibilities for states.
- Generations United has created a fact sheet for grandfamilies and multigenerational families to stay healthy, informed, and connected.
- The Food Research & Action Center has compiled a list of resources related to ensuring that children who are out of school can still access meals.
- The US Department of Labor has a portal to provide information about applying for unemployment benefits in your state.
- The Juvenile Law Center, The Hope Center, and School House Connection published a fact sheet on supporting students who are homeless or in foster care.
- UNICEF has tips for how to talk to your children about the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sharing guidance on managing mental health and coping during COVID-19 for children and caregivers.
- The National Association of Counsel for Children is collecting and sharing resources for talking to youth about COVID-19, sample court and attorney response protocols, self-care, news and more.
- ZERO TO THREE has prepared tips for families during the coronavirus, including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.
Funding Resources
- Emergency Coronavirus funding resources by state
- COVID-19 Response and Recovery Funds (Source, National Center for Family Philanthropy)
HR Resources
- SHRM Coronavirus Resources
- UST Summary of Unemployment Insurance Provisions in Title II Sub-title A of the CARES Act
- UST COVID-19 Employer Toolkit for Nonprofits
- Paid Leave and Unemployment Insurance Responses to COVID-19
- The Alera Group created a COVID-19 grid of scenarios and benefit implications
- Marathas Barrow Weatherhead Lent provided background on the Coronavirus Response Act, government agency responses to COVID-19, and information about employee benefit issues
National Council of Nonprofits Resources
- Recording of webinar: "Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?"
- Slide deck from webinar: "Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?"
- Analysis of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116-136)
- Chart: Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act
- How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19, Nonprofit Quarterly, Mar. 26, 2020
- Self-Insured Nonprofits and Unemployment Insurance, David Heinen, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
- Analysis of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19
- Find your state association of nonprofits
PPE Resources
Lutheran Services in America members have shared washable cotton face mask options that are available for order from the providers below. Please contact them directly for further information such as cost and estimated shipping time.
- My Pillow - Sarah@mypillow.com and CC: Mike.Huray@LSSMN.org
- Reverie - John.Wanat@reverie.com or (716) 951-7964
Telehealth Resources
- States Waiving Licensure Requirements/Renewals in Response to COVID-19 can be found here
- Telehealth and the COVID-19 Response: Policy Changes and Implementation Strategies webinar recording and slides
- Treatment of Substance Use Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic webinar recording and slides
- COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage Policies and Recent State Actions
- Information about various telehealth platforms and reimbursement can be found here
Contact Sheila Weber, Lutheran Services in America’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, at 202-499-5824 for more information.