School Closure Resources

Worrying about all the news on the new coronavirus and the illness it causes? Well, that makes good sense. If you’re wondering how to cope with anxious feelings that are surfacing check our these tips below

The Trusted Advisors are a terrific resource for you or a family you know who might need help navigating resources in our community. The Great Start Collaborative of Jackson County introduced the Trusted Advisors to our community 2 1/2 years ago through a grant from the Michigan Department of education. The purpose was to empower champions in low income and impoverished neighborhoods to help families connect with local resources and service providers. The Trusted Advisors are in a unique position with experience and knowledge to help their neighbors navigate services.

Here are some of the things they can assist with:

* Understand and complete the intake form for Department of Health and Human Services

* Locate the nearest library and everything in between.

* Food Assistance and pantries

* Medical and Dental services

* Mental Health Resources

* Utility Assistance

* Housing Resources

If you or someone you know needs a little extra support right now and a friendly face that understands please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our Trusted Advisors.

Greg Hardrick - 517-945-2002 call ot text

Alice Walker - 517-962-2006 call or text

Daveda Quinn - 517-392-7024 call, text or email tadaveda@gmail.com

Twyla Wright - 517-894-3898 call, text or email tatwyla@gmail.com

Priscilla Hardrick - 517-227-1988 call, text or email taphardrick@gmail.com

If you are struggling with food insecurity...need to find housing...would like to get connected to counseling or medical services, or have other questions...call 211!

211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people of all ages and from all communities to the essential health and human services they need.

211 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week 211 and can be accessed by phone or computer.

Examples of how 211 can help:

• Mental Health and Health Resources – including counseling, support groups, drug and alcohol treatment

• Health insurance programs

• Medicaid and Medicare

• Maternal health resources

• Health insurance programs for children

• Medical information lines, clinics, and hospitals

• Food banks

• Housing support

• Utilities

• Transportation

• Many other resources

Utilize the 2-1-1 database for access to local food pantries in Jackson Michigan. Here you can find each pantries requirements, area served, service hours, site hours and address

As we all know, Governor Whitmer has declared a state of emergency and has announced that all Michigan schools will be closed for three weeks starting March 16th to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus, or COVID-19. According to Michael Rice, our State Superintendent, “closing our K-12 school buildings is the responsible choice that will minimize the risk of exposure for children, educators, and families and mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.”

Things we can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

• Respect the social distancing and quarantine measures:

• Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• Avoid large group activities

• Be diligent about hygiene and sanitizing things you touch:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

• Use an alchohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available

• Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve...cough into your elbow

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

Things we can do to support our students, families, neighbors and family members include:

• Reach out to those who are at risk and ask how you can support them. Pick up groceries or other supplies for them.

• Check in to make sure they are doing okay

• Offer encouragement to our front-line responders (drop them a note of encouragement, take them a meal

• Offer to watch children of people who don’t have daycare options

• See the needs around you and do what you can to help out

• Donate to food banks

• Offer financial support

• Don’t “panic buy” so that resources are available to all who need them

The response to Coronavirus is a collective one. That is the heart of public health...considering the good of the whole and caring for the most vulnerable and at-risk around us. This situation is not simply about our own self preservation, but how we can act to protect others. This is an opportunity for each of us to do more and be more for others around us.

For statewide and national information on the virus, visit:

Michigan.gov/Coronavirus

CDC.gov/Coronavirus

Your children are observant and developing thoughts about COVID-19. Their sporting events are cancelled and family vacations are changing. Children can feel more calm when we provide facts in appropriate language. Here are 5 friendly tips for talking to your kids about COVID-19.

With so many things out of our control right now, the ideas listed on this graphic are a small reminder of the things that may be within our control. During times of uncertainty, the best thing we can do is to remain calm and support one another to the best of our ability. Managing our stress and anxiety levels will make a difference in staying as well as possible!

Comcast announced Thursday it will be increasing speeds for the Internet Essentials program, and making the program free to new low-income customers for two months, amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Learn More Here

Yep, we are too. Here is the skinny on why we need to work together.

Learn About Signs, Symptoms and Next Steps

Coronavirus Symptoms, Care, Common Questions and more...

Looking for a way to explain the Coronavirus to kids in your home or community? NPR developed this comic as a way to better answer questions that many kids have.

Click here to view the entire comic

Janelle Buchler: Whole Child Consultant (janelle.buchler@jcisd.org)

Eric Swihart: Whole Child Coordinator (eric.swihart@jcisd.org)

Caitlin Williams: Attendance and Homeless Program Coordinator (caitlin.williams@jcisd.org)

Rebecca Hurst: Behavior Health Project Coordinator (rebecca.hurst@jcisd.org)

Kelsea Jabkiewicz: Data Integration and Medicaid Cost Recovery Coordinator (kelsea.jabkiewicz@jcisd.org)

Angela Maddox: Whole Child Secretary (angela.maddox@jcisd.org)