Supports for Special Needs Families during these Uncertain Times
It has been a couple of months since my last post. I feel it has been a whirlwind since the beginning of this new Covid-19 pandemic. It is everywhere, on every page of the internet, in almost every email, in the voices of everyone you speak with. We are all making adjustments to a new way of life. We are all asking if things will go back to the way they were. It may or we may learn a new way of life. It is not always a bad thing. I feel as though this could be a great new awakening. A greater appreciation of the lives we have and the world around us.
I sincerely hope that everyone has been as well as can be expected. I hope that through all of these changes that everyone has adapted as well as they can. We do not have to be Mary Poppins. It is ok if the house does not look perfect, its ok if you skip on a perfect meal and have sandwiches, its ok to just sit there and do nothing. Just do not give up, get back up, get back on track, and don’t forget to take those breaks to keep your sanity. Learn how to use zoom, facetime, or google. Keep in touch with friends and family.
Today I am adding a few resources that you may use during this unprecedented time. Some are Georgia specific, but please explore similar options in your state. I wish everyone the best in their journey.
Special Needs Supports
Georgia Crisis Response System For Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Information
1-800-715-4225
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
Homepage
Parent to Parent
Home
800-229-2038
FOCUS+Fragile Kids
Home
770-234-9111
Current Information and Resources to help families through Covid-19 – disability specific.
Autism Speaks of Georgia
Homepage
National Autism Association
Link
National Council on Severe Autism
Resources
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
Homepage
Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia
Homepage
Spina Bifida Association of Georgia
Homepage
Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta
Homepage
Emergency Assistance
Department of Human Services
Division of Family and Children Services
Apply for needed or emergency services
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Energy Assistance
- Emergency assistance
United Way
Information and Resources
United Way Atlanta
Families can either go to their website or send the keyword GACovid19 to 898211 to receive a list of the resources.
United Way of Greater Atlanta 404-614-1000
Community Action for Improvement
Offers Financial Assistance and Community Resources
Companies Offering Assistance
Programs to help get Internet Services
Various program to help families get internet
Comcast Essentials
Internet Essentials
- Internet Essentials will increase speeds from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all customers.
- New customers will receive two months of free service.
- Once you are an Internet Essentials customer, you have the option to purchase a laptop or desktop computer at a discounted price. Link for Computer
Comcast Article
Comcast will pause data caps, no late fees, no disconnects, News, Information and Educational Content on X1 – just say education into your remote.
AT&T
Further InformationHere’s what we’re doing to help our customers and our communities get through this:
- suspending broadband usage caps.
- We’re keeping our public Wi-Fi hotspots open for anyone who needs them.
- We continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited-income households at $10/month through our Access from AT&T program.
- We won’t terminate services of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer due to an inability to pay their bill as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – and we’re waiving late payment fees for those customers.
- We are underwriting expenses for a “one-stop” resource center to support eLearning Days from the State Educational Technology Directors Association. It’s available to help all educators handle school closings and virtual learning.
Charter
Further Information
- Will open WiFi hotspots across their footprint for public use.
- They will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, their high-speed broadband program to eligible low-income households.
Verizon
Further Information
Verizon will waive late fees for 60 days from March 16, 2020 to May 16, 2020, and will not terminate service to a customer who’s been impacted.
Georgia Power
Further Information
Georgia Power also will temporarily suspend residential disconnections for the next 30 days, beginning on March 14, 2020, and will reevaluate the policy and timeframe as the situation develops.
Safelink Phones & Service
Always Free
Online Services and Activities
West Georgia Library System
Further information
If you are able please return books at drop-offs. Late fees will not accrue during closed periods. Please go to the Digital Tab on their website to access free digital materials
Libby
Free library books on your phone
New York Times
Currently offering free services
Audible
Offering free services to children affected by school closures
McHarper Manor Paint Lessons
Live each day at 1pm with free art
Josh Gad reads to kids every night on Twitter
The Frozen II and Beauty and the Beast star
Social Story shared by our Parent Mentor Group
Social Story
Center for Puppetry Arts at Home
Homepage
Resources for School at Home
Special Needs For Special Kids
This site is now the home for a REMOTE LEARNING experience for our students with moderate and severe disabilities. Until this current crisis ends, this site will be a source for quality lessons and activities for teachers and parents to utilize
Scholastic at Home
Day to Day Projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing
- Free Basic Accounts
- Host up to 100 participants
- Unlimited 1 to 1 meetings
- 40 mins limit on group meetings
- Unlimited number of meetings
- Online support
- Video Conferencing Features
- Web Conferencing Features
- Group Collaboration Features
- Security
TedEd@home
To support the millions of students, parents, and teachers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, TED-Ed is working with expert educators and TED speakers throughout the world to create and share high-quality, interactive, video-based lessons on a daily basis, for free.
Understood.org
Special Needs resources for parents, students, and teachers with learning at home.
Dealing with Covid-19
Resources to help Special Educators, therapist, and families.
Greatschools.org
Free printable worksheets, wordlists, and activities.
Autism Tips
From TheMighty.com
There is also an app and a daily schedule of available online activities. How to homeschool for free during school closures.
150+ Educational Shows on Netflix
Edhelper.com
Worksheets to do at home.
Thrively
Thrively helps your child find their passion in life. Discover your child’s strengths and ignite their curiosity today.
Home Schedule during Covid19
Daily Schedule for home
NY Metro Parents
At-home activities to do with your children
Easing stress during the coronavirus
Gabriellavolpe.com
Homeschooling articles for parents with special needs children. Adapt and Modify
The Conversation
Tips and resources
25 minute Speech therapy Activities
A Day in Our Shoes
Homeschooling resources for parents, OT, PT, Special Education
Engadget.com
Stem Resources
Amprogram.com
Fun things to do if you are bored
Physical Activities
YMCA
Free online fitness classes
Mommy Poppins
Home school and physical activity resources
Specialneeds.com
Exercises for children in wheelchairs. Or search wheelchair exercises on YouTube and you will find many to try.
Healthline.com
Exercises for kids with Autism
P.E. with Joe
Every day on YouTube
Smart Parent Advise
Great Games For Kids
Tips on Managing Stress
Managing Stress and Anxiety
Resources from the CDC
Child Mind Institute
Managing Stress, talking to your children about the coronavirus, and other resources.
PBS kids
How to talk to your kids about the coronavirus
Complextrauma.org
Complex Trauma Resources
Virtual Tours
6 beautiful Italian museums to visit for free online
Homeless Students
Together We Rise
Students who have aged out of the foster care system will be displaced due to Covid-19 and at risk of experiencing homelessness. Scroll to the bottom of the page to fill out emergency support forms.
One Simple Wish
One Simple Wish empowers you to restore hope and happiness to children & young adults impacted by foster care, abuse, and neglect.
Uhaul
Helping College Students with free services
Uplifting Stories
The Uplift CBS news
USA Today
BBC
Virtual Volunteering
These may have similar links