COVID-19 Resources

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

Use the resources below for factual information and supports on how to handle this outbreak.


Letter from WC Partners Executive Director

At WC Partners, the health and well-being of our individuals, and their their families, our staff and communities is our top priority. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing surrounding the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and we are committed to being responsive to the needs of our individuals as the situation evolves. Staff will continue to be available even if the office has to close via phone and other resources in order to meet everyone’s needs.

In order to ensure the health and safety of our individuals and staff, we ask for your help. If you are scheduled to meet with your Support Coordinator but, someone in your household is not feeling well or has not been fever free for a 24-hour period, please call and reschedule. If you have been in contact with other family or community members who are now experiencing symptoms, again, please call and reschedule. Communicating with your Support Coordinator is utmost important.

At this time the only classes that we have scheduled is Music Therapy and at this point Drury is still committed to making classes happen. If this changes, we will update you immediately.

Please make sure to visit our website WC-Partners.net or our Facebook page for resources and information on a wide variety of topics but, especially in regards to Covid-19.

Katrina Detherow, WC Partners Executive Director

COVID-19

Learn more about the Coronovirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Use these resources in order to have factual information about COVID-19 and how to take necessary precautions.

24-Hour Hotline: 877-435-8411
COVID-19 Chat Bot: https://info.mo.gov/covid/

Coronovirus Fact Sheet

Learn more here: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/

Developmental Disability Resources for COVID-19

Children and COVID-19

FEMA COVID-19 Rumor Control

FEMA has put together a resource page to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to the stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the federal (COVID-19) response.

Learn more here: https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control

Testing

Any Missouri residents who wish to be tested with a nasal swab to see if they have an active COVID-19 infection can do so at the specified sites in each region at no cost to the individual. Missouri residency is the only requirement; individuals do not have to live in the county in which they are tested, and they do not have to be experiencing symptoms.

Greene County location: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield on June 4th and 5th from 7am-7pm

To pre-register go online: https://health.mo.gov/communitytest or call 877.435.8411.

See DMH announcement here: https://dmh.mo.gov/media/pdf/community-covid-19-sampling-events-be-conducted-throughout-missouri

Benefits and Resources

For updates and information regarding Medicaid (MO HealthNet) and other Department of Social Services (DSS) programs in response to COVID-19, please visit this link: https://dss.mo.gov/covid-19/

Important Updates
Consistent with the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, effective immediately, the Department of Social Services will not terminate eligibility for any Medicaid participant unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or the individual ceases to be a resident of the state through the end the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration. Public notice and order: https://dss.mo.gov/covid-19/pdf/13CSR65-2.020PublicNoticeandOrder.pdf

Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks)

The IRS has compiled information for those who do not file taxes but are still eligible for Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks).

Who should use Non-Filers?

Eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents who:

  • Had gross income that did not exceed $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples) for 2019

  • Were not otherwise required to file a federal income tax return for 2019, and didn't plan to

You can provide the necessary information to the IRS easily and quickly for no fee through Non-Filers. Learn more here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

FAQs from Social Security Administration on Coronavirus

Use this page to find most up-to-date information on SSA, SSDI, and SSI benefits and the impact of COVID-19. Information includes specific questions about stimulus checks and resources. Learn more here: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

Community Response and Recovery Fund

To support the rapidly escalating need, United Way Worldwide has created the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. The Fund supports communities struggling in the wake of the new virus, by supporting local United Ways and 211, the go-to information resource in times of crisis. Every year, 211 specialists answer 12 million requests by phone, text, chat and email to connect people with disaster, food, housing, utility, health care resources and more. There is no other network in the country with a similar pulse on America’s needs. So far, some 20 statewide 211 operations have been activated, and 211 is working closely with health officials all over the country to provide accurate updates to the public.

To get help, dial 211. The 1-866-211-9966 number being circulated is only for Indianapolis residents and is not available to Missourians. Learn more about this program visit the United Way Website.

Please be aware that financial assistance related to COVID-19 is not available for individuals everywhere.

Educational Resources

DESE Model Alternative Curriculum

DESE Model Alternative Curriculum includes activities aligned to the Missouri Learning Standards to serve as models for creating lesson plans aimed at students with significant disabilities. Over 1,000 new instructional activities for students with severe disabilities are now released. The curriculum is publicly available on the Build Your Own Curriculum (BYOC) website or through DESE's website by going to Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD) Curriculum.

BYOC website: http://mssd.buildyourowncurriculum.com/Public/Landing_Grades.aspx
MSSD Curriculum website: https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/missouri-schools-severely-disabled/curriculum

Educating All Learners Alliance

Educating All Learners Alliance is a hub of curated tools, strategies, tips and best practices for supporting students with disabilities online. Their goal is to both curate and creates special education resources for educators to serve students who learn differently during this time of challenge. They have educational webinars, resources, and more available on their website. Learn more at: https://www.educatingalllearners.org/

Learn@Home

As schools around the world close their buildings and families find themselves at home, YouTube wants to ensure that learning together continues. So partnered with Khan Academy and other learning creators to bring parents and families resources and activities to make the coming days as educational and fun as possible. Of course, these resources won’t replace any homework assigned by teachers — but they can complement that work. Learn more at: https://learnathome.withyoutube.com/

Missouri Disability Empowerment

Missouri Disability Empowerment Foundation (MoDE Foundation) has put together a list of excellent online education resources for all students that can be used at this time, including simple social stories to tell students why school is out and routines are being disrupted.

See this great list of online resources here: https://www.moempowerfoundation.com/educational-resources

Scholastic Learn at Home

Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. Learn more at: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Wide Open School

With resources for parents and educators, Wide Open School is a free collection of the best online learning experiences for kids curated by the editors at Common Sense. A group of more than 25 organizations came together and raised their hands to help, and many more are joining on a daily basis. Watch for new features and content partners frequently. Learn more here: https://wideopenschool.org/

WC Partners Online Learning Resources

In addition to the above mentioned learning resources, we have a list of other online learning resources.

Other blog posts, articles, and activities that may be helpful.

Health and Fitness

Special Olympics

YMCA

The YMCA offers over 50 on-demand videos online for exercises and activities that can be done from home: Learn more at: https://ymca360.org/on-demand#/

Low Cost Internet

Low-cost internet, advertised at $9.95 per month plus taxes, for those that qualify. As of March 2020 there is a promotion for the first two months free (Comcast provider) as well when signing up and there is no contract.

Potential eligibility qualifiers include "public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others." They also give you the option to purchase a computer at a low-cost ($150).

Learn more here: https://internetessentials.com/

Mediacom also has a low cost internet program called Connect 2 Compete. Learn more here: https://mediacomc2c.com/

Managing Anxiety and Stress

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

****Read more about guidelines from the CDC on how to handle anxiety and stress

Helpful Expert Tips and Resources from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Self-Care Resources from the Missouri Department of Mental Health

Burrell Behavioral Health

Burrell Behavioral Health is offering a variety of resources to help manage the emotional and physical health of our communities. Learn more about group therapy opportunities and other resources: https://www.burrellcenter.com/covid19response/

Missouri Family to Family

In this time of uncertainty, it can be easy to feel nervous, scared and full of anxiety. Combat those feelings with good information and great peer support. Missouri Family to Family is here to help. They can work with you to find a solution to those tough problems you may be facing right now as well as connect you with peer supports when what you really need is a listening ear and sympathetic connection. Learn more here: http://mofamilytofamily.org/

NAMI Support Groups

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Southwest Missouri is continuing to host support groups for panic, anxiety, OCD, depression, suicide survivors, and more. Please visit their Facebook for more information about participating in groups: https://www.facebook.com/NamiSwmo/

Show Me Hope Missouri

Show Me Hope is Missouri’s crisis counseling program (CCP) in response to a disaster or critical event. Counselors are based in the local community to teach coping and stress management skills to anyone dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the event. The CCP helps individuals and communities recover from natural and human-caused disasters through community outreach and access to resources including mental health services. Learn more at https://www.moshowmehope.org/ or https://dmh.mo.gov/disaster-services/crisis-counseling-program

Missouri Department of Mental Health

Website: https://dmh.mo.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MentalHealthMO/

Developmental Disabilities (DD) Division: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/individual-family-guardian-info

StationMD

Medicaid Waiver Recipients through the Missouri Department of Mental Health – Division of Developmental Disabilities are eligible and preregistered to begin using StationMD for any medical concerns. You can reach StationMD when you have a medical concern by calling 1-877-STATMDS (782-8637). A StationMD physician will then do an assessment via the telephone or through the StationMD App if a smart phone or tablet is available. If you do have a smart phone or tablet, we recommend you download the StationMD App now so it’s available when needed. Learn more about this resource for DMH DD Medicaid Waiver participants here: https://www.stationmd.com/modmh/

Parent Trainings

ABA Parent Training Plan - Providing Applied Behavior Analysis for Your Child At Home

Relias has developed a new free ABA Parent Training Plan - Providing Applied Behavior Analysis for Your Child At Home. This plan has been designed to help parents feel more confident in their ability to support their children, and provide schools and ABA providers with a resource to share with the families they serve.

The training plan includes:

  • Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis

  • Imitation and Joint Attention

  • Increasing Behavior

  • Naturalistic Teaching Strategies

Use this link to receive these trainings for free: https://reliasacademy.com/rls/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=p329898

Paths to Literacy

Paths to Literacy is offering support to students with visual impairments and their families because there are students with visual impairments who do not have full access to online curriculum, supplemental activities, or resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea of this project is to connect students and their families to volunteers who want to provide support during this unprecedented time of need.

Learn more about how you can help or access this program here: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/blog/working-together-support-students-visual-impairments-access-curriculum

Pharmacy Early Refill Changes

Effective starting March 13, 2020 in order to help individuals and families better prepare with medications during this time, the early refill policy for medications has changed.

"...prescriptions filled for a 31-day supply may be refilled no sooner than 16 days, a 30-day supply no sooner than 15 days. This will allow participants to have over 15 days of medication on hand should they need to be quarantined or be practicing self-quarantine..."

Official provider bulletin notice: https://dss.mo.gov/mhd/providers/pdf/bulletin42-30.pdf

Speech Therapy

Telehealth is an available option at this time, with some private insurance carriers also allowing this that previously did not in response to COVID-19. Contact your Support Coordinator for local resources, but see below for some online resources for speech therapy at home options.

6 Free Online Speech Therapy Resources for Kids

Twenty 5-Minute Speech Therapy Activities You Can Do at Home

Stories and Activities

The Arc of the Ozarks - Arc at Home

The Arc of the Ozarks' Ed/Rec department has been working hard on creating "Arc at Home", a resource and library of activities for individuals to do while at home. Activities and resources updated weekly! Check out their website for resources: http://www.thearcoftheozarks.org/arc-at-home

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon is opening up free streaming access to more than 40 children’s shows — including its original series — to all customers worldwide. To access the free kids’ titles, users must sign in with a valid Amazon account, which is free. The shows are available to the company’s customers worldwide, with availability of titles varying depending on location. Amazon set up a landing page for the free children’s programming at this link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/storefront/

Audible

For as long as schools are closed, Audible Stories will be available. Starting today, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Explore the collection, select a title and start listening. It's that easy. Learn more here: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

Disney - Imagineering in a Box

Stuck at Home? Kids Can Become Mini Imagineers with Disney’s “Imagineering in a Box." The Imagineering in a Box videos cover everything from an overview of engineering software to interactive, hands-on projects that can be done without leaving the house. The program was specifically developed to help kids relate the Disney stories they already love to the skills they’re introduced to in each module. Learn more about the program here: https://insidethemagic.net/2020/03/imagineering-for-kids-rwb1/ or go directly to the video content available via Khan Academy here: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/hass-storytelling/imagineering-in-a-box

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center has launched science lessons on Facebook Live. Parents also have online access to activity sheets and experiments, making spare time educational but fun. The sessions will take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET for young kids. For older children, including those in high school, there will be programming starting at 1 p.m. Learn more by visiting the Kennedy Space Center Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KennedySpaceCenterVisitorComplex/

National Theatre Plays

The National Theatre is going to stream a free play every Thursday night. Plays are streamed and available on their YouTube Channel. You can learn more by going to their website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ 

Netflix Documentaries

Netflix has made a selection of documentary features and series available on the Netflix US YouTube channel. Each title also has educational resources available, which can be used by both students and teachers - and Netflix will be doing Q&As with some of the creators behind these projects so that students can hear from them firsthand. Read original announcement here: https://media.netflix.com/en/company-blog/free-educational-documentaries

To view documentaries visit the Netflix YouTube channel playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvahqwMqN4M0GRkZY8WkLZMb6Z-W7qbLA

PBS

PBS Kids offers a variety of games, activities, apps, and videos for children and adults who enjoy their programming. Learn more here: https://pbskids.org/

Parents can also sign up for PBS Kids Daily, a weekday newsletter offering activities and tips you can use to help kids play and learn at home. Learn more here: https://www.pbs.org/parents/pbskidsdaily

Storyline Online

Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading. Teachers use Storyline Online in their classrooms, and doctors and nurses play Storyline Online in children’s hospitals.

Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators worldwide. Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners. Learn more at: https://www.storylineonline.net/

Webster County Library

With your Webster County Library card you have access to thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks. If you do not have a library card, MoLib2Go has now opened up access to their selections with just your mobile number. Learn more here: http://webstercounty.lib.mo.us/download-items/. For more information about MoLib2Go, visit: https://molib2go.overdrive.com/

Educational resources for teens. Learning Express is an interactive learning platform featuring over 1000 practice tests, tutorials, and eBooks relating to important career skills, certifications, and exam prep. And it is FREE through the Webster County Library. Learn more here: http://webstercounty.lib.mo.us/learning-express/

Wonders of Wildlife

Wonders of Wildlife is collaborating with Agents of Discovery and several leading conservation organizations to launch a campaign called Mission Conservation. This will provide parents and educators with access to Image Recognition (IR) Missions that young learners can play and share with their community.

New Missions will launch every Monday (events we are calling “Mission Monday”). Our educational mobile gaming platform uses augmented reality to engage youth through active learning. Let us help you turn your home and backyard into a fun and safe educational environment.

Anybody and everybody is encouraged to participate in Mission Mondays – It’s totally FREE on the Agents of Discovery app available on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more here: https://wondersofwildlife.org/missions/

Unemployment Benefits and Information

Information for employers and businesses impacted by COVID-19 from the Missouri Department of Labor.

Learn more here: https://labor.mo.gov/coronavirus

Missouri Job Center

If you are looking for a job check out Missouri Job Center's Facebook Works virtual hiring events. Log on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for a list of companies who are hiring along with live links to their online applications. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/SGFJobCenter/

Video Chat and Conferencing

Tools that help people stay connected by video, including friends, family, and staff, can help others with not feeling so socially isolated or provide opportunities to continue working on social skills while social distancing. Here are some tools and resources for video chat and conferencing.

Amazon Chime: https://aws.amazon.com/chime/

Duo: https://duo.google.com/about/

Facebook Messenger: https://www.messenger.com/

Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/

Jitsi: https://meet.jit.si/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

Microsoft Teams: https://products.office.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

Skype: https://www.skype.com/en/

Whatsapp: https://www.whatsapp.com/

Whereby: https://whereby.com/

Zipcall: https://zipcall.io/

Zoom*: https://zoom.us/

*On April 2, 2020 WC Partners became aware of various potential security vulnerabilities within Zoom. While it can be a helpful and free tool to use, there are certain precautions that should be taken in order to prevent concerns related to "Zoombombing" and other known security issues. You can read this article regarding steps you should take if using Zoom.

Virtual Doctor Visits

CoxHealth will begin offering free Virtual Visits to people in southwest Missouri experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 on Monday, March 16.

To be evaluated, individuals should simply use code COVID when beginning a Virtual Visit. This service is available to anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include a fever, cough and respiratory distress. Patients at risk may also have traveled to areas with widespread disease. If a provider feels a patient should be tested, he or she will make a referral so that may be conducted.

The availability of Virtual Visits by anyone, regardless of insurance or ability to pay, aligns with public health goals of keeping the disease from spreading throughout the community. This approach also prevents the spread of illness in medical facilities, and protects the local health care workforce so they can be ready to help those who need assistance.

Learn more here: https://www.coxhealth.com/newsroom/coxhealth-offer-free-virtual-evaluations-covid-19/

Virtual Tours

For individuals and families that are having to practice social distancing or even self-quarantine practices, there are various organizations that can provide virtual tours of museums, parks, even to space as an activity. Review available virtual tours and take a field trip from home!

Arts and Culture

Google Arts and Culture partnered with over 2,500 museums and galleries around the world to offer virtual tours of their spaces. Some of the options include New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum. The Louvre, based in Paris, is also offering its own virtual tour online for free. View Arts and Culture Collection

Farm

American Dairy Association - Virtual Farm Tour
American Dairy Association - Virtual Farm Tour - 4th-6th Grade
American Dairy Association - Virtual Farm Tour - High School

International Travel

Great Wall of China

National Parks

Yellowstone Virtual Tours
Yosemite Virtual Tours

Space Travel

The Surface of Mars as recorded by NASA's Curiosity Rover

Trains

Live Train Feed - Railway YouTube Channel

Zoos

San Diego Zoo
Georgia Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Other Articles and Resources

In addition to the links listed above, here are additional blog articles for ideas and resources to review: