We’ve compiled a list of official and informal resources for news and information on COVID-19, Services, Education, Health Care, Financial Resources, Activities for School Age Children, Support for Families, and Social Outlets. This list is being updated daily.

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CURRENT NEWS AND UPDATES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Daily Updates

Department of Health (DOH)

• Current Updates and Resources
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for In-Home Care Providers
• Parent and Caretaker Resources and Recommendations

Office of the Governor

• News of closures, quarantines, and orders issued for public health and safety

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

• Warning about fraudulent COVID test kits for home use

Washington State Coronavirus Response

• Washington State’s Official COVID-19 Response Site

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NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH IDD, CAREGIVERS AND PROVIDERS

Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

• GovDelivery Sign Up for Current News and Updates
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for In-Home Care Providers
• Coronavirus Information and Resources
• Residential Provider FAQs

Green Mountain Self Advocates

• Plain Language Guide on COVID-19 | Spanish
  Written by and for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Tips For Working With Support Staff During COVID-19
  Written by and for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Informing Families

• Are Remote Services Right for You?
• COVID Scams
• COVID-19: What in the World is Going On? (English | Español | Vietnamese| Somali)
  A plain talk guide to help make sense of these confusing times. Includes the link to an audio version on YouTube.
• My COVID-19 Plan  English | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
• CARES Act: What’s in it for You? English | Somali | Vietnamese
• DDA Waiver Emergency Rules Related to COVID
• Face Coverings and Disability Q&A
• Let’s Talk COVID-19 (English | Español | Vietnamese| Somali)
  For families, friends and care providers of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Economic Impact Payments (Plain Language) English | Somali | Vietnamese
• Tax Advocate Services for Problems with Stimulus Payments

Special Olympics International

• Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know
  What is the coronavirus, what are the symptoms, how does it spread, and how you can protect yourself?

Videos by California Self-Advocates

• Episode 1: How to Stay Healthy
• Episode 2: What Should I Do If I Think I’m Sick?
• Episode 3: What I Should Do If I Get Sick
• Episode 4: What To Do If a Caregiver or a Family Member Gets Sick
• Episodio 1 – Cómo mantenerse saludable
• Episodio 2 – Lo que debo hacer si creo que estoy enfermo:
• Episodio 3 – Lo que debo hacer si estoy enfermo
• Episodio 4 – Lo que debo hacer si mi familiar o persona que me cuida se enferma

For Specific Populations:

Autism Focused Intervention, Resources & Modules

• Supporting Individuals with Autism During Uncertain Times

Deaf-Blind Community

• New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative Tip Sheet: Providing Access through Sign Language & Text for Low Vision & Tactile Communicators During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Dementia Action Collaborative

• Resources for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Down Syndrome Resources

• Q&A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome (abbreviated)
• Q&A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome (extended)

Wheelchair Users

• Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Users Precautions for COVID-19

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COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Internet and Phone Service Resources

• Lifeline Phone and Internet Assistance
  Lowering the monthly cost of phone or internet service. The Lifeline program also provides support to lower the service costs for qualified households.
• Lifeline Support
  A Federal Communication Commission (FCC) program designed to provide individuals with low-income access to free cell phones and inexpensive cell phone plans. The program provides those eligible to wireless or internet service for up to $9.25/month. To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid. Individuals with coverage by an MCO for Medicaid can contact their MCO directly about Lifeline. Click here for more information.
• Everyone On
  Visit EveryoneOn to search low-cost internet service offers from providers responding to the COVID-19 crisis. EveryoneOn is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating social and economic opportunity by connecting low-income families to affordable internet service and computers, and providing digital skills training.
• Telecommunication Equipment Distribution (TED)
  TED helps people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech impairment, to get the assistance they need to communicate. Visit the TED website to learn more and download an application.

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EDUCATION

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

• Northwest Justice Special Education Clinic
• Office of Education Ombuds: Back to School Planning for Remote Education
• OSPI Coronavirus Guidance and Resources
• Resources for Continuous Learning During School Closures
  In response to school closures due to COVID-19, OSPI content experts have curated a selection of links to external organizations providing high-quality online educational materials – courses, lessons, videos, physical and outdoor activity suggestions, etc.
• School Closure FAQ
  News and information about the impact of school closures on learning and testing, school meals, daycare, students who are homeless, and more.
• Summary of Reopening Washington Schools 2020: Special Education Guidance (August 2020)

PAVE

• IEP on Pause? How to Support Continuous Learning with School Buildings Closed
• Links for Learning at Home During COVID19

Informing Families

• Department of Education Guidance for Children and Youth with Disabilities
  Learn what to expect from schools and early intervention services during closures.
• Education During COVID19
  Tips and resources for making the most of education during school closures and beyond.

(Out of State Resources) California State Council on Developmental Disabilities

• COVID-19 and IDEA Part B Special Education (Spanish)
• COVID-19 and IDEA PART C EARLY INTERVENTION (Spanish)

[Note: Scroll below to INFORMAL RESOURCES to find a listing of Activities for School Age Children.]

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FINANCES

Employment Security Department (ESD)

• Resources for workers and businesses affected by COVID-19
  If you are affected by COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that may be able to help.

Internal Revenue Service Newsroom

• Economic Impact Payments
  New: People on SSI will need to provide personal information to the IRS to receive their payments. The information can be provided via an IRS portal created for this purpose.

Social Security

• Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Recipients
  Steps to Take and Schedule of Payments

Washington State Department of Commerce

• Rent & Energy Assistance
  Washington state residents currently participating in the federal Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may apply for special crisis benefits

Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers impacted by the Coronavirus.

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FOOD

Economic Services Administration

• Basic Food Benefits
• Pandemic EBT (Food Benefits) for K-12 Students who receive free or reduced-price lunches.

Did you know? Amazon is accepting EBT cards in select states, including Washington.

• EBT (SNAP) Benefits Accepted for Amazon Food Purchases

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HEALTH CARE

Office of the Insurance Commissioner

• Help and Answers to Insurance Questions
• Health Insurance and Prescription Waivers
  Insurers have been directed to waive co-pays and co-insurance related to COVID-19, and allow a one-time early refill for prescription drugs.

Washington State Healthcare Authority

• Information on Health Coverage, Apple Health, and FAQs
• Apple Health Pharmacy Email Support
  Do you have questions or concerns about your pharmacy coverage during COVID-19 outbreak? Send an email to Apple Health Pharmacy Support for assistance.
• Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
  Did you know that there’s a way to have the flexibility of private health insurance and get reimbursed for premiums from Apple Health? (Published by Informing Families)

Washington Health Benefit Exchange

• Extended Enrollment
  In response to the potential growth of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) today announced a limited-time special enrollment period for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance. This special enrollment period (SEP), that runs through April 8, 2020, will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder.

Resources for Individuals Who Test Positive for COVID-19:

• COVID-19 Disability Form(to be completed by or for an individual with intellectual disabilities or communication difficulties)

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IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE

Covid-19 Help for Washington

• One America Resources for Immigrants/Recursos para Immigrantes
  OneAmerica is the largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization in Washington State, organizing with and advocating for diverse communities including Latinx, African, and Asian. One America has an incredible super-list of COVID-19 resources including bilingual and multilingual resources.

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PERSONAL CARE RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS (AND PROVIDERS LOOKING FOR WORK)

Carina Care Provider Registry

• Carina Care
  Free, online service connecting Home Care Consumers and Providers.

Informing Families

How to Become a DDA Contracted Individual Provider (IP)
For eligible clients of DDA who have identified a potential caregiver, or for individuals who have been asked to provide personal care or respite services by a client of DDA.

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INFORMAL RESOURCES

ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

[Note: This is a sample list and does not constitute endorsement of businesses offering free resources. There are many more activities and resources available online. Explore on your own and connect with parent and educator groups online for recommendations.]

Daily Schedule and Activity Ideas

Many families are just starting to find out that their children will be out of school for the next 4-6 weeks, and are coming to the realization that in order to maintain continuity they will need to implement a structured schedule. This sample schedule has been made free for download to help you create a schedule and activities tailored to your child’s interests and needs.

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

You might be isolated, but you’re not alone. You are an art maker. Let’s make some together. I’ll see you at 1pm ET weekdays for LUNCH DOODLES and I hope you’ll keep making art even after my visit!

PBS Kids

Get daily activities and tips to help kids play and learn at home.

Scholastic Learn at Home: Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing

Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin!

School Closure Toolkit

This toolkit includes visual supports for children with autism to use during the COVID-19 school closures. Created by Easterseals Illinois Autism Partnership.

The Sped Guru: Special Education Websites for Students and Parents

Top websites for children with learning disabilities that can be utilized at home and school.

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD AND FAMILIES

Find support, connection and resources in your community as parent and self-advocacy organizations make the move to create more online support opportunities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

For Adults with IDD

• Best Buddies Washington Virtual “Hang In”
  Connect with the Best Buddies community in Washington through stories, conversations, videos, art, trivia, games, and more!
• People First of Washington
  Connect with peers on Facebook and Zoom with daily online video chats.
• Link20 Zoom-Fest 2020
  Over the next weeks we are going to be holding webinars and digital gatherings twice a week! Stay glued to your email on Fridays to learn more! Email jenny@rudermanfoundation.org if you are interested in joining! Link20 is a global social movement led by a network of young activists, with and without disabilities. Our goal is to raise awareness on the right of people with disabilities to be fully included in our society and strengthen young activist’s leadership skills and influence in promoting inclusion and social justice.

For Families

• Parent to Parent
• Local Arc Chapters
• Parent Coalitions
• PAVE

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND CONNECTION

Stuck at home? Don’t isolate. Keep that date! Connect virtually with friends and family without the travel or traffic. [Note: This is a sample list and does not constitute endorsement of businesses offering free resources.]

Facebook

Many disability organizations have formed private and public groups where you chat and connect with others who share similar interests and needs. Some, like People First of Washington, hold watch parties for shared online social time.

FaceTime

This is a great way to visit family members who live in facilities and settings with visitor restrictions. If your family member does not have a cell phone to receive calls, ask their care provider if they can provide a (wiped down/clean) phone for your family member to use.

Google Hangouts

Make voice calls, send text messages, and even have group video chats from your mobile device or computer without paying a dime.

Zoom

This video conferencing platform has lifted its paid subscription during the COVID-19 outbreak. Have virtual coffee or lunch with a friend, or a get together with several. It’s easy to set up for anyone with a device that has a camera and internet connection.