Child Mind Institute – Supporting Our Kids Through the COVID-19 Crisis

With more and more schools and workplaces closed and public life suspended, parents everywhere are wrestling with how to keep children healthy and happy while confined to home. Many of us are struggling to juggle childcare and remote work, even as we manage our own anxiety about COVID-19.

At the Child Mind Institute our experts are coming together to offer guidance about how we can most effectively support our children’s well-being — and our own — during this crisis.

Today we offer their suggestions for structuring this time at home, modeling a calm and positive approach, and engaging kids in ways that will help them build resilience.

We’ll be offering more tips for supporting kids in the coming days and, as the situation evolves, continuing to create new resources to help families everywhere stay strong.

Information from Action for Healthy Kids and Active Schools

Action for Healthy Kids and Active Schools understands the challenges schools and parents are facing right now and the concerns they have about COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Your safety and that of your families, students and their families is our highest priority. View our full statement here.

School closings and restrictions on large gatherings are likely impacting the work you or your school may currently be doing for kids’ health, so we have modified many of our plans for the rest of the school year and compiled some resources for you.

Resources for Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Emotional Health

Keeping kids active and nourished at home is especially important right now, so view some of our favorite at-home activities, as well as our list of resources from partners and other organizations to help schools and families stay healthy and informed.

School Grants & Every Kid Healthy Week

We have extended the deadline for grant applications until May 1, 2020. If you have questions or concerns, contact us through our online contact form and select School Grants. We will be reviewing grant applications on a rolling basis, so if you are able to submit your application before the extended deadline, please do so.

While Every Kid Healthy Week remains on the calendar (this year April 20-24, 2020), we are not encouraging or expecting schools to host events, even if the schools are open. We advise you to follow the guidance from your schools, districts and states and recommendations from the CDC and federal government. That said, we encourage you to bring the celebration home! You can find activity ideas on our Every Kid Healthy Week resource page, in our Game On Activity Library, and in this curated list of at-home activities.

Questions?

View our full list of FAQs around COVID-19 here, or reach out to us at contactus@actionforhealthykids.org.

Yours in health,

Rob Bisceglie
CEO
Action for Healthy Kids

“Clear the Air” Youth Vaping Awareness Campaign

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) joined Governor Parson, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and the Department of Public Safety recently to launch the “Clear the Air” youth vaping awareness campaign. “We are grateful to our educators across our state who face this issue head on each day,” says Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “Providing both parents and educators resources to be better informed on the risks of vaping – and on how to identify vaping devices and the signs of their use – will give them greater support to address this issue with their students and children.”

Clear the Air Awareness Campaign Resources:

•  Clear the Air toolkit – resources for educators, including youth-focused social media graphics and posters to print.
• Clear the Air PSA – 15 second youth-focused message
• StoptheVapeMissouri.org – website for youth
• Vaping and Cessation information from DHSS  – see the “Teen Vaping Train-the-Trainer Webinar and Resources for Adults” section at the bottom of the webpage