Right now, we are in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic that most of us have not seen in our lifetimes. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime state of emergency and advised everyone to follow the Department of Health mitigation strategies to combat the spread of COVID-19.
We know that child abuse and maltreatment will not stop during this time, so we have compiled the resources below to help CACs consider options as they continue providing vital support services to the community.
Public Health Resources
- Minnesota Department of Health latest information
- Centers for Disease Control Situation Summary
- Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak from the World Health Organization
Guidance for Workplaces and Service Providers
- The New Normal: Long Haul Health and Safety Guidance for CACs from the National Children’s Alliance and Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center
- Preparing your workplace
- Recommendations for community and faith-based organizations
- Recommendations for health care settings
- An informative webinar for preparing responses to Coronavirus on the Minnesota Council on Foundations website
- A host of resources from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, including articles on how to cultivate awareness on bias and racism during the pandemic.
- Lessening the Risk of Coronavirus at Nonprofits from the Nonprofit Times
Public Services Information
- Court operations during COVID-19 (also available in Spanish and Hmong)
- Unemployment benefits during COVID-19
- Coronavirus and Homelessness from the National Alliance to End Homelessness
- Information for Homelessness Service Providers in Minnesota from the Minnesota Heading Home Alliance
- Resources for Law Enforcement from the International Association of Chiefs of Police
- Information on Food Access Programs in Minnesota and Emergency Food Access
- New Information from Minnesota DHS on Emergency Food Access programs during the pandemic
Guidance for Individuals
- Guidance for Minnesotans to slow the spread of COVID-19
- Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control
- How to Care for Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus from Slate
- Managing Fears and Anxiety Around Coronavirus from UC–Berkeley
Supporting Children and Teens
- Supporting Children During Coronavirus from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Information on caring for children, talking to children about COVID-19, and helping children cope with emergencies from the Centers for Disease Control
- Information for parents on COVID-19 from Children’s Minnesota