Weekly Insider: April 7, 2020
To Take Care of Children, Remember to Care for Yourself
The spread and effects of COVID-19 have introduced many new stressors and uncertainties into our daily lives. These stressors can lead to strong emotions, fears and anxieties in both children and adults alike.
For educators, student support professionals, parents/caregivers and others who share responsibility for the well-being and welfare of children, it is important to remember that children often react in response to what they see and observe from the adults that surround them. In order to best support the emotional and mental health needs of children, it is critical to understand our responsibility to also take time to cope with our own stress and emotional needs in healthy ways. Practicing self-care is not selfish and it is not self-indulgent; rather, it is essential.
Among the resources included below, you will find ideas for implementing self-care practices into your daily routines in order to better support the needs of others.
New Resources
Stress and Coping
Fear and anxiety related to the spread of COVID-19 can trigger strong emotions in both adults and children. The Centers for Disease Control provides a summary of strategies for coping with stress and various resources to seek additional help.
Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus
For parents with children at home, self-care is critical to manage stress. Making time for yourself and prioritizing healthy choices are a couple of the tips outlined by clinicians to help ensure everyone’s wellbeing.
Self-Care for Student Support Professionals
Student support professionals carry a unique burden of supporting and guiding others through their uncertainties, stress and worry, while also coping with their own. Find strategies to maintain strength and resilience.
4 Tips for Coping With Anxiety and Cabin Fever
From the founder of mindfulteachers.org, this resource outlines several tips—beyond breath-based exercises—for managing the stress and anxiety that many educators and others may be experiencing as a result of the news environment, social isolation, etc.
Grant Alerts
Emergency Grants | No Kid Hungry
Emergency grants available for school districts and organizations working to sustain nutrition programs for children during current school closures. Learn more.
Deadline: Undefined
SEL in Action Awards | Education First and NoVo Foundation
Supporting the implementation of SEL initiatives in schools, either at the educator level (teachers, counselors, administrators, etc.) or at the district level. Learn more.
Deadline: April 10, 2020
Project AWARE State Education Agency Grants | SAMHSA
Expands capacity of State Educational Agencies to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth, train school personnel and connect youth to services. Learn more.
Deadline: April 20, 2020
National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth | Administration for Children and Families
Cooperative agreement to operate the Runaway and Homeless Youth National Communication System, providing information referral services, prevention approaches and communications services to vulnerable, at-risk and homeless youth and their families. Learn more.
Deadline: May 13, 2020
*The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools does not administer these funding opportunities. Please refer to each organization for further direction and details.
Job Opportunities
Crisis Response Counselor | Youth Villages (Memphis, TN)
Provide mobile crisis response and assessments of children and families in their natural environments. Provide ongoing treatment and intervention. Learn more.
School Nurse | The Churchill School and Center (New York, NY)
Serve as the leading health professional for the school community; serve as liaison to families and staff for health and wellness issues. Learn more.
JTE Youth Program Specialist | Seattle Goodwill (Seattle, WA)
Provide instruction, academic guidance, and administrative support to Seattle Goodwill Youth Programs. Build relationships with students that facilitate successful outcomes. Learn more.
School-Based Mental Health Therapist | Bitterroot Valley Education Cooperative (Hamilton, MT)
Work with school-based team to provide comprehensive mental health support to students with emotional and behavioral challenges. Learn more.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
April 13, 2020 11:00 AM ET
Webinar: What Peer Support Specialists Need to Know About Telehealth in the Current Crisis
Hosted by MHTTC
April 14, 2020 1:00–3:00 PM ET
Webinar: Social-Emotional Learning: How to Make it Work for Schools
Hosted by Aperture Education