Below is a comprehensive list of commonly shared digital resources about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its related impacts. It is our hope that these resources offer opportunities for support and connection to the Woodfords community during this difficult time. Check back often for frequent updates and additional resources.
State and National Information
- Maine Center for Disease Control’s Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
- Maine DHHS Bulletin: NAMI Maine’s Expanding Supportive Services for Special Needs Children
- National Center for Disease Control’s Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Governor Mills Launches New Online Resource Outlining Ways Mainers Can Help Mainers During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Recommendations Video with Information from the U.S. and Maine Center for Disease Control available in Multiple Languages:
English
French
Kirundi
Maay Maay
Portuguese
Somali
Basic Needs and Community Resources
- 2-1-1 Maine Get Connected. Get Answers.
- Cumberland County Food Security Council: COVID-19 Information
- Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine’s COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Maine Resources
- Maine Equal Justice Partners COVID-19 Basic Needs Resource Page
- Waterville Area: Alfond Youth Community Center Feeding Youth in Need
Financial Resources for Families
- Maine Bureau of Unemployment Compensation
- Maine Bureau of Unemployment Compensation FAQs
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Services
- Maine Department of Labor Transitions to Restarting Your Career
- Maine Department of Labor Information about COVID-19
- Maine Equal Justice Partners Unemployment Insurance for Workers Impacted by the COVID-19 Virus Overview
- Maine Financial Assistance for Families
- IRS: Coronavirus Tax Relief Page Including Federal Tax Payment Deadline Extension
- Article: Mortgage Lenders Offer Help to Borrows Affected by Coronavirus
Family Resources
- Autism Society of Maine’s Family Information Page
- Autism Speaks: COVID-19 Information and Resources Page
- National Association of School Psychologists COVID-19 Information Page
- National Autism Association, COVID-19 Resources for Families
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: The Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with Coronavirus
- PBS for Parents: How to Talk to Your Kids about Coronavirus
- Preparing for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza: Free Online Training and Resources
- The Coronavirus Free Printable Social Storybook
- UNICEF: How to Talk to Your Child about Coronavirus
- United Way Greater Portland’s COVID-19 Resources for Families
- Article: Coronavirus and Parenting: What You Need to Know Now
- Article: How to Ease Anxiety for Kids with Special Needs During Coronavirus Isolation
- Article: How to Explain a Global Health Crisis to Children with Autism
- Article: How to Keep Your Kids on a Schedule During Coronavirus School Closings
- Article: How to Talk to kids about Coronavirus Pandemic
- Article: Parenting During Coronavirus: What to Know about Play Dates, Education, and more.
- Article: Talking to Your Kids about Coronavirus
- Article: The Conversation: Answers to 7 Questions Your Kids May Have about the Pandemic
Work from Home Resources
- Article: 5 Tips for Effectively Working from Home During the Outbreak
- Article: How to Work at Home With Kids (Without Losing it)
- Article: Working at Home? Self-Isolation Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely
- Article: Working from Home Because of COVID-19? Here are 10 Ways to Spend Your Time
Educational Resources
- ABC Mouse
- ABCya!
- Boom Learning
- BrainPop
- Dreamscape
- Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Everywhere
- Fun Brain
- Highlights Kids
- Kids Discover
- National Geographic for Kids
- PBS for Parents
- PBS Kids
- Phonics Hero
- Starfall
- Scholastic Learn at Home
- Storyline Online
- Switch Zoo
- Teen Book Cloud
- Time for Kids
- Understood
- Wonderopolis
- Article: Free Educational Websites Parents Can Access When Schools are Closed
- Article: Indoor Gross Motor Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten
Wellness Resources For Children
- Go Noddle Website
- Go Noddle YouTube Channel
- The Learning Station YouTube Channel
- Understood Meditation App for Kids
Wellness Resources For Adults
- National Center for Disease Control’s Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 Information
- Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Down Dog Yoga App
- Jason Stephenson’s Guided Meditation YouTube Channel
- Yoga with Adriene’s YouTube Channel
- Article: A Psychologist’s Science-based Tips for Emotional Resilience During the Coronavirus Crisis
- Article: How to be Alone, But Not Lonely, Despite the Coronavirus
- Article: Maintaining Your Emotional Immunity during COVID-19
Entertainment Resources
- Cincinnati Zoo’s Daily Home Safari
- Chris Van Dusen, Children’s Author, Daily Story Time
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems YouTube Channel
- Lunch Doodle with Mo Willems Website
- Netflix Party Chrome Extension
- Maine-Based Quarantine Karaoke Facebook Group
- Article: 15 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch on Stage From Home
- Article: 125 Ideas to Keep Kids Entertained During Coronavirus
- Article: 101 Ideas to Keep Kids Busy During COVID-19 Closures
- Article: Six Virtual Tours You Can Take for Free
- Article: 12 Famous Museums with Virtual Tours
Resources for Professionals
- Caring for Patients’ Mental Well-Being during Coronavirus and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Guide for Clinicians
- Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know
- Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel during Coronavirus and other Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Taking Care of Patients during the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists
Health Insurance Resources
Woodfords Family Services is not affiliated with nor endorsing the individuals and/or organizations who have produced this content and is not receiving any financial compensation for their inclusion in the list. The above information, aside from that listed from governmental health entities such as the national or state Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), etc., have been included for general informational purposes and are not meant to be viewed or understood as a substitution for professional medical advice.
March 18, 2020
To the Woodfords Community:
Woodfords Family Services, as always, remains committed to the support and inclusion of people with special needs and their families across the state, and values the compassionate and dedicated professionals who provide the services on which our consumers rely. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and increasingly affects the Maine community, Woodfords is placing the health and safety of our consumers and employees as our highest priority. We are meeting daily to assess the ever-changing situation with guidance from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other state and federal agencies. The following are some of the actions we have taken to preserve the health and safety of consumers, families and employees:
- Temporarily suspending services in the following programs: Early Intervention Preschool Programs, School-Based Services, Expeditions North Community Supports Program, and Home & Community Treatment for a minimum of two weeks.
- Creating opportunities for the delivery of telehealth services as allowable within state guidelines.
- Restricting non-essential guests and visitors at residences and other locations.
- Implementing a work-from-home policy for all appropriate positions and instituting remote meeting protocols.
We recognize the enormity of these decisions and the impact they have on consumers, their families and our valued employees. For more than 50 years, Woodfords’ core values have been rooted in doing whatever is necessary to best support the individuals we serve, and we will continue to do this as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves in Maine.
To our consumers and families: We know these interruptions in programs and services have a tremendous impact on you and your family. We are doing everything we can to maintain the services we can, and reopen programs as quickly and safely as possible. In an effort to provide support to you during this time, we encourage you to reach out to your program contact or the agency here. We are also creating a webpage with updated information and resources here.
To our valued employees: You are Woodfords Family Services. You live our mission every single day, and make this organization what we are. We are committed to providing you as much support as possible in the coming weeks. Thank you for your commitment to the consumers and families we serve.
To our crucial donors and supporters: Please stay connected to us as best you can. We know every individual, family, small business, corporation and foundation is rightly looking inward and focusing on their immediate needs. We thank you for your past support, ongoing loyalty and future partnership. We will keep you updated about our situation and hope you will do the same.
Please check back often as we will continue to update this page with information about Woodfords’ programming and resources for the Woodfords community.