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WA State Parent to Parent (P2P) 
Newsletter: October 2020
RESOURCES

1.    Phases of Disaster - Adapted from Zunin & Myers as cited in DeWolfe, D. J., 2000. Training manual for mental health and human service workers in major disasters (2nd ed., HHS Publication No. ADM 90-538). Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. (pdf format to share)
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2. Washington State Leadership Board's Boundless Washington
Overview
Boundless Washington is an equity focused program that integrates fun, challenging outdoor activities with leadership training for young people with disabilities in Washington state. At capacity, the program will sponsor 20 middle and high school students to participate in the program. Launched in 2020, the program currently serves 9 students all over the state....(see more click on flyer with information)
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3. Save the Date! You are invited to attend a free virtual conference
Planning Today for a Safer Tomorrow - Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness Conference
 November 17-18, 2020 
Tuesday: 8:30am-4:30pm | Wednesday: 8:30am-12:00pm
 Supported By: WA Emergency Management Division (EMD) | WA State Department of Health (DOH)
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Children with obesity are at higher risk for other chronic health conditions, such as asthma,
sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. They also have higher risk factors for heart disease like hypertension and high cholesterol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website features information to support healthy growth in children.
STUDY: Breastfeed Infants Less Likely to Have Overweight.
Breastfeeding, as the normative standard for infant feeding, promotes optimal growth and development and can prevent childhood obesity. To learn more about the differences in growth patterns of breastfed and formula-fed infants, read this AAP publication.

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 This tip sheet explores stress and compassion fatigue, as well as signs of distress after a disaster. It covers strategies healthcare providers can use to reduce their stress during this time and information about coping with compassion fatigue.
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6. Transitioning to Virtual Services and Support for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Their Families
Clinicians, early intervention providers and other community service services providers and educators are having to quickly ramp up telehealth and online learning capacity during COVID-19. (For the rest of the article
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7. Finding Your Way in Community: Free Online Mindfulness Groups for Parents and Caregivers (Supporting each other through meditation and communication.)
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11. Health Equity - Are We Finally on the Edge of a New Frontier? (New England Journal of Medicine)
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12. Educating youth (ages 14-24) on current, in-demand, employment opportunities; navigating accommodations through interactive online activities; and real-world business opportunities shared by business professionals, providing insights on advocacy and employment.
 



COVID-19 RESOURCES
 
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New! COVID-19: Concerns about Reopening Schools.
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New! Disability-Led Research Study on the COVID-19 Response
The Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center is conducting a disability-led qualitative study to inform COVID-19 policy for the disability community. They are looking to recruit disabled people to participate in a research study of virtual focus groups discussing healthcare, accessibility and employment-related gaps in the COVID-19 response. See below for the study announcement, including information on how to participate and contact information.
Johns Hopkins University Disability Health Research Center
Interested in advising the future of the COVID-19 response for the disability community?
We are recruiting people with disabilities to participate in a research study of virtual focus groups discussing healthcare, accessibility, and employment-related gaps in the COVID-19 (coronavirus) response for the disability community.
Adults with all types of disabilities can fill out the interest form at  tinyurl.com/disabilityhealth.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Bonnielin Swenor, IRB# 00249078 contact [email protected] with questions.
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Yes, breastfeeding is still considered safe during the pandemic. In fact, it continues to be encouraged by medical organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Most nutritional experts believe that breastfeeding protects infants from infection in general, and COVID-19 is no exception.
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New! COVID-19 for Professionals and Families.
From the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.
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New!  Childhood Traumatic Grief: Youth Information Sheet. Provides information on the effect that trauma may have on youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This fact sheet offers providers information on IDD and trauma, communication and trauma-related behavior, IDD and systems of care, screening and assessment for youth with IDD, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and resilience and recovery for youth with IDD who have experienced trauma. 
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New!  Covid-19 Content:  PTSD During a Pandemic for Parents with Medically Fragile Children.
In a video from the Child Neurology Foundation, a caregiver and a psychologist discuss the
impact of isolation and stress on parents caring for medically fragile children during a
pandemic. 
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New! COVID-19 Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families Available. The COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group developed the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families:  The toolbox gives tips on how to understand emotional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes an appendix on Tips for Families of Children & Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Behavioral Health Strike team guides the work for the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group. The Behavioral Health Strike Team includes seven doctoral-level psychologists, one psychiatrist, and one Board Certified Couple and Family Psychologist. We hope that you will use this resource to help the families and children you serve. By learning to recognize the signs of pandemic stress and knowing what actions to take, we can improve behavioral health outcomes in our communities.
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New! Pandemic Pushes Parents Of Kids With Special Needs To Breaking Point. Parents are feeling isolated, stressed and overwhelmed at a time when families need more support than ever to deal with a loss of routine, heightened anxiety and other challenges.
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Covid-19 Content:  PTSD During a Pandemic for Parents with Medically Fragile Children.
In a video from the Child Neurology Foundation, a caregiver and a psychologist discuss the
impact of isolation and stress on parents caring for medically fragile children during a pandemic. 
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COVID-19 Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families Available. The COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group developed the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families: 
The toolbox gives tips on how to understand emotional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
It includes an appendix on Tips for Families of Children & Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Behavioral Health Strike team guides the work for the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group. The Behavioral Health Strike Team includes seven doctoral-level psychologists, one psychiatrist, and one Board Certified Couple and Family Psychologist. We hope that you will use this resource to help the families and children you serve. By learning to recognize the signs of pandemic stress and knowing what actions to take, we can improve behavioral health outcomes in our communities.
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Part 1: How to Lead Through COVID-19 Crisis in a Resilience-oriented Trauma-informed Way.
This workshop will provide a brief overview on how anxiety can impact our general functioning, our functioning in crisis, and different strategies you can use to adapt your leadership style to minimize the impact of anxiety on your staff during this unprecedented time in our country and lives. 
Part 2: Self-care and Promoting Post-Traumtic Growth During Active Crisis Management.
This workshop will provide a brief overview on how anxiety can impact our general functioning, our functioning in crisis, and different strategies you can use to decrease the impact of anxiety
on you during this unprecedented time in our country and lives.

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School During Coronavirus Poses Unique Issues For Students In Special Ed
Deciding whether to send kids to school in person or stick with virtual learning is proving especially fraught for parents of students in special education. Read More...
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DSHS COVID-19 Information in multiple languages.  
The translations for our top 15 languages can be found on the dedicated language pages
accessible via the links at the top and in the footer.
 
For languages that do not have dedicated webpages, taglines are in the sidebar about how
to request the translations from Constituent Services.
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News release - WA State Healthcare Authority - For immediate release - July 6, 2020

State launches Washington Listens program to support people affected by the stress of
COVID-19
The program includes a phone line to speak with support specialists and connect
to community resources

OLYMPIA - In response to COVID-19, Washington has launched Washington Listens, a
support program and phone line to help people manage elevated levels of stress due to
the pandemic.

People who call the Washington Listens support line will speak with a support specialist
and get connected to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous.

"Washington Listens helps people cope and strengthen their resiliency in these uncertain
times," said Sue Birch, director of the Washington State Health Care Authority, the agency
managing the program. "It complements the state's behavioral health response services by
providing an outlet for people who are not in crisis but need an outlet to manage stress."

"This pandemic has had far-reaching effects that extend beyond our physical health.
We are still in this fight against this virus, and this assistance will help Washingtonians
recover during this uniquely stressful time," said Mike O'Hare, FEMA Region 10 administrator.

The Washington Listens support line is 1-833-681-0211. It is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language
access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method.

Providers and tribes that have partnered with Washington Listens include American Indian
Community Center, Colville Tribe, Community Integrated Health Services, Crisis Connections,
Frontier Behavioral Health, Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare, and Swinomish Tribe.

The Washington Listens support line is made available by a $2.2 million Crisis Counseling
Assistance and Training Program (CCP) grant funded by Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). This program supports short-term interventions to mitigate
stress, promote the use or development of coping strategies, and provide emotional
support to help Washingtonians understand and process their stress.

Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org.

Media contacts
Amy Blondin, Chief Communications Officer
360-725-1915 (office)
360-688-0131 (cell)
FEMA Region 10 News Desk
425-487-4610

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COVID-19 Communication Toolkit For Migrants, Refugees, and Other
Limited-English-Proficient Populations.
CDC created this communication toolkit to help public health professionals, health
departments, community organizations, and healthcare systems and providers reach
populations who may need COVID-19 prevention messaging in their native languages.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/communication-t
oolkit.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM30162
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Seven Strategies for Conducting Services Virtually. 
Across the country, health and social service providers have had to find new ways to
support children and families in the face of COVID-19. Home visiting services, pediatric
well-child visits, prenatal care and mental health appointments have largely had to transition
from in-person appointments to visits virtually-either via phone or video. By learning how
to conduct a successful virtual visit, health and social service providers can help ensure
children and families receive the support they need during and after this pandemic. Use
our new infographicto share strategies on conducting successful virtual visits. https://www.nichq.org/insight/seven-strategies-conducting-services-virtually?utm_campaign=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=
90054865&_hsenc=p2ANqtz91bEvHgSC2UdEdti5U9WTSmoHSORRx4V8E1bHXw3DsbYX
G9HHJpIO42DPtHr0MptBueXoSV4TjyNYwy1rihNp8Q7R6SA&utm_content=90054865&utm
_source=hs_email#infographic
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Ensuring Support Services for Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs
Amid COVID-19
- A Zoom conversation from PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, featuring parents, educators, and physicians.
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Coping with Crayons: Kid-Friendly COVID-19 Information - To help children understand
the disruption in their lives,
Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth
University
created a coloring book to provide COVID-19 information that children of all ages
can easily digest and understand. An article from the Children's Hospital Association notes
that the activity book, available online and in print, also can help parents gauge their
children's feelings about the pandemic.
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In a video (Covid-19 Content: PTSD During a Pandemic for Parents with Medically
Fragile Children)from the
Child Neurology Foundation, a caregiver and a psychologist
discuss the impact of isolation and stress on parents caring for medically fragile children
during a pandemic.
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Informing Families-Charting the Life Course: Integrated Services and Supports
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Resilience Loans - A new loan product to help those who have become unemployed, underemployed, or furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Strengthening Families Washington team collaborated with many state-wide
partners to create a Caring for Your Family During COVID-19 guide.  Today we were
able to get the guide published in five languages:  
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Families Learning from Families June Virtual Roundtable Series
A discussion and learning forum for families learning with and from each other to
support their children and loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a parent/caregiver ONLY event. This experience is designed to be responsive
to the interest and needs unique to historically underserved families.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
June 6, 2020 - 12 noon - 1:00 PM EST [11 AM CT; 10 AM MT]
June 13, 2020 - 12 noon - 1:00 PM EST [11 AM CT; 10 AM MT]
June 27, 2020 - 12 noon - 1:00 PM EST [11 AM CT; 10 AM MT]
5 Essential e-Tools & Family Activities for Summer Enrichment
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The series of free webinars and online conversations will occur monthly from May
through October 2020.
The next two events are scheduled for June 25, and July 28
at noon EDT.
For more information about future events, contact Deborah Dokken: [email protected]
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A Parent's Guide: 
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Pandemic Making Child Care Tough To Find For Those With Special Needs 
by Bianca Padró Ocasio, Miami Herald/TNS | May 19, 2020
With most daycare centers closed, child care options are especially limited for kids with
disabilities and the impact is likely to be long-lasting.
(Click on article for the rest of the story.)
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A fresh round of stimulus checks for people with disabilities and billions for home- and
community-based services are part of a $3 trillion relief bill that faces an uncertain future. 
(Click on the article for the rest of the story.)

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COVID-1 Resource Guide for Parents and Caregivers. The Washington State Department
of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) recently created a
resource guide to help parents
and caregivers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic
. DCYF recognizes the challenges parents and
caregivers are experiencing during this unprecedented time. Many parents and caregivers have
the responsibility of balancing their work schedules in the face of school closures and limited
child care availability, or job loss.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a series of videos about COVID-19 in
American Sign Language at: Sharing CDC's ASL resource
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Free quarantine resources for students, kids, and people seeking new knowledge.
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Revised DOH website regarding COVID-19 with multilingual resources.  

Need a phone number to call with questions about the virus? 
DOH operates a hotline, with multiple language assistance, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at
1-800-525-0127. The call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. You can also text
the word "Coronavirus" to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone.
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People With Disabilities, Families, and Direct Support Professionals: #WeAreEssential
 
We are fighting every day to make sure the critical needs of people with disabilities, their
families, and the direct support professional (DSP) workforce are included in the next
coronavirus relief bill. And we need your help!
From home and community based services to minimize the risk of people with disabilities being
forced into institutions, paid leave for all caregivers, personal protective equipment for the vital
DSP workforce, and stimulus payments for all - our essential needs must be included.
What matters most to you and why? Share YOUR story with The Arc and send a personalized
message to your Members of Congress by answering 3 short questions! 
Then, help spread the word to three friends and ask them to share their story too.
For the latest information about the disability community and the coronavirus pandemic,
visit visit thearc.org/covidThank you for your advocacy!
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CDC's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Educational Materials

CDC has developed new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) educational materials to be used
as an aide when training healthcare personnel on selecting and correctly using; donning (putting
on), doffing (taking off), and disposing of PPE to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19
in the healthcare settings.  
COVID-19 Educational Materials Include:
These materials were created to increase the safety of the healthcare work environment through
improved use of PPE by healthcare personnel. Additional Infection Control recommendations for
Healthcare Personnel can be found on CDC's Infection Control Guidance website.
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Talking with your child about Corona virus:







The Washington Department of Health has released a series of eight ASL/captioned educational
videos about the COVID-19 pandemic and includes information on how to protect yourself and
prevent the spread of the virus. Here are the YouTube listings available now.  Watch for this on 
Facebook and other social media.


COVID 19 Resource Information 
Plain Language Information on Corona Virus Accessible flyer
 
 


MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS


If you or your family is experiencing distress and need support call:
  • National Parent Helpline 1-855-4 A PARENT or 1-855-427-2736
  • Info Children /Parent Helpline 1-778-782-3548
  • National Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-8255

Think Virtual...Think Smell of Fall...There are so many things to try virtually with family and friends...

Pumpkin Cookies or Pumpkin Nut Bread or Pumpkin Cheesecake
...
(recipes are  linked)



 
Links for Archived Newsletters

(Click to read archived past editions through August 2016 of the P2P Newsletter!)
WA State Parent to Parent (P2P) | The Arc of Washington State | 1.888.754.8798 x-2   
For a current listing of Washington  State Parent to Parent programs, please contact:  
The Arc of Washington State at [email protected] or call the above phone #.

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