COVID-19: Children, Families & Schools
The following resources can help families cope and stay up with the latest information.
Free Meals at At Life Source and Grab & Go Food Centers
Los Angeles Unified, in partnership with the Red Cross, will continue to provide nutritious meals to all students who need them during the temporary closure of schools. Life Source will be serving breakfast and lunch at the school M -F this week and M-F the week of March 30th.
Ther are also Grab & Go Food Centers will be open beginning Wednesday, March 18, and will be staffed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Each child can take home two nutritious meals. To find the closest Grab & Go Food Center, see the map below or check the list of centers on this page.
LAUSD School Resource Centers
While LAUSD school facilities will be closed, plans are in place for students to continue to learn during this time, and LAUSD will open 40 family resource centers to provide care for children if families need it.
The Family Resource Centers will open on Wednesday, March 18 and will be staffed weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with trained professionals. Children will be able to have a warm meal, engage with their peers and pursue their different studies. And they’ll be safe.
Tips on how to talk to children about COVID-19
- Remain calm and reassuring: Children react to both what you say and how you say. They will pick up cues from the conversation you have with them and others
- Be available to talk and listen: Make time to talk to your children. Be sure your children know they can come and talk to you.
- Don’t be afraid to discuss coronavirus: Most children have already heard about it. Not talking about it actually makes kids worry more. Look at the conversation as an opportunity to convey the facts and set the emotional tone.
- Provide information that’s honest and accurate: Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
- Be developmentally appropriate: Don’t volunteer too much information as this may be too overwhelming. Instead try to answer your child’s questions.
- Avoid language that may blame others and lead to stigma: Remember viruses make anyone sick. Avoid making assumptions about who might have coronavirus. Bullying or negative comments made towards others should be stopped and reported to schools.
- Teach children everyday actions to reduce spread of germs: Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing, sneezing or sick. Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or elbow. Then throw the tissue into the trash. Remind children not to share drinks or food. Get children into the habit of handwashing.
- Communicate with your school: Talk to your school nurse, school counselors, school psychologist, or school social worker if your child is having difficulties as a result of anxiety or stress related to the coronavirus.
Also Please Protect Yourself and Others
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