HOST Members Respond to COVID-19
As the world grapples with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), HOST members are stepping up with a variety of ideas to support children, families, and out-of-school-time professionals.
Policies and Program Guidance
- The Centers for Disease Control remains a key resource and repository for all things related to COVID-19.
- Afterschool Alliance has posted "COVID-19: Considerations for the afterschool field" with "examples of effective guidance for programs, and issues you might want to consider."
- Afterschool Alliance shares "a quick update on ways afterschool programs and partners can help to mitigate the impact on families that rely on school meals."
- The American Camp Association offers "Coronavirus - Information for Camps."
- The Food Research & Action Center shows how programs and advocates can be "Preparing for the Impacts of the Coronavirus on Health, Well-being, and Food Security of Low-Income People."
- The National League of Cities offers "Coronavirus Response Resources for Local Leaders."
- The National Recreation and Park Association is compiling resources on COVID-19 and how it may impact parks and recreation.
- No Kid Hungry notes that "Millions of vulnerable children are losing the healthy meals they depend on as the coronavirus closes schools nationwide." They share what they are doing to address this and how we can help.
- United Way Worldwide has created the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund, to "[support] communities struggling in the wake of the new virus, by supporting local United Ways and 211, the go-to information resource in times of crisis."
Tips and Ideas for Families and Communities
- Alliance for a Healthier Generation shares a variety of "Key Resources to Support Families, Educators, and Employers," including quick, healthy lunch ideas, fitness break videos, and nighttime wind-down activities.
- The American Heart Association has "Resources to maintain healthy lifestyle amidst COVID-19 outbreak," with ideas for physical activity, healthy eating, and emotional health.
- BOKS (Build Our Kids’ Success) is sharing many games and activities to keep kids active and happy during this time. They will be hosting at-home BOKS classes through Facebook Live, each weekday at 12 pm EST. Recordings will then be listed on their website. They have also compiled free, downloadable activity packs with a variety of physical activities that can be done at home with just one or a few kids and minimal equipment.
- The Boys & GIrls Clubs of America suggest "How to talk to your child about COVID-19."
- EasterSeals suggests ways of "Keeping Safe and Healthy" during the Coronavirus outbreak.
- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation offers detailed information on "Handwashing to Slow the Coronavirus Pandemic." We all know we should, but RWJF answers "But how frequent and how thorough? And what about those whose living conditions make handwashing anything but easy?"
- Salud America's next Salud Tuesday Tweetchat will be on "What You Should Know about Coronavirus Infection." Join them Tuesday, March, 24, 2020, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET, on Twitter with the hashtag #SaludTues.
Image credit: CDC/Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS