COVID-19 Resource Centre
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Last updated: Monday Sept 13, 2021
We recognize that children and families may be feeling increasing anxiety and stress as we all work to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As a leading children’s mental health and early learning organization, CDI is here to support your family during these times of challenge.
CDI Updates:
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - CDI Virtual Summer Camp Programs 2021
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - COVID-19 Response: CDI Remains Open As Essential Provider During Second Provincial State of Emergency
Friday, Oct 9, 2020 - COVID-19 Reponse: CDI Virtual Programming
Monday, August 17, 2020 - Gradual Re-Opening of CDI Locations; COVID-19 Site Protocols and Screening
Thursday, August 6, 2020 - Reopening of Early Learning Centres
Thursday July 23, 2020 - Virtual Summer Camps
Friday April 24, 2020 - Camp Towhee and Camp Wimodausis
Parent/Caregiver Resources:
Easing back-to-school stress
- Ask CDI: Caring for caregivers
- Back to School During COVID-19
- In the rush to get back to school, let's not forget teachers' mental health
- Back to School Mental Health Kit
- Easing back-to-school stress for children during COVID-19
How to talk to your child about COVID-19
- Ask CDI: Supporting anxious children during COVID-19 (video)
- Talking to your anxious child about COVID-19
- How do you talk to your kids about COVID-19 without scaring them (too much)?
- My Hero is You - How Kids Can Fight COVID-19, children's story, (English, French)
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
- How to strike a balance when talking to children about the coronavirus pandemic
- How to talk to children about coronavirus
- How to talk to kids and teens about the coronavirus
- Family Connection During Tough Times Resources and Supports
- How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Helping Kids Get Used to Masks
- When Things Aren't OK With a Child's Mental Health
Creating routines and managing expectations
- How do I care for my children during a new coronavirus outbreak?
- Setting a schedule for kids at home
- Tolerance for uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook
- The difference between stress and anxiety
Self-care and working from home
- How to Work From Home When You're in Lockdown With the Kids
- Lower your standards, and other parenting tips to help you in this time of crisis
- Young Children at Home during the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Importance of Self-Care
- Try these 8 tips to reduce parenting stress during the coronavirus pandemic
- Practicing 'Bushido'
- Downloadable content from Other Life Lessons
Women and children living with domestic violence
- Safety planning for individuals with family violence concerns
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Staying safe during COVID-19
Virtual programming:
- CAFCAN and Centre Francophone Join What’s Up Walk-In Network (French)
- Camp Wimodausis Virtual
- Virtual Camp Towhee
Activities guide:
- The Unstoppable Kids Daily Challenges
- Twelve quick and easy craft ideas for kids
- At-home activities for families to enjoy
- Time capsule activity
- League of Moms: Daily Event Calendar
- Ballet Fun for Kids
- Miss Megan’s Camp Kindergarden, daily at 10am
- Mo Willems, Kennedy Centre Education Artist-in-Residence, Doodle Time, daily at 1pm
- Government of Ontario: Learn at Home
- Scholastic: Learn at Home
- Book creator
- Other Life Lessons: From Fear to Hope Workbook
- Toronto Public Library online content
- The Dad Lab: Kids science experiments
- Calm self-meditation
- Stop, breathe and think
- Headspace: Meditation for kids
- Ten percent happier: Coronavirus sanity guide
- At-home workout
- Virtual field trips
- Virtual visit: Royal Ontario Museum
- Virtual visit: Canadian farms
- Virtual visit: Mars Curiosity Rover
- Virtual visit: San Diego Zoo
- Virtual visit: Georgia Aquarium
What you can do:
- Follow all directions given by local, provincial and federal officials
- Self-quarantine for 14 days following any international travel
- If you are not being asked to self-quarantine, consider yourself in self-isolation
- Unless your work is deemed an essential service, only leave your home for groceries, healthcare or a short local walk
- Stay a minimum of two metres away from others outside of your home
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
- If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least a 60% alcohol content
- If you are coughing or sneezing, do so into a tissue or the crook of your elbow
- If you feel unwell, call Telehealth Ontario (+1 866-797-0000) or your family healthcare provider– do not visit an emergency room for a non-emergency
- Sanitize frequently touched surfaces, such as phones, keyboards and children’s toys
- Speak to your children about proper hygiene and germ prevention
Emergency Resources:
If you’re in crisis, call 911
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
416-863-0511
Distress Centre
416-408-4357 or text 45645
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 to chat
- Open food banks: (call ahead when possible)
- Daily Bread Food Bank, 416-203‑0050
- The Stop Food Bank, 416-652-2294
- North York Harvest Food Bank, 416-635-7771 ext. 0
- The Scott Mission
- Government of Canada: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Benefits and services
Coronavirus Resources:
- Toronto Public Health: Coronavirus
- Toronto Public Health: Hand Hygiene
- Public Health Ontario: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Government of Ontario: Select Ontario Pharmacies Offering 24/7 COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Government of Ontario: Ontario Moves Schools to Remote Learning Following Spring Break
- Government of Ontario: Ontario Extends Declaration of Emergency
- Government of Canada: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit: How to apply
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- Centre for Disease Control: Managing Stress and Anxiety
- Service Canada - Service Requests