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Resources for Parents Impacted by Coronavirus and Child Welfare - From All of Us at Rise

Compiled by Keyna Franklin

As parents, we are living in trying times with coronavirus and social distancing. We understand the stress families are experiencing. This pandemic may be impacting your case, visits, and emotional well-being. Don't lose hope -- you will be able to reunite your family and get through this.

In this new Rise newsletter, we are sharing resources that we hope will be of support during this time.

We also hope you will share your experiences as parents with us so we can advocate for families impacted by child welfare and coronavirus and connect our readers with resources that can help. Please take our Parent Survey today!

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>> Professionals: Please forward to parents!

Resources for Parents Separated from their Children

Legal Representation for Parents in NYC

Family Courts are closed for most hearings in NYC but speak to your attorney about any problems with visits or services. Judges can move cases forward in some ways without hearings.

* If you are facing removal, call the legal provider in your neighborhood to connect with your court-appointed lawyer. Click to find your legal provider. Call immediately--do not speak to anyone about your case before speaking with an attorney. Your attorney does not work for ACS.

* If you are investigated or are facing a family crisis, all of the NYC parent defense organizations have early defense teams that can assist parents, try to prevent an ACS case, and provide information so parents know their rights.

Visiting by Video or Phone

Many in-person visits are being cancelled. However, guidance from the federal Children's Bureau discourages foster care agencies from cancelling all visits. Talk with your lawyer to find out if you can get unsupervised visits, visit in a public space where you can social distance, get more time with your child by video or phone, or find another way to keep connected.

* Are you having difficulty with video visits with your children? Maybe they are getting distracted or run off. Here are tips for video visiting with young children, tech options for video and phone connections, and other ways to connect when you're apart.

Resources for Families Under Stress

Spending 24/7 home with your children can be stressful! Setting daily routines for meals and bedtimes, caring for yourself as a parent, and reassuring your children that life will go back to normal can help.

How to Plan and Stay Calm Under Stress: If you feel overwhelmed, Kiran Malpe, clinical director of the Strong Starts Court Initiative in NYC, provides information about toxic stress and trauma, as well as strategies to use to stay calm.

Accessing Your Family's Basic Needs: The Educational Alliance is sharing information about housing issues, utilities, wifi, mental health needs and fun with kids. We're also sharing a list of NYC restaurants offering free food to families.

Parent-to-Parent Guide to Support Services: Even though in-person support is on hold in many places, this parent-written booklet from Rise shares how families coped with stressful circumstances.

Rise Video Support Groups for NYC Families

Rise is hosting bi-weekly parent-led support groups - by video - for NYC parents impacted by child welfare and coronavirus.

* Wednesdays 5-6pm, for parents with children at home
* Fridays 11-12pm, for parents separated from their children

Rise also is gathering information to learn about parent’s concerns and needs related to the coronavirus shutdown so that we can advocate for impacted parents. PARENTS: Please take our survey today!

>> SIGN UP to keep receiving this Rise newsletter
>> Professionals: Please forward to parents!