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Family support during COVID-19

The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department has gathered some resources to support our families as we work together to navigate the school year and the changes caused by COVID-19.

FACE is here for you

The Family and Community Engagement Department is here to encourage our families. 

Our next Parent University is scheduled for Oct. 12.  A video with Spanish and Vietnamese captions will be posted following the session.

Can't attend our sessions? Subscribe to the Garland ISD FACE Department YouTube channel and view our recorded chats. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @gisdengagement.

Help your student be successful while learning at home

Find resources to help students thrive during remote learning.

Setting up routines

Setting up routines for learning at home is important. Check out these sample schedules for ideas.

Sample schedule and ideas from Metro Nashville Public Schools 
Sample Schedules and Ideas from the Nebraska Department of Education

Online learning support

Common Sense Media shows ways to monitor what your kids watch and how much to watch, as well as dealing with cyberbullying and online privacy. Also, check out these guides and reviews for movies, games, books and other resources: 

Common Sense Media
Digital Citizenship Guidelines for Families 
Digital Citizenship Family Engagement Resources 
Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls

Online safety

GISD uses many apps and websites to support learning. Your student can access them online through Ready Hub. Talk to your child's teacher to see which apps they recommend while eLearning at home.

Public libraries

Public libraries can be a great resource for online learning. Visit the Garland Library System and get a temporary digital library card to access online resources if you don't already have a library card.

Find online tutorials for many of the library resources and popular social media apps like Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Parents and students can continue their learning while staying at home. Some resources require a library card to access.

Websites and Apps

Translation apps
Translation apps for communicating

Need emotional, physical and mental health support?

Find tips and assistance for you and your students.

GISD Counseling resources
Free or reduced cost community counseling programs

Counseling Institute of Texas is excited to announce that we are the recipient of The City of Garland Community Block Grant Funds to be used for Mental Health issues related to COVID-19.  In addition, CIT has received a mental health grant from United Way of Metropolitan Dallas for Dallas County residents also for COVID-19.   Any family or individual who has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 is eligible for this grant.  

In addition to the COVID-19 programs, CIT is a provider of the Family Tree Program which provides FREE Family Counseling for any family with a student 17 and under.  Please call our offices at 972-271-4300 to see which program fits your needs best.

Tips for caring for you and your family
Focus on children's well-being

How stress affects children

Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include:

  • Excessive crying or irritation in younger children

  • Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)

  • Excessive worry or sadness

  • Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits

  • Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens

  • Poor school performance or avoiding school

  • Difficulty with attention and concentration

  • Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past

  • Unexplained headaches or body pain

  • Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

(Taken from Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19 - CDC) 

How to support children's healthy mental and emotional development

Reassurance:

  • Togetherness - Spend time doing activities together. Play outside, go for a walk, do a puzzle, read a book. Try to keep TV and devices off so children have a chance to talk about what's on their mind.

  • Listening to your child

  • How to talk about COVID-19

The Basics of Self-Care for Children

  • Sleep
    • Adequate sleep helps children pay attention, learn more, show more control their behavior and emotions, and stay healthy.
    • Stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up time to help children get back on track.
    • Create a bedtime routine (or go back to your Pre- COVID-19 bedtime routine) to help them fall asleep.
    • View the sleep guidelines for children from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

  • Physical Activity

    • 60 minutes or more a day of moderate to vigorous activity.

      • Children don't have to do all 60 minutes at once.

      • Go outside

        • Running, jumping, climbing, bike riding, swinging, etc.

    • GoNoodle for when you can't get outside.

    • Zumba in the living room.

Action for Healthy Kids has great ideas for Healthy Activities to Do at Home.

  • Healthy food

Find community organizations that offer help

Looking for help with needs such as medical, childcare, clothing, food and more during COVID-19? See what services are available from these community resources.

State-wide

Aunt Bertha's Social Care Network

Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more by zip code. Please see the the Social Care Network website to enter your zip code and connect to services in your area. 

Emergency information with Smart911

When you register for Smart911, you can share lifesaving information about your household with supported 9-1-1 centers and receive targeted emergency alerts. 
Register for Smart911

Frontline Childcare

On this site you will find information on child care options for Texas' frontline workers fighting to stop the spread of COVID-19. This website is an initiative of Governor Greg Abbott in coordination with multiple agencies. If you are a frontline worker needing assistance with childcare visit the portal at https://frontlinechildcare.texas.gov/ for more information.

Quest Care

Open 9:00 am- 3:00 pm for medical services on a first come, first serve basis.
Services are free and no documentation required.
9780 LBJ Freeway Ste 124, Dallas, Texas 469-317-0028
910 Parker Ln Ste 102, Plano, Tx 972-972-8930

North Texas Food Bank

The North Texas Food Bank Feeding Network of Partner Agencies is their largest and most robust method of getting food to families in need. Please see the North Texas Food Bank website for agency locations and hours of operation. They are working to continuously update this list with the latest information, though please call the agency location before arrival.

State Health Department

For up to date information about the COVID-19 outbreak, please check the State Health Department website.

United Way

United Way has a COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund. They will help with bills, rent and food. Call 1-866-211-9966 and provide your zip code to be given a list of local agencies to provide assistance.

Garland

Counseling Institute of Texas

The Counseling Institute of Texas (CIT) is dedicated to helping families cope with issues like abuse, mental health, management and family problems. 

The Counseling Institute also has resources specifically for COVID-19:

  • Family Tree program: Families with students 17 and under can get 10 free counseling sessions.
  • UW COVID grant: Families can apply for a grant to help cover counseling sessions. Any family or individual who has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 is eligible for this grant.

Call their office at 972-271-4300.

Catholic Charities

Call 214-389-1340 for an interview. They provide food and support with air/heat.

Friendship House

Thursday 10-11 a.m. drive-thru for food.

Utility assistance: available by phone. Call 972-272-1010 and a social worker will call back.

They take donations of food and gently used items on Monday 9 a.m.-noon.

August 19th: School supply distribution will be provided by Garland Parks & Recreation 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Garland Health Department

For up to date information about the COVID-19 outbreak, please check the Garland Health Department website.

Good Samaritans

They provide food assistance and are practicing social distancing. They offer emergency food assistance every 2 weeks. Regular (registered) clients can call ahead of time for food to be picked up at their curbside pick-up with contactless assistance.
For more information, call 972-276-2263.

Hope Clinic

Call for appointment 972-485-9292. They are open for medical-emotional health needs.

Northplace Church Garland

Monday through Friday from 11:00 am-2:00 pm at 2761 Oakland Avenue, Garland.

Parkland COPC

Medical services.
Open M-Th 7:30 and am-6:00 pm; Sat 8:00 am-5:00 pm 
Call 214-266-0700.

RCCG Bread of Life Parish

Open once a month for food. 
Call for hours 214-552-5613.

Salvation Army

Call for utility, mortgage, or rental assistance: 972-272-4531. A social worker will get back to you within 24 hours. If you call for food assistance, they will make an appointment with you in English or Spanish, and then you can pick up a box/bag of food weekly. Some assistance is available for school supplies.

Saturn Road Church

Open Wednesday and Thursday for food closet and clothing.

Rowlett

First Christian Church in Rowlett

  • Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 10:00 a.m.-noon
  • Tuesday and Thursday evening 6-8 p.m.

First Christian Church in Rowlett is offering a contactless drive-thru for food. The client must show a valid ID through the door and the food will be brought out.

*Mask requested

Life Message

Operating as usual. Food pantry hours are M, W, F from noon-4 p.m. Registration for new clients requires proof of residency and picture ID. Those 60 and older come in on Thursday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. No zip code or income restrictions for all programs. For more information call 972-475-9800.

RCCG Bread of Life Parish

Open once a month for food. 

Call for hours 972-675-8827.

Sachse

5 Loaves Food Pantry

ID required. No appointment needed.

Hours
Tuesday 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm-7:00 pm 
1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

 

Dallas/Dallas County

City of Dallas COVID-19 Resource Hotline

  • The City of Dallas has launched an automated COVID-19 resource hotline. It has information about unemployment assistance, job search, rental / mortgage assistance, mental health, social services, etc. The hotline number 214-670-INFO and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Coronavirus Testing Sites

Coronavirus testing sites are open (library card or utility bill needed for validation for Dallas or Dallas County residents).

  • Eastfield College 3737 Montley Dr. Mesquite, Texas
  • Ellis Davis Field House 9191 S. Polk Street, Dallas, TX 75232 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. M-Sat

You must meet the following requirements to be tested:

  • Individuals must have a fever of 99.6 degrees or above
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough 

Dallas County Health Department

For up to date information about the COVID-19 outbreak, please check the Dallas County Health Department website.

Dallas County Wrongful Eviction Hotline

  • Dallas County established a tenant helpline for tenants who have been evicted despite the order or who are pending eviction. Before reaching out residents are advised of the following:
    • Tenants engaged in criminal activity or causing an imminent threat to health and safety may be subject to eviction prior to the aforementioned date.
    • Tenants maintain responsibility for paying their rent.
    • Tenants are encouraged to contact their landlord and make sure they are aware when eviction moratoriums are in place.
    • When having difficulty paying rent, tenants should attempt to make payments and/or establish a payment schedule with their landlord.
    • Information about the initial order suspending evictions, is available in English and Spanish at: Dallas County COVID-19 Tenant Hotline
    • Call: 214-653-6563 or 833-743-0072
      Email: Tenanthotline@dallascounty.org 

DALLAS RESIDENT RESOURCE GUIDES

  • The City of Dallas has created a Resident Resource guide in English and Spanish:

Parkland Memorial Hospital

Parkland Memorial Hospital has a COVID-19 Patient Line at 214-590-8060. Answered 24 hours.  

School Meal Finder

School Meal Finder is for students through age 18 and 19 during the school year, and students with disabilities regardless of age. Select your state and/or provide your address to find Grab and Go meal sites (breakfast and lunch) while schools are closed at the School Meal Finder website.