COVID-19
School Readiness & VPK Services |
(Updated October 2022) We are here to help your family with childcare needs! We currently have three different options for parents and guardians to apply for School Readiness or VPK services:
1. Clients can apply for School Readiness and/or VPK services on our Family Portal. 2. Coalition team members can be reached by phone, at 772-595-6363 (Family Services). Family Services can also be reached at ELC of SLC’s main line 772-595-6464, extension 119. 3. Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County is now open for scheduled appointments! Please call 772-595-6363 to schedule an appointment with Family Services. Family Services can also be reached at 772-595-6464, extension 119 to schedule appointments. For more information on COVID-19 and how the State of Florida is handling this virus, visit the Florida Department of Health website. You can also visit our Childcare Locator on our website here to see which childcare centers are currently open. |
Recover St. Lucie website has information on COVID-19 testing, resources and grants for individuals, families and businesses!
https://recoverstlucie.org/medical-information/
Helpful Community Resources
We will continue to update the below list of local resources that St. Lucie County families may find helpful in these uncertain times.
State and Federal Resources
- CDC COVID-19 website
- Florida Department of Health COVID-19 webpage
The Florida Department of Health has opened a 24-hour hotline and email account for all coronavirus questions: 1 (866) 779-6121
- Florida’s COVID-19 Case Dashboard
- CDC guidance on pregnant women and COVID-19
- CDC guidance on COVID-19 and kids
- CDC | Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus in Homes and Residential Communities
- Child Care Aware of America (CCAA) Coronavirus News & Resources
- PIE | Rapid Response Resources – Coronavirus
Local Resources
- Public Information Hotline for SLC: 772-460-HELP (4357)
- St. Lucie County Health Department: http://stlucie.floridahealth.gov/
- St. Lucie County Resources, info and updates: https://www.stlucieco.gov/
- St. Lucie County School District (Meals): www.stlucieschools.org 11-1 selected locations Monday, Wednesday and Friday drive-through
- Graceway Village (Meals) https://www.gracewayvillage.com/
- Boys & Girls Clubs (Meals) 4-7 Monday through Friday drive-through
- Mustard Seed Ministries
- Comcast | Offering Free Internet for Two Months to Specific Customers
Family Resources
- Psychology Today | Parenting During COVID-19
- EdNavigator | How should parents prepare for Coronavirus, school closures & getting anything done?
- Yale School of Medicine | Kids and COVID-19: What Parents Should Know
- New York Times | Eight Questions Parents May Have About Coronavirus (March 9)
- New York Times | How to Self-Quarantine (March 6)
Educational Resources
- NCSECS | Coronavirus & Students with Disabilities
- Virtual tours of 12 famous museums
- Over 30 virtual field trips
- Scholastic Learn at Home: free daily online courses for kids
- Khan Academy | Sample Daily Schedule
How to talk to children about Coronavirus
- org: How To Talk To Children About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- NPR | Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
- Child Mind Institute | Talking To Kids About the Coronavirus
- CDC Guidance | Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
- CDC Guidance | Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
- CDC Guidance | Children in a Disaster (Tools & Resources)
- Zero to Three | Tips for Families (Coronavirus)
- Zero to Three | Tips for Talking to Children (Why Are People Wearing Masks/Covering Their Faces?)
- NASP | Talking to Children About Coronavirus – A Parent Resource
- SAMHSA | Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, & Teachers
- Understood | Talking With Children About Coronavirus
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network | Guide to Helping Families Cope with Coronavirus
- American Academy of Pediatrics | Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis
- National Assoc. of School Psychologists | Talking to Children about Coronavirus – A Parent Resource
- Florida Department of Education | Listen Up! We Have To Talk About Germs!
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.