COVID-19
Virginia Beach CASA's Response to COVID-19
During this unprecedented pandemic, children and families are struggling to make sense of it all. Many of our families, already engaged with the child welfare system prior to COVID-19, will have an even more difficult time than the average family.
While we are all concerned about this virus, we want to reiterate that we also need to be very concerned about the children we are serving. Risk to our children for experiencing child abuse and neglect in times of extreme stress and uncertainty – like we are currently experiencing – is very high.
School and workplace closings greatly increase stress, resulting from loss of income, unpaid leave, unexpected need for childcare, and food insecurity when school meal programs and other valuable community resources become unavailable. And while necessary to help slow the spread of this virus, an unintended consequence of social distancing is separation from important social supports. We know that social support is a protective factor for families who experience mental health and substance abuse challenges, are in domestic violence relationships, or have a history of abuse or neglect.
Resources
Crisis in health, mental health, domestic violence and child welfare may arise during this stressful time. Some important information and contacts to have on hand both for yourself and for families you work with can be found below.
COVID-19 FACTS, STATS, AND RESOURCES FOR STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY
TALKING TO CHILDREN
If you are feeling anxious about the spread of the coronavirus, imagine how a child who has been affected by trauma might feel. Use these resources to help explain the virus in a child-friendly way.
- How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus, Kids Health
- Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource, National Association of School Psychologists
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Helping Children Understand COVID-19, A coloring book by Manuela Molina - @MINDHEART.KIDS
MEALS FOR CHILDREN
There are several sites providing meals for students through the city. Visit Virginia Beach City Public Schools site for details and up to date information.
KEEP AMERICA CONNECTED
Companies including Verizon, Comcast, and Altice have pledged to keep internet online for customers who can't pay their internet bills, as well as waive late billing fees and open WiFi hot spots. More information here.
Crisis in health, mental health, domestic violence and child welfare may arise during this stressful time. Some important information and contacts to have on hand both for yourself and for families you work with:
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Be alert and keep an eye out for signs of abuse and neglect, even more than usual, because abuse and neglect have been shown to increase during times of crisis/natural disasters. If you suspect child abuse and/or neglect:
- Virginia Beach hotline number is: 757-385-3400
- Virginia hotline number is 1.804.786.8536 (for in-state calls after hours/on weekends)
- Out of State hotline number is 1.800.552.7096 (out-of-state calls after hours/on weekends)
FAMILY VIOLENCE HOTLINE
The Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1.800.838.8238 (toll free) 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The hotline provides confidential access to domestic violence information and services, including crisis intervention, referral and advocacy. The hotline is bilingual and accessible to the deaf and hearing impaired.
