SWCOS COVID-RELATED EFFORTS

SCHOOL NEWS SWCOS

COVID-RELATED EFFORTS IN WEST BALTIMORE

FAMILY CONNECTIONS

Caregiver Advisor Group: Family Connections Caregiver Advisory Group generally meets monthly. During COVID-19 the group has decided to meet biweekly via Zoom. The topics of conversation address the ongoing health disparities and health experiences of the caregivers and their family members. Sessions include conversations regarding inadequate resources, challenges with accessing available resources and continued health challenges influencing children and families’ safety and well-being.

Weekly Wellness Checks: Family Connections Social Workers and Interns completed weekly wellness checks with families and continued therapeutic services utilizing virtual telehealth platforms. Social Workers and Interns supported families with navigating resources, often traveling throughout the community to locate and secure resources and items identified by families. For example, FC social workers and interns obtain resources for caregivers with pre-existing health conditions and are considered at-risk to becoming isolated.

During COVID-19 Family Connections continues to provide families with emergency needs including rental assistance, utility assistance, food assistance and household items. Family Connections Workers drop off emergency items at doorsteps of family homes including diapers and wipes, baby formula, food items, cleaning supplies, enrichment activities for children and additional items for their safety and well-being.

Technology: Family Connections distributed Chromebooks to all families engaged in services including Caregiver Advisory Group members in order for caregivers to attend critical health appointments (virtually) and for caregivers to continue to access their educational needs with GED Programs and College Programs. Families utilize the technology to access additional community resources and to gain information related to city, state and national news and information on COVID-19.