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Episode 10: The counselor and teacher finding hope and growth in kids

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This article was originally published by Pittsburgh Public Source.

By Jourdan Hicks and Andy Kubis | May 26, 2020

Courtesy photo. (Photo illustration by Natasha Vicens/PublicSource)

More than two months into quarantine, it remains unclear when or how children will return to classrooms. How will they be evaluated? Would they be prepared to pick it up and start working on math and spelling? How would they cope with ‘time lost’ and be able to reconnect with their classmates and teachers? On this episode, a Wesley Family Services school counselor and a Pittsburgh Montessori teacher give us a glimpse into their students’ lives now and how the adults are feeling about it, too.

JOURDAN HICKS: The first week of May was Children’s Mental Health Awareness week. And school social workers across the country made videos for their students to remind them that these are weird times. And it’s OK to have big feelings.

CLIP: “Hello Chipman scholars. This is Mrs. Davis. This is Children’s Mental Health Awareness week and each day this week we’ll be sharing a coping skill that you can use if you find you are in a mood that is not one of your best moods. And we all have those moods….”

Pre-coronavirus, Suzy Zunser-Campbell spent her days surrounded by 1st and 2nd graders in a classroom. She’s a counselor at Wesley Family Service’s alternative elementary school in Upper St. Clair. The kids she works with were already dealing with a lot: trauma, anger management, anxiety, depression. And then the pandemic started. Since her school closed, Ms. Suzy – as her students call her – has been connecting with her students over Zoom, having group therapy sessions and one-on-one counseling. It’s called telehealth.

My classroom is very interesting. I love the children that are in there. I think that’s been one of the more difficult things about being in quarantine, not being around them.

The kids, they came up with this really cute little thing that they’ll say to me…we call it koala hugs. And they’ll be like, ‘I’m sending you a koala hug!’ And so they’ll even give themselves that self hug, like that pressure. So in a way, it’s really, really positive because they’re giving that positivity to themselves while they’re directing it toward me.

Before the coronavirus, we were working a lot on anger management, frustration tolerance, a lot of cognitive behavioral therapy to help the children learn different ways of controlling their body, being in control of their feelings and being comfortable with their feelings. A lot of children, I think, before second grade sometimes feel a lot of shame and guilt associated with feeling angry or feeling sad. And so really trying to empower these children so that they feel comfortable with the feelings that they’re experiencing, the sensations that they’re experiencing.

When the coronavirus started to really become known, I became pretty nervous about what was going to happen. How are we going to create a structure that’s similar to the program before? Of course, we can’t expect these families to be able to implement seven hours a day. That’s not realistic. That’s not fair. That’s not reasonable to ask them with everything that they have to put into their schedule. So we started by just implementing kind of a check-in in the morning that would go for about half an hour to an hour. And then we implemented individual sessions and then we have our group therapy in the afternoon.

The families have been absolutely amazing and we’ve also been very flexible. So if one family’s like, ‘This is a lot, what can we do?’ We’d be like, ‘OK. So instead of you doing four days of group therapy, what if we just have them attend one?’ Or, ‘Would you like me to make an even smaller group on Friday?’

It took a lot of work. I would say that the first couple weeks of doing telehealth, I felt very stressed out because I was really concerned if the families were going to buy into this form of therapy. The families have been phenomenal. I am so blessed to be able to work with so many families from so many different backgrounds that are so willing to put forth so much effort for their children’s mental health support.

And the children, for everything that’s been happening, they’re doing amazing, especially with children who really struggle with their physical and verbal aggression. They definitely are really tired of telehealth. And I really feel for them because I know how much they would rather be in the classroom, how much they’d rather be sitting with me in my office. In my office, I have a lot of toys in there, a lot of stuffed animals, board games, and it’s a lot more sessions that involve them just playing and just talking about how they’re feeling.

Sometimes when children have been through some really traumatic and difficult situations, they don’t want to talk about that. And so just being able to sit with somebody and just being able to play and talk about things that are happening in their day to day and kind of creating that safe space for them.

I was concerned about that trauma piece. Would they feel comfortable still talking about that at home? I think sometimes children feel afraid that if I share this, I might be letting my family member down because I don’t want them to think that I’m mad at them or I’m feeling upset with them. My individual sessions go really well. My children, they really look forward to that one-on-one time with me. I have a few that would rather be playing video games. But a lot of them are really excited because it’s like that time that they get to see me. It’s that special one-on-one time from another adult. And it’s a lot of positive attention, a lot of positive reinforcement, a lot of specific praise, them being able to talk about things that they did and not feeling judged or put down for if they were making some poor choices, because we’ll just talk about it and examine it and talk about, well, what could you have done differently?

We could be working more on that anger management piece. But I think the children need more of like, I can do this. I can be in a good, healthy place. And a lot of families have been reporting like the children are doing really, really well at home with managing their moods to the best of their abilities. One of the things that I’ve noticed the most, and I would like to hear more from teachers and other mental health providers about this, is children having more of that access to TV, having more access to electronics. Because I notice that they’ll almost go into a crisis because they have to stop playing their video games, because they have to stop playing a game on the computer. And I know parents are doing the best that they can.

I found a really great social skills story that examines the COVID-19 and it examines how children are engaging at home and what it’s like to be doing telehealth. So I showed that to some of my children. And we talked about, ‘How do you think it makes other people feel when you’re playing video games or you’re engaged in computer games when you’re doing a zoom session?’ rather than saying, ‘Well, you shouldn’t be doing this, you shouldn’t be doing that.’ But for them to know that other children are going through this, too, and other populations of people, even, you know, teenagers, children across different age groups as well.

It is such a difficult time. I don’t think that a lot of us really thought that in May we would still be in quarantine, going into June. We’re still in quarantine and we’re still not really sure of what’s going to happen when we all return to school or what’s going to happen in the next couple of months with mental health.

I know that some of my families were expressing to me that they appreciate having that telehealth piece because it gives their children a chance to engage with other people outside the household. I felt very sad for a period of time because I just felt for these families. It was just so much that they were having to deal with. And then on top of it, having also to deal with how much effort it takes to have a child in a partial hospital or have a child in outpatient or intense outpatient — they are just going above and beyond with handling this pandemic.

And the children are handling it really well. Sometimes the children will bring up to me that they do feel sad about the virus. And we’ll just talk about what are some different activities that they can engage in. So next week, the kids want to create a bucket list with me. So we’re going to create different things that they can do during the summer while they’re in quarantine. We talked about creating a bingo chart. So if the child goes out for a 10-minute walk, you know, that’s B. And then once it’s all filled, you get bingo. And the kids were like, that’s a really good idea. We’d really like to do that.

So really trying to help them see the positive things that have come from this virus. I think that it’s absolutely amazing just to see the beauty that’s come out of telehealth and how much they continue to support each other, even though they don’t want to be doing group therapy right now. They’d rather be playing with their toys, playing their games, doing something a little bit more active. But to see them really put forth that effort. All these children, they’re phenomenal. I’m just really proud of them and how they’ve been managing everything with what’s been happening.

JOURDAN HICKS: If you need help managing your child’s anxiety related to COVID-19, Wesley Family Services is offering online mental health support groups for school-aged children. You can learn more on their website: wfspa.org. You can also call the Allegheny County warmline, staffed by mental health professionals who offer support over the phone for free. The number is 1-855-284-2494.

After this short break, we hear from a Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher about what it was like to go back into her silent classroom to pack up for the year.

Elyse Thimons teaches 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders at Pittsburgh Montessori, a public school in Friendship. Last week, she was assigned a time slot to put on her mask and go pack up her classroom for the year. For our podcast, we asked her to read her an essay she wrote about what that was like.

I walked into a room today in which time had stood still. The calendar still read March. A morning message was still written on the board.

While this was the classroom that 24 of us called home, it did not feel like home. The hum of life and the echoes of laughter were missing. The heartbeat was missing. The children were missing.

I’ve often thought of the beautiful souls that have graced this room in its 100-year lifetime. Of the discoveries made, the moments of inspiration and the obstacles overcome. How many smiles and hugs these walls have silently stood witness to. But today was different. The children were not here.

As I packed boxes, I reflected on how different it felt this time around. I was not packing for a relaxing summer after goodbye hugs had been given and end-of-year picnics had been had. I was packing alone, in a mask with unanswered questions and empty arms.

But then I reached for the small box on the top of a shelf and smiled. This was my “Happy Box,” the place where I put the little things that made me smile throughout the year. The hand-drawn shark, the sweet poem, the thank-you note from colleague-turned-best-friend.

And I smiled. Because I realized that the children are here. They are always here. They are here in the worn-down crayons. They are here in the dog-eared pages of the books. They are here in the memories. And they are here in my Happy Box.

I realized that this is not forever. The sun will rise and the soul and light will return to this room. And we will celebrate. And we will learn. And we will hug. And we will make the heart of this room beat again. The children will be here.

This podcast was produced by Andy Kubis and edited by Mila Sanina and Halle Stockton. If you have a story you’d like to share, get in touch with us. You can text a voice memo to 412-432-9669. Or email it to jourdan@publicsource.org.

Also, we’d like to ask for your support. PublicSource is an independent nonprofit newsroom in Pittsburgh. Please support local journalism and storytelling by going to a publicsource.org/donate.

COVID-19 INTERRUPTED CHILDHOOD ROUTINES – INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH VISITS. FAMILIES TURN TO TELEHEALTH FOR CONTINUITY.

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This article was originally published in the Pittsburgh Public Source.

By Meg St-Esprit | May 8, 2020

Before the pandemic, 9-year-old Landon Whitewood had a packed schedule that included Cub Scouts, swimming lessons, karate and hanging out with friends. Adopted from the foster care system as a toddler, his mothers Deb and Susan Whitewood of South Fayette have also prioritized time for trauma therapy through Three Rivers Adoption Council. He also participates in family-focused therapy and art therapy through Wesley Family Services three days a week.

When Pittsburgh began to shut down as it faced the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March, all of these activities ceased for the Whitewood family — except for therapy. They knew that it would be absolutely essential to have access to mental health services during an international crisis.

On March 15, the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services issued a memorandum urging all practitioners to switch to telehealth video appointments when possible. The office loosened requirements on HIPAA-compliant software, authorized telephone sessions where technology is not available and waived the requirement of periodic face-to-face sessions when using telehealth.

Landon’s parents reduced the number of hours of therapy per week to just two hours, delivered via telehealth.“When he’s not in crisis, he is receptive to the video. His attention span is really short, and so they work hard to engage him. It is much easier to take cues from a real person,” his mother Deb said.

Prior to the pandemic, telehealth was more common for adult patients, as therapy with children and adolescents is often play-based and interactive. Telehealth sessions due to social distancing have come with a learning curve for both families and practitioners.

A 2013 review study conducted by the Telemedicine Journal and E-health found virtual sessions to be effective across multiple settings for individuals spanning from children to geriatric patients, and improve access to care amid mitigating circumstances. A 2018 study through the University of Michigan School of Public Health corroborated these findings and noted that the majority of participants felt telehealth was vital to to continuity of care. In the past, many telehealth services weren’t covered by insurance — COVID-19 has removed that barrier.

Kori Shearer is a licensed professional counselor [LPC] with the Psychology and Learning Center in Monaca in Beaver County. She sees clients from a variety of backgrounds but specializes in teens with depression and anxiety, suicidal or self-injurious behavior, as well as LGBTQIA-related issues.

Shearer was worried at first about the ability to shift to virtual sessions, particularly for her younger clients. She has noticed, though, that these younger clients have been excited to show her their space — often their bedrooms. It has been useful for Shearer to see them in their home environments. “I give the child a choice to have their parent leave the room or remain for the session, and we bring the parent back in if needed,” she said. “This has always worked for my face-to-face sessions and it has worked well for telehealth, too.”

Shearer recommends parents and practitioners maintain as much normalcy and structure as possible for the sessions.

Similarly to Landon, 6-year-old Patton Manion of Mt. Lebanon had a packed social schedule prior to the onset of the pandemic. Routine and predictability are important to him, and the sudden loss of his school and familiar safe spaces hit him hard. His parents, Kara and Patrick Manion, are both public school teachers and are teaching remotely while also parenting Patton and his 3-year-old brother, Marlow. They knew that continuing his weekly therapy through the Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology in Mt. Lebanon would be key to managing this stressful transition. His therapist has been able to coach his parents remotely on how to help him manage the anxiety.

The pandemic reinforces the feeling for Patton that leaving the house is stressful or bad, his mother said, even if it’s for something he wants to do. His therapist is working on activities that teach him to manage emotions, matching the size of the reaction to the “size of the problem.” His parents give him tasks that he doesn’t prefer to do, such as chores, to help him work through the emotions around being asked to do something that is not his preference.

Stephanie Azarcon is a licensed clinical social worker for the Child and Family Counseling Center of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC. Like Shearer, she had not been using telehealth prior to the pandemic. Her clients range from ages 3 to 22, and much of her work with younger children is Parent Child Interaction Therapy. This type of therapy is usually done with Azarcon coaching parents through a double-sided mirror as they interact with their child.

A virtual platform is a huge shift, but she has found the process to be effective over the last two months. She encourages parents to help set their child up for a productive session. They should review and prepare for the therapy session such as they would do on the car ride to the therapy appointment. They can discuss with their child what they want to get out of the session.

“Try to talk with them beforehand to explain the expectations of a virtual/video therapy session,” Azarcon said. “The more confined, the more focused they will be. You can still sit them on a yoga ball or let them fidget with things while doing therapy.”

Both Shearer and Azarcon are unsure if the state will continue to allow such flexibility to use remote services once life shifts back toward “normal,” but they both have seen a benefit in learning how to treat children remotely. Azarcon has been able to see behaviors occur in the home setting that she would not see in her office, such as conflict between siblings or oppositional and defiant behaviors. She is able to offer support to the parents in the moment instead of at a later time when discussing at the office.

Shearer added that she has had fewer missed sessions since she has been able to use telehealth. “At this point, insurance companies are covering services with the contingency that it lasts during the pandemic, so we may not be able to provide it with the same degree of availability for a bit,” Shearer said. “I think it would be fantastic to be able to provide both.”

Deb Whitewood also feels that the continuation of virtual sessions could be beneficial. It provides a way to maintain consistency even when life becomes unpredictable and serves as one more useful tool her son can have in his repertoire. “Would it be more helpful to have sessions in person? Yes,” Deb said. “But exposing him to telehealth at this stage is good; he will always have it in his backpack, so to speak.”

Meg St-Esprit is a freelance journalist based in Bellevue. She can be reached at megstesprit@gmail.com or on Twitter @MegStEsprit.

HIGHLIGHTING THE HELPERS: FEEDING SENIORS – BODY AND SOUL

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This article was originally published in The Incline.

By Colin Deppen | May 2, 2020

Deborah Trammell has been helping Allegheny County seniors for more than a decade. She’s never seen anything like this.

“They need food,” she told The Incline by phone. “It’s just a dearth of food.”

A longtime volunteer with the In Service of Seniors program, Deborah says this pandemic has upended supply lines and support systems. Demand for the program’s food delivery service has spiked. Social isolation has been compounded by social distancing and, for some seniors, new technological hurdles for medical appointments and services.

For many, this has been a crisis without the comfort of human contact. But volunteers like Deborah, a part-time real estate agent and full-time West Mifflin steelworker, remain human buoys for their senior participants, even if from afar.

“We’re only supposed to put the (food) items we deliver inside the front door or leave them on the porch. We ask (the participant) to stay in the other room, and almost all the time they want to draw you into conversation because you might be the only person they see for weeks.”Deborah added: “The hardest thing to not do now is hug somebody. Almost every time I would visit somebody or take them something before it was ‘Give me a hug’ as I left.”Another program volunteer, Carol McCord, added: “I have been making calls to 17 seniors each week to check on them and assess their needs and well-being. … Some have many family members and friends that check on them and make sure they have what they need and others are not as fortunate. … They are definitely lonely and look forward to my calls. I will let them talk as long as they want.”In Service of Seniors is a volunteer-based program from Wesley Family Services, and it provides “neighborly” support — normally this means rides to appointments, check-in calls, and accompanied shopping trips — free of charge to Allegheny County residents 60 and older. (These days the program is focused primarily on delivery and telephonic touchpoints.)

The 60-and-up demographic is at greater risk, both from COVID-19 and from the side effects of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Sarah Papperman, a team leader with In Service of Seniors, said during the pandemic the program has seen:

  • A 60 percent increase in phone intakes.
  • Food pantry deliveries increase from an average of <1 per week to an average of 16 per week.
  • Food access trips double from an average of 12.7 per week to an average of 24 per week.

Papperman said prior to the COVID-19 crisis, volunteers were visiting with an average of four participants per week by phone or in-person.

“We now have volunteers matched with 189 participants to make weekly check-in phone calls,” she added.

But the program’s volunteer numbers have also grown, with 46 added in the last month and a half.

For volunteers like Carol, who’s been with the program for over a year, the work is particularly rewarding: “You feel like you are making a contribution, and they are grateful beyond measure.”

Deborah recalled her start with the program more than 10 years ago.

“This isn’t a story I tell a lot of people, but at 57 I was baptized. And this work is my testimony. I woke up one day and said ‘What do I do with this gift?’ and I was spoken to and God said give back. That same day in the Post-Gazette there was an ad for In Service of Seniors and I called and that was it. … I’ve always loved older people. I had a bunch of aunts and uncles who lived into their 90s, and older people were just fun to be around — they were no-nonsense and I enjoyed being around them.”

Deborah continued: “Humans need humans. We have got to help each other. And if knowing a food delivery you made will keep someone going for two weeks or more … if that doesn’t bring you some joy, I don’t know what will.”

If you’re also interested in volunteering to help seniors through the In Service of Seniors program, head here.

An outpouring of wanna-be volunteers, as agencies try to help them do it safely

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This article was originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

By Bob Batz, Jr. | March 27, 2020

Photo: Emily Matthews/Post-Gazette

The COVID-19 crisis is increasing opportunities for volunteering but also limiting them, and in sometimes surprising ways that nonprofit groups are still working out.

For the first time in decades, for example, the state Fish and Boat Commission announced last month that volunteers would not be allowed to help with the seasonal stocking of trout in streams. The idea is to prevent people from spreading the virus to each other, even in an outdoor setting.

That’s not to say that those who want to help out can’t do anything, but it is more complicated than it might have been in previous crises.

Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home orders restrict getting out and about in Allegheny County and other populous places, but Gov. Tom Wolf’s allowable activities for individuals include: “Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves, for their family or household members, or as part of volunteer efforts, or to deliver those services or supplies to others to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.”

Pittsburgh Cares, an umbrella group that connects volunteers with causes to help, still is figuring out how to help that happen safely.

The group notes atop its COVID-19 page-in-progress, pittsburghcares.org/​covid19, “We are deferring judgment for all volunteer needs and projects to our nonprofit, school and corporate partners until further notice.”

Working from home, its small staff was working to keep its calendar of volunteer opportunities updated while acknowledging that its partners’ schedules and needs are in flux.

“We are working with nonprofits that are seeing an increase in need to identify safe ways for volunteers to support the community and exploring opportunities for virtual support,” the site notes. “Please stay tuned for more information as we work through these new situations.”

One thing the group quickly realized, said Pittsburgh Cares Executive Director Amanda Trocki, was that it needed to take care of its older volunteers as well as higher-risk seniors in the community.

About a week ago, the group signed up volunteers to be “buddies” for them, and so far, more than 180 have.

Meanwhile, the group is stressing that nonprofits must screen volunteers who are ill or may have been exposed to the virus. Likewise, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is continuing to encourage people who want to help, but stresses on its website, “Stay at home if you’re sick.”

The United Way site says volunteers should follow other health-related recommendations, such as calling ahead when delivering food or other supplies and leaving them at the door to be picked up to avoid person-to-person proximity. And of course, wash your hands.

The United Way advises seeking opportunities involving groups of 10 or fewer, and to embrace “solo volunteering” — delivering food to a neighbor, distributing fliers — because that accomplishes social distancing while “helping people to feel connected.”

The organization is updating volunteer opportunities at uwswpa.org/​be-a-volunteer. These include “virtual volunteering” — making calls to seniors for North Hills Community Outreach and Wesley Family Services and being a pen pal for YWCA.

Wendy Koch, the director of volunteer engagement for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, said Thursday that many groups are shifting to offer more such noncontact opportunities, which also allow people confined to their own homes to help.

There are many people who are off work and at home suddenly find themselves free and wanting to volunteer, she noted. “The needs are still out there; they’re just very specific in this environment.”

Cranberry on Thursday launched a Community Response Team of residents willing to chip in to “help make the day a little brighter.” Nearly 30 people signed up the first day, even though they were required to undergo a health screening and sign a waiver.

“It’s more volunteers than people who need help,” spokeswoman Stephanie Fedko said, adding: “People are awesome.”

Those people are on a spreadsheet as willing to pick up and deliver goods, make and deliver CARE packages, pick up school materials, drop off prescriptions — basically, to do whatever they’re asked to do.

Other volunteers or people who need help can connect at cranberrytownship.org/​CRT or by calling 724-776-4806. The team also is accepting donations to buy reloadable gift cards for volunteers to buy essential goods for people in need.

Ms. Fedko knows several big churches in the area also are marshaling forces of volunteers.

In the South Hills, too, neighbors were making less formal arrangements to help each other via social media.

Three South Park friends — Jamie Christian, Stacie Kennelly and Sara-Summer Oliphant — started an effort called OHM, or Our Helping Meals, to support at-risk families and immune-compromised individuals during the pandemic. With support from AMPD Group restaurants and other partners, they’re putting healthy volunteers to work carefully packing and delivering food and meals, diapers and kids activities (call 412-334-8631 or email jamie.christian@ltbcsga.org).

Accepting donations

Established groups are adapting.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank this week stopped having big groups come to its Duquesne warehouse, but it kept up community distributions until Thursday, when it temporarily canceled those. It launched “a safe, efficient emergency drive-up food distribution model” starting Monday, and it will need volunteers for that.

Almost every organization is accepting donations, but those need not be just in the form of dollars.

Blood banks are extending their hours. Light of Life Rescue Mission seeks cleaning products and food. Ms. Trocki says Pittsburgh Cares is going to set up as a collection site for such things, which it will sanitize and distribute.

Pittsburgh Cares’ site offers something else people can do in the meantime: “Share hope.”

To that end, it has posters that people can print and place in their windows with messages including, “Thank you, frontliners” and “We’ll get through this, Pittsburgh.”

The United Way’s Ms. Koch noted that even after the crisis subsides, the impacts will continue for a long time, so would-be volunteers can take the long view. “There will be lots of ways for people to get involved and to be engaged.”

Bob Batz Jr.: bbatz@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1930 and on Twitter @bobbatzjr.

Correction: This article originally misspelled the name of Sara-Summer Oliphant. 

Helpful Links and Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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As things continue changing rapidly during the COVID-19 Pandemic,  Wesley Family Services wanted to provide you with a few helpful resources to help empower you and your families. Listed below are various links for providers and families covering topics from mental health, coping with anxiety & stress, and helping children cope with emergencies.

Wearing Masks- Social Story with Narration created by WFS Creative Arts

Coronavirus Social Story PDF Document  created by WFS Creative Arts
Click here for the animated version of the Coronavirus Social Story

Social Distancing Social Story PDF Document  created by WFS Creative Arts
Click here for the animated version of the Social Distancing Social Story

COVID-19 NAMI  Guide
https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf

AHN  Braddoock Urgent Care and Pittsburgh’s  North Shore is now offering COVID -19 testing.
Click the following link to read more information in English, Arabic, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili
https://wfspa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AHN-Braddock-Urgent-Care-and-North-Side-COVID-19-testing-in-English-Arabic-Nepali-Spanish-Swahili.pdf

Resources Available from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

PA Warmline: 1-855-284-2494 and TTY-724-631-5600:

  • For staff who struggle with the day to day balance
  • Families who are reaching points of breaking points of stress
  • Individuals who feel anxious around staying home or current pandemic
  • Anyone who is looking for a where to turn or someone to talk to
  • IDD and autism trained too.

Protect Your Family’s Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/protect-your-familys-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

Love in the time of Coronavirus: A HOPE-informed guide for parents by Dr. Bob Sege, MD
https://positiveexperience.org/love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-a-hope-informed-guide-for-parents/ 

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health *also available in Spanish
https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp

Helping Children Cope with Emergencies *also available in Spanish
https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html

Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself
https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/responders.asp

Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Talk to Your Child
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-how-talk-child.html

For any that are available in Spanish, there will be a second link under the article title on the webpage

A Pittsburgh guide to coronavirus

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This article was originally published by the Pittsburgh City Paper.

A Pittsburgh guide to coronavirus

Information on schools, testing, financial aid, public health, and voting

By Ryan Deto | March 18, 2021

“We Will Get Through This Pittsburgh” displayed on the marquee at Row House Cinemas in Lawrenceville – CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

On March 12, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald declared a state of emergency related to coronavirus. On the afternoon of March 13, after initially saying the coronavirus would be contained and downplaying its severity, President Donald Trump finally declared a national emergency. On the evening of March 13, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto declared a state of emergency. At first, gatherings of over 50 people have been prohibited; now, the White House is suggesting gatherings be kept to 10 people or fewer. In-dining sections of restaurants and bars in Pennsylvania are closed for at least 14 days starting on Tue., March 17.

It’s more than official: Coronavirus is a serious health threat, and no American leaders are now taking it lightly.

As of March 18, there are at least 133 presumptive positive or confirmed coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh-area has at least 14, with 12 confirmed or presumptive positive cases in Allegheny County and one each confirmed in Beaver and Washington counties. The virus has spread exponentially in other countries, including China and Italy. Hundreds of thousands of cases have been confirmed, and more than 8,700 people have died worldwide due to coronavirus.

As a precaution, hundreds of events and gatherings have been canceled or postponed throughout the region. The city, county, and state have suggested “social distancing” techniques so that people don’t potentially spread the virus through touch or close interactions.

Coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has already impacted almost every aspect of life in Pittsburgh, from school closings to public health behavior to the local economy. And as the virus likely spreads over the foreseeable future, many more aspects of life in the Steel City will be affected.

In response to coronavirus, Pittsburgh City Paper has created a guide to help readers and residents understand how the virus has affected the region, and offering suggestions to best cope during the global pandemic.

A student pushes a housing cart with her belongings on the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland on Sun., March 15. – CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Public Schools

Starting March 16, all public schools in Pennsylvania are shut down for at least two weeks. Some school districts, like Fox Chapel and Mt. Lebanon, have instituted even longer mandatory shutdowns. Fox Chapel public schools are closed at least until April 13, and Mt. Lebanon public schools are closed until at least April 14.

These mandatory closures mean children are mostly confined to their homes, since Fitzgerald has called on non-essential businesses, including childcare facilities, to also close down for at least two weeks. Students who normally receive free meals while at school can still be served meals from select school staff at each public school. Pittsburgh Public Schools is serving “Grab and Go” meals at all 54 city schools and early childhood education centers from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on weekdays. Clayton Academy and Student Achievement Center are also serving take-away meals.

In total, PPS is providing take-away meals at 30 locations across the city. They are listed below:

Pittsburgh Morrow: Primary Building – 1611 Davis Ave, Brighton Heights
Pittsburgh Perry High School: 3875 Perrysville Ave., Observatory Hill
Northview Heights Public Safety Center: 441 Mount Pleasant, Northview Heights
Pittsburgh Project: 2801 N Charles St., Perry South
Pittsburgh Spring Hill: 1351 Damas St., Spring Hill
Arlington Recreation Center: 2201 Salisbury St., Arlington
Pittsburgh Beechwood: 810 Rockland Ave., Beechview
Pittsburgh Carrick High School: 125 Parkfield St., Carrick
St. Paul AME Church: 400 Orchard Place, Knoxville
Tree of Life Brookline: 1036 Brookline Blvd., Brookline
Pittsburgh Roosevelt: Intermediate – 200 The Blvd., Carrick
Warrington Recreation Center: 329 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown
Pittsburgh West Liberty: 785 Dunster St., Brookline
Pittsburgh Whittier: 150 Meridan St.,  Duquesne Heights,
Pittsburgh Colfax: 2332 Beechwood Blvd., Squirrel Hill
East Hills Community Center: 2291 Wilner Drive, East Hills,
Pittsburgh Faison: 7430 Tioga St., Homewood
Glen Hazel Community Center: 895 Johnston Ave., Glen Hazel
Pittsburgh Greenfield: 1 Alger St., Greenfield
Pittsburgh Mifflin: 1290 Mifflin Road., Lincoln Place
Pittsburgh Obama: 515 N Highland Ave., East Liberty
Paulson Recreation Center: 1201 Paulson Ave., Lincoln-Lemington
Salvation Army Homewood: 8020 Frankstown Ave., Homewood
Pittsburgh Chartiers Early Childhood Education Center: 3799 Chartiers Ave., Windgap
Emanuel United Methodist Church for Kids Meal Network: 825 Lorenz Ave., Elliott
The M Garden: 3049 Chartiers Ave., Sheraden
Salvation Army: Westside -1821 Broadhead Fording Rd., Fairywood
Pittsburgh Westwood: 508 Shadyhill Rd., Westwood
Pittsburgh Miller: 2055 Bedford Ave., Hill District
Pittsburgh Weil: 2250 Centre Ave., Hill District

School districts are also considering the potential learning loss from prolonged closures. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is encouraging students and parents to access online learning opportunities. PPS is suggesting students use the district’s CLEVER portal located at pghschools.org/studentresources to learn more.

Local colleges and universities have also canceled face-to-face classes and events for the foreseeable future.

Hospitals and Testing

Pittsburgh-area residents showing symptoms of coronavirus or those who have been in contact with known infected patients should try to get tested. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms after 2-14 days of exposure include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Emergency warning signs of COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion or inability to arouse; bluish lips or face.

There is testing available in the Pittsburgh area. Central Outreach Wellness Center has partnered with Quest Diagnostics and has drive-up testing at two locations: Pittsburgh Zoo main parking lot, 7370 Baker St., Highland Park and 2360 Hospital Drive, Aliquippa. Testing begins at 11 a.m. each day. Central Outreach Wellness Center and Quest Diagnostics has limited test kits, so testing will be offered based on screening questions. Willing patients need to present a photo ID and an insurance card to be tested. Central Outreach Wellness will not turn anyone away who doesn’t have an insurance card, according to a press release.

UPMC has developed its own test for coronavirus and has opened a testing facility in the South Side. However, this facility is not open to the public. According to a press release, “Patients must have a physician referral approved by UPMC’s infection prevention team and an appointment to have their specimen collected for testing by either UPMC or public health authorities.”

UPMC says it plans to open up similar facilities in Harrisburg, Erie, Williamsport, and Altoona.

Allegheny Health Network will be providing drive-up collection sites for patients who have been previously evaluated by an AHN provider for COVID-19 symptoms, and receives a valid prescription order. A collection site in Wexford opens on March 18, and sites in Bethel Park, Monroeville, and Erie should be open within a week. Sites are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and should be able to accommodate about 20 patients an hour, according to AHN officials.

Additionally, people going to area hospitals for other medical reasons should know they will likely be screened for coronavirus. AHN announced on March 16 that all visitors will be screened and asked if they have traveled domestically or internationally in the last 14 days and if they have a cough or fever. Those who answer yes will not be permitted inside AHN hospitals.

A woman wears a mask outside of Heinz Chapel in Oakland on Sun., March 15. – CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Elderly and Vulnerable Populations

The Pittsburgh-area has one of the highest average-age of any metropolitan area in the U.S. This means we have a lot of elderly people and senior citizens who are the most vulnerable to negative health effects, including death, related to COVID-19.

Elderly residents are advised to stay at home as much as possible and to make sure they have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case they need to stay quarantined at home for prolonged periods of time. Many local pharmacies provide home delivery, and orders can be placed through phone calls.

Local groups like Wesley Family Services have extensive experience in helping elderly people in the Pittsburgh area, and should be contacted if elderly people need assistance. Groups like Lawrenceville United are trying to build networks to provide up-to-date information for seniors. Look to local community groups and religious entities to see if they need any help getting groceries and other items to seniors in the neighborhood. Local Meals on Wheels groups may also need additional help in servicing seniors during the pandemic.

Starting on March 20, the city of Pittsburgh started to hand out pre-packaged meals for seniors who are currently registered for normal congregate meal service. City will be serving about 100 meals per day. Meals are take-out only and can be picked up between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the following locations:

Glen Hazel: 945 Rosselle Court, 15207
Sheraden: 720 Sherwood Ave., 15204
South Side: 12th St & 1 Bedford Square, 15203
Lawrenceville: 4600 Butler St., 15201
Homewood: 7321 Frankstown Ave., 15208
Hazelwood: 5344 Second Ave., 15207

Community groups and religious institutions are also good sources to guide other vulnerable populations towards information about coronavirus. Homeless people may not be following the news as closely as others, and organizations can help explain to them the coronavirus pandemic and help them get services if needed.

East End Cooperative Ministry in East Liberty has stopped serving sit-down meals, and instead is passing out grab-and-go meals. Allegheny County officials are still looking for locations to house the homeless who are not showing signs of  COVID-19 symptoms.

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority has approved a new program for households at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) who have been affected by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning Monday, March 23, qualifying households can apply for rent, mortgage, and/or utility payment assistance if their work hours have been cut because of coronavirus closures.

“This is obviously a really critical action today and sorely needed at this moment in time and I commend Jessica Smith Perry and the rest of the URA staff for acting quickly and coming up with this program on such short notice,” said URA Board Chair Sam Williamson in a press release.

Interested parties can learn more here. The program is only open to City of Pittsburgh residents who have had hours cut or been layed off because of coronavirus, and are struggling to make rent, mortgage, and/or utility payments.

Immigrants, and those with little-to-no English language skills, should also be guided to groups like Casa San Jose and Jewish Community Center, where people can offer information on the coronavirus in Spanish and different languages.

State Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Lawrenceville) is also compiling a running list of local COVID-19 resources. This list can be accessed on Innamorato’s official Twitter account.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and local foundations like the Heinz Endowments are providing help to people who can’t afford to stock up on necessary groceries and supplies. Contact United Way’s 2-1-1 Southwest helpline for requests related to food, health care, and utility and rent assistance.

Scammers are also trying to take advantage of fear over coronavirus. The CDC recommends not clicking on links from sources you don’t know and to ignore online offers for vaccinations. (There are currently no vaccines or medications available to specially treat COVID-19.) Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is also documenting any price-gouging schemes related to coronavirus for potential prosecution. Information on any price-gouging schemes can be sent to pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov.

 

A man carries shopping bags in Downtown Pittsburgh on Sun., March 15 – CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Finances and Loans

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry announced this week that workers affected by coronavirus may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Reasons for potentially being eligible include working at a business that temporarily closes or goes out of business because of coronavirus; employer reducing hours because of coronavirus; having been told not to work because your employer believes you might get or spread coronavirus; or being told to self-quarantine. Apply at uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx.

On March 16, Gov. Wolf announced that all non-essential businesses must shut down for at least two weeks. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, and medical centers will remain open, as well as the take-out sections of restaurants.

Service industry workers can also seek help from the Pittsburgh Virtual Tip Jar, a website started by Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Ethics and Policy. Service industry workers can enter their Venmo account information, and people can send tips to their favorite bartender, stylist, and other service industry employees. Reach the website at centerforethicsandpolicy.com/PGHTipJar.html

For small business owners, nonprofit Hebrew Free Loan Association is offering interest-free loans of up to $5,000 for individuals and businesses affected by coronavirus closures. Interested parties can visit hflapgh.org/coronavirusloan to see if they qualify.

Local crowdfunding investor platform Honeycomb Credit is offering relief loans up to $50,000 with a six-month interest only period. Qualifications include between 1-3 years of operating history, and a 2019 with profitability and/or breakeven finances. Visit honeycombcredit.com/relief for more details.

The city of Pittsburgh is gathering information from nighttime businesses that are struggling during the coronavirus closures. They are asking effected business to fill out a survey, so they can help guide appropriate aid.

Federal, state, and municipal governments are also working to collect information on closed businesses to help them make payments on loans currently borrowed and provide financial relief.

On March 18, state Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-West View) announced a Small Business First (SBF) loan program will soon be accepting applications. The current interest rate on these loans is 3%, but according to a press release from Williams, the state government has the authority to lower these rates and has indicated support for doing so. More than $60 million in funds are available. Interested parties can apply here.

Pittsburgh artists have created a crowdfunding page on GoFundMe called the “PGH Artists Emergency Fund,” and are accepting donations to provide at least $250 per artist to help relieve the costs due to canceled gigs and jobs.

A sign hangs on the door of H&R Block on Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh on Sun., March 15. – CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Staying Healthy

Stopping the spread of coronavirus is crucial during this time of increasing confirmed cases. One of the easiest and best ways to help is to wash your hands often and thoroughly. Handwashing is capable of reducing respiratory infections by 15-20%. Make sure to scrub with soap for at least 20 seconds.

Social distancing is also another effective tool against spreading coronavirus. The White House has said that nobody should gather in groups of more than 10 people. Also, try to stay more than six feet away from people, since you don’t know if they are infected.

For the most part, this means socializing will be much different. Bars and restaurants are closed temporarily in the state, but that doesn’t mean that people can’t go for walks in the park or neighborhood. Remember, just keep your distance from other people.

If you do come into contact with others, try not to greet with a handshake or hug. Elbow or foot taps are preferred, or just wave from a distance. The Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends that children not participate in play dates or sleepovers during the outbreak.

If you are experiencing any mental health crises because of the anxiety and stress related to the global pandemic, text PA to 741741 on your mobile phone, and the Crisis Text Line will connect you to mental health services.

Voting

Pennsylvania’s primary election is scheduled for April 28. It’s not clear if the governor will move the election date as other states have, but Wolf said at a press conference on March 16 that he is “certainly taking that into consideration.”

Even if the primary stays scheduled for April 28, it may be prudent to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s new mail-in voting law. Citizens can now apply for a mail-in ballot with no reason necessary. This means that people can vote entirely from the comfort of their home.

In the coming days, Allegheny County will be encouraging residents to mail-in votes to slow the spread of coronavirus. Ballots are not yet finalized, but registered voters can request a mail-in ballot by filling out an online or mail application. County election departments will then send voters a ballot to complete and return.

To request a mail-in ballot, fill out an application on paper or online at votespa.com. Registered voters that apply online must present a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID issued from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Applications are in English and Spanish.

Note that if you request a no-excuse mail-in ballot, it is best to complete it and vote via mail. Voters who request a mail-in ballot and vote via mail are barred from voting at the polls on Election Day. If you request a mail-in ballot, your polling place will be notified and will flag you so that you don’t try to vote again at the polls. If you didn’t complete your mail-in ballot, and the poll book confirms that you haven’t voted, then you can still go to the polls to vote, but you must request a provisional ballot from poll workers.

Mail-in ballot applications for the upcoming April 28 primary election must be received by your county election office by 5 p.m. on April 21. The final day to register to vote is 15 days before the election. With the primary on April 28, the final day to register to vote is April 13.