We hope all our WCSD families are well and staying safe and healthy during the school reopening process. Please make an effort to reach out electronically to friends, family, teachers and counselors to remain socially connected. We are all in this together and your school counselors, social workers and safe school professionals are here to help you. We care about our WCSD families!

Emergency Services:

For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

For non-emergencies:

              Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at 775-328-3001

City of Reno Police at 775-324-2121

              City of Sparks Police at 775-353-2231.  

Crisis Support Services of Nevada - It is normal to feel anxious at times like this. If you or someone you know is struggling and needs help, call 1 (800) 273-8255 or the local number 775-784-8090, text LISTEN to 839863 or check out our website at https://cssnv.org/ Crisis Support Services of Nevada’s staff and volunteers are here 24/7/365. You matter. 

Nevada 211 - Find help 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1; texting 898-211 or visiting www.nevada211.org

Mobile Crisis Response Team – Call 775-688-1670 or visit http://www.knowcrisis.com/ 

SAFEVOICE, Use the SAFEVOICE App or log onto SafeVoiceNV.org, select your school, select event type or concern type or you may call the hotline at 1-833-216-7233 

Community Health Alliance -  Information for those families that need health care but don’t have the funds. 775.329.6300  https://www.chanevada.org/ 

Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (Unemployment services) - File for unemployment online at ui.nv.gov/css.html. Call centers have extended their hours and can assist people from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Northern Nevada: 775-684-0350. Rural areas in Nevada and out-of-state residents: 888-890-8211 

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) advocates are available 24/7. All calls are free and confidential.

Now Matters Now https://www.nowmattersnow.org

Washoe Courts Temporary Protection Order IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, PLEASE CALL 911. Any person who believes she or he has been, or might become, a victim of Domestic Violence may ask the Second Judicial District Court for a Temporary Protection Order. Please visit https://www.washoecourts.com/DomesticViolence for instructions.  Contact the Protection Order Help Center at (775) 328-3127 or email to: pohc@washoecourts.us with any questions.

 Community resources

• Catholic charities is offering pantry pick up and most of their services are being offered through phone/email. Their resource hub can be accessed online at https://ccsnn.org/pages/resource-hub
• Salvation army is offering food boxes between 8am-11am M-F. They are not currently accepting food or clothing vouchers since their stores are closed. Most of their services are still being offered face-to-face but older adults have the option to call and set up home delivery for food and supplies. https://reno.salvationarmy.org/
• Children’s cabinet – offering curbside pickup of food boxes. They are offering crisis intervention services from 12p-7a M-F. https://www.childrenscabinet.org/
• Community services agency is providing virtual services since their buildings are closed to the public. They can assist with unemployment applications. https://csareno.org/
• WCSD Family Resource Center – all staff working remote except for curbside food donation pickup which is available.
• Women and Children’s Center of the Sierras is still operating and has an open computer lab for individuals who need to access the internet. In addition, their diaper bank is still open. http://www.waccs.org/
• Veteran’s services – A Veteran can call 207-830-2000 if they are in need.
• Family Resources-https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Planning-Information-for-Families.pdf 
• COVID-19 Resource List
• Youth Mental Health Resources

Food resources:

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is working with WCSD to provide meals to families. The most updated locations to pick up meals for families can be found at: https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/14379

Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows free meals for kids, locations here.    

Housing Rescouces

https://www.washoecounty.us/rjc/divisions/civil/services/evictions/index.php  (Evictions)

https://www.renoha.org/ (Reno Housing Authority) 775-329-3630

Nevada Legal Services- Tenant Rights 775-284-3491 www.nlslaw.net

Free Internet access:

• Charter is offering a free 60 days of broadband and wifi for new k-12 and college student households
• Spectrum Internet: Offering free wifi for families with children K-12 or college to allow students to continue their education while homebound. Must not already be a spectrum customer, owe money to the company, and live in an area that offers spectrum internet: Call:1-844-488-8395.

Substance Abuse Resources

National Drug Helpline offers 24/7 drug and alcohol help to those struggling with addiction. http://drughelpline.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a free, confidential 24/7, 365 day a year treatment, referral and information service 1-800-622-HELP (4357) https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline  Substance Abuse Help Line- If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about substance abuse, please call the Help Line at (775) 825-HELP (4357), or toll-free: 1 (800) 450-9530. The Substance Abuse Help Line is a free, confidential, 24-hour-a-day phone line staffed by Crisis Call Center and available to residents throughout Nevada. Callers are provided with support and referrals to substance abuse treatment resources throughout the state. This service is made possible through a partnership with Join Together Northern Nevada, A Community Partnership Against Substance Abuse.

Medical Resources

https://www.telehealth.com/

https://www.healinghealth.com/wp/covid-resources/

Military Family Support Services

Nevada National Guard https://nv.ng.mil/Pages/default.aspx

Nevada National Guard coronavirus resource https://nv.ng.mil/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx

Nevada Military Family Assistance Information​ ​ ​(775) 384-5801   https://nv.ng.mil/Pages/MFSS/MFS.aspx

Nevada Department of Veterans Services https://veterans.nv.gov/

PENFED Foundation COVID-19 relief program https://penfedfoundation.org/apply-for-assistance/coronavirus-emergency-financial-assistance/

Military One Source 1-800-342-9647  https://www.militaryonesource.mil/coronavirus

Maintaining and Enhancing Your Mental Health and Well-being During the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak  https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/index.asp

No matter what you are experiencing, there are resources and support systems near you to help  https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Emotional Resources

• CDC’s “Manage Anxiety and Stress” page provides what stress can look like and tips to manage that stress.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has a guide for parents and caregivers to help families cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• Mental Health America has compiled a range of resources and information on their “Mental Health and COVID-19” page.
• The NYS Office of Mental Health’s “Managing Anxiety in an Anxiety Provoking Situation” resource page provides tips for all on how to manage anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.
• SAMHSA’s “Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks” page outlines the signs of stress and steps you can take to alleviate stress.
• SAMHSA’s “Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health” page provides tips for social distancing, quarantine and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak.
• SAMHSA’s “Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks” page provides parents, caregivers, and teachers with strategies for helping children manage their stress during an infectious disease outbreak.
• Vibrant Emotional Health’s Safe Space provides interactive coping tools to help users when they need it.

• https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/current-events/supporting-your-emotional-well-being-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/

• If you feel you or someone you know may need emotional support, please visit the Lifeline’s website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org for helpful resources or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline is free, confidential, and available to everyone in the U.S. You do not have to be suicidal to call the Lifeline.

• https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-mental-health.page

• https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/covid-19-digital-mental-health-resources/

• https://mcusercontent.com/bd12fdeadf0564bf211cee98e/files/73696460-1e54-4876-b0af-bb16c503f93a/NAMI_COVID_19_Updated_Guide_V3_3.18.20.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Talking to your Kids about Coronavirus:    

• American Academy of Pediatrics – caring for the health of your family and talking to kids about the virus.  More information.   
• Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning’s Guidelines for Parents and Caregivers provides short family tips for supporting your kids during COVID-19.  More information.  
• https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/

Family Wellness, Social and Emotional Learning and Mental Health:

• Taking care of your own mental health in uncertain times is important so you can support those around you.  More information here.   
• Helping your family de-stress during the Coronavirus from Common Sense Media, click here  
• Suggested apps for self-care: Woebot, Calm, and more apps listed here.  
• https://counselors.cmionline.com/when-someone-is-diagnosed-with-covid-19/
• https://www.search-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-checklist.pdf
• https://mcusercontent.com/bd12fdeadf0564bf211cee98e/files/0009ffd7-60af-40e0-9412-ef9afec65b8d/COVID19_Family_Guide.pdf

Parents, Invest in Self-Care

https://parentandteen.com/invest-in-yourself/

https://parentandteen.com/three-tips-resilient-mindset/

https://parentandteen.com/three-self-care-tips-for-parents/

https://parentandteen.com/three-strategies-for-taking-better-care-of-yourself-as-a-parent/

Psychological First Aid training

https://learn.nctsn.org/course/index.php?categoryid=11  Please contact LHutchinson@washoeschools.net for training information. 

Behavior help hotline

Washoe County School District behavior teams (general and special education) will be available via email or phone to support families and/or staff with behavioral needs. Please encourage families to reach out for individualized supports if they are struggling with setting up routines or schedules, behavioral challenges, etc. Contact information is below, as well as posted on the Distance Learning family communication website, as well as MTSS and Special Education. Please feel free to distribute widely.

Email: mtss@washoeschools.net

Phone: 775-337-7566

Bias, Discrimination and Racism:  

Teaching Tolerance’s article for speaking up against discrimination.    

NASP Countering COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers  

NASP Cómo combatir el estigma y el racismo en torno al COVID 19 (coronavirus) Consejos para padres y cuidadores (PDF, Spanish)   

Iowa State: https://instr.iastate.libguides.com/c.php?g=799527&p=7267352  

Inspiration:  

As we all work through these challenging times, it’s important to keep our minds focused on the many different acts of kindness and inspiration that are happening around the world. If your family is able to help, think about those in our community who might need assistance. Here’s a few ideas and articles to consider:  

Ideas of Ways to Help Others in our Community  

Article regarding Acts of Kindness    

Grief/Loss information-

https://www.batesville.com/covid19-drwolfelt/,

https://griefsupportnet.org/resources/community-support-and-covid-19/, https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/MentalHealth/Pages/GriefLoss.aspx,

https://www.econdolence.com/covid-19-guidance/grief-and-mourning-during-covid-19-coronavirus/, 

https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/resources/covid-19-pandemic-resources/

https://grievingstudents.org/

If you have any further questions about WCSD’s response to COVID-19, please email COVIDquestions@washoeschools.net.  

 WCSD Distance Ed web section is available, https://www.washoeschools.net/distancelearning,