NCCD CoronaVirus Guide

Right now everyone is in a state of reaction to the CoronaVirus. We know for individuals with disabilities and families with a child with a disability, there are many extra concerns. Please know that we are still working to find ways to help assure the safety, health, and well being of people with disabilities. If you come across an issue that needs addressed, please contact a member agency.

Member agencies continue working to protect and support individuals with disabilities during these uncertain and rapidly changing times. For instance, member agencies have been working on important issues like ensuring access to medications, access to providers, preventing utility shut offs, preventing evictions, educating families, working to coordinate a variety of other organizations, protecting voting, advocating at the state, ensuring the safety of individuals with disabilities in a variety of ways. Now we are gearing up to serve you as situations change.

We hope the following resources may be helpful for individuals, family members, caregivers, service providers and anyone that may be seeking resources for children or adults with disabilities.

Education

Nebraska Expectations for Schools https://cdn.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/March-22-COVID19-Slides.pdf

Office for Civil Rights Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCMLk4cES6A

Access to Special Education Services During Outbreak https://educationrightscounsel.org/resources

Additional Nebraska Department of Education Information https://www.education.ne.gov/publichealth/resources/

Audible Audio books for kids https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

U.S Department of EducationSupplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities—especially as it pertains to providing FAPE through distance instruction

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/faq/rr/policyguidance/Supple%20Fact%20Sheet%203.21.20%20FINAL.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

U.S. Department of Education Releases Webinar, Fact Sheet for Protecting Students' Civil Rights During COVID-19 Response

https://bit.ly/3boEhek [bit.ly]

Google Tools for Struggling Students: Variety of web extensions that provide tools that can help all learners, regardless of ability level

https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2016/10/special-needs-extensions.html?m=1

Internet Services for Students

Charter in the Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska Area is offering internet services free for 2 months for those with K-12 students.

Check with your Local Community’s Internet Providers to see what they may be offering.

Social Engagement

Community Inclusion is vital in all times. Now we have a variety of new opportunities to engage digitally.

Bingo with The Arc of Lincoln every day at 10 am on Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/thearcoflincoln/

Arc Virtual Inclusive Coffee on Tuesday’s at 10:30 https://www.facebook.com/events/894462510991908/ Zoom Login

pin

https://zoom.us/j/432580710

Arc Virtual Karaoke https://www.facebook.com/events/211948056741103/ Zoom https://zoom.us/j/475026643?pwd=ckpOaU81TE5QeVBmSlcyaklRSEpvUT09

DHHS Updates

Nebraska Medicine Guide https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-providers/covid19

All of Nebraska’s Managed Care Organizations have agreed to allow some early refills on medications. If you have any issues with this please let us know

Providers will continue to operate in a variety of settings working to support individuals with disabilities. They are putting themselves on the line to ensure the safety of our members. We appreciate their dedication. The department will be filing a Section K Appendix to allow for exemptions and allow flexibility for providers working to maintain safety in a new way

Self Advocacy Guide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ8eeC-tVD4&feature=youtu.be

Advocacy Actions

Join the Department every Monday 4-5 pm for a Stakeholder/Families Call 888-820-139 Attendee 3065334#

Call to Action on Covid State Disability Issues https://bit.ly/2wg4Fbt

https://secure.everyaction.com/XpDWTDVd30KWP4rGzz5rHA2?emci=f41b87fe-366a-ea11-a94c-00155d03b5dd&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=5092850&fbclid=IwAR3neT2afrILMPfKLePoPxDpqbsYG7erYVPDFiOVh8GXx30Ptq-FfnN2sUs

Arc Call to Action on National Disability Issues https://disabilityadvocacynetwork.org/app/make-a-call?0&engagementId=506895&_ga=2.63014252.2147417019.1584979312-478614184.1584979312

Omaha DOTS Resource Guide (needs to be attached)

Center for Public Representation Call to Action Article https://www.centerforpublicrep.org/news/tell-congress-now-that-the-newly-proposed-coronavirus-response-bill-must-include-disability-priorities/?fbclid=IwAR3UJCmiHg-T2NSX5Hpvuad2FJ6QsB0vEAf5_csVEXG-n-7q8h0wWGrKQ6g

Unemployment Insurance and Related Information (Employees and Employers)

https://dol.nebraska.gov/PressRelease/Details/141

Food

Many schools are still able to offer lunches during school closures. Families are encouraged to check with their local school systems for breakfast/lunch options for students during COVID19 related closures.

Rental/Mortgage Assistance (Select Counties)

United Way of the Midlands has developed a Housing Stability Program that will be administered through the 211 Helpline. This fund will provide rent and mortgage assistance for individuals affected by the virus and are not able to work or are impacted as part of a workforce reduction or reduction in hours. Dial 211 for more information or visit https://www.unitedwaymidlands.org/2-1-1/.

Small Businesses (SBA Disaster Assistance and Resources)

Disaster Assistance through Small Business Administration

Please be aware that the Disaster Assistance Loans through SBA are only one option. It is possible that other types of grants or assistance will become available for Small Businesses.

https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19

SCORE

https://www.score.org/

Nebraska Business Development Center

https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/index.php

Womens’ Business Center

https://cfra.org/reap/wbc?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Veteran’s Business Resource Center

https://vetbiz.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Mental Health/Stress

Rural Response Hotline: The hotline offers access to many attorneys,

financial advisors, professional counselors, mediators, clergy, and others.

There are 167 behavioral health professionals working with the

Rural Response Hotline. Ask about no-cost vouchers for counseling services. 800-464-0258

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: A national network of local crisis

centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in

suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Free, 24/7 support for those in crisis, connecting

people in crisis to trained Crisis Counselors. Text GO to 741741

Voting

Vote at Home Tool

https://www.civicnebraska.vote/?fbclid=IwAR0bwqyNlFpuUqBHkf46uEaPpt7QAstqG8hsm8w0ZzCmYn6J31ZuW5PSJOk

National Resource Guides

Arc of The United States Guide https://thearc.org/covid/

Access Living Guide https://www.accessliving.org/our-services/covid-19-resources-for-the-disability-community/

Center for Disability Rights http://cdrnys.org/blog/press-releases/coronavirus-covid-19-resources/

General Resource Guides

Lincoln Resources https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/covid19/

Omaha Covid https://www.cityofomaha.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information

FEMA Guide https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus

FREE online educational webinars about special needs planning. Topics covered include an overview of SSI & SSDI, Medicaid & Waivers, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and other important considerations to help family members better understand how planning for a child with special needs is different both legally & financially (Northwestern Mutual).