IMPORTANT NOTICE
Children’s Aid Societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies in Ontario ARE continuing their child protection services. We are NOT closed. Although agencies across the province have modified their business practices to respond to health and safety concerns, their core protection services continue. If any member of the public or professional have a concern about the safety and/or well-being of a child or youth under 18, they should immediately contact their local Children’s Aid Societies or Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agency.
Local contact information for these agencies is available here.
Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, your local public health unit or your primary care provider if you’re experiencing symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus.
Please do not visit an assessment centre unless you have been referred by a health care professional.
Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.
OACAS Statement: Working to Combat Stigma during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recently, the Ontario Human Rights Commission issued its second statement on March 13, 2020 to the province regarding discrimination and bias related to the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus, also being referred to as COVID-19. The statements highlight the need for increased sensitivity, and the need to ensure that human rights are centered in decision making during the coronavirus outbreak.
Read more
Individuals and communities who are at risk for increased harassment, stereotyping, bullying and acts of violence due to perceived ideas and notions, fault or blame include Chinese Canadians, and particularly people of Asian descent. However, other marginalized peoples and communities, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, those who are impoverished, those with varying disabilities, racialized communities, Jewish people and those who belong to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit and Queer communities may experience heightened vulnerability and discrimination during this crisis.
Stigmatization hurts both those who are experiencing the stigma, as well as those who are behaving discriminatorily by creating anger, fear and uncertainty that is targeted towards individuals and groups versus focusing on the disease – COVID-19, which is causing the pandemic.
Keeping in line with both the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, as well as the Ontario Human Rights Commission, OACAS believes it is essential in times of crisis and uncertainty to work even harder to be more culturally aware, sensitized and act with cultural humility. There is also a need for us to rely on our individual and collective commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-oppressive practice across the child welfare sector when taking action during this crisis.
The following ideas are provided as a starting point to assist child welfare professionals to better understand and combat stigmatization associated with the coronavirus:
- Discrimination including harassment against any persons or communities related to COVID-19 is prohibited when it involves any of the twenty grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code, in the areas of services, housing, employment, vocational associations and contracts.
- People—including those of Asian descent—who have not recently been in an area of ongoing spread of COVID-19, or who have been in contact with a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 are not at greater risk of acquiring and spreading COVID-19 than any other Canadian.
- People who have returned from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 and self-isolated for 14 days with no symptoms are not to be presumed to be infected with the virus.
- Staff returning from affected countries, or who are concerned about family, friends and loved ones in affected regions need to be socially supported. We are all in need of access to services to support mental health and well-being to ensure everyone can get through this world pandemic crisis effectively.
- Whilst different populations are genetically prone to certain diseases, viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. And as such, African Canadian, Indigenous and other racialized populations do not have increased or heightened immunity to COVID-19. On the contrary, research has shown that people sometimes falsely believe that racialized and Indigenous peoples have a higher tolerance to pain and illness, and as a result receive racial bias in the healthcare systems in Canada. This type of bias means they will need to be well supported to access required COVID-19 testing and medical attention.
- The province of Ontario has one of the highest incidences of Hate Crimes in Canada. Discriminatory incidents that are motivated in any part by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexuality identity or expression, or any other similar factor is considered a Hate Crime under the Criminal Code of Canada, hate propaganda laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Jean Samuel
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Government Information
- Click here for latest updates about COVID-19 from the Government of Ontario (continually updated).
- Click here for information about the Canada Emergency Student Benefit and Canada Student Service Grant
- Click here for inspiring stories from youth in and from care perspectives on COVID-19 in America
Rights, Policies and Laws in Ontario related to COVID-19 |
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Organization | Description | How to Access |
Steps to Justice | Guide to law in Ontario related to COVID-19. | Website click here |
Steps to Justice | Housing laws related to COVID-19. | Website click here |
Steps to Justice | Employment laws related to COVID-19. | Website click here |
Government of Ontario | List of essential workplaces in Ontario. | Website click here |
Government of Ontario | Laws that affect tenants and landlords in Ontario. | Website click here |
Government of Ontario | Guide to benefits including employment insurance, housing and education. | Website click here |
Government of Ontario | Continual news updates about covid-19. | Website click here |
Legal Aid Ontario | Legal aid online guide. | Website click here |
Holland Bloorview | Legal rights information sheet. | Website click here |
Government of Canada | Find financial help during COVID-19 tool. | Website click here |
Government of Canada | Income and other supports overview. | Website click here |
Legislative Assembly of Ontario | Bill 189 An act to amend various Acts to address the coronavirus. | Website click here |
Black Legal Action Centre | Help with education, human rights, income assistance, housing law, police complaints etc. | Website click here |
Black Legal Action Centre | COVID-19 and emergency measures in Ontario. | Website click here |
Justice for Children and Youth | COVID-19 Emergency measures laws and public spaces in Ontario . | Website click here |
Justice for Children and Youth | Update and links to legal information. | Website click here |
Planning Network | Policies related to COVID-19 and income support, housing, mental health services, legal and finance. | Website click here |
COVID-19 and Child Welfare
- Information for Community Partners: Supporting Children and Youth During the Pandemic
- OACAS has prepared a collection of resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic and child welfare. It is available here.
- OACAS has created a series of social media messages around the importance of child and family well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic. You can download the entire package here.
Mental Health/Crisis Line Telephone Services
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- As well as those below, more mental health resources related to coronavirus can be found here.
Organization | Description | How to Access |
Kids Help Phone (24 Hours) | 24/7 confidential professional online and telephone counselling and volunteer-led, text-based support in English and French to youth across Canada. Kids Help Phone has expanded its mandate to include former youth in care of any age. | 1-800-668-6868 |
Big White Wall | An online peer-to-peer support community for your mental health for those aged 16 and over. | Website click here |
Bounce Back | Skill-building program managed designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. | 1-866-345-0224 |
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (24Hours) | Immediate, culturally competent telephone counselling, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in English, French and upon request in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. | 1-855-242-3310 |
Telehealth Ontario | Free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse. | 1-866-797-0000 |
TeenLine | Confidential hotline for teenagers for mental health. | 1-310-855-HOPE
1-800-852-8336 Or text TEEN to 839863 |
Assaulted Women's Helpline | 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis line to all woman who have experienced abuse including: counselling, emotional support, information and referrals. | 1-866-863-0511 (Toll Free)
1-866-863-7868 (TTY) 416-863-0511 (Toronto) |
Good2Talk | Free, professional and confidential counselling support for post-secondary students in Ontario. | 1-866-925-5454 |
Naseeha Youth Helpline | Peer support for Muslim youth. | 1-866-627-3342 |
Trans Life Line | Peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. | 1-877-330-6366 |
LGBT Youthline | Confidential and non-judgemental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer and questioning young people. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM. | 1-800-268-9688
Text: 647-694-4275 Chat: www.youthline.ca |
Teen and Youth-Focused Resources
- Face Coverings, Cloth Masks and You, OACAS
- Resources around me, Kids Help Phone
- How can I cope with my feelings about the future?, Kids Help Phone
- Tips on how to manage your mental health during COVID-19, Canadian Mental Health Association
Video-Based Recreation Activities and Exercise |
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Organization | Description | How to Access |
YMCA of Greater Toronto | Exercise classes including but not limited to fitness, dancing and yoga. | Wesbite click here
Or search on Facebook for YMCA of Greater Toronto and click on videos link |
Do Yoga With Me | Free yoga classes for all different levels. | Videos click here |
Community Response Networks and Resource Directories |
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Organization | Description | How to Access |
COVID-19 Community Response Networks | City-wide groups across Canada organized virtually over Facebook for community support. | Full directory click here |
National Zakat Foundation | COVID-related baskets of food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products in Canada. | Website click here |
Youth resource list | COVID-19 resource and supports list for Canada. | Resource list click here |
Brampton Youth Task Force | Social support online forum for access to food or shelter. | Complete intake form: click here or call 311 |
Canadian Muslim Response Network | Offering COVID-19 relief delivering free food, prescriptions, and essentials to all Canadians, regardless of Faith. | Website click here |
Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada | Province-specific resources for diversity of supports. | Resource list click here |
CHEERS Mentoring Program | Mentorship program for youth 21 – 35 years of age of African descent from the child welfare system. | Website click here |
Justice for Children and Youth | Updates and links to legal information related to COVID-19. | Website click here |
Multiple organizations | Online professional development links. | Website click here |
Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health | List of resources and information for children, youth and families. | Website click here |
Sick Kids Hospital | Information hub and resources for coping. | Website click here |
Health and Primary Care Providers |
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Organization | Description | How to Access |
Telus | Virtual appointments with physicians. Doctors cannot provide sick notes. | Download app Babylon on your phone |
Dial A Doc | Phone consultations and connection to a family doctor who is accepting patients. | Complete intake form click here |
Drug Smart Pharmacy | Virtual ‘walk-in’ clinic covered by OHIP. | Website click here |
Therapist Aid | Mental wellness worksheets for global crisis. | Worksheets click here |
Cover Health | Virtual healthcare covered by OHIP. | Website click here |
City of Toronto | Information from health professionals on a variety of topics including sexual health, smoking and substance use. | Website click here |
City of Toronto | Chat live with a health professional including sexual health, prenatal and postpartum information and mental health. | Website click here |
Canadian Paediatric Society | Information about substance use and COVID-19. | Website click here |
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario | Protect don’t infect health video. | Video click here |
In the Rooms | Global online community for people recovering from addictions, including over 130 weekly live online meetings, covering a variety of topics, groups, and treatment methods. | Video click here |
Self-Directed Mental Health Resources and Programs |
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Organization | Description | How to Acccess |
Bounce Back and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) | Skill-building program for adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, depression, anxiety and stress. | Website click here |
Therapist Aid | Resources related to stress, anxiety, and self-care including videos and worksheets. | Website click here |
Centre for Clinical Interventions | Self help resources for range of mental health problems. | Website click here |
National Eating Disorder Information Centre | Information for those living with eating disorders during COVID-19. | Website click here |
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | Frequently asked questions about mental health and COVID-19. | Website click here |
Government of Ontario | COVID-19 self-assessment. | Website click here |
Shoppers Drug Mart | Online stress management program. | Website click here |
Alcohol and Addictions Misuse Support |
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Organization | Description | How to Access |
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) | Free addiction counseling for anyone within Canada. | Download app Babylon on your phone |
Connex Ontario | Mental health, addictions and problem gambling help line. | 1-866-531-2600 |
Parental Support for Babies, Infants and Children |
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Organization | Description | How to Access |
Métis Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program | Support to Métis folx, expectant parents and families with children 0-6, including peer counseling, referrals, diapers, groceries etc. | 1-647-615-6724
Email: alexandrian@metisnation.org |
James Funnyhat | Virtual stories and songs with James Funnyhat for children ages 10 and under. | Website click here |
Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home Guide | Being Child-Centred During the Pandemic from Indigenous Motherhood. | Website click here |
Creative, Educational and Artistic Activities |
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Organization | Description | How to Access |
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) | Free virtual tour of their gallery. | Website click here |
Arts and Culture Google | Free virtual tours of 50+ museums and galleries across the world. | Website click here |
Ontario National Film Board of Canada | Indigenous-made online film collection. | Website click here |
CBC Arts | 5 stress-relieving activities recommended by art therapists that you can try at home right now. | Website click here |
Harvard University | Free online courses from a variety of topics. | Website click here |
Jessie | 14 tips for staying active during COVID-19. | Website click here |
SPARK | Volunteer opportunities to connect with seniors experiencing social isolation. | Website click here |
CBC | 12 of the best Black Cancon films to stream for free. | Website click here |
Simple Most | 0 Free Digital Escape Rooms. | Website click here |
Insider | 40 fun, free things to do online. | Website click here |
Finances
The Government of Canada has released a tool to help Canadians navigate the various financial supports available. It can be found here: https://covid-benefits.alpha.canada.ca/en/start
Service Canada now has a dedicated number for Employment Insurance claims exclusively related to COVID-19. The number is: 1-833-381-2725
Families and Caregivers
Parenting resources | Resources for caregiving during the pandemic | Resources for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and infection | Health information and resources about COVID-19 | Educational and learn-from-home resources | Resources and supports for caregivers | Resources for supporting young people and helping them cope and understand the pandemic | Activities and things to do at home
Parenting resources |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
Positive Parenting Tips | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Helping Children Regulate their Emotions | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Family Meetings | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Descriptive Praise and Encouraging Good Behaviour | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Emotional Messages: How the Language We Use Can Affect a Child's Behaviour | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Spending Time with Children | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Family Ground Rules | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Transition Times to Avoid Meltdowns | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Requests for Teenagers | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Helping a Child with Anxiety | Audio file from Durham Children's Aid Society. Click on each link to play the file in your browser, or right-click and choose 'Save As' to save a copy to your computer. | Audio file |
Resources for caregiving during the pandemic |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
Caregivers and COVID-19: Helping Kin, Customary Care and Foster Caregivers Keep Children and Themselves Safe During the Pandemic | Recording of an OACAS hosted webinar providing practical guidance on caring for children in family-based, out-of-home care (kin, customary care, foster) during the pandemic | Link |
#COVIDisability | Disability-related resources for families during the pandemic, from the Canadian Association for Community Living | Link |
Caring for an Infant, Toddler or Young Child with COVID-19 | Resource from OACAS providing guidance for those caring for young children diagnosed with COVID-19 | Link |
How to Care for a Child with COVID-19 at Home: Advice for Caregivers | Resource from the Public Health Agency of Canada | Link |
Caring for Someone with Probable or Confirmed COVID-19 | Resource from OACAS providing guidance for those caring for someone with COVID-19 | Link |
Recommendations for Transporting Someone with COVID-19 | Resource from OACAS originally intended for child welfare staff | Link |
Maintaining Connections for Children and Youth in the Context of COVID-19 | Guidance note from the Child Welfare League of Canada | Link |
Virtual Care Resource Guide | Resource from Empowered Kids Ontario that addresses the foundational elements caregivers and services providers should be thinking about when it comes to virtual care | Link |
Resources for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and infection |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
Cleaning your Car Following Transportation of a Person with COVID-19 | Resource from OACAS originally intended for child welfare staff | Link |
Tips for Engaging Families When Wearing PPE | Resource from OACAS originally intended for child welfare staff | Link |
Tips for Working At A Distance | Resource from OACAS originally intended for child welfare staff | Link |
PPE Lanyard Reference | Public Health Ontario infographic about putting on and removing PPE | Link |
Facial Protection Instructional Videos | Playlist of four videos from Public Health Ontario with guidance on putting on and removing masks and facial protection | Link |
Non-medical Masks and Face Coverings | Information from the Government of Canada | Link |
How to Hand Wash | Video from Public Health Ontario | Link |
How to Hand Rub | Video from Public Health Ontario | Link |
Protect Don't Infect | Video from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario providing four easy things that individuals can do to prevent the spread of flu, colds, and other infections | Link |
Foundations of COVID-19 Prevention and Control for Congregate Living Settings | Webinar recording and slides from Public Health Ontario about preventing and controlling COVID-19 in congregate living situations | Link |
Health information and resources about COVID-19 |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
AboutKidsHealth | Health education website for children, youth and their caregivers. From SickKids | Link |
COVID-19 Webinar I | OACAS hosted webinar with Dr. Ian Preyra, Chief of Staff at Joseph Brant Hospital | Link |
COVID-19 Webinar II | OACAS hosted webinar with Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health | Link |
Educational and learn-from-home resources |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
Learn at Home | Supplementary resources for elementary and secondary students, curated by the Ontario government | Link |
TVO Kids | Award-winning, advertising-free videos, games, and content that supports the Ontario curriculum | Link |
Canadian Geographic Education's Online Classroom | Activities and resources to make learning from home, or teaching at a distance, easy and fun | Link |
Scholastic Learn at Home | Resources for grades 6 to 9 | Link |
MediaSmarts | Resources for families and educators from MediaSmarts, a Canadian not-for-profit organization that develops digital and media literacy programs | Link |
The Best Ideas for Kids® | List of educational videos for kids | Link |
Khan Academy | Non-profit providing remote learning resources | Link |
HowStuffWorks | Educational website with podcasts, videos, and other resources providing easy-to-understand answers and explanations of how the world actually works | Link |
Prodigy | Curriculum-aligned math games by grade level | Link |
National Inventors Hall of Fame® | Downloadable, printable STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities | Link |
IXL Math | Interactive grade-aligned math activities | Link |
IXL English Language Arts | Interactive grade-aligned language activities | Link |
Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute | Educational activities you can do at home with the animal cams | Link |
Resources and supports for caregivers |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
Parent2Parent Support Network | Flyer for a support network that allows adoptive parents and kinship or customary caregivers to connect with and support one another | Link |
Foster Parents Society of Ontario | Website for the Foster Parents Society of Ontario (FPSO), the dedicated voice of foster families in Ontario | Link |
League of Ontario Foster Families | Website for the League of Ontario Foster Families (LOFF), the provincial voice for the protection, support, education and advocacy for all foster family care providers | Link |
Caregiver Tips & Resources | Collection of resources from the Ontario Caregiver Organization | Link |
Young Parents No Fixed Address | Google Document with a list of community resources including food banks, mental health resources, and agencies | Link |
Direct Support Series and Leadership Series | Free online professional and personal training for supporters of people with autism and developmental disabilities. From A Centre for Conscious Care | Link |
Resources for supporting young people and helping them cope and understand the pandemic |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
We Are Hanging Out At Home | Children's book about experiences during the pandemic | Link |
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus | Resource from PBS Kids | Link |
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic | Webpage from the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child & Youth Mental Health with resources on talking to children about the pandemic | Link |
COVID-19: Supporting a Discussion With Children and Youth | Fact sheet from the Ontario Ministry of Health | Link |
Helping Children Cope with Stress During the 2019-nCoV outbreak | Resource from the World Health Organization | Link |
How to Talk to Your Anxious Child About COVID-19 | Resource and information from Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) | Link |
Helping Children Cope with Emergencies | Resource and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Link |
#COVIBOOK: Supporting and Reassuring Children Around the World | Short book for children under 7, available in multiple languages | Link |
How to Talk to Kids and Teens About the Coronavirus | Article from Psychology Today | Link |
How Can We Talk To Kids About COVID-19? Be “Realistically Reassuring” | Blog post about Canadian Paediatric Society | Link |
A Kids Book About COVID-19 | Free ebook from the publisher A Kids Book About™ | Link |
How to Not Go to School: Parsley Mimblewood Saves the World! | Free ebook | Link |
Activities and things to do at home |
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Resource or organization | Description | How to Access |
Online Museum Tours | Article from CTV News about different online museum tours | Link |
Code.org® | Learn to code through games and activities | Link |
Netflix Party | Netflix Party is a new way to watch Netflix with your friends online | Link |
Free Indigenous Films | Article from CBC with recommendations from the National Film Board's new Indigenous catalogue | Link |
Free Black Cancon Films | Article from CBC recommending 12 Black/African Canadian films that can be streamed for free | Link |
Other resources:
- Caregiver Tips and Resources from the Ontario Caregiver Organization
- COVID-19 Disability-Related Resources for Families
- Learn at Home Educational Resources to Support Children During School Closure
- Scholastics Learn at Home Education for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9
- Videos, Activities and Crafts for Kids
- Curriculum-Aligned Math Games by Grade Level
- TVO Kids Videos and Activities
- Downloadable, Printable STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Activities
- Online Lessons and Activities for All Grade Levels Focused on Math and Science
- Educational Articles for Higher Learning
- Interactive Grade-Aligned Math and Language Activities Organized by Topic Grade 1 -12 (Part 1)
- Interactive Grade-Aligned Math and Language Activities Organized by Topic Grade 1 – 12 (Part 2)
- Science Activities and Live Zoo Web-Came Streaming of Animals
- Community Resources for Parents including Food Banks, Mental Health Resources and Agencies
- Managing Anxiety in Teens
- How to Care for a Child with COVID-19 At Home: Advice for Caregivers
- A Kids Book About COVID-19 by Malia Jones
- CWLC Guidance for Maintaining Connections for Children and Youth in the context of COVID-19
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Focused Resources and Information
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is offering virtual services during the pandemic. While NCFST primarily serves the Toronto urban Indigenous community, any agency or organization supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit young people and families is welcome to share the virtual services.
Some of the virtual services currently available are highlighted below – please visit the NCFST website or Twitter account to learn more about all services and programming on offer.
- Holistic Healing Services is providing support to community members through video or telephone counselling. Please call Intake services at 416-969-8510 ext. 3290
- Starting April 21, the NCFST Culture Team will be holding Community Connection Circles (aka “Virtual Cultural Nights and Circles”) over Zoom. To participate, email rsvp@nativechild.org
- Virtual programming is being offered on Instagram for Aboriginal EarlyON and Aboriginal Head Start programs:
- SCFLC – EarlyON Program @scflcearlyon
- SCFLC Youth/Community Programs @house_of_giizhik_scflc
- MALVERN EarlyON Program @malvernaboriginalearlyon
- Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Unit (AECD) @nativechild_earlyyears
- Mount Dennis EarlyON @mountdennis_earlyon
- Shaawnong Aboriginal Head Start/Dundas Before & After School Care @ncfst_early_years_central
- Native Youth Resource Center is available by appointment only. If youth need assistance, please call the Drop-in Response Number: 416-969-8510 ext. 4119. For further updates, please follow our youth program accounts on Instagram:
- NYRC – @nyrcnativeyouth
- 7th Generation Image Makers – @7thgenerationimagemakers
- Ogichidaa Kwe – @ogichidaakweto
- Native Youth Advisory Council – @nyacnativeyouth
- The Ode’l Min Walk-in Clinic is now operating virtually every Monday. For more information or to request an appoint, email asargent@nativechild.org
Additional Resources
- COVID-19 concerns, closures have families and communities heading out on the land, CBC News
- Decolonizing community care in response to COVID-19, NDN Collective
- Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home: Being Child-Centered During the Pandemic, Indigenous Motherhood
- There's a massive free catalogue of Indigenous films online — and we have 6 picks to get you started, CBC News
- Metis Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program. Support to Métis folx, expectant parents and families with children 0 – 6 including peer counseling, referrals, diapers. Contact email alexandrian@metisnation.org or cell 1-647-615-6724.
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (1-855-242-3310 - 24Hours): Immediate, culturally competent telephone counselling, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in English, French and upon request in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut