We’ve got your back!
Dear INMED Families:
To protect our children and families, the INMED Family & Youth Opportunity Center is following the recommendation of Loudoun County Public Schools to CLOSE until schools reopen.
We understand you may be especially hard hit by the containment measures associated with combating the Coronavirus. So, although our center is closed, our staff is working diligently to make sure you and your family are supported during this challenging time.Whether it’s accessing resources for your children to attend school remotely while Loudoun County Public Schools are closed or linking you to job placement services if you’re a laid-off hourly worker or helping your family with groceries, INMED’s Family & Youth Opportunity Center is here for you.
Contact us at 703-729-4951 or rtobar@inmed.org for more information on resources available to you, and let us know other ways we can help. You can also keep up to date with the latest information on the CoronaVirus by visiting https://www.loudoun.gov/5307/Coronavirus?AID=Get-the-latest-information-on-COVID19-
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline
Loudoun County’s Limited Rent Assistance Program: https://www.loudoun.gov/LRA. Residents who need assistance with applications may call our Information and Referral line at 703-777-0420.
In the first grant distribution of $25,000, Catholic Charities and Loudoun Cares will jointly rotate staff to respond to requests for financial assistance through a newly established COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline. Loudoun residents who need help paying rent as a result of lost wages from the COVID-19 crisis can call the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline at 703-669-5040. Trained staff from Catholic Charities and Loudoun Cares will work together to complete an intake process and assess the needs of each caller. Eligibility requirements to receive financial assistance from the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline may be found at https://www.ccda.net/need-help/rent,-utility-assistance,-and-basic-household-needs/. Eligible callers may be able to receive up to $500 in financial assistance.
We encourage you to share the new COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline number with the people you serve in Loudoun County who may be in financial need.
In addition to providing financial assistance to callers using the CERF funds, Catholic Charities and Loudoun Cares also will help callers identify additional government, nonprofit, and faith-based resources. Both organizations have extensive experience helping people in need access financial assistance and community services through Catholic Charities’ Emergency Assistance Program, and Loudoun Cares’ Information and Referral Helpline.
En Español
Receive text messages in Spanish regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). To opt in for this service, text LCCOVIDESP to 888777
Resources in Spanish are posted at loudoun.gov/COVIDespanol
Lo que necesita saber sobre COVID-19: encuentre información importante de el condado de Loudoun
Loudoun Government Video: https://youtu.be/wZIy4T1vFS4
COVID-19 PROTEGIENDONOS A NOSOTROS MISMOS, NUESTRAS FAMILIAS Y NUESTRA COMUNIDAD
VAMOS A COCINAR! RECETAS SALUDABLES PARA NIÑOS
DIVERTIDAS ACTIVIDADES PARA HACER DENTRO DE LA CASA DURANTE LA CUARENTENA
FOOD
LCPS Here Comes the Bus App: Here Comes the Bus® is an easy-to-use mobile app and website that uses GPS tracking information to allow parents to see when their child’s bus is arriving. The program is easy to follow, has a customizable map and works on either a computer, tablet or smartphone, allowing parents to see where the bus is and how close it is to the child’s stop. The program is available in English, Spanish and French. The mobile app can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store. To sign up for Here Comes the Bus®, you will need to know your student’s ID number and school code which is 79902.
PLEASE NOTE: During the meal delivery period, parents will receive notification that the bus is entering the zone around their meal stop depending on your choice of notification (email and/or text). Please monitor the bus in the app or website as you may not receive arrival notification via push or email. Once a run has been completed, the bus will not be visible in the app or webpage. During the regular school year, parents will see when the bus arrives at the stop.
INMED Healthy Families Loudoun: Food Security Resource List in English and Spanish
Food Delivery: LCPS has its school buses delivering breakfast and lunches!
Interactive Map for Residents to find grocery stores and pharmacies with designated hours for vulnerable individuals: Loudoun.gov/grocery
Food at Loudoun Sheriff’s Department: Eastern Substation located 46620 E. Fredrick Dr, Sterling VA 703-777-0445. Donated by Loudoun Hunger Relief. The food is separated into bags that last couple of days for a single person. Each bag has pasta, sauce, rice, beans, peanut butter, and canned vegetables. If you know of anyone impacted by the COVID-19 disaster and can use some help, please send them to the Eastern Loudoun Station.
Loudoun Hunger Relief: 703-777-5911 Call for an appointment.
Loudoun County Services
Loudoun County Government Resources in Spanish: YouTube Video, Spanish Resources
Loudoun County Public Schools Updates: https://www.lcps.org Facebook: @LCPSofficial
LCPS COVID FAQ’s: https://www.lcps.org/Page/227558
Loudoun County Public Library: https://library.loudoun.gov/
Loudoun County Public Libraries may be closed, but the Internet is not! LCPL offers online access to hundreds of ebooks, audio books, films, games and more that your kids can browse right on a smartphone. Visit https://library.loudoun.gov/online or @LoudounCountyPublicLibrary on Facebook. Adult supervision advised.
Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging: To receive assistance from a case manager or an aging program specialist, please send an email to aaasupport@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0257.
Department of Family Services Information and Referral Services: The HHS I&R program can provide information and offer referrals for human service-related assistance. 703-777-0420
Emergency Mental Health Services: For mental health needs please call 703-777-0320 or Same Day Access Program at 703-771-5155
Technology
LCPS Free Mobile Hotspots Grades 3-12: Families and staff will need to formally request a device via the described process. To request a device, families/staff must: Complete the online form or Call the LCPS Technology Support Center at 571-252-2112 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
COMCAST: Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, new Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service. Apply here…
COMCAST: is offering the Essentials internet package for free for 60 days https://www.internetessentials.com/
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint have removed data limits for cellular data customers
https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response
https://newsroom.sprint.com/covid-19-updates-sprint-responds.htm
Verizon offers unlimited data on hotspots and cell phones
ZOOM: Free Basic Video Conferencing Software
Other Resources
COVID 19 Protecting Ourselves Our Families & Our Community
Fun Indoor Activities during Self-Quaratine
Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Whitehouse.gov: 15 days to slow the spread
Virginia Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 For Coronavirus specific questions call 703-737-8300
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter: LAWS staff will telework rather than provide in-person services. Please call 703-777-6552 to receive services by phone. These services include safety planning, advocacy, counseling, legal consults, legal intakes, etc.
Kid Activity Apps: Kids and quarantine are typically not a good match. Keep your kids active during the coronavirus pandemic with the best activity apps for kids recommended by UNICEF. Visit https://www.unicefkidpower.org/best-apps-for-keeping-kids-active.
COVID-19 AVOIDANCE/CONTAINMENT GUIDELINES
- Practice prudence and social-distancing by avoiding large crowds, gatherings of more than a few people, and person-to-person contact closer than 6 ft.
- WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY and thoroughly clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water;
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue, throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough;
- If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
- When in doubt, stay home.
HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE
Wash your hands! It’s fun! Print Recipe
If you’re running low on soap but can’t find any at the stores, have some good clean fun making your own soap with your kids. It’s a favorite activity of our after-school program at the Opportunity Center.
You’ll need:
- Plastic soap molds or plastic cups
- Vegetable cooking spray or petroleum jelly
- Pure glycerin soap (sold in blocks or cubes at craft stores)
- Microwave-safe measuring cup
- Red, yellow, and blue soap dyes (found at craft stores)
- Small plastic animals or trinkets (optional)
- A chopstick or popsicle stick
Directions:
- Spray the interior of the plastic molds with a small amount of cooking spray. Make sure to cover all areas. If you use too much spray, wipe away the excess with a paper towel. Likew
ise, if you are using petroleum jelly, use just enough to lightly cover the mold. - Melt small amounts of glycerin soap. Have your child place cubes of soap in the measuring cup. Put the cup in the microwave and set on high for 30 seconds. If some solid soap still remains, microwave in 10-second intervals until it is melted but not boiling.
- Remove the melted soap from the microwave. An adult should do this, because the soap will be very hot.
- Have your child add a drop or two of the liquid soap dye to the melted soap stir mixture with a chopstick or Popsicle stick.
- Carefully pour the hot soap into the molds or cups about a third of the way to the top. Let the soap cool for about 20 minutes, then have your child place a plastic animal or trinket into the semi-hardened soap.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 to melt and color the remaining soap. Pour a second layer of soap into the mold, covering the plastic animal or trinket. Let it cool and harden for at least 2 hours. Once it’s cool, turn the mold upside down and pop the soap out.
You won’t need to remind your kids to wash their hands with this fun soap!