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Parent Resources
This page is updated as information is made available or received. Check back often!
Educational Resources
How to Access Your Child's Online Education Platforms
Parents' Guide to Google Classroom
Suggested Schedule for Structure & "Normalcy" During School Closure
Educational Companies Offering Free Subscriptions
Virtual Field Trips
Scholastic: Learn at Home
Mystery Science Lessons
Science: National Geographic Kids
Reading: Squiggle Park
Reading: Storyline Online
History for Kids
Activities to Do with Kids
School Shelf - Resources for High School Parents, Students & Educators
Audible - Listen to Stories Online
Imagineering in a Box Lessons: Disney Partners with Kahn Academy
Highlands Library Services: Digital Resources
Free High School E-Books
Free Grades K-6 E-Books
Big Timber Media – Bundles for grades K-12
Esebco Books - Username: keepreading Password: sebco ID:1
Junior Library Guild
Free Epic ebooks
Wordle Game Play Unlimited
Health, Mental Health & Counseling Services
School Counseling Resources
Resolve Crisis Center
A crisis can be anything from feeling lonely and needing to talk, to feeling overwhelmed with life. Stress and problems — both large and small — fill each of our lives and we all have moments of crisis. No matter how big or small these problems seem, it helps to talk with someone. There is no need to wait until a problem spirals out of control to reach out for help. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call 1-888-796-8226. resolve Crisis Services will answer. resolve is a 24-hour, 365-day crisis service. It's free to all residents of Allegheny County, regardless of your ability to pay. Both Allegheny County and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital sponsor our services.
COVID-19 / At-Home Mental Health Resources List
Helping Vulnerable Students Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19
Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource
Samaritan Counseling - Offers video and telephone therapy during the coronavirus outbreak. Visit samaritancounseling.net or call 412-741-7430 for more information
Pyramid Healthcare - Pyramid Healthcare is providing outpatient drug & alcohol treatment for teens via tele-health. Interested parties should call their toll-free number to schedule for their son or daughter: 1-888-694-9996.
Free & Reduced Cost Internet Providers
Comcast Internet Essentials: https://www.internetessentials.com
AT&T: https://m.att.com/shopmobile/internet/access/ (Phone: 855-220-5211)
Sprint: https://fedgov.sprint.com/app/ConnectEDII/ProgramRequirements/2-0_lp
Spectrum: https://www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist.html
Verizon: www.verizon.com/support/residential/account/manage-account/lifeline-discount
USAC: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/lifeline-support-affordable-communications
How to turn your phone into a hotspot (be sure to check with your cell phone provider regarding possible charges): https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-turn-your-phone-into-a-wi-fi-hotspot
Rumor Control
Allegheny County has started a website that aims to stop the spread of misinformation about COVID-19. You can visit the website HERE.
Jeremiah's Place - Emergency Childcare Service Completely Free to Families in Need
Currently, there is very limited availability due to social distances guidelines and staffing constraints, but they want to try to help as many families as possible. If you are a family in need of short term emergency childcare or respite services, please call Jeremiah’s Place first to discuss the availability and plan an intake. Call at 412-924-0726 https://jeremiahsplace.org/contact-us/
Pittsburgh-Area Utility Companies
Contact the United Way Covid-19 Community Economic Relief Fund for help with bills, rent, food at 866-211-9966
Electric Companies:
Allegheny Power 800-255-3443
Duquesne Light 888-393-7100
Penn Power 800-720-3600
Telephone/Cable:
Armstrong Cable 724-776-4200
AT&T Broadband 412-741-1840
Comcast Cable 800-824-2290
Sprint 800-829-8009
Verizon 800-660-2215
Verizon Fios 855-326-9185
Gas Companies:
Columbia Gas 888-460-4332
Dominion Peoples 800-764-0111
Equitable Gas 800-654-6335
Trash & Hauling:
Allied Waste 800-464-2120
BFI 412-429-8009
Vogel Disposal 724-625-1511
Waste Management 800-458-4090
Unemployment Compensation
Workers that are unable to work because of COVID-19 may be eligible for UC benefits or WC benefits. The following information is now available on the state’s website:
You may be eligible if:
Your employer temporarily closes or goes out of business because of COVID-19
Your employer reduces your hours because of COVID-19
You have been told not to work because your employer feels you might get or spread COVID-19
You have been told to quarantine or self-isolate, or live/work in a county under government-recommended mitigation efforts
Apply: Online – it’s the fastest and easiest way to get started
Important info:
If you are eligible for UC, you will receive two approval letters and a four-digit PIN
Your PIN will arrive in the U.S. mail – keep it in a safe, easy to remember place
If approved, your first benefit payment should arrive within four weeks of filing for UC
Food Services
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank: 724-226-0606
Northside Common Ministries Food Pantry: 412-323-1170
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: 412-460-3663
North Hills Food Bank: 412-366-7477
CHS Food Pantry: 412-246-1688
Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries: 412-414-3125
Power Up Health & Nutrition
Power Up has compiled a list of helpful resources addressing health and nutrition around the pandemic. Additionally, our staff members have been busy making #PowerUpAtHome videos to share. The videos include demonstrating recipes, quick 1-minute lessons, brain breaks, and much more! All these resources can be found on the Power Up website. The content will also be shared across social media platforms. Parents may also be interested in the Power Up Kids Cookbook for meal and snack ideas! If possible, we would like to hear from families during this time to see how we can provide support: Power Up Household Survey
Emergency Assistance Program
Important resource for low-income families in Pennsylvania who have had a recent loss of income:
Human Services Launches Emergency Assistance Program to Help Low-Income Families Amidst COVID-19
Families who qualify will be eligible for a one-time payment to assist them in meeting basic needs and help them secure more stable financial footing in the future.
The program will be open to families with a child under the age of 18 or a woman who is currently pregnant.
In order to qualify, families must have at least one person in the household who was employed as of March 11, 2020 and experienced an hour or wage reduction of at least 50 percent for two weeks or more or lost employment entirely due to the public health crisis.
The emergency assistance application is available online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Families should be prepared to submit all necessary documentation with their application to expedite processing and avoid having to apply again. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, May 11 through June 12 or until all funds are expended.
Childcare Option
Trying Together, in collaboration with Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and others, has developed a valuable resource for finding open child care spots in Allegheny County. The Allegheny Child Care Finder website, launched in May, enables families to search for available child care spots at early learning, after-school, out-of-school, and virtual programs in real time. It’s available here: https://find.alleghenychildcare.org/families. In addition, Trying Together’s experts are available to provide instruction on how to use the search tool and, more generally, how to find, choose, and pay for high-quality child care in Allegheny County. To schedule a presentation or webinar with them, or to invite them to be part of an upcoming meeting you’re hosting, please contact info@tryingtogether.org.
