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Livingston County Health Department Guidance
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Livingston County Health Department Guidance - I have received some questions from staff about the various scenarios we could face as we return to school. As stated, we work closely with the Livingston County Health Department on any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Moreover, the Livingston County Health Department's Return to School Toolkit provides details regarding these procedures. To view the Return to School Toolkit, click here. The District's Leadership Team has discussed this toolkit and is prepared to respond to various scenarios. In addition, our families have been provided the Parent Toolkit.  

Mental & Social-Emotional Health

● HPS will activate its Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)system to refer at-risk students to appropriate building-level support teams.

● The Office of Instructional Services will organize staff facilitators to develop flexible professional development opportunities relative to social-emotional learning based on the CASEL Reunite Renew Thrive Roadmap.

● HPS will utilize its existing crisis management plan that leverages available internal and external/community-based resources, which will be activated as needed (e.g., loss of student, loss of a school staff member).

● HPS will provide a list of wellness resources available to both staffand students/familiesthat reference school and community wellness resources.

● HPS will establish ongoing reporting protocols through its regular staff newsletter for school staff to evaluate physical and mental health status.

● HPS will provide resources for staff self-care, including resiliency strategiesfrom the TRAILS program affiliated with the University of Michigan Medical School.

  HPS will continue to leverage MDE resourcesfor student and staff mental health and wellness support.

● HPS will remain connected with MDEabout policies and guidance.

● HPS will provide office hours and remote access phone numbers for all school counselors during any suspension of in-person instruction. Counselor office hours and contact numbers are shared in district updates sent to all families and posted online.

● HPS will communicate with families, through its regular district updates, return to school transition information including:

○ Destigmatization of COVID-19

○ Understanding normal behavioral response to crises

○ General best practices of talking through trauma with children

○ Positive self-care strategies that promote health and wellness

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2020-2021 Resources and Opportunities

From Your K-12 School Counselors

These programs and organizations are not affiliated with or endorsed by Howell Public Schools.

For support or resources, please reach out to your School Counselor. This document is updated weekly.

R E A D I N G  A N D  L E A R N I N G

  • HOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ~ HPS is posting free learning opportunities on the district’s website. You can find these at https://bit.ly/2NiVBYh.
  • TEACHABLES ~ Scholastic offers free printables and "stay-on-track packs" for students in grades K-6. Go to www.howelllibrary.org, under the Homework Help webpage. It is accessible to anyone with an active Howell Library card (hint: the library barcode number is your student’s ID number and the PIN is 1234).
  • HOWELL CARNEGIE DISTRICT LIBRARY ~ They offer Howell Public Schools students access to their online resources using their student ID card. The library barcode number is the student ID number and the PIN is 1234.
  • PBS KIDS ~ Free learning activities, videos, games, and tips for families: https://pbskids.org/.
  • WORLD BOOK KIDS ~ Visit this free website to research animals, play games, and more.
  • SCHOLASTIC offers day-by-day projects to keep kids learning, thinking, and growing: click here for fun!
  • SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ~ Click here for some good ideas for building skills in the areas of self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, and relationships.

P A R E N T I N G

  • Raising a middle-schooler? Check out these helpful tips!
  • Visit Great Start Livingston for up-to-date information on supports, activities and events for parents and families in Livingston County.
  • Visit https://booksthathealkids.blogspot.com for contemporary book recommendations that address many issues facing children and families, including nutrition, divorce, grief, dog safety, moving, boredom, and sibling rivalry. Then, find them at the library (library barcode number is the student ID number and the PIN is 1234).
  • Visit commonsensemedia.org for independent reviews, age ratings, and other information about all types of media (movies, games, TV shows, books, apps, websites, and music).
  • Click here for tips on positive parenting during times of crisis from the MSU Extension.

J U S T   F O R  F U N

  • COMMUNITY EVENTS ~ Check out Great Start Livingston’s extensive calendar of community events!
  • AT HOME ~ Click here for 100 free ideas for family fun at home from CNN Health. Also, check out these Lego Challenges (daily ideas for building with bricks).
  • THE LIBRARY ~ Howell Library has a Virtual Events Page, listing a few activities for your enjoyment. If you have any questions, send them an email at askus@howelllibrary.org.
  • COMMUNITY SERVICE ~ Create greeting cards to send to troops overseas (amillionthanks.org) or distribute food at a food pantry (foodpantries.org).
  • ART ~ McHarper Manor is going live daily with free art & craft tutorials to create at home with your kids! They’ll have shopping lists (with links to the supplies you can order from Amazon) to have on-hand to complete the projects with us! Or try Art For Kids Hub, where you’ll find all kinds of art lessons for kids, including how to draw, paint and do origami.
  • VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS ~ Travel virtually to places like Mars, The Great Wall of China, zoos, and more.  
  • MUSIC ~ Check out this list of Ultimate Musical Games.
  • BE ACTIVE ~  Go hiking on one of these trails in SE Michigan.
  • SCIENCE ~ Check out these daily science experiments posted by Longway Planetarium and Michigan Science Center.
  • VISION BOARDS ~ A great way to instill hope and keep busy. Check out these tips.

F O O D

  • Click here for the 2020 Food Resource Guide, which includes seasonal food programs, pantries, and hot meals.  
  • The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) will provide food assistance to families of students ages five-eighteen who receive free or reduced-price school meals. Qualifying families will receive $193.80 per child for the months of March and April, and $182.40 per child for the months of May and June combined. If your family's income has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, or if you have had an income change since the beginning of the school year, you may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. This will provide access to the benefits of the P-EBT program to your family. To review the eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price school meals, or to apply for them, please visit https://bit.ly/2z6nDlP.
  • Need food but don’t have transportation? The Salvation Army will deliver a pre-made box of pantry staples. No proof of income required. Fill out the online request here.
  • The Salvation Army of Livingston County will be providing free lunches from M-F from 12:00-1:00.
  • Tim Horton’s is providing free lunches to children at the drive-thru: M-F (11-1). Kids must be in the car.
  • Fish and Loaves is offering free hot meal pick-up.
  • For food programs in Livingston County, visit The Livingston Hunger Council.
  • Bountiful Harvest in Brighton offers a food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing pantry, and resource center for kids in the free and reduced lunch program. Call 810-360-0271 to schedule pick-ups and deliveries.
  • Burger King is offering TWO free kids meals with any purchase. Must order online. Click “offers” and “add coupon to cart.”
  • Gleaners has several local food distribution sites; call 517.548.3710 for pantry appointments.
  • Locate a pantry in your area, visit www.pantrynet.org or www.fbcmich.org.
  • Michigan Food Assistance Program questions:  Call 1-855-275-6424. To apply for benefits: www.michigan.gov/mibridges.
  • EatMoreTea (211 E. Ann Street, Ann Arbor) is offering free lunches to children from 11am-1pm.
  • Revive Sips and Sweets (1006 N Saginaw Rd, Suite A, Holly) will be providing free sack lunches for kids.
  • Download the Flash Food App and receive major discounts on food items at Meijer. Items that are nearing their best before date are up to 50% off.

C O V I D - 1 9  I N F O R M A T I O N


  • THE PARENT TOOLKIT ~ If you have not already done so, please review the Livingston County Health Department’s Parent Toolkit. This toolkit provides an overview of COVID-19 and how schools and the health department will work together should there be a possible case of COVID-19 in a building. You can view the toolkit at https://bit.ly/2PLeaoW. The last two pages of the toolkit contain information about when a student should stay home from school.
  • Think you need to be tested? Call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 hotline at 1.888.535.6136 daily 8am-5pm.
  • Want automatic email updates about the Coronavirus in Michigan? Click here and scroll all the way to the bottom.
  • Want updates on the situation, steps to prevent illness, and answers to common questions? Contact the Center for Disease Control.
  • Want information specific to Livingston County? Click here.

G E N E R A L  A S S I S T A N C E

  • Are you in crisis, or do you have a specific need? Post it on this posting board. Our community is coming together to ensure people’s basic needs are met.
  • “Like” your school’s Facebook page (if applicable) - schools may provide ideas, resources, and information.
  • Call or text 2-1-1 - a hotline that can connect you to services in our community.
  • Here is a Community Resource Sheet that includes support in the areas of child care, medical needs, insurance, housing, employment, senior supports, and more.
  • Connect with local resources (emergency supports, mental health, transportation) at https://www.livgov.com/hscb.

S P E C I A L  C O N C E R N S

  • CABLE ~ AT&T, Comcast and Charter Spectrum have announced changes for the general public. Comcast and Charter Spectrum are offering free internet for 60 days for qualifying families. Lastly, some wireless providers have removed their data limits during this time (AT&T). Please check with your wireless provider to see if they are removing their data limits.
  • BENEFITS ~ To apply for Food, Cash, Medicaid, Emergency Housing or Utility Assistance visit www.michigan.gov/mibridges. If you need assistance applying for benefits call (517) 548-0200.
  • CHILDCARE ~ If you are an Essential Worker (such as first responders, medical personnel, key government officials, etc.) during the COVID-19 pandemic and are in need of child care, please fill out this form: Livingston County Essential Worker Child Care Form.
  • CLOTHES ~ Livingston County Kids Closet supports children who are in need, at-risk, underprivileged, struggling, and/or facing a crisis. They provide FREE clothes, backpacks, hygiene products, toys, and school supplies. Make an appointment to shop: 10140 W. Grand River, Fowlerville; 810.373.2663.