COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Northwest Education Services (North Ed) will use this webpage to provide COVID-19-related information and resources to our school community.

Order FREE , rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits HERE

The FDA extended the shelf-life from 6 months to 12 months for previously issued i-Health test kits.

Check updated i-Health Test Kit Expiration Extension dates HERE

Northwest Education Services' COVID-19 Protocol

2022-23 School Year

North Ed will continue to follow the guidance of local health experts and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as we monitor COVID-19’s presence in our community. The CDC guidance may be read on the agency's website, and a brief summary of the guidance is below:

Continue to support vaccination as a means of protecting oneself from contracting COVID-19 and experiencing serious illness, hospitalization and death. We encourage someone who is considering vaccination to discuss that option with their medical provider.
If you test positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you stay home for five days and wear a mask for five days upon return to work or school.
If you are exposed to someone who has COVID-19, quarantine is not required. However, you should monitor for symptoms and consider wearing a mask when around others.

North Ed employees must access their own sick time when missing work for COVID-19, as they do with other illnesses.

To review the full guidance, visit the CDC's website.

Please understand there is still a need to be flexible, and North Ed may adjust its COVID-19 policy in response to infection trends and changes in guidance from government agencies. We will notify our school community of any changes in our policy.

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services/County Health Departments

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) reports outbreak information by school building on Michigan's Coronavirus website each Monday at 3 p.m., and will include K-12, college and university school name, address, number of cases and if the cases involved staff, students or both.

State Health Department Resources:

Michigan.gov/coronavirus

MDHHS Coronavirus website - Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services

Grand Traverse County Health Department
Serving Grand Traverse County

Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
Serving Benzie and Leelanau counties

District Health Department #10 Coronavirus information
Serving Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newayo, Oceana and Wexford counties

Northwest Michigan Department of Health
Serving Charlevoix, Harbor Springs/Petoskey, Gaylord, Mancelona and Bellaire

Government Agency COVID-19 Information & Resources

The following resources are provided by federal, state, and local government and health officials

MICHIGAN RESOURCES
Michigan.gov/coronavirus
Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
MI Safe Start Map
MI Safe Schools: Return to School Roadmap
MI School-Related Outbreak Reporting
MDHHS tips on TRAVELING
MDHHS Celebrating the Holidays During COVID-19
MI COVID Alert - Get notifications if someone you have been near tests positive for the virus

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-535-6136 (Daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY & REGIONAL RESOURCES
GTCHD School-related COVID-19 Close Contact Quarantines (12-2021)
Health Department of Northwest Michigan-Youth Vaccinations
Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Website/ Weekly Updates (gtcountycovid19.com)
Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Information for Schools
Return to School Toolkit
Process for a COVID-19 Case at School

MI DHHS COVID-19 Exposure Infographic

FEDERAL RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC official site)
CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus
CDC Contact Tracing Practices
CEC Prevention Information
Stop the Spread of Germs (poster)
Know your Travel Risk
Know When to Delay Your Travel to Avoid Spreading COVID-19

Emotional & Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Resources

Michael's Place - Grief support
Phone: 231-947-6453

Third Level Services - Crisis intervention/suicide prevention
24-hour Hotline: 800-442-7315 or 231-922-4800

MI Department of Education: Mental Health Toolkit

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

The Trevor Project - Crisis intervention/suicide prevention
TrevorChat: (best accessed from a computer)
24/7 TrevorLifeline: 866-488-7386
TrevorText: text "START" to 678678 (6AM-1AM EST)

Family Assessment & Safety Team (FAST): 833-295-0616 (24/7 Hotline)
Call FAST if:

An individual is experiencing out of control behaviors that place him/herself at risk of harming self or others
An individual is expressing thoughts of suicide
An individual is experiencing severe stress that is resulting in a significant decline in daily and/or family functioning.
You just don’t know what else to do

Social-Emotional Development in Young Children

Youth Mental Health Resources

Young people face many challenges, including those that impact mental health, and COVID has made those challenges even more pressing. We worked with area organizations and healthcare providers to gather youth mental health resources in northwestern Michigan. The document here contains links that may help youth, families and educators to organizations that are equipped to help. Check it out!

Youth Mental Health Resources

How to talk to children about COVID-19

Resources to support awareness and reduce fear for children

Countering COVID-19 stigma and racism: Tips for parent and caregivers (NASPonline.org)

Trauma-Informed Response Principles

TBAISD Social-Emotional Remote Toolkit

A Parent Resource - Talking to Children about COVID-19

Videos for Kids:
The Mysteries of Life - Coronavirus, by BrainPOP
Sesame Street Coronavirus Town Hall, with Dr. Leana Wen
Discouraging the Spread of Germs with Elmo and Rosita, in English and in Spanish

Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus, on National Public Radio (NPR)

Managing Anxiety and Coping: Check out Child Mind Institute’s Supporting Families During COVID-19 resource guide for parents and their children

Communicating with Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak, from MDHHS

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) COVID-19 Resource - LINK
This resource has social stories and visual supports related to COVID-19 to help students better understand what the virus is, why schools are closed, and how they can stay healthy. These supports can be especially effective with students with disabilities, such as those with complex communication needs or autism.

U of M Department of Psychiatry - Helping Young Kids Through the Coronavirus Crisis

Northwest lower Michigan early childhood resources: 5toOne.org

Childcare Resources

Families who are seeking childcare assistance may call 877-614-7328 or visit www.Greatstarttoquality.org. for additional information.

To find childcare providers who have the capacity to provide care for children of essential workers call 2-1-1 to be routed to someone in our community who can help.

General Community Resources

Northwest Michigan Works! - access this link for resources that support workers, unemployed individuals, and community residents

OK2SAY: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say

24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, or text LOVEIS to 22522 (for survivors & victims)

If you suspect child abuse, contact local law enforcement immediately by dialing 911 or the DHHS Hotline at 1-855-444-3911

Substance Use/Substance Use Disorder recovery support:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/388460735141614?view=permalink&id=492835488037471

Michigan Unemployment Information: 1-866-500-0017
(recent expansion of qualifiers due to COVID-19)
For the fastest assistance submitting claims, go online

United Way of Northwest Michigan: Call 2-1-1 if you or someone you know need assistance with food, housing or financial support. This is also a way to volunteer to help in your community.

Public Transportation: Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA)

Resources for School Staff

Michigan Department of Education COVID-19 Communications

Health-Related Resources

Preparing for Infectious Disease Epidemics (National Association of School Psychologists)

Brief Action Steps for School Crisis Response Teams (National Association of School Psychologists)

Remote Learning Toolkit

School Employee COVID-19 Grant Information

October 29, 2020 - Notice to School Teachers & Support Staff re: COVID-19 Grant Application
November 5, 2020 - Teacher/Support Staff COVID-19 Grant Eligibility Letter

National Resources for Families

Resources for families seeking assistance

Unemployment Insurance: Find out if you’re eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Here’s how to get started in applying for unemployment benefits in your state
Unemployment Insurance, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family Leave: If the pandemic has affected your ability to work, find out what national and state benefits you may be entitled to.
Mortgage Assistance: Check out Federal Housing Finance Agency’s information on mortgage assistance for homeowners. If your ability to pay your mortgage is impacted, and your loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you may be eligible to delay monthly mortgage payments for a temporary period. To find out if Fannie or Freddie own your mortgage, you can search your address on here
Access to SNAP: To see if you might be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, visit the SNAP eligibility and application process page
Immigrant Families’s guide for federal public programs that support individuals and families with health care, cash assistance, food assistance and unemployment assistance.

Resources for families looking for health coverage

Insurance Options: Remember that you can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year — Medicaid and CHIP do not have restricted Open Enrollment Periods. Learn about free or low-cost health insurance options for your family based on your state, household income, and children in the home from insurekidsnow.gov
Options Following Job Loss: New York Times’ Q&A on health insurance, especially for those that have lost their job – Create an account to access free up-to-date information and expert guidance on coronavirus. No subscription required.

Self care and wellness resources for families

Self Care for Caregivers: Visit Zero to Three’s guide on the importance of taking care of yourself

2020-21 School Year Case Reports

2020-21 School year required Notice of Case Reports: