Resources for Families during COVID-19

Twin Cities German Immersion School reviews its Covid-19 prevention measures daily and posts updates here as needed. Practices are based on the latest recommendations from the  Minnesota Department of Education, the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health.

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Family
​Resources 

Stress Management Resources

Free and reduced internet options

• Reduced cost internet ($9.95) is available to families who have at least 1 student who receives free & reduced lunch. https://internetessentials.com/
• Families who need free or low-cost internet services can contact Comcast (call 855-846-8376) and CenturyLink (call 888-833-9522).  TCGIS does not endorse either of these services.

Free Meals for Children under 18

• A list of School Districts providing emergency meals for students.

Other Meal Resources for Families:
Twin cities restaurants providing free kid’s meals during school closures
Programs and restaurants offering food to families in Minnesota
Restaurants offering free lunches to students (K-12) during school closures
Minneapolis Public Schools is serving meals at 20 different sites.  
Saint Paul Public Schools are offering meals for all St. Paul families.  
St. Louis Park Schools are offering grab and go meals.  
Hopkins Public Schools are offering drive up and walk up grab and go meals.  
Robbinsdale Area Schools are staffing 4 feeding sites at schools that are walk up or drive up with breakfast and lunch. 

Minnesota Unemployment Information
From the MN Unemployment Insurance website: 

• If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment benefits. We are taking steps to make the application process a little simpler for those affected.  The Walz-Flanagan administration and the Minnesota Legislature are actively considering a variety of measures to assist workers and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Updates will be posted on this site and on mn.gov/deed -- please check back regularly.
• Online unemployment application
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Prepare your family and household

• CDC instructions for How to Prepare Your Family if COVID spreads to our community.
• This CDC checklist will help individuals and families develop a household plan. 

Practice social distancing

• MDH describes what and why social distancing is important. 
• Here’s a helpful graphic from the Washington Post about the impact social distancing can have on flattening the curve. 
• This means no playdates. 

​Take care of yourself and your family’s behavioral health

• MN Dept. of Health provides these resources to help families manage mental/emotional stress during a public health emergency. 
• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 - from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network