Resources for Educators
Remote Learning Resources
ISBE Remote Learning Guidelines state that remote learning plans should address accessibility for all students, including students who receive special education services, students experiencing homelessness, and English language learners. The most up to date information and news from ISBE can be found here.
ISBE Remote Learning Recommendations emphasize accessible and equitable planning, instruction and grading which consider the home contexts of all students. Grade level recommendations, recommendations for special education, multilingual learners, and dual enrollment or alternative programs are available here.
ISBE's full collection of continuing education resources includes resources by grade level and subject and resources for special education and English Language Learners. Most resources come at no cost to educators and schools.
The Learn Away! website is designed for educators teaching K-12 to find and share remote learning resources. It was developed in a partnership between the University of Illinois, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, ISBE, educators across the state and partner organizations. Educator resources, curriculum ideas, and a form to share resources are all available on the site, and will soon feature short webinars from educators around the country.
Everfi is a no cost catalogue of digital learning resources focused on the skills needed for life, including social emotional learning, health and wellness, financial capability, and career readiness, all aligned with state and national standards. They are also providing free remote learning webinars for educators. The registration link for new educators is here.
Learning Ally is free for all Illinois schools and districts, and provides over 82,000 authentic texts and textbooks to support equitable access for students with disabilities who are struggling to read. For students to access these materials, school districts or school administrators must enroll here. Parent resources can be found here.
Facing History and Ourselves has created a lesson on the Coronavirus, to help students protect themselves and stand up to racism. They are also offering a series of on demand webinars and extensive resources for educators.
Scholastic is providing remote learning resources for teachers and families, which include daily lesson plans for Pre-K and Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2, Grades 3-5, and 6-9.
PBS Learning Media offers no cost educational videos in all subjects for students from Pre-K through 12th Grade that adhere to state standards, with a portal for students. PBS Kids is available for early childhood students.
Remote Learning for Special Education
The United States Department of Education has issued an FAQ regarding services for students receiving special education during the COVID-19 outbreak.
ISBE has provided recommendations specific to Special Education available here.
The Council for Exceptional Children is offering the following for free to educators:
Free membership to their resources through May 31st with the code CECED60. Basic membership grants access to journal articles, member discounts on publications and events and an online community.
Two free webinars on Teaching Special Education Online During COVID-19 and Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
Online educator resources for speech, physical and occupational therapy.
Remote Learning for English Language Learners
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is providing a collection of remote learning resources for English Language Learners.
Online Trainings and Webinars
TSDC Trainings
Circle Up: May 6th, 2020 10am-12pm CST will focus on the use of Circles, a core restorative practice, to create more meaningful online interactions and promote accountability and equity in schools. Please register for this event here.
Foundations of Restorative Practice: May 19th, 2020 10am-12pm CST will address the question: when harm occurs, how can we make it right? Participants will use the values and mindset of restorative justice to cultivate more restorative responses and cultures when harm and conflict occur. Please register for this event here.
Additional Trainings and Webinars
Teach Plus Illinois, in partnership with Illinois State Teachers of the Year and the National Board, is offering All Means All: Making Remote Learning Work for Every Illinois Educator. These sessions provide a free, facilitated, collaborative space for Illinois teachers to adapt to the new remote learning environment.
The TREP Project is providing a course and certification on Understanding Trauma and Trauma Responsive Educational Practices at no cost to educators.
The International Institute for Restorative Practices has a series of free webinars concerning Restorative Practices and community health, supporting youth through restorative practices, and fostering equity in schools through restorative leadership.
Everfi is providing free remote learning webinars for educators. The registration link for new educators is here.
The Council for Exceptional Children is offering two free webinars on Teaching Special Education Online During COVID-19 and Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis.
Social and Emotional Learning
Calm Classroom has released an e-book to support the emotional and mental well-being of children and adults, with techniques to practice focus and relaxation for increased well-being and resilience.
The Chicago Public Schools Office of Social and Emotional Learning has provided the following recommendations to support SEL during school closures:
Building community through being available and accessible to students and families, creating clear communication plans, and encouraging interaction
Teaching SEL skills, with consideration of existing performance descriptors for Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grades 1-5, and Grades 6-12
Sharing SEL resources with families and responding to students' questions and concerns
The Yale Child Study Center- Scholastic Collaborative published a free printable book for children to process their feelings during the Coronavirus in English and Spanish.
Restorative Practices
Many schools are adhering to their student code of conduct throughout the school closures. Per ISBE's general guidance and recommendations, it is important to consider the home contexts of all students in instruction and grading, and the same consideration should be extended to responding to students' challenging behavior.
The TSDC has toolkits for educators and administrators seeking to practice Restorative Justice with general and Special Education students. All decisions regarding special education must comply with guidance from the US Department of Education.
The International Institute for Restorative Practices has a series of free webinars concerning Restorative Practices and community health, supporting youth through restorative practices, and fostering equity in schools through restorative leadership.
How to Share Space: Creating Community in Classrooms and Beyond was created by Project NIA, and can be adapted to online learning communities.
The Chicago Public Schools Office of Social and Emotional Learning has issued guidance for responding to challenging behavior online, which includes adhering to their existing Restorative Practices Toolkit.
Google Suite for Education has provided recommendations for teachers using G Suite, including online trainings for best practices.
Edutopia has released articles on extending classroom management online, teaching through a pandemic, and the five best strategies for distance learning.
Resources for Families
Calm Classroom has released an e-book to support the emotional and mental well-being of children and adults, with techniques to practice focus and relaxation for increased well-being and resilience.
The Yale Child Study Center- Scholastic Collaborative published a free printable book for children to process their feelings during the Coronavirus in English and Spanish.
PBS Kids is available for early childhood students, with a resource portal for parents.
Everfi is providing scholarships for K-12 students, and the application can be found here.
A comic to help kids understand the Coronavirus.
CDC's recommendations for talking to kids about COVID-19.
The Center for Childhood Resilience has compiled a resource page for parents and children navigating COIVD19 and Stay at Home orders, including Caregiver Guides in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Strengthening Chicago's Youth COVID-19 resources.
Assistance for Illinois Families
Comprehensive lists can be found on the Illinois Department of Human Services and City of Chicago resource pages.
Directories of Illinois resources and announcement during the COVID-19 crisis are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Polish, Arabic, Tagalog, Hindi, and Urdu.
Cash Assistance
Use this link to see if you are eligible for any of the following programs. People who are eligible for these benefits can apply using an English application or Spanish application. If an online application is not possible, you can apply at your local Family Community Resource Center using the DHS Office Locator. After applying, you can use ABE Manage My Case to manage your benefits at any time.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) helps pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children with temporary cash and other benefits. TANF can help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low income people and families buy groceries. Benefits are provided on the Illinois Link Card, an electronic card that is accepted at most grocery stores.
Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) is for people who are aged, blind and/or disabled and need money. A person who is eligible for the AABD Cash program receives cash and Healthcare Coverage.
Meal Assistance
The Emergency Food Program provides no cost food assistance to low income families. Check if you are eligible here. Use this list of food pantries and soup kitchens to connect with services.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program provides food assistance to people that are pregnant, new mothers and children.
CPS families can pick up meals at any of these sites from 9am- 1pm Monday through Friday. If you are not able to get to a distribution site, use this food distribution request form for delivery. Requests for after school and weekend food assistance can be made here.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides online resources and a map of available food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile food distribution in Cook County.
Feeding America provides map locations of their nationwide network of food banks available to anyone in need of assistance.
Meals for Kids interactive nationwide meal distribution map.
Meals on Wheels is continuing to operate and is available to seniors.
The City of Chicago Homelessness Food and Shelter Directory provides a list of emergency food programs currently operating.
USDA National Hunger Hotline is available in English at 866-3-HUNGRY or in Spanish at 877-8-HAMBRE
Health Care Coverage
Illinois offers coverage to eligible children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities. These programs provide access to health care at a reasonable cost. Check eligibility here and fill out the application, available in English and Spanish. If an online application is not possible, you can apply at your local Family Community Resource Center using the DHS Office Locator. After applying, you can use ABE Manage My Case to manage your benefits at any time.
Using the Illinois Health Care Portal, parents can sign their children up for affordable health care programs, seniors can sign up for affordable prescription programs, and people can access information on free breast and cervical cancer screening.
All Kids provides comprehensive health care to uninsured kids, which includes doctors and hospital visits, vision and dental, prescriptions, and medical equipment.
Directory of free clinics the city of Chicago and Illinois.
Community Health Centers are available for all non- emergency medical services and Coronavirus testing. No patient will be turned away because of inability to pay.
Mental Health America has provided a comprehensive guide on information and resources for maintaining mental health during COVID19
Call 833-626-4244 to connect with a NAMI Helpline mental health counselor.
Call 833-TURN-123 to connect with a Bright Star Community Outreach trauma counselor.
Free teletherapy services are available through the Chicago Department of Public Mental Health via their phone number 312-747-1020.
Housing Assistance
City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program is providing monetary assistance for Chicago residents.
Directory of shelters for people currently experiencing homelessness.
DFSS Centers in Chicago and IDHS Centers in the state of Illinois assist people in need access shelter, food, clothing, domestic violence assistance, rehabilitation, job training and re-entry services for people who were previously incarcerated.
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless response and recommendations for the COVID19 crisis.
The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 via call or text at 877-863-6338.
Assistance for Immigrants and Refugees
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee rights has released a comprehensive list of resources available and a map of health care clinics available to all people regardless of status at no or low cost.
DACA Recipients qualify for Unemployment insurance in Illinois. Claims can be filed here, using these instructions.