The Maker’s Clubhouse Family Resource Guide

We at The Maker’s Clubhouse hope that you find this guide of resources helpful. This will be continuously updated so please make sure to check back often. Click the “Show document outline” button near the top left to skip to specific sections and information.

COVID-19 Information

 

Where to get reliable updates 

 

Preventative Measures

  • Social distancing. Stay home except for emergencies and limit grocery shopping to once per week

  • Protect the immunocompromised people in your life (elderly, those with asthma) by social isolating and encouraging them to isolate as well 

  • No gatherings of more than 10 people

  • Wash your hands frequently such as every few hours and every time you walk in the door

  • Avoid touching your face

  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs, counters, electronics

  • If you feel you may have been in contact with it, remove your clothes when arriving home to wash them and take a shower. Take off shoes and wipe them down at the door.

 

What to do if you get it 

  • Stay home for at least 14 days

  • Stay six feet away from other family members to prevent contaminating others

  • Acetaminophen (i.e.,Tylenol) will treat fever

  • Decongestant (i.e., Mucinex) will break down mucus

  • Cold / Flu Medication will help treat symptoms such as runny nose, cough, and fever

  • Moisture will alleviate breathing and break up mucus. Consider using a humidifier or using the steam from a hot shower

 

How to talk to your kids about COVID-19

  • Explain to children that people are getting sick and in order for them to get better, it is important to stay at home to protect ourselves and others

  • Encourage your children to use preventative health measures by washing hands frequently and coughing into their elbow

 

What are “essential businesses”?

  • Grocery stores, speciality food stores, gas stations, general merchandise stores, pharmacies, utility companies, hospitals, community food and housing, banks 

  • Full list of PA "essential businesses" and full list of federal government list here

  • If you are a small business owner and need an exception, click here to fill out this form.

 

What are “Allowable Individual Activities” 

  • Individuals may leave their residence ONLY to perform any of the following allowable individual activities and allowable essential travel.

    • Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, or the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as obtaining medicine or medical supplies, visiting a healthcare professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.

    • Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as getting food and household consumer products, pet food, and supplies necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences. This includes volunteer efforts to distribute meals and other life-sustaining services to those in need.

    • Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking or running if they maintain social distancing.

    • To perform work providing essential products and services at a life-sustaining business (see below for details about life-sustaining business activities).

    • To care for a family member or pet in another household.

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Allowable Essential Travel

Any travel related to the provision of or access to the above-mentioned individual activities or life-sustaining business activities (see below for details about life-sustaining business activities), travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons, travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services, travel to return to a place of residence from an outside jurisdiction, travel required by law enforcement or court order, travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the commonwealth, and anyone performing life-sustaining travel does not need paperwork to prove the reason for travel.

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Additional Guidance

Additionally, nothing in this policy shall be construed to affect the operations of health care or medical service providers, access to life-sustaining services for low-income residents, including, but not limited to, food banks, access to child care services for employees of life-sustaining businesses that remain open as follows: child care facilities operating under the Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning waiver process; group and family child care operating in a residence; and part-day school age programs operating under an exemption from the March 19, 2020 business closure Orders, the news media, law enforcement, the federal government, and religious institutions.

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What Is Social Distancing?

  • Social distancing means staying away from close contact in public spaces. It includes actions like staying out of places where lots of people gather and maintaining distance — approximately 6 feet — from others.

  • Social distancing also includes minimizing contact with people by avoiding public transportation when possible, limiting nonessential travel, working from home, and skipping social gatherings.

  • All Pennsylvanians should practice social distancing — not just those who are seriously ill or at high risk.

  • Social distancing is a proven way to slow the spread of pandemics.

 

Assistance and Information (Financial, Health, Food, etc)

 

Updates from the Government

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Help and Information regarding Income, Rent, Utilities, Bills and more. 

 

Where to Find Food

  • Grab and Go School Meals 
  • 2-1-1/United Way

    • Click here to visit 2-1-1’s website on COVID-19 service

  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

    • See below for a list of local locations 

    • Income Guidelines 

      • Household Size: 1, Annual: $18,735, Monthly: $1,561

      • Household Size: 2, Annual: $25,365, Monthly: $2,114

      • Household Size: 3, Annual: $31,995, Monthly: $2,666

      • Household Size: 4, Annual: $38,625, Monthly: $3,219

      • Per additional person add $6,630 per year/$553 per month

    • COVID-19 Emergency Distributions Update

  • Giant Eagle

    • Senior Hour

      • Ages 60, differently abled or immune-compromised shoppers can shop from 6AM to 7AM Monday through Friday 

    • Grocery Delivery and Pickup

      • No Contact Pickup: Free pickup for orders of $35 and over

      • No Contact Delivery: Next-Day Delivery - as low as $5.95, Same-Day Delivery - as low as $9.95

      • Click here to begin a cart

      • Payment Options: Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover), Giant Eagle gift cards, cash and checks at select locations 

  • ALDI

    • Hours for vulnerable customers 

      • On Tuesdays and Thursdays, ALDI will open at 8:30AM and reserve the first hour of business for vulnerable shoppers including senior citizens, expectant mothers and those with underlying health conditions

    • Grocery Delivery and Pickup 

      • Grocery Delivery: Free delivery on first three orders of $35 or more (Use code SHOPALDI20 at checkout)

      • Grocery Pickup: Free pickup on first three orders of $35 or more (Use code SHOPALDI20 at checkout)

      • Click here to begin a cart

      • Payment Options: Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover)

  • Operation Better Block Map of Food Spots 
  • Walmart
  • Imperfect Food 

 

Access to Technology 

  • Computer Reach

    • Link to website here

    • Donate here

      • If possible, donations are needed to refurbish laptops so students and families have access to technology during this time of online homeschooling

 

Mental Health Resources 

  • United Way of Southwest PA's COVID-19 Hotline

    •  Toll free number: 1-888-856-2774 or 211.

  • Resolve Crisis Network 24-Hour Help 

    • Click here to go to their website

    • Toll free number: 1-888-7-YOU-CAN (796-8226)

  • Peer Support and Advisory Network (PSAN)
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Hotline 

    • Click here to go to their website

    • Toll free number: 1-800-985-5990

 

Women Resources

 

Mindfulness 

  • Mindfulness Tips

    • Establish routines - Routine is essential in maintaining normalcy in uncertain times. 

    • Set intentions - When you wake up, take some deep breaths and set an intention for the day; no matter how big or small an intention can help to keep you focused and positive.

    • Stay active, if possible - Take walks, stretch, or anything else that helps you get your body moving and loosen any anxiety you may be experiencing.

    • Simple meditation - Sit comfortably with your feet on the floor and your back supported by a chair. Take some deep breaths and notice how your body is feeling. Take notice of the sensations you are feeling and honor any tension or anxiety you may be holding. 

  • Links to mindfulness-based media 
 

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Locations

 

(within 3 mile radius of 15208

or 3 mile radius of 15206)

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Staying Connected

Zoom 

Skype 

 

Educational Resources

 

General

  • Khan Academy Kids (Pre-school, Kindergarten, 1st Grade)
  • Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents from NCTSN

 

Math

 

Reading and English Language Arts

 

STEAM

 

Social-Emotional 

 

Other

  • Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19 from NASP

    • Stay calm, listen, and offer reassurance

      • Be a role model: Children will react to and follow your reactions

      • Be aware of how you talk about COVID-19: Your discussion about COVID-19 can increase/decrease your child’s fears 

      • Explain social distancing: Children probably don't fully understand why parents/guardians aren't allowing them to be friends

      • Demonstrate deep breathing: This is a valuable tool for calming the nervous system

      • Focus on the positive: Celebrate having more time to spend as a family

      • Establish and maintain a daily routine: Keeping a regular schedule provides a sense of control, predictability, calm, and well-being

      • Identify projects that might help others

    • Monitor television viewing and social media 

    • Take time to talk

    • Be honest and accurate 

      • Correct misinformation: Children often imagine situations worse than reality; therefore, offering developmentally appropriate facts can reduce fears 

      • Explain simple safety steps: Tell your child this disease spreads between people who are in close contact with one another, when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or when one touches infected objects or surfaces 

    • Keep explanations age-appropriate 

      • Early elementary school children: provide brief, simple information that balances COVID-19 facts with appropriate reassurances that adults are there to help keep them healthy and to take care of them if they do get sick. Give simple examples of the steps people make every day to stop germs and stay healthy, such as washing hands. Use language such as "adults are working hard to keep you safe."

      • Upper elementary and early middle school children: this age group often is more vocal in asking questions about whether they indeed are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 spreads in their area. They may need assistance separating reality from rumor and fantasy. Discuss the efforts national, state, and community leaders are doing to prevent germs from spreading.