| CCPS school staff are available for parents/guardians who have concerns about their children's social, emotional and behavioral development. Please visit your school's website under Announcements for your counselor, school psychologist and Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) phone numbers. If you have a question or need support from a school psychologist during the summer, call Dr. Michael Blanchard, Supervising School Psychologist, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 301-539-2443. |
DIAL 2-1-1 OR CALL OR TEXT YOUR ZIPCODE TO 898-211 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 Maryland Crisis Hotline — 1-800-422-0009 For coronavirus text alerts: Text “MdReady” to 898211 to get alerts, tips, and resources related to the new coronavirus.
https://211md.org/
WHAT IS 2-1-1? 2-1-1 is a quick and easy way to find information and get referrals for thousands of programs and services across Maryland.
WHO SHOULD CALL? Anyone of any age can call 2-1-1 at anytime. 2-1-1 call specialists are trained to assist people dealing with all kinds of challenges including housing, utility shutoffs, family crisis, financial, legal, employment, and other problems. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in over 180 languages. 2-1-1 is also accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing through Maryland Relay (dial 7-1-1).
DOES IT COST ANYTHING? 2-1-1 services are free. Your telephone provider’s long-distance rates may apply if you are calling one of our local numbers from out of the area. If you are calling from a cell phone, air time and other cell phone charges may apply. If you or a loved one need help or support, pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1 today.
USING THE 2-1-1 DATABASE The 2-1-1 Maryland database has information on thousands of health and human services across Maryland. Type in a word or short phrase representing your need, or select a county for all services in that area. You can also use any of the Common Search terms listed on the site to jump directly to that category.
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio
1-888-628-9454
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
State-wide 24-hour crisis intervention and supportive counseling hotline for suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, loneliness, depression, chemical dependency issues, and others.
Address 75 Industrial Park Drive Waldorf, MD 20602
Phone 301-645-1837; 240-607-2592
Fax 301-645-9169
http://tcysb.org/
The mission of Tri-County Youth Services Bureau is to provide a respectful and compassionate atmosphere for youth and their families in Southern Maryland to learn through educational and counseling services how to communicate more creatively and how to more effectively understand and promote the values which are unique to each family.
Physical Address 6100 Radio Station Road La Plata, Maryland 20646
Mailing Address P. O. Box 2924 La Plata, MD 20646
Phone 301-609-9887
https://center-for-children.org/
Talking with your children about COVID-19
An outbreak of COVID-19, a respiratory disease first diagnosed late last year in China, is now a pandemic — meaning it is a global outbreak. It is not known how many cases of COVID-19 there are in the U.S., but it is a contagious disease with the severity of the illness varying from person to person.
Showing concern without panicking, and taking precautions to reduce the risk of illness or spreading it to others, are appropriate actions. Parents and guardians can help their children cope with anxiety about COVID-19 by providing facts and correct information about illness prevention.
Children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful situations and events. A child’s anxiety will rise if they see their parents are overly worried, according to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Parents can reassure their child that health and school officials are working hard to make sure people are staying healthy. Children need age-appropriate information and facts. Depending on their age, talk to your child about the seriousness of illness and the steps they can take to prevent becoming ill or spreading an illness to others. Giving a child a sense of control can help ease their anxiety. The NASP recommends the following:
- Remain calm and reassuring.
- Make yourself available.
- Avoid excessive blaming.
- Monitor television viewing and social media use.
- Maintain a normal routine as much as possible.
- Be honest and accurate.
- Know the symptoms of COVID-19 and
- Talk about and model proper hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices that can prevent illness.
March 17, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians:
While schools are closed throughout the state in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is committed to ensuring our parents and guardians have access to mental health supports related to concerns about COVID-19.
CCPS school psychologists are available to speak with parents and guardians who need assistance during this time. Call 240-776-5802 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a school psychologist, starting Wednesday, March 18. Our psychologists are mental health professionals, however, calls do not constitute a counseling relationship, should not be considered confidential and topics of conversation should focus on educationally relevant topics related to COVID-19. Psychologists may refer parents and guardians in need of additional help to the Tri-County Youth Services Bureau (TCYSB) for mental health services.
Children need age-appropriate information and facts. Depending on their age, talk to your child about the seriousness of this illness and the steps they can take to prevent becoming ill or spreading an illness to others. Giving a child a sense of control can help ease their anxiety. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends the following:
- Remain calm and reassuring.
- Make yourself available.
- Avoid excessive blaming.
- Monitor television viewing and social media use.
- Maintain a normal routine as much as possible.
- Be honest and accurate.
- Know the symptoms of COVID-19.
- Talk about and model proper hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices that can prevent illness.
Please visit the CCPS website at www.ccboe.com for more ways to help your child cope with the impact COVID-19 has made on day-to-day life. The website is also where you can learn the latest information regarding the school closure as we receive it.
We continue to work with the Charles County Department of Health, and local and state leaders as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. As of today, all Charles County public schools remain closed until March 27.
We will continue to keep you informed.
Sincerely,
Kimberly A. Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Additional Resources
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
Helping kids transition back to school
Resources for parents of English Language Learners (ELL) students
Talking with your child about Coronavirus from Child Mind Institute
My kid's school is closed, so now what?
Talking with Children about COVID-19 from CDC
Tips for Nurturing and Protecting Children at Home
Manage Stress and Anxiety During Coronavirus
Mental Health and Medical Support
Tri-County Youth Services
301-645-1837
Department of Social Services
301-392-6400
Charles County Department of Health, Mental Health Services
Maryland Health Connection
Maryland Health Connection family resources
Maryland State Department of Health mental health resources
Text the word HOME to 741741 about any type of crisis at any time.
