Free Resources for Organizations Serving Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our schedules have changed. Our plans have changed. Our world has changed. And two people who this affects dramatically are moms and dads.

Parents with children of all ages are struggling with how to interact with their children during this unusual time, and may also be experiencing increased stress and feelings of hopelessness.

In this post, I’ve compiled a number of free resources that practitioners can use and share—not only on their organization's social media accounts and in emails to families—but also directly with fathers and families for them to use with their children.

For Organizations

The World Health Organization (WHO) offers free social media tiles you can share with the families you serve via their #healthyathome campaign.

The following five topics each have a set of social media tiles you can download and share:

• Physical Activity
• Mental Health
• Quitting Tobacco
• Healthy Parenting
• Healthy Diet

To get the social media tiles: visit each of the above webpages, scroll down each page to the “Social Media Tiles” section, then right click to the save each image to your computer.

To Share with the Parents You Serve

• Article: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus (PBS Kids)
• Tips to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behavior and build resilience: Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home (Healthy Children/American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event tip Sheet from cdc.gov: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/pdf/Coping_with_Disaster.pdf
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral health: Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak (SAMHSA.gov)

This interactive resource that guides viewers to insight by having them select their current concerns or feelings: Supporting Your Mental Health During Coronavirus (All Mental Health). It is also available in Spanish here.

Free Storybook for Parents to Share with Kids

From this webpage featuring a news release from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee:

A new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.

With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality.

The book – aimed primarily at children aged 6-11 years old – is a project of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, a unique collaboration of United Nations agencies, national and international nongovernmental organizations and international agencies providing mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings.

“My Hero is You” is available as a FREE, downloadable book in many languages on this webpage.

The video below features well-known artist, Howard Donald, giving the first public reading of “My Hero is You”.

National Fatherhood Initiative® wishes you, your families, and the families you serve courage and safety during this difficult time.