If during this time away from school you find yourself struggling emotionally or in need of someone to talk to, there is help you can reach out to. Here are some useful phone numbers and websites (In an emergency, dial 911.):
YouthLine -- Text teen2teen to 839863, or call 1-877-968-8491
Meals and Community Resources
Renton School District Breakfast and Lunch Program
Meals are available for any child, ages 1-18, in the front lot of each Renton School from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday-Friday. Meals are “grab and go” - and are intended to be taken off campus or even picked up through car windows. Meals are free and no ID is required. Students can pick up meals at any school or location nearest to them. Child must be present to receive a meal. Please pre-order your meals for your pick-up location:If you are planning to drop by for a free meal, please click each date below and let us know what site you'll be coming to and how many children you'll have with you. This information will help with our planning to be better prepared to serve students. We'll have extra meals available for those who didn't get a chance to order. Orders must be placed before 8 p.m. the night before.
Dr. Jennifer Blossom, a psychology postdoctoral fellow at Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Clinic, gives advice on how to share information with the children and teens in your life in a way that helps prevent too much worry.
Resources include daily email tips for parenting during the crisis, twice-daily Facebook Live video chats with expert clinicians, consultations, and many more resources for parents. The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
Find the “Coping with the Stress of an Infectious Disease Outbreak like COVID-19” section, which includes how to help children of different age groups cope.
Connects families with mental health providers who have openings in their schedule and can meet your child’s needs. We link you to providers in your local area who fit your child’s specialty needs and insurance coverage. Washington state funds the free referral service and Seattle Children’s operates it.