COVID-19 Resources:
The following list of resources represents a small fraction of the organizations and online tools available to individuals seeking information about autism spectrum disorders and/or COVID-19. Please use independent judgment and request references when considering the use of services from any professional. We value inclusion of a range of voices. We do not necessarily endorse all of the content on all of these websites, but we have found these resources to be useful.
General
- Seattle COVID-19 Resources (Many links from Office of the Mayor)
http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19 - COVID-19 Mutual Aid Resources (many links for food, shelter, and other support)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XRKHK18oWITqmAlgFhPmPm_o9PuCAiQ2hZeYXQ4Lt6Q/edit - The Arc of King County – COVID-19 Resources (many links, including social story, plain language resources, etc)
https://arcofkingcounty.org/resource-guide/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19.html - Seattle Times – Resources to support the community during COVID-19 outbreak – includes list of free lunches from school districts
https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/food-mental-health-support-and-more-resources-to-support-the-community-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/ - DDA COVID-19 Information
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/consumers-and-families/dda-coronavirus-information - FREE Washington State Legal Resources (includes templates for letters to landlords, employers, etc)
https://www.brumleylawfirm.com/covid-19-legal-resources?fbclid=IwAR3JGUDuw_dLcPmiJI5qQFu3IsDF0yNeyFEUbm0qemB08LaZtQgBHvLvy2Y - Burke from Home: Visit the Burke Museum from home with activities and resources for all ages
- My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19
From the University of Washington
Therapy/ASD-Specific
- Autism and COVID-19: How to Support Autistic People During the Coronavirus Pandemic
https://autisticandunapologetic.com/2020/03/20/autism-covid-19-how-to-support-autistic-people-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/ - Support Strategies for Uncertain Times This online resource breaks down seven essential support areas and offers detailed information on each.
https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/supporting-individuals-autism-through-uncertain-times - Autism Care Today: “Autism Care Today provides funding assistance to families throughout the United States on a quarterly basis. These grants are designed to provide access to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.” They have grants for families in immediate need and military families as well.
https://www.act-today.org/apply-for-grant/ - Autistic People of Color Fund: “The Autistic People of Color Fund will provide direct financial support to autistic people of color through individual microgrants of amounts between $100 to $500.”
https://autismandrace.com/autistic-people-of-color-fund/ - CDC For Caregivers: Preventing the spread of COVID19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html - UM-NSU CARD’s Let’s Talk About The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Whiteboard Social Narrative Video
https://youtu.be/xkZ23tDzN4c - National Child Traumatic Stress Network “Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”
https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf - Social Distance: The Game. Run a simulation to see how you can save more lives!
https://socialdistancegame.com/?sd1=0&sd2=25&d1=0&d2=5 - Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
- Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) – Does Washington’s COVID-19 Plan discriminate against disabled people, including Autistic people?
https://autisticadvocacy.org/2020/03/asan-partners-challenge-wa-discriminatory-covid19-plan/ - The Arc of King County – COVID-19 Resources (many links, including social story, plain language resources, etc)
https://arcofkingcounty.org/resource-guide/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19.html - DDA COVID-19 Information
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/consumers-and-families/dda-coronavirus-information - Need something to do while cooped up? Check out this new film on Netflix! “Crip Camp” A groundbreaking summer camp galvanizes a group of teens with disabilities to help build a movement, forging a new path toward equality. Executive produced by Michelle and Barack Obama.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496 - Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE)
- How Social Distancing-Friendly ‘Bear Hunts’ Are Uniting Neighborhoods Amid Coronavirust: https://time.com/5809613/bear-hunts-coronavirus/
- Sproutflix: The only distributor of films exclusively featuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Greater Lakes: https://www.glmhc.org/
- Comprehensive Life Resources: https://www.comprehensiveliferesources.org/
- HopeSparks: https://hopesparks.org/
- Catholic Community Services (CCS): https://ccsww.org/get-help/pierce-county/
- Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital: https://www.marybridge.org/coronavirus/
- MultiCare Behavioral Health: https://www.multicare.org/behavioral-health-programs-families-child/
- Connections Counseling: http://connectionscounselingnw.com
- Kwawachee Counseling Center: https://www.eptha.com/departments-and-services/mental-health/
Financial
- Please check the resources listed under “General” category with many links.
- This list of COVID/Autism Grants & Resources compiled by our staff
- Financial Resources for Washington State Residents affected by COVID-19 The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers impacted by the Coronavirus. We will add to this list as more resources become available. (Lots of links and information)
https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus/financial-resources - Apprisen: Apprisen is a non-profit that provides free or low-cost financial counseling services. They help with anything from budgeting to bankruptcy counseling. They also have many free online worksheets and budget guides.
https://www.apprisen.com/ - ModestNeeds.org: They “provide short-term financial assistance to individuals and families in temporary crisis who, because they are working and live just above the poverty level, are ineligible for most types of conventional social assistance but who (like many of us) are living one or two lost paychecks away from the kind of financial catastrophe that eventually leads to homelessness.”
https://www.modestneeds.org/about-us/
Healthcare
- Please check the resources listed under “General” category with many links.
- Special Enrollment period for Medicaid through April 8, 2020
https://www.wahbexchange.org/new-customers/who-can-sign-up/special-enrollment-period/ - FREE virtual visits from CHI Franciscan for symptoms of COVID19
https://www.chifranciscan.org/patients-and-visitors/covid-19.html - FREE virtual visits from Multicare for symptoms of COVID19
https://www.multicare.org/virtualcare/
Utilities
- Please check the resources listed under “General” category with many links.
- Internet
- Comcast resource for eligible households where families who qualify can get internet service for $9.95 a month. Comcast has now announced that they are giving new customers who qualify for this program 2 months free service. You can find information at: https://www.internetessentials.com/
- Phone
- Cellphone Lifeline Program: They provide free (or low cost) cell service to financially eligible households. One cell phone is available per household through several carrier networks. https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/3499/Cellphone-Lifeline-Program
- Utilities
- Tacoma Energy Assistance Program: EAP pays heating bills directly to utility companies for eligible applicants. Payments are based on eligible household’s fuel usage for the past 12 months and income. https://piercecountywa.gov/1280/Energy-Assistance
Can You Help Your Neighbors?
- Autistic People of Color Fund: “The Autistic People of Color Fund will provide direct financial support to autistic people of color through individual microgrants of amounts between $100 to $500.”
https://autismandrace.com/autistic-people-of-color-fund/ - COVID-19 Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQIA+ BIPOC Folks
https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid19-relief-fund-for-lgbtqi-bipoc-folks?mc_cid=dd1ca7e07a&mc_eid=cc832b2b46 - COVID-19 Mutual Aid Resources (many links for food, shelter, and other support)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XRKHK18oWITqmAlgFhPmPm_o9PuCAiQ2hZeYXQ4Lt6Q/edit - Meals on Wheels COVID19 Response Fund
https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/take-action/covid-19-response - No Kid Hungry Coronavirus Response Fund
https://www.nokidhungry.org/coronavirus - Seattle Foundation COVI19 Response Fund
https://www.seattlefoundation.org/communityimpact/civic-leadership/covid-19-response-fund - Seattle Hospitality Emergency Fund
https://www.gofundme.com/f/seattle-hospitality-emergency-fund - Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund
https://secure.feedingamerica.org/site/Donation2?28371.donation=form1&idb=1194873172&df_id=28371&mfc_pref=T&s_channel=no_channel&s_onsite_promo=hp_slider&s_subsrc=https://www.feedingamerica.org/&28371_donation=form1&s_src=W203DIRCT&_ga=2.237182848.1253061633.1584729067-1471151000.1584729067 - Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19
https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-artists?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet