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Many national organizations are also looking to hire. Here’s a current list:

• COSTCO
• PepsiCo
• Tom Thumb + Albertsons
• Kroger
• Aldi 
• Postmates 
• CVS 
• Walgreen’s 
• Walmart 
• Walmart Distribution Center
• Target 
• Dollar General  
• Family Dollar 
• Dollar Tree 
• Ahi Facility Services 
• Papa John’s 
• Pizza Hut 
• Domino’s 
• 7-Eleven 
• North Texas Food Bank  

• If your employment has been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19), apply for benefits either online at any time using Unemployment Benefits Services or by calling TWC’s Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.

Unemployment Insurance
Anyone who has lost their job due to coronavirus or has had to take time off to self-quarantine or care for a sick relative (and does not get paid sick time from work) may apply for Unemployment Insurance.

Childcare for Essential Workers Frontline Child Care provides information on childcare options for Dallas’ frontline workers. The site was launched by Governor Greg Abbott and various state agencies to make sure those still working through this pandemic have access to childcare. Check out the site here.

Workers’ Comp
Anyone whose job has brought them into direct contact with someone with coronavirus (for instance, a first responder or a health care worker) and has become ill or are required to quarantine, can file for Workers’ Comp.

You know your children best. Let their questions be your guides as to how much information to provide. However, don’t avoid giving them the information that health experts identify as critical to ensuring your children’s health. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their concerns readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. It is very typical for younger children to ask a few questions, return to playing, then come back to ask more questions.

When sharing information, it is important to make sure to provide facts without promoting a high level of stress, remind children that adults are working to address this concern, and give children actions they can take to protect themselves.

Remain calm and reassuring.

• • • Children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions.
    • What you say and do about COVID-19, current prevention efforts, and related events can either increase or decrease your children’s anxiety.
    • If true, emphasize to your children that they and your family are fine.
    • Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy.
    • Let your children talk about their feelings and help reframe their concerns into the appropriate perspective.

Make yourself available.

• • • Children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns, fears, and questions.
    • It is important that they know they have someone who will listen to them; make time for them.
    • Tell them you love them and give them plenty of affection.

Avoid excessive blaming.

• • • When tensions are high, sometimes we try to blame someone.
    • It is important to avoid stereotyping any one group of people as responsible for the virus.
    • Bullying or negative comments made toward others should be stopped and reported to the school.
    • Be aware of any comments that other adults are having around your family. You may have to explain what comments mean if they are different than the values that you have at home.

Monitor television viewing and social media.

• • • Limit television viewing or access to information on the internet and throughout social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that might be upsetting when your children are present.
    • Speak to your child about how many stories about COVID-19 on the internet may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
    • Talk to your child about factual information of this disease – this can help reduce anxiety.
    • Constantly watching updates on the status of COVID-19 can increase anxiety – avoid this.
    • Be aware that developmentally inappropriate information (i.e., information designed for adults) can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children.
    • Engage your child in games or other interesting activities instead.

Maintain a normal routine to the extent possible.

• • • Keep to a regular schedule, as this can be reassuring and promotes physical health.
    • Encourage your children to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.

Be honest and accurate.

• • • In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality.
    • Don’t ignore their concerns, but rather explain that at the present moment very few people in this country are sick with COVID-19.
    • Children can be told this disease is thought to be spread between people who are in close contact with one another – when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
    • It is also thought it can be spread when you touch an infected surface or object, which is why it is so important to protect yourself.

Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.

Steps to protect children from getting sick

• Clean hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer 
• Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing)
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
• Launder items including washable plush toys as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

Children may present with mild symptoms The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. It’s not known yet whether some children may be at higher risk for severe illness, for example, children with underlying medical conditions and special healthcare needs. There is more to learn about how the disease impacts children.

Children don’t need to wear face masks. No. If your child is healthy, there is no need for them to wear a facemask. Only people who have symptoms of illness or who are providing care to those who are ill should wear masks.

Children and their friends Limit Social Interactions: The key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to limit contact as much as possible.  

Practice Social Distancing If you have small meetups, consider hanging out with another family or friend who is also taking extra measures to put distance between themselves and others (social distancing).

Clean Hands Often: Make sure children practice everyday preventive behaviors, such as washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important if you have been in a public place.

Revise Spring Break & Travel Plans: Revise spring break and travel plans if they included non-essential travel. 

Remember, if children meet outside of school in bigger groups, it can put everyone at risk.

Help children continue learning; Stay in touch with your child’s school. Many schools are offering lessons online (virtual learning). Review assignments from the school, and help your child establish a reasonable pace for completing the work. You may need to assist your child with turning on devices, reading instructions, and typing answers. Communicate challenges to your school. If you face technology or connectivity issues, or if your child is having a hard time completing assignments, let the school know.

Create a schedule and routine for learning at home, but remain flexible.

• • • Have consistent bedtimes and get up at the same time, Monday through Friday.
    • Structure the day for learning, free time, healthy meals and snacks, and physical activity.
    • Allow flexibility in the schedule—it’s okay to adapt based on your day. 

Consider the needs and adjustment required for your child’s age group.

• • • The transition to being at home will be different for preschoolers, K-5, middle school students, and high school students. Talk to your child about expectations and how they are adjusting to being at home versus at school.
    • Consider ways your child can stay connected with their friends without spending time in person.

Look for ways to make learning fun.

• • • Have hands-on activities, like puzzles, painting, drawing, and making things.
    • Independent play can also be used in place of structured learning. Encourage children to build a fort from sheets or practice counting by stacking blocks.
    • Practice handwriting and grammar by writing letters to family members. This is a great way to connect and limit face-to-face contact.
    • Start a journal with your child to document this time and discuss the shared experience.
    • Use audiobooks or see if your local library is hosting virtual or live-streamed reading events.

Help your child stay active.

• • • Encourage your child to play outdoors—it’s great for physical and mental health. Take a walk with your child or go on a bike ride.
    • Use indoor activity breaks (e.g., stretch breaks, dance breaks) throughout the day to help your child stay healthy and focused.

Help your child stay socially connected.

• • • Reach out to friends and family via phone or video chats.
    • Write cards or letters to family members they may not be able to visit.
    • Some schools and non-profits, such as the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning and The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence have resources for social and emotional learning. Check to see if your school has tips and guidelines to help support social and emotional needs of your child

Watch for signs of stress in your child. Some common changes to watch for include excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, and difficulty with attention and concentration.

Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.

Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include

• • • Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
    • Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)
    • Excessive worry or sadness
    • Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
    • Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens
    • Poor school performance or avoiding school
    • Difficulty with attention and concentration
    • Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
    • Unexplained headaches or body pain
    • Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

There are many things you can do to support your child

• • • Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
    • Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
    • Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
    • Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
    • Be a role model.  Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.

When stress is high, structure is so important for our children. Many children will be spending lots of screen time over the next few weeks on learning activities, so here are a few screen-free creative activities for your children to do at home. These activities can be used in many different ways. Most of them can be completed with no supplies, or using common household objects.​

Step 1: Decorate Easter Eggs 

Step 2: Indoor Scavenger Hunt 

Step 3: Create Cards describing your children’s great qualities, have them do the same about you –  put these cards in a jar in the kitchen or living room.

Step 4: During this lunch time or dinner time – have your child pick a card from the jar. Kindness changes the atmosphere in a home.

Activities

• Create an indoor toy obstacle course. Use your child’s toys to create a course to climb over and crawl under, be creative!
• Play musical chairs. Put on some music and walk around a few chairs. Pause the music periodically and when the music stops, everyone tries to sit down. There should be a chair missing. Whoever does not get a chair, gets to play DJ and so forth.
• Sock basketball: Ball up a sock and throw it into a bucket/pai or bowl.
• Play Simon Says
• Play red light green light: the leader calls out “green light” and the players go, “yellow light” and the players go slow, “red light” and the players stop.
• Build a fort with blankets and pillows inside your house.  
• Take a walk with your child, write down how many birds you see.
• Pretend you’re camping while indoors.
• Have an indoor picnic.
• Read a book in the dark using a flashlight.
• Make a card for your Grocery Store Cashier.
• Have a Karaoke Party!
• Tic Tok with your child – find some common ground.