Crisis Support for Children with Unexpected Supervision Changes
Special Update: Due to the COVID-19 we are adding special resources to staff and families who may need assistance during this difficult time.
Special Information for students needing a place to stay during COVID-19
Students please know all CMS schools are “Safe Place” locations. With school buildings being closed, I want to make sure that Safe Place services continue to be available to youth ages 7 and up, and On Ramp services are available for youth ages 18 and up. If you’re not familiar with this service, they provide youth with short-term shelter and supported living when they cannot be in their own homes, or have been kicked out. In typical times, youth who are kicked out of their homes may stay with a friend. Due to COVID-19 fears, many families are less willing to take in an outside person. Safe Place and On Ramp are viable options. For more information, see the attachments and the Safe Place website.
Note that these resources are not only for our students’ families but can support CMS employees and their children as well:
Sometimes, children find themselves in situations where they are unexpectedly home alone or even locked out of their home with no caretaker present. Across any given school year, this challenge could occur when parents/guardians are in situations as typical as being stuck in traffic or as challenging as an unexpected medical emergency where the parent/guardian is unable to activate crisis supports. When CMS staff are aware of these unexpected situations prior to a student’s departure from school, staff are should keep the student in the physical custody of school staff while emergency contacts and/or community supports are activated for students. At times, however, this is not the case.
To address this challenge, CMS schools should partner with families to ensure that all school-age children are taught the following information and skills:
1. Who are the safe adults in my neighborhood and community?
2. What do I do if I feel unsafe?
3. Where do I go if I need help?
4. How do I get help in a safe way?
5. What do I do if there is an emergency and my family is not available?
6. What are the safe phone numbers and resources available to me?
Safe sign that all children should recognize for use when needed:
Resources for children in crisis:
* 911
* 311 * Safe Place - http://nationalsafeplace.org/mobile/what-is-safe-place/ * The Relatives - (704) 377-0602- http://www.therelatives.org/our-programs/youth-crisis-center/
* DSS – (980)314-3577
Special Information for students needing a place to stay during COVID-19
Students please know all CMS schools are “Safe Place” locations. With school buildings being closed, I want to make sure that Safe Place services continue to be available to youth ages 7 and up, and On Ramp services are available for youth ages 18 and up. If you’re not familiar with this service, they provide youth with short-term shelter and supported living when they cannot be in their own homes, or have been kicked out. In typical times, youth who are kicked out of their homes may stay with a friend. Due to COVID-19 fears, many families are less willing to take in an outside person. Safe Place and On Ramp are viable options. For more information, see the attachments and the Safe Place website.
Note that these resources are not only for our students’ families but can support CMS employees and their children as well:
- Common Wealth Charlotte has received federal COVID 19 funds to issue zero interest loans to families in financial need.
- The easiest way for a client to access and fill out a loan application is to text “FINANCES” to 474747. They can also submit a message via the following Common Wealth Charlotte webpage indicating an interest in a loan: https://www.commonwealthcharlotte.org/contact.
- The North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children is able to support student needs for a wide range of things, but the referral must be made by a school staff person. Here’s a bit more information from the foundation:
- Any individual employed by a North Carolina public school (teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses, etc.) may submit a request through our website - https://www.ncfpsc.org - on behalf of a students within that personnel's school. Be sure to get parent permission first.
- The only eligibility requirement is that students must be enrolled in grades Pre-K through 12 in a North Carolina public school.
- No red tape, no bureaucracy:
- We trust the word of the educator. If the need meets the criteria that no other resources will provide for the need and the need directly impacts student learning, our goal is to respond and pay in less than a week. We work directly with medical providers, vendors, etc to provide payment.
- * We will make every effort to facilitate student needs in such a way they or family members do not have to leave home.
Sometimes, children find themselves in situations where they are unexpectedly home alone or even locked out of their home with no caretaker present. Across any given school year, this challenge could occur when parents/guardians are in situations as typical as being stuck in traffic or as challenging as an unexpected medical emergency where the parent/guardian is unable to activate crisis supports. When CMS staff are aware of these unexpected situations prior to a student’s departure from school, staff are should keep the student in the physical custody of school staff while emergency contacts and/or community supports are activated for students. At times, however, this is not the case.
To address this challenge, CMS schools should partner with families to ensure that all school-age children are taught the following information and skills:
1. Who are the safe adults in my neighborhood and community?
2. What do I do if I feel unsafe?
3. Where do I go if I need help?
4. How do I get help in a safe way?
5. What do I do if there is an emergency and my family is not available?
6. What are the safe phone numbers and resources available to me?
Safe sign that all children should recognize for use when needed:
Resources for children in crisis:
* 911
* 311 * Safe Place - http://nationalsafeplace.org/mobile/what-is-safe-place/ * The Relatives - (704) 377-0602- http://www.therelatives.org/our-programs/youth-crisis-center/
* DSS – (980)314-3577
If you see this symbol posted, it is a safe place to go and receive support.
These may be posted on schools, libraries, and fire stations etc.
These may be posted on schools, libraries, and fire stations etc.