Families have a lot to digest during this time of the COVID-19 crisis.  Many families aren’t sure what to expect regarding their jobs, their bills, and basic necessities.  When under this much pressure, families may not know how to navigate the resources that are available for them.  That’s why it is important for school administrators to create a list of local resources so that teachers can share it with their families.  Here are some tips for creating a local resource list for immigrant families.

First of all, think about the various resources families need in a crisis.  Include basic necessities such as food, clothing, and medical care.  Make sure to include what your school district is offering, for food and schools supplies, as well as local resources families, such as:

·      Grab-n-Go centers

·      COVID-19 testing locations

·      A food bank

·      A clothing bank

·      Medical care (sliding scale)

·      Counseling (sliding scale)

·      An employment agency

·      Social services office

·      Local community/junior college

·      Local state university

You can find the information for all of these organizations online.  Additionally, while conducting your search for the above services, you are sure to encounter an array of local non-profit agencies that offer services that would be helpful to immigrant families. If you would like to learn more about working with immigrant students and their parents, The Latino Family Literacy Project continues to offer online video webinars that cover research and trends, which provide a cultural foundation and framework for understanding immigrant families.  The webinar and activities help you understand Latino parents in addition to how to get them involved in their children’s learning and school community.  The webinar will help staff better understand immigrant families so that you can create a well-rounded training for parents at your school when it resumes in the fall.