Community Resources – Families

Dog Digz
Is a Therapy Dog Right for Your Child with Autism [Complete Guide]

Harvard University: Center on the Developing Child
A Guide to Covid-19 and Early Childhood Development

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEOFL)
Reemployment Assistance Contact form

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEOFL)
Youtube video on how to apply for unemployment.

News 6: ClickOrlando.com
Information on a New Mobile App for reemployment assistance.

New Mouth
Developmental Disabilities and Oral Health

OEL Community Resource Flyer

Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Corona Virus Disease

Regional Education Laboratory At Florida State University
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southeast partners with states, school districts, and other stakeholders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina to inform and improve education practice and policy in the region. REL Southeast brings together the critical elements for success: a thorough knowledge of the region’s education systems and contexts; a history of responding to the needs of state and local educators within the region; deep understanding of the critical issues to be addressed; and extensive expertise in research, analytical technical support, and dissemination. Our strengths include a strong presence in each state served and long-standing working relationships with state and local educators throughout the region.

Regional Education Laboratory At Florida State University Transition to Kindergarten
Videos and activities provide families with information about how to support children as they practice foundational reading skills at home.

Resources For Shared Parenting
Shared parenting is a collaborative parenting agreement in divorce or child custody determinations in which each parent has the responsibility and right to be actively involved in raising a child. Sometimes used as a synonym for joint custody, the idea behind shared parenting is that parental responsibilities should be shared by both of the child’s parents. Research over the last decade regarding the impact of divorce and separation on children has identified why shared parenting is so important:

A child will do best when both of his parents have consistent and meaningful involvement in his life.
A child should have routine, structured time and unstructured time with each of his parents.
Each parent will have unique and valuable contributions to make to the development of their child.
Cooperation and communication between parents are essential in arranging a child’s activities, and consistent rules in both homes can create a better sense of security for a child.

Spanish Resource for Families: Actividades para la Alfabetización Temprana
Las siguientes páginas traen 36 tarjetas de actividades para el desarrollo de las destrezas
de ¡Prepárate para leer!. Son actividades amenas y atractivas que preparan a los pequeños a la lectoescritura, y que usted puede realizar en casa con su niño de 4 años.

 

The Complete Guide To Sleep Regression
This guide contains plenty of helpful information such as:
• What sleep regression is, and why parents need to know about it – including the common signs to look out for in children, and how long these changes in sleeping patterns can last (anywhere from 2-6 weeks).
• The causes of sleep regression – with factors such as developmental milestones, growth spurts, teething/pain/illness, and disruptions to a child’s routines all playing a role.
• Detailed guides for parents on the common sleep regression stages babies experience: from the age of 4 months up to 2 years.
• Practical tips and advice for managing each sleep regression stage to help both babies and parents get the healthy sleep they need

 

 

Financial Assistance

4c Community Coordinated Care for Children
Assistance with childcare.

Aunt Bertha
This social care network allows you to search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more.

CARES Act Stimulus Bill and YOU 
What to expect from the CARES Act Stimulus Bill

Catholic Charities
Central Florida – 1771 N Semoran Boulevard Orlando, FL 32807

Department of Florida American Legion
VetRelief Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Assistance for Florida’s veterans, active duty military members and their families. The American Legion, Department of Florida is teaming up with the Florida Veterans Foundation to support those who are affected by this pandemic.

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)
Instructed mortgage services to allow borrowers whose mortgages are owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to delay payments. This forbearance program allows for a mortgage payment to be suspended for up to 12 months due to hardship caused by the coronavirus.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (Department) 
This program helps with reemployment assistance and with disaster recovery.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (Reemployment)
Reemployment assistance benefits, formerly known as unemployment compensation, can be filed online using CONNECT.

Florida Law Help
Non-profit civil law firms donate their time and expertise to provide free legal services to low income residents in the state of Florida by providing local attorney’s assistance and equal access to justice for those who cannot afford to pay for legal representation. These organizations have attorneys, law students, paralegals and other legal professionals dedicating their time and money to provide work pro bono, meaning “for the public good”, or without charge.

Internet Assistance for families
Free Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

Kissimmee Utility Authority (Good Neighbor Energy Fund)
Customer donations, matched by KAU, are used to help customers in emergency situations. (407) 933-7777 or (877) KAU-7700

Osceola County
Osceola County Housing office

Osceola County Covid-19 Resident Resources
Osceola County website provides resource links for housing, food, job loss/unemployment, and healthcare.

Salvation Army – Kissimmee and Greater Osceola
700 Union Street Kissimmee, FL 34741
(407) 944-9968 Main

United Way
Way ALICE Fund Specifically for residents of Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, the ALICE Fund provides rent, mortgage and utility assistance to help prevent eviction and homelessness.
Clients must demonstrate financial need by presenting documentation including but not limited to bank statements, pay stubs, rent agreements, utility bills, etc.
For those seeking assistance, contact Heart of Florida United Way’s 211 Information and Referral Crisis Line by dialing 2-1-1, texting your zip code to 898211.

 

 

Legal Services

Community Legal Services (Osceola County)
800 North Main Street Kissimmee, Fl 34744
Phone: HELPline 1 (800) 405-1417
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Eviction Lab
Information on Covid-19, and how the US is changing eviction policies around the country.

Just Shelter
It offers information on local organizations that can provide advice to renters in distress.