Guidance in Addressing COVID-19

May 12, 2022

Image of coronavirus with text COVID-19 and Coronavirus

Coronavirus is impacting individuals, families, communities, organizations, and state and local governments throughout the United States. FYSB wants to share with you guidance in a number of areas, which is continuously being updated.

FYSB grantees can find COVID-19 information related to specific programs here:

FYSB grantees are encouraged to work closely with your state and local public health authorities. If you are unable to find federal guidance to address your concerns or are encountering challenges in implementing your programs as a result of COVID-19, please reach out to your federal program manager.

Resources are included below and this site will be updated as new information becomes available. 

New resources from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for youth (May 2021).

For Consumers:

  • New web page: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens provides information about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for youth aged 12 and older, how to find a vaccination provider for youth, and what to expect during and after vaccination.
  • New fact sheet: COVID-19 Vaccines for Preteens and Teens  (PDF) is a printable fact sheet for parents that explains the benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children and teens, safety information, and what to expect during and after vaccination.
  • New frequently asked questions: Two new FAQs address questions about the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents aged 12 and older.
  • New myth-buster about menstrual cycles and infertility: Can my menstrual cycle be affected by being near someone who received a COVID-19 vaccine? Is the vaccine safe if I want to get pregnant now or in the future? Find the answers to these questions and more in this updated Q&A .
  • Key things to know: The web pages Key Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines and About COVID-19 Vaccines have been updated to include the recommendation that youth aged 12 and older get vaccinated.

For Community Groups and Health Departments

For Healthcare and Vaccine Providers

  • New pediatric toolkit: The Pediatric Healthcare Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit provides materials to help healthcare providers give parents clear and accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines. The toolkit includes answers to common questions, an explanation of how mRNA vaccines work, and printable materials to give to parents.
  • New FAQs about consent for minors: FAQs have been posted on the Pfizer-BioNTech product page with information about consent, prescreening questions, and other issues related to the vaccination of minors.
  • New sample patient letter: Healthcare providers can customize and send this sample letter to encourage their patients to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It includes the new recommendation that everyone aged 12 and up get a COVID-19 vaccination.

New Supplemental Guidance on Child Care  (Released 3/31/20)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted a Supplemental Guide for Child Care. Written in collaboration with the Offices of Child Care and Head Start for a variety of child care settings, this resource provides guidance specific to child care on issues such as:

  • Social distancing;
  • Child pick up and drop off procedures;
  • Cleaning and disinfecting of toys and bedding;
  • Safely caring for infants and toddlers; and
  • Food preparation and meal service.

In addition, the Guidance document provides numerous links to resources that provide even greater detail, including information regarding children’s risks concerning the COVID-19.

Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Questions to Consider
The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) (2020)
Responses to several questions regarding options as related to the education of homeless youth and community responses to unaccompanied minors.

The Child Welfare Information Gateway has prepared a list of disaster preparedness and response resources shown below. These resources are organized by preparedness (before a disaster), response (the immediate aftermath), and recovery (the longer term reconstruction/healing phase).

Children and Disasters
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Offers resources to address children’s needs throughout preparedness planning, response, and recovery efforts during and following a disaster.

Children and Disasters
American Academy of Pediatrics
Provides audience-specific information and tools to equip families to respond to natural and man-made disasters.

Caring for Children in a Disaster
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016)
Provides information and resources to help families and service-providers prepare and respond to disasters.

Disaster Planning for Child Welfare Agencies

Series Title

Factsheets

Author(s)

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Availability

View
Download (PDF - 532KB)  (PDF)
Order (Free)

Year Published

2016

Provides an overview of disaster planning for child welfare agencies. Outlines the reasons child welfare agencies should develop disaster plans, provides an overview of plan development, points to resources for creating preparedness plans, and highlights State and local examples.

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence

For supportive crisis counseling and safety planning, contact:

National Disasters
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Provides information and resources to help families in cases of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, epidemics, fires, floods, hurricanes, and more. The webpage also offers resources to help mitigate the psychological effects these events may have.

Disaster Technical Assistance Center
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2017)
Supports SAMHSA's efforts to prepare states, territories, and local entities to deliver an effective mental health and substance use (behavioral health) response during disasters.

Public Health Emergency
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2017)
Provides information and resources on natural and man-made disasters and traumatic events for families and individuals; business; practitioners, clinicians, and responders; and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency planners.