COVID-19: Resources in the Pikes Peak Region

As we continue to witness historical times, The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s office will be closed to the public, and our staff will work remotely until further notice. Staff are available by email. For a list of staff email, please click here. As you may know, the COVID-19 virus is new and has the potential to overwhelm our medical system. As such, we’ve decided to share in the responsibility to practice social distancing efforts to help slow the spread.

As we remain positive and proactive in the days  ahead, we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you through this challenging time. Resources are separated by category. To share a resource that is not listed below, please email Shelbi Lowery at shelbi@thearcppr.org, or Emily Price at emily@thearcppr.org. We will continually add resources as they become available.

Additionally, The Chapters of The Arc in Colorado are putting together health and hygiene care packages with items like sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, household cleaning supplies and more, as items become available. If you are in need of a care package, please email Shelbi Lowery at shelbi@thearcppr.org. **Please note that supplies may be limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Stimulus Payment Guidance

IRS E-Portal to assist non-tax filers in receiving their stimulus payment for qualifying children

Disability Guide to Stimulus Checks

Educate Yourself

Preparing for COVID-19 in the Disability Community – Compiled by Peak Vista Community Health Centers

Plain-Language Guide explaining COVID-19, by and for People with Disabilities – This booklet, written by and for people with disabilities, is a plain language guide on how to protect yourself from COVID-19. You can access it here, or for a Spanish version, click here. Thank you to the Green Mountain Self-Advocates, a partner of the Self Advocacy Resource & Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) for putting together this resource!

Plain-Language video from the Office of Developmental Disability Services about how to protect yourself from COVID-19

COVID-19 Video Featuring People with Disabilities

Children & Education

What local schools are doing to support students with IEPs (individualized education programs)

Bagged lunch pick-ups at local schools (all kids under 18 can pick up one per day)

Department of Education FAQ on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Homeschool Activities

Colorado Department of Education’s Learn-at-Home Resources

Colorado Department of Education’s COVID-19 Instructional Guidance for Colorado Schools and Districts

Streaming Yoga for Children

Livestream Doodling Instruction

Story-Time Online

MAP: Where Children Can Eat Meals While Schools are Closed

PBS Kids is Offering Free Programming

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Facebook page offers free videos of animals daily

Virtual School Activities

Junior Achievement Online Educational Resources

Teachers who need help designing or delivering lessons for students with disabilities can email the Office of Civil Rights here to ask for help.

Unified Young Readers Club – Special Olympics

100 Activities to do at Home During School Closures

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports from Home

Fact sheets from The National Center on Learning Disabilities, one for parents and one for educators, on steps they can take to support students with disabilities to learn at home

Webinar from The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition on shared resources for transition activities that can be done with transition-age students learning from home

Webinar in English: Navigating Special Education during COVID-19

Webinar en Espanol: Gestionar la educacion especial durante COVID-19

Navigating the Special Education COVID-19 Landscape – Resources from The Arc of Aurora’s Think + Change

Food & Shelter

Click here for a list of food/grocery resources

Colorado Springs Food Rescue: Starting Tuesday, March 17th, groceries from the above programs will be re-routed to our Helen Hunt space (917 E. Moreno Avenue) for distribution. The weekly schedule for no-cost grocery distribution is as follows:

Tuesday – 3 pm
Wednesday – 3 pm
Thursday – 3 pm
Friday – 3 pm
Saturday – 12 pm

PSA on safe grocery shopping during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Care and Share is open and so are most of their food pantry partners. Find a pantry near you here.

Pikes Peak United Way is offering several local resources for those seeking help with food, housing, utilities, clothing, transportation, taxes, mental health and more. Call 211 for more information.

Springs Rescue Mission: will continue to provide meals and shelter, and offer programming where possible. Click here to learn more.

Senior Citizens

Silver Key is offering their meals on wheels service for clients 60 years or older and their their food pantry programs. Click here to learn more.

Local business SOCO Heating and Cooling is offering free grocery delivery for all seniors. To request the service call them at 719-551-2232 or email office@socoheatingandcooling.com.

Dollar General: The first hour of each shopping day dedicated to senior shoppers. Click here to learn more.

Target shopping hours for senior citizens. Click here to learn more.

Call 211 for Assistance. Click here to learn more.

Utilities & Internet

CenturyLink will waive late fees and will not terminate residential or small business customer’s service for the next 60 days due to financial circumstances associated with COVID-19. Click here to learn more.

Comcast will provide 60 days of free internet to new families. Click here to learn more.

Colorado Springs Utilities will not disconnect water, sewer, or natural gas services over the inability to pay bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Colorado Springs Utilities customer service to be placed on payment plan (719-448-4800) or visit www.csu.org to make payments or request support).

Don’t fall for scams. Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak to send fraudulent emails, texts and social media posts. Beware of scams asking for personal information or immediate payment, and never click on suspicious links or attachments. If you question communications related to your utility services, please contact us.

Disability Resources

Social Security Offices are offering phone and online services. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call your local office.

Disability Law Colorado is still open for business to ensure that people with disabilities of all ages are not facing abuse and neglect during this time of crisis. You can contact Disability Law Colorado here, or call 303.722.0300.

The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities have put together a by-state resource list to assist you during this time. Click here to learn more.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) recommends distance learning opportunities to serve all students, including those with disabilities. Click here to learn more.

Click here to read a letter from the Department of Education to parents of children with disabilities.

Click here for COVID-19 Resources specific for individuals with I/DD, ASD and their families – JFK Partners.

COVID-19 Precautions for Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Users

Medical & Health Resources

Many insurance companies are waiving limits on 30-day supplies for prescriptions and encouraging people to get 90-day supplies instead. Click here to learn more.

Special enrollment period for uninsured Coloradans – March 20 – April 3, 2020.

YMCA ON-Demand Health Classes. Click here to learn more.

WHO Food & Nutrition Tips During Self-Quarantine

Mental Health Resources from Colorado Crisis Services – 1-844-493-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 38255

Medicine Assistance Tool – A search engine of various patient assistance resources available within the pharmaceutical space

Arts & Entertainment

Amazon Prime Free Movies & TV Shows

Peak Radar Virtual

Federal Resources

H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act