Starting Point Resources
Special Needs Department
The Special Needs Child Care Department provides support to child care providers (center & home-based) by linking them to agencies we contract with. These agencies provide technical assistance to the teacher on behalf of a child with special needs, (developmental, medical, social-emotional-behavioral).
If you have a child in your care that you have concerns about, please contact the Special Needs Child Care Department at: 216-575-0061. Connie Loftin, ext. 368, connie.loftin@starting-point.org or Constance Walker, ext. 360, constance.walker@starting-point.org.
Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) Department and Center-Based Quality Enhancement Department (QEP)
During the COVID-19 crisis, Starting Point continues to provide technical assistance and support to pandemic child care programs, both center-based and family child care homes. Technical assistance is provided using a variety of methods, which include customary means of communication such as: telephone calls, emails, and text messaging. However, technical assistance is also being provided through virtual means, including video-chatting and video-conferencing through applications, such as: Zoom and FaceTime. Additionally, early childhood professionals will have the option to participate in Starting Point's newly developed virtual professional development opportunities. Staff is continuing to offer technical assistance for Step Up to Quality.
Starting Point staff is working to meet needs and answer questions. Please contact the following:
FCCH providers should contact Zeppora McClain at mcclainz@starting-point.org.
Center- based providers should contact Karla Martin at martink@starting-point.org.
General Resources
Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services
http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/CoronavirusAndChildcareForFamilies/
http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/CoronavirusAndChildcare/
Ohio Department of Education
Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
FAIR HOUSING CENTER
https://www.thehousingcenter.org/
Official Website of Ohio’s Response to COVID-19
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home
Governor DeWine’s Ohio briefings can be viewed at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCporaXCeaOJgZKz7y3C0zbg
The Ohio channel will make these available in multiple languages within a few hours after each update is complete
United way 2-1-1
http://www.211.org/services/covid19
Unemployment and Benefits
https://unemployment.ohio.gov/
National Domestic Violence Hotline
https://www.thehotline.org/help
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
TTY 1-800-787-3224
Health Resources
Childcare licensing rule 5101: 2-12-13 pertaining to hand washing, cleaning, and sanitizing can be found at http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov/ChildCare/ChildCareCenter/Rules/. See addendum A at the end of this document and for more information.
Preventing COVID-19 Guidelines
Checklist to Get Ready
Handwashing as a Family Activity
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/handwashing-family.html
Ohio Departments of Health: Find Your Local Health Department
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/find-local-health-districts
Children/Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
Cleaning and Disinfecting Alternatives when Everyday Supplies Run Out
If you have questions about the COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease, the Ohio Department of Health has established a phone line for people to ask questions at 1.833.4.ASK.ODH (1.833.427.5634). The phone line is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Essential Supplies
EPA list of Disinfectants for use against Novel COVID-19 ** Use search function at website for Corona Virus
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
Please note: Starting Point does not endorse or recommend any business product or sources listed. We urge consumers to contact sources directly to determine the options that best meet their needs.
Although the availability changes daily, and some items are backordered, periodic checking has indicated that retailers below are continuously stocking these items.
Suggested retailers with limited availability of everyday items, such as, gloves, Sanitizing wipes, bleach, paper towels, toilet paper, thermometers, paper plates, plastic silverware:
- Giant Eagle
- Ace Hardware
- Marcs
- Deans Supply
- Heinen’s
- Rite Aid
- Amazon
- WB Mason
- Free deliveries to Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake Counties.
- Contact Caitlin Walsh, account executive, and let her know that you are a child care professional referred by Starting Point.
- Phone: 1-888-926-2766 ext. 5773
- Direct Line: 508-436-5773
- Fax: 216-267-5555
- Email: Caitlin.walsh@wbmason.com
- BuyRite Office Supplies
- Free deliveries to Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake counties.
- Contact Michelle Ryb at supplylady56@aol.com or at 216-292-7112
Mental Health Resources
SAMHSA’s National Hotline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
24-hour Crisis Text "4HELP" to 741741. A live, trained crisis counselor will respond within five minutes. The crisis counselor helps you move from a hot moment to a cool calm to stay safe and healthy using effective active listening and suggested referrals – all through text message using Crisis Text Line’s secure platform.
National Alliance for Mental Illness COVID-19 Information and Resources
Helping Homebound Children
Stress and Coping
2020 Census
It is Still Important to Complete the Census during COVID-19
https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/press-kits/covid-19.html
Financial Support
Resources for Economic Support: Resources will be updated periodically
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
Voting Information
BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR CUYAHOGA COUNTY
BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR GEAUGA COUNTY
BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR ASHTABULA COUNTY
Family/Educational Resources
Looking for activities to do at home?
Barnes and Noble- online story time
www.barnesandnoble.com/b/online-storytime/_/N-ryw
Great Lakes Science Center virtual science activities
https://greatscience.com/curiosity-corner/diy-science/check-out-curiosity-corner-live
Scholastic at home activities
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/articles/resources/scholastic-learn-at-home--free-resources-for-school-closures.html#
Go Noodle
https://www.gonoodle.com
Virtual Field Trips
https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1qpFAQz_QJt0ZTVTixAyuGRjsKGYI23CjlaO9eLBkThE/mobilebasic
Ready4K
https://ready4k.parentpowered.com/
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
https://imaginationlibrary.com
Ashtabula County Resources
Ashtabula County Community Action Agency
http://communityaction.wixsite.com/accaa
Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
https://www.ashtabulamhrs.org/
Crisis line 24/7 is 800-577-7849
Cleveland Dental Institute – remains in operation for emergency care
https://www.cdiohio.org/ashtabula
United Way of Ashtabula County
https://www.unitedwayashtabula.org/
Cuyahoga County Resources
Click link below to access COVID-19 Child Care in Cuyahoga Resource Tool
COVID-19 Child Care in Cuyahoga Resource Tool
Cuyahoga County Board of Alcohol, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
http://www.adamhscc.org/
Journey Center for Safety and Healing ( Formally known as Domestic Violence Advocacy Center)
https://www.journeyneo.org
216-391-HELP (4357) - available 24/7
Crisis and trauma resolution and 24/7 Hotline
https://www.frontlineservice.org/
216-623-6888
Cuyahoga County Board of Health
Cuyahoga County Public Library
https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org
Cleveland Public Library
Legal Aid
Food Assistance
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank will continue to provide food for families in need. You can call the Help Center at 216-738-2067 if you need food assistance.
https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/
Geauga County Resources
Geauga County Board of Health
http://geaugacountyhealth.org/
Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services
http://www.geauga.org/
Copeline: For Immediate Help When Distressed
Call 1-888-285-5665 or 440-285-5665
Geauga County United Way Services
https://www.uwsgc.org/
Women's Safe
https://womensafe.org/
Copeline 1-888-285-5665
Geauga County Department of Jobs and Family Services
www.geaugajfs.org
Geauga Hunger Task Force
www.geaugahungertaskforce.org/howtofindhelp
United Way Services of Geauga County Aging and Disability Center
https://www.uwsgc.org/aging-and-disabilty-resource-center
Lake County Resources
Lifeline
https://www.lclifeline.org/about/
Lake County 211 Interactive Database
https://www.lclifeline.org/2-1-1/2-1-1-database/
Lake County Alcohol Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMHSBD)
http://www.helpthatworks.us/
Lake County Crisis Hotline: 440-953-8255
Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center
https://dvcac.org/
216-391-HELP (4357) - available 24/7
COVID-19 Related Stress Factors and Resources for Lake County
http://375a9m1efpkdzmkqad250u1d.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Related-Stress-Factors.pdf
Lake County Hunger Task Force
http://www.lakecountyhungertaskforce.org/
United Way of Lake County
https://www.uwlc.org/
Lake County General Health District Public Health
https://www.lcghd.org/