This page provides information and resources for you and your family about the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). We are continuously tracking information from local, state, and national public health authorities and creating new resources to support you and your family.
Para recursos en español sobre el coronavirus, haga clic aquí.
Latest News
ASNC Organizational Mask, Social Distancing, and Screening Guidelines, August 27, 2021
There has been a noted increase in Delta variant COVID-19 exposures and cases across our state. Based on a review of the data, including hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus and limited capacity of healthcare resources to keep up with demand, we must be more vigilant in our procedures to protect the health and safety of all ASNC staff, participants, and families. Please review the updates below regarding mask requirements (KN95 for all staff providing services) which are effective August 27, 2021.
- All Staff providing services (residential, camp, programs, community, etc.): Staff must wear KN95 masks while providing services indoors and maintain social distancing if able. Staff may wear surgical masks (instead of KN95 masks) when providing services outdoors if unable to maintain 6 feet of social distancing. When outside, if social distancing can be maintained, masks are not required.
- Office Settings: Staff must wear masks (cloth, surgical, or KN95) indoors and maintain 6 feet of social distancing. Masks may be removed if the person is alone in an enclosed space, such as a room/office. Masks are required in workstations when another person is within 6 feet. When wearing a cloth mask, the mask must have at least 2 layers of protection (no single ply or sheer masks).
- Participants: Masks are encouraged and recommended as tolerated by the person.
- Visitors: Visitors are required to wear masks when entering all ASNC indoor settings and must comply with mask requirements based on setting.
- CPR/FA/PSPI Training: All staff/instructors must wear KN95 masks throughout the trainings, unless demonstrating breathing techniques.
May 26, 2021 – Guidelines for Visitors, Families, and Volunteers to ASNC Programs and Offices:
All may be allowed in applicable settings so long as they are:
- Scheduled;
- Screened per guidelines – you must scan a QR code when arriving at any office or program;
- Adhere to all guidelines set forth by ASNC (wear masks as indicated, social distancing is maintained, personal hygiene – hand-washing and disinfection procedures).
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including information about eligibility and the state’s distribution plan, and contact information for local vaccine providers is below.
- All North Carolinians ages 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.
- Bookmark YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov for the most up-to-date information.
- Do you want to talk with a live person about the COVID Vaccine? Call the new Vaccine Help Center at 888-675-4567 between 7 AM-7 PM.
- Do you need help finding or contacting your local health department? Click here.
- Learn more about the development and safety of the COVID vaccine in this DHHS handout.
- Strategies for Managing Stress – Online Facebook series – NCDHHS’ Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse
- Transportation Assistance Efforts Increase – The state has coordinated with a variety of local transit agencies to provide transportation to vaccination locations. Local transit agencies serve all 100 North Carolina counties. People needing transportation assistance to a COVID-19 vaccine appointment should contact their local transit agency by phone for assistance.
ASNC Events – We are offering online webinars, chapter meetings, and more to support your family during this time. Please check our calendar frequently.
Stay Connected with Us
- ASNC social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Email (sign up here)
Autism-Specific Resources
Webinars
Setting the stage for success:
- Planning for Autism-Friendly Holiday During COVID
- Navigating the Challenges of Online Learning and Telehealth Services through Collaboration
- The IEP Process in Changing Times
- Autism & Covid-19: Teaching the rules in this new norm
- Tips and Strategies to Use During COVID-19
- Structuring your day for success
- Structuring Your Child’s Academic Day during COVID-19
- Encouraging Positive Behavior
- Understanding Your Circle of Control
Engaging and instructing your child:
- Structuring activities to promote independence
- Structuring your child’s academic day
- Tips for promoting communication in young learners
- Developing calming, movement, and coping routines
Addressing challenging behavior:
- Preventing Challenging Behavior in These Challenging Times
- Preventing challenging behaviors
- How to de-escalate challenging behaviors
Social narratives
- Getting a COVID vaccine shot
- COVID and the Holidays
- Going to bed
- Good night’s sleep
- School work at home
- Parents check my work
- I can’t see my grandparents
- Wearing a mask
- People around me are wearing masks
- Social Distancing
- What does 6 Feet mean?
- Temperature checks
- Don’t share germs!
- About Coronavirus
- No school today
- Day program is closed today
- We have to stay home
- Carol Gray Social Story about Pandemics and Coronavirus
- HMEA’s Autism Resource Central social stories
- COVID-19 Information by and for People with Disabilities
Blogs and Toolkits
- App to School: Apps to Make Screen Time Educational
- Planning for School, Step 1: Understand Your Options
- Planning for School, Step 2: Getting Organized
- Working through the Challenges of Wearing a Mask
- Needing a Role Model During Chaotic Times
- Escape into Learning
- New Adventures in These Challenging Times
- Addressing School Concerns During COVID-19
- Staying Structured and Engaged in this Challenging Time
- UNC-CH toolkit: “Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times”
General Helplines
- NC Coronavirus Helpline provides education about the virus and guidance on what to do if coronavirus is suspected (open 24 hours, seven days a week): 866-462-3821 or text VIRUS to 336-379-5775
- COVID-19 Triage Plus Helpline answers COVID-19 questions and helps find necessary care regardless of insurance coverage or lack of coverage (open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week): 877-490-6642
- Hope4NC Helpline 24/7 connects callers to mental health and resilience supports: 855-587-3463
- Hope4Healers Helpline for care professionals 24/7: 919-226-2002
Tips to Protect You and Your Family
- Practice the 3 Ws (Wear a cloth face covering, Wait 6 feet apart, Wash your hands often & use hand sanitizer)
- When you wash your hands, do so for at least 20 seconds in hot, soapy water. Handwashing Steps from the CDC
- Practice social distancing. While out, maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and others
- Cover your mouth (not with your hands) when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs
- If you or your child is not feeling well, stay home
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Regularly clean surfaces that are frequently touched
- Download the SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification app – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) has launched an app that will help North Carolinians slow the spread of the virus by alerting them when they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It is completely anonymous and does not collect, store, or share personal information or location data.
Education Update and Resources
- Department of Education COVID-19 Handbook, updated April 2021
- School Planning Checklist for Families from the CDC
- Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit: Guidelines released June 8 to help North Carolina K-12 public schools begin to find a safe way to open to in-person instruction for the 2020-21 academic year
- Lighting Our Way Forward: Guidance developed by the NC Department of Public Instruction for reopening public schools for the 2020-21 school year
- Information from the Exceptional Children Division, NC DPI
- EC Processes: Points for Consideration During School Closure from NC DPI
- US Dept. of Education: Q&A on providing services to children with disabilities
- Accessing Special Education during COVID-19 fact sheet from DRNC
- State Board of Education: FAQs on grading and promotion
- Tips sheet for virtual IEP meetings
- Variety of education resources from Legal Aid NC
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Q&A document in response to inquiries concerning implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B provision of services (Sept. 28, 2020)
- Also, see our blog post “Addressing School Concerns During COVID-19” for tips and strategies.
- Watch our webinar on Compensatory Education to learn about these services.
Food, Housing, and Employment Assistance
- Social services: Dial 211 for information about and referrals to social services such as food, clothing, shelters, housing, utility assistance, mental health and health resources, employment supports, family support, and more
- Meals for children: Families who need help finding meals for their children ages 18 and younger can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.
- No Kid Hungry NC list of food distribution sites during school closures
- Find your local food bank
- Unemployment Insurance information and FAQs
- WellCare: Coronavirus Resource Guide
- Internet map to find free or low-cost internet service for students
- Healthy Helping provides $40 per month for fruits and vegetables at North Carolina Food Lion stores for current SNAP recipients impacted by COVID-19.
- The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally-funded program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. More information: English | Spanish
Mental Health Supports
The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7/365 crisis counseling and support for anyone experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies. Calls to 1-800-985-5990 and texts of “TalkWithUs” to 66746 are answered by a network of independently operated crisis centers, which provide psychological first aid, emotional support, crisis assessment and intervention, and referrals to local/state behavioral health services for follow-up care and support.
- MHA: Self-Help Tools
- MHA: Mental Health and Coronavirus
- CDC: Coronavirus – Managing Anxiety and Stress
- SAMHSA: Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
Medical Forms and Insurance Information
- COVID-19 Disability Medical Info Form
- Letter to Physicians and Hospitals
- Medical summary form for individuals with autism who may have COVID
- NCDHHS: NC Innovations and TBI Waiver (Appendix K) Frequently Asked Questions on temporary Medicaid flexibilities
- If you are uninsured, you may be eligible for help paying for certain COVID-19 testing costs through the NC Medicaid Optional COVID-19 Testing (MCV) program:
Online application
Program fact sheet: English | Spanish
Recommended Sources of Information
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 page for facts about the virus, tips on prevention and treatment, and other information
- NC COVID-19 page for North Carolina-specific information on the disease, executive orders, resources, unemployment, child care, help for small businesses, and more
- Check My Symptoms, a public website that allows people to enter their symptoms and determine whether they should get tested for COVID-19
- Find My Testing Place, a public website that allows people to input their county or ZIP code and access a list of nearby testing site locations
- CDC’s Share Facts page for a quick summary of facts and myths