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UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute is complying with and exceeding existing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) control protocols outlined by the CDC.
If you have questions, feel you may have been exposed, or are sick, contact the Douglas County Health Department hotline (Monday-Friday) at 402-444-3400. Additional information is available by reviewing the following links and documents:
- Douglas County Health Department
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
People with disabilities are most at risk in our community. We can all help to keep them safe! See what MMI is doing on-site.
How can you help?
Wear a mask
- Coronavirus is not cancelled: Wear your mask [link to Nebraska Medicine]
- When and how to use masks [link to WHO]
- Cloth masks [link to CDC]
- Common mask mistakes [link to New York Times]
- We Wear Masks - A Social Story about the Coronavirus, by Mike McGovern [youtube / PDF download]
Spread the word (not the virus)
- Provide education to individuals with I/DD that will prevent virus spread: How to Stay Healthy from COVID-19 (plain language) [English PDF / Spanish PDF]
- Encourage individuals with I/DD to practice hand hygiene and social distancing: Watch video [link to youtube/Oregon DHS].
- Learn more about social distancing for children and adults [link to EastersealsChicago.org].
- "Be a Hero Too" children's storybook [link to PDF]
- "Something Strange Happened in my City" childrens' social storybook (ages 3-8) [link to youtube / link to PDF]
- Use social media to spread health messages.
- Do good for your community through shareomaha.org.
Testing
1-Check COVID screening mobile app
UNMC's mobile app enables people to answer a series of questions and assess their likelihood of having COVID-19. Learn more [link to UNMC].
Coronavirus Self-Checker [link to cdc.gov]
This automated tool is not designed to diagnose coronavirus but is a guide to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care.
Shelter in Place
What exactly do these words mean? [link to vox.com]
National and State Resources
The Arc of Nebraska: for children or adults with disabilities or their family members, caregivers, or service providers [link to arc-nebraska.org]
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 Partner Toolkit [link to CMS.gov]
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation: Policy changes, opportunities for communities, and general updates connected to response to COVID-19 [link to nebraskachildren.org]
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services:
- Coronavirus Disease Information for Nebraskans [link to dhhs.ne.gov/pages/coronavirus]
- Medicaid and Telehealth FAQs [link to dhhs.ne.gov/pages/Medicaid-Provider-Bulletins]
Outlook Nebraska: Transportation/pick up services, rent/utility/bills and food/grocery assistance, and mental health hotlines [link to outlookne.org]
States’ Responsibility for Special Education during COVID [link to U.S. Department of Education]
United Way Coronavirus Community Economic Relief Fund [link to unitedway.org]
World Health Organization (WHO) Updates [link to who.int]
General Resources
A Different World - COVID-19 Special Edition of The Brain Architects Podcast [link to developingchild.harvard.edu]
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities archived webinars [link to aaidd.org]
General Resources for people with autism and other disabilities provided by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services / Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee [link to iacc.hhs.gov]
General Resources for people with disabilities provided by The Arc of Nebraska [link to arc-nebraska.org]
Information on Coronavirus (plain language): English [PDF] / Español [PDF]
Let's Talk About the Coronavirus social narrative video provided by UM-NSU [link to youtube]
Multi-Language Resources
- American Sign Language (ASL) YouTube playlist
- Health Literacy Project translated fact sheets
- Center for Parent Information and Resources in other languages
- Cielo.org info and videos in indigenous languages
- Coronavirus Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska YouTube video playlist
- "My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19" children's book in many languages
- Switchboard blog
Resources for families to help children understand the pandemic [link to stemie.edu]
Talking with children about Coronavirus: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children [link to cdc.gov]
What You Need to Know about the Coronavirus Outbreak, including latest news and FAQs provided by Special Olympics. [link to specialolympics.org]
Back to School
To help you prepare for back to school, experts in our Severe Behavior Department put together some school transition tips for reducing possible challenges and encouraging some of the safety skills necessary for attending school during the pandemic.
Healthy at-home
Food Bank for the Heartland [link to foodbankheartland.org]
Mental and physical health resources:
- MMI developed a Family Support During Crisis video series offering practical tips and tools for families during this time of change and stress related to COVID-19.
- MMI Psychology Department is currently offering up to two free Behavioral Telehealth sessions. These sessions are offered in English and Spanish and regardless of insurance coverage.
- The Calm App
- Mental Health America
- Mental health toolkit - Autism Society of America
- Practice mindfulness
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides guidance for family members and caregivers who support people with developmental disabilities:
- Direct Service Providers
- Direct Service Providers, Caregivers, Parents, and People with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders
- Group Homes for Individuals with Disabilities
- People with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders
Ernie Els for Autism offers virtual programs & telehealth, on-demand classes and resources and activities to support individuals on the spectrum and their families.
Special Olympics provides guides to:
- Proper hand washing techniques
- Fit 5: Stay healthy with exercise and diet
- Virtual training
- School of Strength workouts
- Free educational, interactive courses
Learning & Fun at-home
- Art & craft tutorials - McHarperManor on Facebook
- Audible Stories in different languages
- Connect virtually with family and friends
- Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing - Scholastic
- Do the Zoo at home - Henry Doorly Zoo
- Fontenelle Forest videos and fun facts - on Facebook
- Get Digital on Facebook
- Learning and entertainment resources - Common Sense Media
- Skype a scientist
- Teacher TV - Nebraska State Education Association
- Tips for videochatting with young children - National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Clinical Resources
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech [link to SeekFreaks.com]
Patient-Provider Communication Tools - including bilingual [link to patientprovidercommunication.org]
Tips: Pencil Grasp [link to PDF] and Snipping with Scissors [link to PDF]
1, 2, 3...Move With Me Activities, including: Balancing, ball skills, jumping skills, learning to jump and locomotor skills [link to PDF]
Clinician Supports
National Academy of Medicine provides strategies to support the health and well-being of clinicians during COVID-19.
Nebraska Isolation & Quarantine Manual free e-book for health care professionals.
Nebraska Medicine resources for providers.
Ten Percent Happier offers practical, actionable ways of coping with stress, fear, and anxiety and is currently free for healthcare workers (this includes techs, admin assistants, support staff, anyone working in a healthcare organization).
MMI has created this resource page because the content serves the public good and is consistent with our mission of providing outreach and extraordinary patient care to individuals throughout the I/DD community. The provision of this information should not be considered an endorsement.