Counseling Resources
Crisis & Mental Health Resources
- In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to any emergency room
- CPS Student Safety Center: 773-553-3335 (Immediate safety need) (24/7)
- CPS Office of Student Health & Wellness: 773-553-KIDS (Health/COVID related questions/concerns)
- Chicago Department of Public Health: Youth Mental Health Agencies
- Emergency Resource Guide 2020-2021 (developed by BPNC)
- Resource Listing (created by OSP)
- CPS Parent Support Center: 773- 534-1100 (Parent's access to information and resources)
- SASS (Screening, Assessment, and Support Services): 800-345-9049 (Mental health crisis screening) Click here for more information.
- NAMI Chicago Mental Health Resource Helpline (not 24/7) - 833-NAMI-CHI (626-4244)
- Call4Calm, a free emotional-support text line was created to serve Illinois residents. To connect with a counselor, people can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0 or text “HABLAR” to the same number for counseling in Spanish. Users will remain anonymous, and the state has partnered with mental health organizations to have counselors respond. Once a resident texts the hotline, they’ll get a call from a licensed counselor within 24 hours.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-TALK(8355)
- National Sexual Assault Hotline - 800-656-HOPE(4673)
- The Trevor Project for LGBTQ Youth - Call 866-488-7386, text START to 6786678, or chat online by visiting their website.
- ISBE Mental Health Resources
- DePaul Counseling Services is offering free online counseling.
- Mosaic Therapy is offering free online stress and anxiety counseling for kids and families in Illinois
- Metropolitan Youth Services is offering behavioral health services for uninsured youth
Relief Resources / Recursos de socorro:
- CPS Meal Sites
- CPS food delivery
- Emergency Resource Guide 2020-2021 (developed by BPNC)
- CPS Family and Community Resources (English)
- Utility Bills Assistance: Call 1-800-334-7661 for ComEd and 1-866-556-6001 for Peoples Gas. Undocumented persons with financial need are entitled to the same assistance.
- Covid HELP: Housing & Economic Loss Prevention is a new and completely free resource available 24/7 to people throughout Illinois facing legal problems as a result of the pandemic.
- Chicago Connected: Families can receive up to four years of internet service at no cost. Families can check their eligibility and explore other affordable internet service options.
- Covid19 Resources for Undocumented Immigrants (English/Spanish)
- City of Chicago COVID-19 Resources page (English/Spanish) - includes housing and financial resources, information for undocumented families, etc. The website has a language selection feature at the top.
- Network 4 Community Resources
- CTU Resources to Help Families During Covid Shutdown (English/Spanish)
- Covid19 Resources for undocumented communities
- To request new clothes, glasses, senior dues, or any other items that cost approximately $125 for a child, Alice's Fund will pay for them. All you need to do is fill out our electronic request form.
- Children First Fund
- Included are a list of childcare resources in the city:
Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) Resources / Recursos de aprendizaje social / emocional (SEL):
- Second Step Social Emotional Learning at Home: Resources for Remote Learning
- COVID-19 Second Step Response: Resources for Students and Families
- Free Centervention Social Emotional Activities
- Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions: YouTube Video: For students Grades 4-8
- Growth Mindset: ES and MS Activities (Khan Academy): For students Grades 4-8
- Storyline Online: Online SEL activities; ex: Empty Pot (Honesty), Someone Loves You Mr. Hatch (Kindness), Enemy Pie (Friendship), A Bad Case of the Stripes (Self-Confidence) for students Grades Pre-K to 3
- Sesame Street: Online SEL activities for students Grades Prek-1
- Howard B. Wigglebottom: Online pictures books read aloud, songs for students Grades K-2
- Daniel Tiger (PBS Kids): Interactive picture books read aloud, songs, interactive games for students Prek-1
- Epic! books: Online picture books and others for students 12 and under
- EVERFI: has 20 digital courses, including SEL courses, for 2-8th graders. Sign-up instructions for teachers and students.
- BrainPop Coronavirus: For Students 2-8, take the quiz after watching the video
Mindfulness for Kids / Mindfulness para niños:
- Smiling Mind - Smiling Mind is a great FREE mindfulness app/website for the whole family (Age 7+). You can create an account and on your dashboard choose YOUTH or FAMILY programs.
- Go Noodle: Movement and mindfulness
- Cosmic Kids - Yoga and mindfulness for kids ages 3+. It is a great way to get the whole family moving and has themes related to favorite characters such as FROZEN, HARRY POTTER, and others.
- FREE Mandalas
- FREE Podcasts from Bedtime FM: Includes bedtime stories to slow down and relax to a program called Peace Out to assist with calming and reducing anxiety as well as mindfulness.
- Calming Strategies for Home
- Social Emotional Learning Packet for Home
- FREE audible stories for the family!
- Virtual Calming Room
Online Safety and Etiquette / Seguridad y etiqueta en línea:
- BrainPop Digital Etiquette: For students Grades 3-8, take the quiz after watching the video and related readings.
- BrainPop Online Safety: For students Grade 3-8, take the quiz after watching the video and related readings.
Parent/Guardian Information / Información del padre/tutor:
- Resources for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence with Kids (Center for Racial Justice in Education)
- Additional Resources for Talking About Race and Racialized Violence
- Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future For Kids (and How Media Can Help)
- Say Their Names: A CPS toolkit to help foster productive conversations about race and civil disobedience
- Grief Resources (English/Spanish)
- Mental Health Toolkit (English/Spanish) from Mental Health American
- 8 Different Podcasts to listen to regarding Anxiety
- GoZen for PARENTS-Coronavirus and our own anxieties
- GoZen for Anxious Kids: This is if you feel you need more and are able/willing to pay for online help.
- Managing anxiety age by age: from Hey Sigmund. A guide about what to expect age by age around anxiety, strategies and tips on when to get help.
- Parenting in the time of Corona: Elementary School Children
- Parenting in the time of Corona: Preschool and Kindergarten ages
- Coronavirus Latest Updates and Resources (Understood by All)
- Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus: (Child Mind Institute)
Free Books, Social Stories, and Read Alouds
- List of read alouds about race and racism
- George Floyd Social Story
- What is a Peaceful Protest Social Story
- Seeing Other People Wearing Masks Social Story (English & Spanish)
- Why We Stay Home: Suzie Learns about Coronavirus, by Samantha Harris & Devon Scott
- Time to Come in Bear: A Child's Story About Social Distancing
- Coronavirus Social Story
- Mrs. Soendergaard reading My Many Colored Days by Dr. Suess
Recommended Books to Talk about Worries
- Wilma Jean – The Worry Machine, by Julia Cook
- Not-So-Brave Penguin, by Steve Smallman
- Worry Says What? by Allison Edwards
- Saturday Is Swimming Day by Hyewon Yum
- Talk About The Monster by Mistofer Christopher
- When I Feel Scared by Cornelia Maude Spelman
- Something Bad Happened: A Kid’s Guide to Coping with events in the News, by Dawn Huebner -Ages 6-12. How to process different world events.
- What To Do When You’re Scared & Worried: A Guide for Kids by James J Crist -Ages 9-13. A help guide to processing fears and worries.
- Have You Filled A Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud -Encourages positive behavior and expressing kindness and appreciation
- How are you Peeling: Foods with Moods by Saxton Freymann & Joost Elffers -Explores how emotions look through pictures of Foods. A good way to talk about emotions with young kids.
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain -Explores Feelings. A good way to talk about emotions with young kids.
- A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M Holmes -Ages 4-8. A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma.
Additional Activities
- Free and fun online enrichment learning opportunities
- Virtual field trips to Chicago’s most iconic museums and cultural institutions
- Virtual Field Trips: Check out this link to explore museums and zoos around the world
- Fine Arts and Wellness (FAW) Team Remote Activities: Check out these awesome activities created by Jahn's FAW team
High School and Post-secondary Preparation
- GoCPS: Middle School students can familiarize themselves with the online search function on the GoCPS website to research Chicago high school options.
- Naviance: Middle School students can log on to their Naviance accounts to finalize any incomplete tasks to support them in college and career planning.
- CPS Scholarship Workbook: Click on the elementary school tab for more information.
COUNSELING STAFF
