In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, families find themselves facing an array of issues - some familiar, some less so. Illinois Extension educators have cultivated a set of materials that will help you navigate these unchartered waters. Make the most of your time together as a family by helping those you love develop the skills and attitudes that will help them thrive during uncertain times.
Meal Preparation
- How to Build an Emergency Food Supply, Illinois Extension
Food Safety
- Know How Long Frozen Foods Keep, Illinois Extension
- Have Extra? Follow These Tips for Freezing Food, Illinois Extension
- Is It Safe: Understanding Food Package Dates (Also available in Spanish), Illinois Extension
- Stocking Up on Food? Check Your Food Waste Habits, Illinois Extension
- Food Safety and Pet Safety Q&A (Website), U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Food Bank Best Practices During COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
- Food Bank Receiving and Cleaning Practices During COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
- Grocery Retail Packaging During COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Grocery Stores during COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
- Facts for Grocery Stores during COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
- Retail Cleaning during COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
- Facts for Retailers during COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
- Retail Packaging during COVID-19, Illinois Extension and NC State Extension
Health and Happiness
- Building Your Resilience: How High Do You Bounce (Recorded Webinar), Illinois Extension
- Learning at Home During Trying Times, Illinois Extension
- Communicating with Children During Stressful Times (Also available in Spanish and Video), Illinois Extension
- Helping Children Cope in Times of Stress (Video), Illinois Extension
- How to Take Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Others (Blog), Illinois Extension
- Improving Your Health at Home: Sign Up For Online Webinars, Illinois Extension
- Journal Your Way to a Grateful Heart, Illinois Extension
- Staying Connected in Our New Normal, Illinois Extension
- Information for Travelers (Website), Center for Disease Control
- Emergency Supply List (Website), Ready.gov by FEMA
- Helping Children Cope with Emergencies, Center for Disease Control
- Caregiver Self-Care (Webinar recording to come soon), Illinois Extension
Physical Health and Safety
- Ten Tips for Staying Active at Home, Illinois Extension
- Know Who to Trust for Health Information (Also available in Spanish), Illinois Extension
- What to Do If You Are Sick, Center for Disease Control
- Ten Tips for Staying Active at Home, (Also available in Spanish and Video) Illinois Extension
- Is Outdoor Recreation Safe During COVID-19, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
- Lessons in Hand Washing Video, Illinois Extension
- How to Make Your Own Bleach Sanitizer (Also available in Spanish and Video), Illinois Extension
- Importance of Handwashing: A Tale of Two Diseases, Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
- Guidelines If You Need to Quarantine, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
Family Finances
- COVID Unemployment Benefit Information, Illinois Department of Employment Securities
- Coping With Finances During Difficult Times (Also available in Spanish and Blog), Illinois Extension
Webinars
Food Nutrition
- April 14, 6:30 PM: Tips and Strategies for Picky Eaters: Autism Awareness Month
- April 15, 1 PM: Emotional Eating: Understanding How Stress Impacts Hunger and Appetite
- April 22, 1 PM: The Science Behind Popular Eating Trends
- May 6, 1 PM: Take Your Kitchen Appliances for a Spin
- May 7, 7 PM: Yes! You Can: Preserving Practice Jams & Jellies Webinar
- May 13, 1 PM: Diabetes: Practicing Self-Car During Difficult Times
- May 14, 10 AM: Yes! You Can: Preserving Practice Jams & Jellies Webinar
- May 20, 1 PM: Cooking for One
Family Health and Safety
- April 7, 6:30 PM: Truths and Lies About Autism: Autism Awareness Month
- April 8, 1 PM: Food Rescue at Home: Reducing Waste and Reusing Leftovers
- April 16, 2 PM: Who Gets Grandma's Pie Plate?
- April 21, 6:30 PM: Sleep and Autism: Autism Awareness Month
- April 23, 2 PM: Being Mindful During Difficult Times
- April 29, 1 PM: Every Step Counts: Getting the Most out of Activity Trackers
- April 30, 2 PM: Someday is Today: Live Your Bucket List