Currently available FREE resources (mostly) in response to COVID-19: 

UP-TO-DATE

➤COVID-19 pandemic

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/

➤U.S. Government’s response:

Source: https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus

➤City of Red Oak’s response:

Source: http://www.redoaktx.org/AlertCenter.aspx

COMMUNICATION

Phone services

➤Free unlimited smartphone data from all four major service providers (Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T) thanks to the FCC’S recent "Keep Americans Connected Pledge" which also includes:

- Not terminating service due to an inability to pay

- Waiving late fees

- WiFi hotspots

Source: https://www.fcc.gov/keep-americans-connected

➤Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance program brought to you by Virgin Mobile. Lifeline is a government assistance program. The Assurance Wireless offer provides eligible low-income free monthly data, unlimited texting, and free monthly minutes. Plus a free phone.

Source: https://www.assurancewireless.com/

Internet

➤60 days of free Comcast Internet for low-income households, the elderly, and veterans - continued service not required, can be cancelled at any time.

Source: https://www.internetessentials.com/ And https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19

STREAMING

➤Free streaming from Pluto TV

-Source: https://pluto.tv/welcome

➤Free access to nightly streaming from the Metropolitan Opera

Source: https://www.metopera.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpfHzBRCiARIsAHHzyZoptaRuAuZ3AqM6EyzRuGdgziAmQKV9eNHmxtXy-V7_1ETm7KJQ4gUaAv_iEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

CHILDREN

➤20 days free access to Scholastic Learn at Home (up to 3 hours per day) Source: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/articles/resources/scholastic-learn-at-home--free-resources-for-school-closures.html

➤Free science lessons from Mystery Science (K-5th)

Source: https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning

➤This Free Virtual Field Trip Google doc:

Source: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/mobilebasic

➤Magic Treehouse Game

Source: https://www.magictreehouse.com/mission-game/?ref=PRH3FDCBDDF89

EDUCATION

➤FREE education resources here: 

Source: http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/

➤FREE eBooks and eAudiobooks using your library card number & PIN (Last 4 digits of your phone number)

Source: http://www.redoaktx.org/465/eBooks-eAudiobooks-eMagazines

➤FREE access to online reference databases using your library card number & PIN (Last 4 digits of your phone number)

Source: http://redoaktx.librarycatalog.info/polaris/search/misc/esources.aspx?ctx=3.1033.0.0.1

➤Magic Treehouse Teacher Resources

Source: https://www.magictreehouse.com/teachers/resources/?ref=PRH3FDCBDDF89

➤Learning Activities

Source: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zr3YbZcQ1rr_2-qUFzANqJPvtp3uquMNPS-XRIv56WE/mobilebasic 

➤Exploration

-SPACE

• Explore the Surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover

https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/

• NASA Initiative For Kids

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/

-CULTURE & TRAVEL

• Tour Yellowstone National Park

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm

• Take a Virtual Field Trip to Paris, France

https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

• Virtually Tour the Great Wall of China

https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

• Virtual Tours

https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

• Cultures & Countries Around the World

https://www.countryreports.org/

• Archives of Historical Photographs & Documents

http://www.whatwasthere.com/

-OUTDOORS & ANIMALS

• FarmFood 360 Virtual Farm Tours

https://www.farmfood360.ca/

• National Zoo and Smithsonian Learning Lab

https://www.si.edu/kids

• Alaskan Wildlife Cams

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.webcams

• San Diego Zoo Tour

https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/

• National Geographic Geography & Animals

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

• National Geographic Young Explorers

https://ngexplorer.cengage.com/ngyoungexplorer/index.html

• Explore Ocean Life

https://ocean.si.edu/

Source: https://go.pardot.com/l/136541/2020-04-02/69qwgz

➤FREE eBooks available without a library card

Sources:

https://earlybirdbooks.com/

https://www.bookbub.com/welcome

https://www.freebooksy.com/

https://www.free-ebooks.net/

EMPLOYMENT

➤Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements

Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave

➤If your employment has been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19), apply for benefits either online using the link below or call 800-939-6631 from 8am-6pm Monday through Friday 

Source: https://twc.texas.gov/news/unemployment-news#ifYourEmploymentHasBeenAffectedByTheCoronavirusCovid1

MENTAL HEALTH

➤Free Coronavirus Sanity Guide. In times like these, we need practical, actionable ways of coping with stress, fear, and anxiety. The meditations, podcasts, blog posts, and talks on this page will help you build resilience and find some calm amidst the chaos. They’re adding more resources as they’re created - so keep checking back.

Source: https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide

PHONE APPS 

All available on iTunes or Google Play

➤ASK & Prevent Suicide - Provides useful information to use as an educational resource as well as a crisis intervention resource for suicide prevention 

➤Breathe2Relax - Stress management tools and exercises

➤Self-help Anxiety Management - Helps people manage anxiety

➤Suicide Safer Home - Practical tips for parents and caregivers

➤Texas Veterans - Access local, state and national resources

➤Virtual Hope Box - Stores personal messages, information and pictures to promote mental wellness and crisis support

Source: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services

FREE HOTLINES:

➤North Texas Behavioral Health Authority

Ellis County: 866-260-8000

Source: https://ntbha.org/

➤Click below for crisis line phone numbers by county or call 211, option 8

Source: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services

➤Crisis Text Line: Text 741741, free 24/7

Source: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services

➤Depression

Source: https://www.mentalhelp.net/depression/hotline/

➤Anxiety

Source: https://www.mentalhelp.net/anxiety/hotline/

➤PTSD

Source: https://www.mentalhelp.net/ptsd/hotline/

➤Bipolar

Source: https://www.mentalhelp.net/bipolar/hotline/

➤Panic Attack:

Source: https://www.mentalhelp.net/anxiety/panic-attack-hotline/

➤Schizophrenia:

Source: https://www.mentalhelp.net/schizophrenia/hotline/

➤If your depression has caused you to lose a job, drop out of school, lose touch with family or friends, or if you’ve noticed changes in your sleep and appetite that have not improved, contact one of these free resources to learn more about treating your depression.

● Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

➤SAMHSA’s behavioral health treatment services locator is an easy and anonymous way to locate treatment facilities and other resources, such as support groups and counselors, to treat and manage depression.

● National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

➤If your depression is leading to suicidal thoughts, call the National Hopeline to connect with a depression treatment center in your area. The Hopeline also offers a live chat feature for those who don’t want to (or are unable to) call and can dispatch emergency crews to your location if necessary.

● National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

➤This national hotline is another valuable resource for people whose depression has escalated to suicidal or other harmful thoughts. Their network of crisis centers provide emotional support and guidance to people in distress and are also available via a chat service and a special hotline number for the hearing impaired: 1-800-799-4889.

➤This resource provides brief interventions for youth who are dealing with pregnancy, sexual abuse, child abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts. They also provide referrals to local counseling, treatment centers, and shelters.

● National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663