During these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that our community comes together to protect its most vulnerable. With children sent home from school and parents feeling the strain of COVID-19 restrictions, there is an increase in risk factors for depression and child abuse and neglect such as parental stress, economic instability, and housing insecurity. In fact, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline has already seen a 10% surge in calls and texts in recent days. Likewise, our Crisis Response Team has observed an uptick in individuals reaching out in need of assistance via the texting and call line.
Lane County children and teens in crisis should call or text our 24/7 youth hotline at 541-689-3111. Youth in need outside of our area should call or text the 24/7 Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. If you would like to learn more about preventing child abuse in Lane County, click here.
Looking Glass’s response to COVID-19
We are doing all that we can to continue to safely serve Lane County’s at-risk youth. All our programs are carefully following CDC and OHA guidelines in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and clients. Where possible, work is being done remotely. For example, teachers from Riverfront School and Center Point School are providing online work for their students to keep them on track. Riverfront Job Training and Independent Living Program staff are reaching out to clients by phone and text to provide as much support as possible. And at the Regional Crisis Center family therapy and family visits are being done by phone.
Our counseling program has also transitioned to offering only telephone and telehealth services for existing clients and has started to offer assessments for new clients this week. Counseling staff are able to continue offering therapy and psychiatric services with HIPAA compliance thanks to VSee offering their service to us for free as a non-profit.
“It is essential for clients and their families to have access to supports to mitigate the increased risks of families not having resources. Access to tele mental health therapy can really help children, as well as their families, to get support and resources.”
-Carlyn Wierda, Outpatient Services Director
Hand washing station outside of the New Roads drop-in center
Of course, not all our work can be done remotely. At our residential programs, we have canceled all outings and only essential visitors are allowed on site. Residential facilities are being cleaned more frequently and all staff and visitors are being screened for symptoms. At the New Roads drop-in center and the Station 7 shelter, all staff and youth are asked to wash their hands upon entry. Additional precautions include scheduling ahead for basic needs appointments, to-go meals, and medical assessment requirements for coughs and fevers.
“Social distancing is a unique challenge to homeless youth due to it often being safer for them to congregate/camp in groups and that they obviously don’t have the ability to stockpile large amounts of supplies which leads them to need to access things like food on a daily basis. We have done our best to keep our services as unchanged as possible, while still ensuring the safety of both our staff and our youth. We continue to provide meals, hygiene items, shower and laundry services out of the New Roads drop in center 40 hours a week and our Station 7 shelter continues to provide overnight shelter and 24/7 crisis support via our phone and texting line.”
-James Ewell, New Roads Program Supervisor
How you can help
Over the course of our fifty-year history, we have weathered countless storms thanks to the generous support of community members like you. If you would like to help us support Lane County youth, please consider donating supplies. We are in need of:
· Small toys or cards (Magic the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, board games, puzzles) for teens
· Sports and recreational equipment, crafts, video games (non-violent), yarn and art supplies
· Desktop PC connecting webcams
· Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes
Items can be dropped off at our Stepping Stone residential facility (donation bin located outside) located at 2517 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Alternatively, donate much needed funds to us by clicking here.
Any questions can be directed to development at development@lookingglass.us