COVID-19 Resources
Memos, forms, and processes for Skills Staff related to COVID-19
Skills Staff Checklist
COVID-19 Information Email for People we Support, Families & Guardians
People we support, families and guardians, can send general COVID-19 questions or inquiries to the following email address: covidinfo @ skillssociety.ca.
We will do our best to respond within 48 hours, however this will be dependent on the volume of emails.
News
VIDEO: Scroll to bottom of page for daily updates from Alberta Chief Medical Officer www.alberta.ca/COVID19
WEBSITE: Alberta’s website for daily updates and communications www.alberta.ca/COVID19
Setting up an iPad Tutorial with Tech Coach Brandon
Resources for Individuals & Families
Plain Language Resources
PDF: Self Advocate COVID-19 Guide and Workbook
Plain language with pictures, guide and workbook for creating a plan during COVID-19 adapted from Opening Doors UK
View PDF →
PDF: COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities
Printable PDF on COVID-19 written in plain language and using pictures created by Green Mountain Self Advocates.
View PDF →
PDF: Look After your Mental Health During Corona Virus
Plain language information on looking after your mental health during COVID-19 developed by Council for Intellectual Disability.
View PDF →
PDF: Anxiety and COVID-19 Social Story
One page printable PDF that uses plain language and pictures to talk about anxiety and COVID-19 created by YAI.org.
View PDF →
Virtual Connections Opportunity for People we Support
Our friends at Curiko are offering a range of experiences that the people we support can join! These experiences are free and connect folks with self, community and the wider world. Experiences include things like chats, classes and digital cafes. To learn more and sign up click here.
Information on COVID-19, How to Prepare, & Things You Can Do
PDF: Hand Washing
Printable PDF visually showing the sequence of proper hand washing created by the Government of Canada.
View PDF →
VIDEO: Proper Hand Washing from Skills Society
PDF: Caring for Someone with COVID-19 at Home: Advice for Caregivers
Printable PDF outlining tips and strategies for caring for someone who has COVID-19 at home created by the Government of Canada.
View PDF →
Resources for Staff
WEBSITE: Federal Financial Resources for Individuals and Families
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan and listing of available financial resources from the federal government.
Visit website →
PDF: Coping with Uncertainty in Uncertain Times: A Resource for People Supporting Someone with Autism
Downloadable PDF explaining why uncertainty is hard for all people, but can be particularly hard for those with autism. The document offers information and tips for helping someone navigate uncertainty. Created by a professor at Newcastle University.
View PDF →
PDF: Coping with Stress, Anxiety, and Substance Use During COVID-19
Coping strategies for dealing with additional stress and anxiety during COVID-19.
View PDF →
PDF: Mobile Tools to Promote Mental Wellness
Highlights free evidenced-based mental wellness apps and questions to ask when choosing an app to use.
View PDF →
WEBSITE: Alberta Nonprofit Network - Mental Health Resources for Nonprofits
The Alberta Nonprofit Network is compiling existing. mental health resources.
Visit website ->
WEBSITE: Alberta Health Services - Help in Tough Times
Supports and resources for Albertans during stressful times. Includes COVID-19 online resources and where to find support.
Visit website →
The Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-303-2642.
Skills Society Updates
To view Skills Society updates click here.
Sector Advocacy Efforts
Dec 4th, Letter from Skills Board Chair to the Chief Medical Officer of Health Regarding Phase 1 of the Alberta Immunization Program
View letter →
PDF: March 21st, Letter from Skills Board Chair to Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister of Health
View PDF →
WEBSITE: Inclusion Alberta COVID-19 Updates
Overview of resources and advocacy efforts of Inclusion Alberta related to COVID-19.
Visit website →
PDF: March 28th, Letter from Community and Social Services
Letter to PDD Families from Office of the Assistant Deputy Minister, Community and Social Services.
View PDF →
PDF: May 11th, Letter from Community and Social Services
Letter to members of the disability community in Alberta from the Office of the Minister, Community and Social Services.
View PDF →
Shout Outs and Gratitude!
We are so grateful for the generous support of others in our community in these challenging times! See below some of the folks we’re giving shout outs to for all that they’ve done to help us!
Edmonton Community Foundation
Thank-you for your generous donation of reusable masks! This will go a long way in helping to keep people we support safe!
Pagnotta Construction
Thank-you for your generous donation of Personal Protective Equipment! This will go a long way in helping to keep the people we support and our employees safe!
Rotary Club of Edmonton Whyte Avenue
Thank-you for the beautiful variety of meals you’ve provided for some of the people we serve! Your support means so much to us!
St. Albert Dental Centre
Huge thanks to Edwin Mueller at St. Albert Dental Centre for their generous donation of masks and gloves! These are critical supplies that enable us to continue to provide the important support we do to citizens with disabilities.
Staples on Calgary Trail
Thank-you for the generous donation of hand sanitizer!
The Honourable Kaycee Madu, MLA for Edmonton-South West
Thank-you for helping to orchestrate the delivery of 72 boxes of PPE containing thousands of masks, gloves, goggles, wipes, and thermometers to our organization on April 16th! These supplies will help us continue to protect and serve the people we support and our employees on the front lines.
Edmonton Area Disability Service Providers
We have so much gratitude for the following agencies that stepped up and shared protective gowns to us for our employees to use in a time of desperate need! Thank-you Kind Regards, SkyAnne Krupa, Mira Facilitation Centre, Tralee Residential Services, and Transitions! Please know that, if we are in a position to, we will gladly return the favour in your time of need. We are stronger as a community.