General Information


  • Call4Calm- Illinois Department of Human Services Free  and Anonymous Support Line
    Individuals who want to speak with a mental health professional can text the word “TALK” or “HABLAR” (for Spanish speakers) to 552-020. Within 24 hours, that individual will receive a call from a mental health professional employed by a local community health center. People can also text other terms, like “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” to the same number to receive information on how to navigate and access supports and services.

    COVID hotlines

    Other Hospital websites:

    NorthShore University HealthSystem – COVID-19 Parent Letter (04/23/2020)
    This letter lays out COVID-19 Symptoms and informs parents about what to do if anyone in the household is experiencing any symptoms.

    Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
    It is my hope you will be reassured by this guidance from the US Dept of Homeland Security, developed "to help State and local officials as they work to protect their communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety," which lists those industries that could be encouraged to continue to provide their essential community services. The list is "not intended to be [an] authoritative or exhaustive list," but includes about a dozen areas including: emergency services, healthcare, energy, food & agriculture, critical manufacturing, transportation, and water.

    When accessing these links, be sure to pay attention to the dates associated with these publications to assure you are accessing the most current information:

    IDPH School Guidance Link (added 03/11/2020)
    This link addresses how school officials can prepare for coronavirus cases and outbreaks with a checklist to help schools take steps to plan and protect the health of students in your care and your community, as well as links to CDC school guidance and recommendations for childcare and K-12 school officials.

    CDC Homepage for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19    )
    This is the Center for Disease Control’s main page for information regarding COVID-19. Just about everything you need to know can be accessed from this page.

    IDPH - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
    This is the Illinois Department of Public Health’s main page for information regarding COVID-19. It includes frequently asked questions and data regarding persons under investigation, as well as symptoms, transmission, prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

    Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
    This interim guidance is intended to help administrators at both the school and district levels and childcare programs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff. Be sure to continue to the bottom of the page for the section titled Guidance for schools with identified cases of COVID-19 in their community. That is us in the North Cook County region.

    Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19 (February 2020)
    While we know how important it is to protect and take care of our kids, school districts need to remember that we are also the employers of a vast and diverse workforce. Supporting staff is also critical.

    IDPH – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Frequently Asked Questions
    This page is just what it says: FAQs. If you have looked at the previous pages on this site, this one will probably be redundant. But there is an English and Spanish tab, and it is a good resource for the COVID-19 novice.

    CDC Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
    Remember that our school nurses are our most “local” healthcare professionals. This page may help them to better serve our students and staff.

    About COVID-19
    Another resource from CDC, perhaps redundant if you have been reading all of these thoroughly, but like the FAQ page, it’s good for a novice.