<![CDATA[BETTER FAMILY LIFE YOUTH DEPT

<![CDATA[BETTER FAMILY LIFE YOUTH DEPT - Coronavirus]]>Thu, 22 May 2025 15:11:53 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[COMMUNITY RESOURCES: FREE MEALS, UTILITY FORGIVENESS & MORE]]>Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:56:59 GMThttp://www.bflyouth.org/coronavirus/resources-utility-forgiveness

Better Family Life Youth is here to help through the uncertainty and times ahead. With programs and services across Missouri and Illinois, we are on the front lines to determine where resources are most needed. Our management team is closely monitoring the developments of COVID-19 in our region and across the nation to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and people we serve.

Missouri Residents: For general questions about COVID-19 and Missouri's response, contact 877.889.3931 or visit health.mo.gov

Illinois residents: For general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois' response, contact 1.800.889.3931 or visit dph.illinois.gov

We encourage you to review these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection for ourselves and others.

Here is a list of articles and websites we're adding that will be helpful to our community:
(click titles to be redirected to websites)

Better Family Life Youth
(314) 203-4427

Spire, Ameren both suspending
disconnects and late fees
(article)

St. Louis COVID-19 Social Resource Group
(Facebook Group)

Baby/Newborn Supplies
(Google Document)

Emergency Baby Formula Recipe
(Article)

United Way Resources
(Article and Websites)

City of Department of Health Center Website
(314) 657-1499
(Website and Phone Number)

St. Louis Charter School updates and resource page:
MOCharterschools.org / 314-776-3551
www.slps.org/meals
www.slps.org/keeponlearning
www.slps.org/resources
SLPS: 314-541-1165

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
www.dese.mo.gov

stlcitycircuitcourt.com for court case updates:
(314) 552-2028

Juvenile case updates/St. Louis city probation hearing updates
(314) 340-6999

All Our Children Resource Page:
Bit.LY/allourkids
(loaded with over 100 sites for food locations and mental health resources)

Below are screenshots of local resources provided:

]]><![CDATA[Better Family Life: COVID-19 Official Statement]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2020 22:01:07 GMThttp://www.bflyouth.org/coronavirus/better-family-life-covid-19-official-statement

Dear Family,

Our Commitment to keeping the people we serve safe is always our number one priority. Following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it's important that you know Better Family Life (BFL) is doing everything possible to keep our clients, our staff and volunteers protected from its spread. We are particularly concerned about the preparedness and vulnerability of the community and clients we serve.

We are closely monitoring reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our local health department and school districts for all updated information.

To help protect yourself, remember to take the following steps to reduce your risk of infection from COVID-19, the flu or event the common cold:

-Wash your hands frequently
-Avoid touching your face
Avoid contact with others who are sick
Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and immediately dispose of the tissue and wash your hands
-Stay home if you are sick

For more information about COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website.

We've taking the following action for our staff and office visitors related to Coronavirus:

BFL employees who are sick (e.g., respiratory illness symptoms and/or fever) or living with sick individuals are required to stay at home.

BFL employees have been given the option to work remotely as needed

BFL's convening space is closed, and any meetings scheduled in that space are cancelled through the end of March.

BFL is currently open, however, because this is a rapidly evolving situation, the office may close in which case we will notify our mailing list and social media followers immediately.

Individual meetings with BFL staff scheduled in our offices may continue at staff discretion.

BFL has been directed to offer meeting participants a call in option to any scheduled on-site meeting.

We ask that any BFL guests, clients or building tenants who are symptomatic or have recently traveled to CDC-listed Level 2 or Level 3 countries (currently China, UK, Ireland, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea) not visit our office at this time. ***Domestic Locations include: Seattle/King County, Washington, Westchester County, New York, Santa Clara County, California

BFL Staff will not be traveling via air through March 31.

]]><![CDATA[RESOURCES: Operation Food Search]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2020 21:21:50 GMThttp://www.bflyouth.org/coronavirus/resources-operation-food-search

There is a great deal of uncertainty right now, and new information is coming in daily. But we do know that vulnerable families will face even more difficult times, and hunger will impact those who never previously dealt with this issue.

As always, Operation Food Search (OFS) is committed to providing immediate food assistance to those in need. We are in close contact with schools and state agencies and are working to provide alternatives so kids will have access to meals while schools are closed.

To learn more, visit the OFS website.

]]><![CDATA[BFL Youth Update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2020 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.bflyouth.org/coronavirus/hello-update-on-the-coronavirus-covid-19Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks, Better Family Life Youth has been tracking developments regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Because the health and safety of our community is our highest priority, we have been following the recommendations of all health authorities, and we have been in almost daily consultation with experts to understand how our organization can help slow the spread of the virus.

We have now made the difficult decision to modify programming at BFL Youth for the next two weeks in an effort to protect the safety of our families, our staff and our community. We are postponing all public and sporting events for March, and we will continue to evaluate the situation as it evolves. Our primary responsibility is to serve our families, keeping them safe and helping them thrive. This is our primary consideration in making this decision, as it is for all decisions at Better Family Life.

We encourage everyone to stay calm, informed, and prepared. For accurate and up-to-date information, please visit Corona-virus-STL and cdc.gov. Health and safety are all of our responsibilities. We encourage you to practice safety measures at home and when you're out. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when sneezing and coughing and please stay home if you are sick. Take measures to avoid unnecessary contact with large crowds and confined gatherings of people to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

If you have questions, please reach out to our staff, who remain available via phone during this time.

Better Family Life, Inc.
Youth, Family & Clinical Services
(314) 367-3440 ext. 701
or (314) 203-4427

All our best,

- Better Family Life Youth

]]><![CDATA[Talking to your children about COVID-19]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2020 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.bflyouth.org/coronavirus/march-16th-2020

As the world is turning its focus on understanding what COVID-19 is, and ways to prevent viruses like it from spreading, it is important to take the time to talk with your child or teen about the spread of viruses and the best ways to protect themselves. Remember, the age of your child matters, so it is important to give them the facts in ways that they understand.

In time of uncertainty, it is very common to reassure the young people in your life and thoughtfully talk to them about what is going on. First, sharpen your knowledge. Review the CDC guidelines for healthy habits. Prevention, stopping a problem before it becomes a problem, is the ultimate goal.

Tips for talking to kids about COVID-19:

1. For older children, ask them what they've heard about COVID-19 and what questions they might have. Gauge their level of knowledge and help them sort fact from fiction.

2. It is a parent or positive mentors job to help children feel safe and secure. Reassure youth, if they are worried, that they are safe. It's important that kids are not asked to support their caregivers concerns or worries.

3. Share with them what you know and what you don't know. Help them understand that scientists are studying the virus every day and are learning more along the way. Be sure to create opportunities for more conversations as more information is understood and becomes available about the virus.

4. For young and older children, one of the best things you can do is reinforce healthy hygiene habits. Ask them: What can we do now to stay healthy? What could we do more of? What can we do better?

5. Here is some prevention guidance from the Centers for Disease Control to protect yourself and your family.

Don't forget to try to make it fun and engaging! Especially for younger children, focus on healthy habits and make up a game to reinforce them. For example, create a new fun song to sing every time they wash their hands (that lasts 20 seconds or more).

Preventing the spread of viruses is important every cold and flu season, especially now. Continue to follow guidance from the CDC and local health departments in your community to stay up to date.

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