Kalparrin

Supporting families with children of additional needs in Western Australia.

Information & ResourcesCOVID-19

COVID-19

Regular information from safe, reliable and reputable sources on COVID-19 and the many faceted implications for families.

Where to get reliable information

There’s lots of misleading and confusing information in the community and online about Coronavirus.  Here are the top website locations to get up-to-date information that is accurate and credible:

COVID-Safe App

The Government has recently released a new app called COVIDSafe designed to help speed up the ability to find and contain outbreaks of COVID-19 quickly which in turn may mean that governments can ease restrictions on isolation while still keeping Australians safe.

To find out more and/or watch the short video as to how the app works, click here.

To download the app to an apple phone, click here
To download the app to an android phone, click here.

Coronavirus Australia app

Stay up to date with official information and advice about the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  You’ll also find:  important health advice to help stop the spread | quick, daily snapshot of the current official status within Australia | symptom checker | relevant contact information | updated information from the Australian Government | push notifications of urgent information and updates.

Download the app from the App Store, (Apple devices) or Google Play (Android devices).

How to Wear a Face Mask Correctly

A short instructional video demonstrating the correct way to wear a disposable face mask.

WA COVID-19 Update as at 2 February 2021

The latest COVID-19 information from the NDIA and Department of Communities Disability Taskforce, as well as useful bushfire resources.

Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme

The State Government is expanding the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme to target tenants who may struggle to pay expected rent increases at the end of the COVID-19 emergency period. This new initiative is additional to the phase three grants currently being offered.  Read more.

Centrelink entitlements

Click here for more information and services to help you if you’re affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) or looking for more details.

You’ll find information for Job Seekers, students and trainees, families, carers, Indigenous and older Australians.

Crisis lines – operating 24/7

We are living in unprecedented times. Please call one of the following help lines if you are feeling isolated, alone, unsafe or depressed during this very difficult time.

Emergency Services: 000 | Crisis Care: (08) 9223 1111 (Country free call 1800 199 008) | Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 | Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 | Lifeline: 13 11 14 | Mental Health Emergency Services: 1300 555 788 (Peel 1800 676 822) | Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26 | 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 | Rural Link: 1800 552 002 | Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 | Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline: (08) 9223 1188 (Free call 1800 007 339).  

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Counselling and support services

Anglicare Counselling: 13 11 14 | Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 | CAHMS Helpline: 1800 048 636 | Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737 | Carers WA: 1800 007 332 | Family Helpline: 1800 643 000 | Helping Minds: (08) 9427 7100 | MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 | Parent and Family Drug Support Line: (08) 9442 5050 (Country 1800 653 203) | Salvation Army: 13 72 58 | Samaritans: 13 52 47 | SANE: 1800 187 263 | Separated Parents Lifeline: (08) 9261 4451 | Youth Focus: (08) 6266 4333.

Emergency Care Plan

Kalparrin has created a useful Emergency Care Plan that makes it easy for someone to take over from you in a hurry.  It contains all the information about the person that you care for in one place, so that someone else can access this quickly and easily, including: Emergency contacts | The care needs of the person | Medical information and contacts | Medicine list and much more.
Download a copy here.

FREE financial advice and resources

If you’re a carer who is struggling financially due to COVID-19, you can get in touch with Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia who provide free and impartial advice, information and  resources.

There’s help and direction around: How banks may be able to help | Money you may be able to claim | Food and emergency relief.

Click here for more information.

How to care for someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19

Handy factsheets, outlining ‘how’ to effectively distance yourself from someone in the same household who is self-quarantining or self-isolating due to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 with guidelines around meals, laundry etc.

Government of South Australia Health Department factsheet.

World Health Organisation (WHO)  infographic.

 

Resources for learning at home

The Department of Education has learning resources across all year levels and learning areas to give children and young people the best opportunity to continue to learn at home.  The site also has useful learning resources from other providers such as ABC and the Australian Museum along with tips and useful information for setting up study spaces, routines and schedules and maintaining the health and well-being of children and parents during COVID-19.

Click here to take  look.

Apps and websites for children with additional needs

Educational Learning and Mobile Technology has curated a fabulous list of educational apps for children with additional needs, available from Android and/or IOS.  The list is divided into three main categories, including apps for learners with:  Autism | Dyslexia | Visual impairment.
Click here to see both the Android and IOS (Apple) apps 
Click here for some other good educational websites

Training – free or low-cost COVID-19 training

The Department of Health has a free 30-minute online training module for health and disability care workers that provides information for infection prevention and control.  Click here to access.