What is COVID-19
Plain-Language Guide explaining COVID-19, by and for People with Disabilities
Thank you to the Green Mountain Self-Advocates, a partner of the Self Advocacy Resource & Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) for putting together this resource!
Stay Updated
- Colorado’s COVID-19 page
- City of Greeley: COVID 19 Updates
- NoCO REDI – COVID-19 Info
- Colorado SBDC Disaster Recovery & Relief
- State of Colorado new mask order effective July 17,2020. For more information and guidelines click here
Vaccinations
Where Can I get Vaccinated?
- Weld County Locations
- Eastern Counties
The Basics about COVID 19 Vaccines
Vaccine Form Link
Vaccine: Frequently asked questions – FAQs
Vaccine Info for Providers
Medical Rationing During COVID-19
With all the new information regarding COVID-19, The Governor of Colorado has announced a Medical Rationing plan for Colorado. This will help insure people with I/DD are not discriminated against. Please check out the resources below for more information.
Please contact Leticia at 970-353-5219 ext. 105 if you have questions.
- Useful Tips for First Responders Aiding with People with Disabilities during COVID-19- It’s normal to feel anxious during this time. Here are a few tips for first responders to help
- Colorado Crisis Standard of Care- What to expect when you go to see a medical professional
- Communication Best Practices- This guide will help with what is the best form of communication for people with I/DD
- Center of Dignity in Health Care for People with Disabilities – Individuals with disabilities have equal rights to COVID-19 treatment and test. This document helps you understand what those rights are.
- Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities during COVID-19- What you need to know if a person with I/DD might need help medical help.
New & Important Information

Food
- FILL THIS FORM. Hunger Free Colorado
- Food Pantry Locations
- Access a Food Program- Weld Food Bank
- Meal Distribution for Weld Re-4 School District
- The Salvation Army of Greeley will deliver food to people who are unable to drive or are quarantined.Check out their Facebook or call 970-346-1661 for more information.
- Miller Farms is offering a deliver service.Check out their Facebook for more information
- Greeley/Evans School District 6 Meal Stops
- Summer Feeding Program
- Summer Food Service Program
These stores offer Senior-Only Shopping but include Individuals with I/DD during this time
- Safeway: 7-9A Tuesday & Thursday
- King Soopers: 7-8A Monday, Wednesday & Friday
- Target: 1st Hour every Wednesday
- Whole Foods: 1 Hour before opening every day
How to Disinfect Groceries/ Takeout Food
Housing
- Housing Information
- COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project
- Rental Assistance Brochure
- Eviction Project
Internet and Utilities
CenturyLink
- CenturyLink will waive late fees and will not terminate residential or small business customer’s service for the next 60 days due to financial circumstances associated with COVID-19.
Comcast
- Comcast will provide 60 days for free internet for new families. How to access free 60 days internet essentials: To receive the increased Internet speeds, existing customers will not need to do anything. The new speeds will be rolled out nationally over the next few days. (There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish) We’ll send all new customers a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router. There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee. To sign up, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. This is an accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language.
Xcel Energy
- During this time, disconnections for nonpayment of gas service in Colorado had been halted. If customers are having trouble with their bills, below is a link that offers several places (including Xcel Energy to seek assistance :(https://www.xcelenergy.com/…/energy_assis…/energy_assistance).
Education
- Colorado Department of Education
- U.S Department of Education Releases Webinar, Fact Sheet for Protecting Students’ Civil Rights During COVID-19
- Greeley-Evans Weld County Schools District 6
- District Closures and Meals
- Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities during the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak
- Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
- Navigating Special Education during COVID-19
- COVID-19 & Educational Rights for Parents
- Gestionar la educacion especial durante COVID-19
- A Parent’s Guide to Virtual Learning: 4 Actions To Improve your Child’s Experience with Online Learning
- An Educator’s Guide to Virtual Learning- 4 Actions to Support Students With Disabilities and Their Families
- Transition Resources During COVID-19 Outbreak
- Supporting Families with Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
- Educating All Learners During the COVID-19 Disaster
- Special Ed During the COVID-19 Pandemic Webinar
- Tracking Student Document
- Educational Program Checklist
- The National Technical Assistance Center for inclusive practices has framework ideas for teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities. There are sections on: creating individualized supports, helping children who get “stuck” and so much more!
- You can find the Building Engagement with Distance Learning HERE
- Do you have questions about Compensatory Service, Contingency Learning Plans & IEP’s?
- Click HERE for Special Education & COVID-19 FAQ’s form the Colorado Department of Education
- Advocacy Denver has created a handy list of common terms & definitions such as: Contingency or Remote Learning Plans, Homebound & Homeschool, and Compensatory Services
- Click HERE for the quick guide
Postsecondary Education
- UNC’s Go On and Learn (GOAL) is an inclusive higher education program at the University of Northern Colorado. GOAL is an opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental (I/DD) to attend college. Learn more about the GOAL Program here. Applications at the University of Northern Colorado are open until March 1st, 2021! To apply, check out UNC’s Application Checklist to download and complete the required materials. All completed materials can then be emailed to christina.ruffatti@unco.edu.
Waiver Information
- Informational Webinars for Long-Term Services and Supports
- COVID-19 Updates Presentation for Disability Community-Updated May 15, 2020
- Day Program Person Centered Plan
- Day Program Checklist
Health and Wellness
Medical Care through TELEHEALTH
In response to the growing COVID-19 in our state, Clinica Colorado is offering VIRTUAL visits by phone or video call. The visits are $10, and this service allows patients to receive care while maintaining the safety of all patients, family, staff, and the community. ENTER HERE to schedule an appointment.
If you have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) coverage, and believe you require testing for COVID-19, call your primary care provider (PCP) first. If it is determined that a test is warranted, the test will be covered without a co-pay. But again, check with your PCP first. If you don’t know who your PCP is, call the enrollment center at 1-888-367-6557. For more information and FAQs, please healthfirstcolorado.com/covid
If you do not currently have insurance, have recently lost coverage, or loss of coverage is imminent, please visit the official Colorado healthcare marketplace at connectforhealthco.com
A special enrollment period has been extended to April 30, 2020. For more information, please visit connectforhealthco.com/get-started/covid-19-support/
Additional Health and Wellness Resources
Mental Health
- North Range Behavioral Health
- Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Services
- Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
- Centennial Mental Health Center
- Supporting Families During the Pandemic: Four Therapists Share Their Wisdom
- COVID-19 Support Program
- Money Stress and Mental Health: 5 ways to cope
Labor and Employment
- Financial assistance for servers, back workers, and bartenders
- US Department of Labor: Safety and Health, COVID-19
- The United States Department of Labor Additional Resources
- CDC: Interim Guidance for Business and Employers
- WHO: Key Planning Recommendations for Mass Gatherings
- How to Work from Home and Tips For Employers during COVID-19
- Employment Information and Resources on Cornavirus
Action Alerts!
72nd Colorado General Assembly
- The Colorado Legislature as halted its annual session at least until March 30th.
- If you would like to send a message to your legislator, you can find your legislator HERE. It is important to keep engaging with our elected officials as we are ALL trying to figure out the nest steps for our families and our communities.
- CDPHE strongly advises all visitors and residents of Eagle, Summit, Pitkin, and Gunnison counties to minimize social contact. More tips HERE
Additional Action Alert Resources
- Senate Passes Stimulus Package, but Will it Help People with Disabilities?
- National Governors Association
- National Conference of State Legislatures
- Council of State Governments (CSG) COVID-19 Resources for State Leaders
Keeping Children Busy at Home
- Department of Education FAQ on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Homeschool Activities
- Streaming Yoga for Children
- PBS Kids is Offering Free Programming
- Livestream Doodling Instruction
- Story Time Online
- Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Facebook page offers free videos of animals daily
- Virtual School Activities
- Free Amazon Kids TV Shows and Movies
- NASA STEM Activities
- The Boys and Girls Club of Weld County is doing a stay at home challenge, participants are entered into a raffle for a $15 gift card. Check out their Facebook for more information.
- Minecraft is launching 12 free educational programs, including a NASA-approved Minecraft ISS, logic puzzles, a tour of virtual DC, and so much more. Click here for more information.
- For older students, Forbes has put together a list of free resources for high school students.Click Here to see the full list.
- ACLU has written an article about privacy as many people sign up for services they otherwise wouldn’t, all in the name of educating their children. Click Here for more information.
Small Business Support
- Click Here for information and resources from the Colorado Small Businesses Majority for small business owners
- U.S. Small Business Administration Resource Page
Greeley/Evans public transportation information:
More Resources
- United Way 2-1-1 Information and Referral
- COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
- Upstate Economic Development
- City of Greeley Economic Development
- Colorado Emergency Child Care Collaborative
- Covid-19: Resources, Links, and Information for People with and without Disabilities | Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
- Materials in Other Languages
- Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Users Precautions for COVID-19
- If you’re worried about having to self-isolate in a dangerous home situation, reach out to National Domestic Violence Hotline at: Call 1-800-799-7233, TTY 1-800-787-3224, Chat at thehotline.org
- Sunshine Behavioral Health Emerging Solutions for Domestic Violence
Watch out for Scams!
Scammers never let a chance go waste, and sadly, COVID-19 is no different.
If you receive an e-mail, text message, or social media post or message, saying to “Click this link” to collect or pay money, DO NOT click the link. Call the agency or company directly.
Same if you receive a call demanding immediate payment by phone or banking information to “pay you,” DO NOT give it to them. Again, call the agency or company directly.
Bottom line, if you did not start the contact, end the call/text/e-mail and make contact directly with who they are claiming to be from.
DO NOT provide banking, payment, or any other information to an unwanted contact.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us.
Some helpful hints to protect yourself, your family, and your other loved ones:
- Your bank will NEVER ask for your personal or financial information in a message or call that you did not start.
- The IRS and other government agencies DO NOT conduct business by text, e-mail, or social media.
- The only text you may receive is a “Refund Status,” IF you signed up for it.
- Social Security will NEVER ask you to verify anything in a message or call that you did not start.
- Anyone, no matter who they claim to be from, that demands payment by gift card is a SCAM!
- Hang up or ignore immediately and report to the local non-emergency number.
- Please DO NOT use the 9-1-1 system to report a scam attempt.