Reduced price child care in Henrico County
Henrico Police Athletic League announced reduced-price child care for three schools: Laburnum Elementary, John Rolfe Middle School, Dumbarton Elementary.

YMCA half-day and full-day child care
These offerings from the YMCA aim to support youth involved with virtual learning.

CareShare VCU
Volunteers will virtually hang out with the children of VCU employees or students who need support during this time. Sessions will last 30-60 minutes and could consist of homework help, reading a book, or watching a short movie. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with others at VCU and have a little time for yourself as a parent. Contact CareShareVCU@gmail.com with questions. Sponsored by the Graduate Student Association at VCU.

Perks at Work
Find no-cost care programs focusing on well-being, learning, and fun for children and families. A rotating variety of activities, including foreign language and coding classes, fitness activities, cooking classes and STEM-focused learning occur every Thursday. Visit the site and select the Community Online Calendar to register. If you are a first-time user, register and follow the instructions provided by the website.

Sittercity virtual babysitting
Stressed about balancing kids and work at home? Find virtual support from sitters now. A sitter can virtually help with their school work, play games to keep them occupied, or guide them through engaging activities. 

Virtual Babysitters Club
Virtual Babysitters Club was founded to simultaneously address two challenges: help talented, out-of-work professional performing artists and help parents find time to work from home and get things done around the house. Each professional performer has been chosen to entertain children remotely with activities including, but not limited to: group parties, magic and puppet shows, improv games, dance parties, sing-alongs, storytelling, trivia competitions, homework help and much more! Parents can monitor (watch and hear) if their child has moved away from the session via their own mobile device or computer. Fun for kids and comfort to parents.

Bright Horizons
Around the globe, parents and organizations trust Bright Horizons to provide high-quality education and care, operate with integrity, and empower them to thrive. For more than 30 years, we have measured success one client, one family, and one child at a time. The Bright Horizons backup care network helps individuals in need of backup care. Contact Bright Horizons to request a network backup care provider.

Anthem EAP
If parents are in need of finding additional childcare resources, Anthem members can call and ask for an assisted search in finding options. Non-Anthem members (and Anthem members who prefer to do their own searches) can utilize the Resource Search center on the EAP website.

Virginia Department of Social Services ChildCare VA
Child Care Aware, Virginia’s resource and referral agency, assists parents and guardians in finding child care that meets the needs of each family. In this difficult time, they stand ready to help families find care if their normal care arrangements have closed or if a family’s care needs change based on the essential nature of their job in order to serve the community. Visit Childcare Aware Virginia to complete an online search for care or a search request form, or call (866) 543-7852, selecting option 2, to discuss your child care needs, ask questions and receive a personalized list of referrals.

Child Care Services Association Ensuring affordable, accessible, high-quality child care for all families. 

YMCA Emergency Childcare The YMCA (the "Y") — one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of child care services—is offering emergency child care at more than 1,000 sites for families of medical personnel, essential employees and first responders.

College Nannies+Sitters+Tutors
Offers 10% off of academic tutoring and 10% off of the nanny search/placement fee. Download the My Sitters app to register for on-call/backup/babysitting and get 10% off of the one-time registration fee. Use discount code VCU10.

James Children's Center
Offers 5% off tuition.

The Learning Experience
10% off regular tuition prices as well as waived extended care fees. Show VCUCard ID.

Comcast internet offer
Comcast is offering 60 days of free internet service to new Internet Essential customers. Internet Essentials eligibility now includes all low-income families, including seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. 

Hanover County Mi-Fi device offer
Families in Hanover County who do not have reliable internet service at home may submit a form to receive a Mi-Fi device.

Goochland County expands internet connectivity
Goochland County announced partnerships with local organizations to provide additional opportunities for students, families and citizens to access high-speed internet.

Alzheimer's Association - Greater Richmond Chapter
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. The Greater Richmond chapter offers online programs, support groups, and early-stage activities for those living with dementia. 

Senior Connections
Senior Connections is dedicated to helping older adults maintain independence and quality of life as they age. They also provide support to caregivers and assist individuals with disabilities. Senior Connections offers a comprehensive range of home and community-based services for older adults, caregivers and persons with disabilities in the City of Richmond and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan.

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are local aging programs that provide information and services on a range of assistance for older adults and those who care for them. By contacting your local agency you get access to critical information including:

• Available services in your area
• Mobility assistance programs, meal plans and housing
• Assistance in gaining access to services
• Individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training
• Respite care
• Supplemental services, on a limited basis

The Office for Aging Services of the Division for Community Living helps older Virginians live as independently as possible by coordinating and providing services to help them maintain their dignity and security.

City of Richmond – Office on Aging and Persons with Disabilities
The primary goal of the Office on Aging & Persons with Disabilities (OAPD) is to promote independence and enhance the dignity of Richmond’s aging and disabled populations by connecting these individuals with the necessary resources to meet their needs. The office targets older adults aged 55 and older and persons with physical and sensory disabilities. The OAPD focuses on increasing access to services to support:

• Aging in Place through well coordinated community-based services
• Older adults who want to remain active, independent and vital contributors to their communities
• Older adults who may need additional assistance to remain independent
• Persons with disabilities in ensuring equal access to services
• Caregivers to older adults and persons with disabilities, including those who may be older and need assistance
• The OAPD plans, administers, coordinates and evaluates a community-based system of opportunities, services, benefits and protections to advance the social, health and economic well being of aging and persons with disabilities in the City of Richmond
• These efforts are implemented through partnerships with various stakeholders including public, private and faith-based entities

City of Richmond's Guide for Older Adults (PDF)

Situation: Employee asks for assistance as their kid(s) will be at home studying virtually.

Options:  

• Alternative work arrangements – Managers are strongly encouraged to be as accommodating and flexible as possible. Managers should consider utilizing alternative work arrangements such as:
• Flex or staggered schedules
• Compressed work weeks
• Job sharing
• Job restructuring
• Restructuring/reorganizing the work of the team
• Reduced schedules/FTE
• Allow flexible use of leave and time off
• Review the sample scenario for examples of using these solutions. 

Situation: Employee has been working remotely but is running out of duties.

Options: Managers and employees should consider job sharing or restructuring as well as utilizing learning opportunities found in Talent@VCU, LinkedIn Learning, or other online learning sites. Also, consider alternative work arrangements such as job sharing and job restructuring.

Considerations

Managers and employees should try to think as creatively as possible about how to accommodate employee schedule needs while balancing the strategic and business priorities of the unit. Managers implementing flexible work arrangements, particularly in a remote or hybrid remote environment, should keep several things in mind:

• Seek first to understand employee needs, then develop solutions relevant to the employee's situation
• Focus on the unique needs of specific groups of workers without creating a second class of workers and without engaging in unlawful disparate treatment or disparate impact discrimination
• Broadly communicate the benefits of flexible work arrangements to all employees; do not assume to know or understand an employee’s needs for flexibility during this time
• Use the tools available for effective performance management, including the new check-in function in Talent@VCU for university employees and classified staff

Resources

• Contact your HR professional
• Contact VCU HR
• Use the Talent@VCU check-in feature
• Visit the Safety & Risk Management Health Advisories website

Learning in place
The VDOE Department of Learning and Innovation has compiled several "Learning in Place Resources" to assist teachers, parents and students.

• English and reading
• History and social science
• Mathematics
• Science

Chesterfield Library Learning Pods
CCPL has designed Learning Pods to support customers/groups seeking a space for Virtual Learning, Independent Studying, Team Assignments, Adult Literacy, and Teleworking. To support Chesterfield County Public Schools, groups who are using the space for virtual learning will have priority registration privileges.

Virginia Museum of History and Culture resources for kids
We are dedicated to serving as the state-wide hub for the teaching of Virginia history by providing engaging learning resources, educational online tools, and meaningful multimedia content for educators, students, and history lovers of all ages.

Bright Horizons home activity kits
Bright Horizons has partnered with some of our favorite vendors to bring you a variety of materials and kits that help bring the World at Their Fingertips curriculum to your home! These materials have been educator approved and align with many of our World at Home activities. Choose from art materials to book bundles, STEM kits, and more.

VVA Outreach Program
A core service of Virtual Virginia, the VVA Outreach Program (PDF), is designed to assist Virginia public school divisions, teachers, and students by providing access to instructional resources expanded access to the Virtual Virginia learning management system at no cost. At this time of need, the VVA Outreach. The program is available to support all Virginia public school divisions with content, resources, and the online learning environment. 

Getting Learners Connected
Getting Learners Connected (PDF) outlines strategies available for students to connect and avoid barriers to distance learning outside of school, known commonly as the “Homework Gap."

VA TV Classroom
Blue Ridge PBS, VPM, WETA and WHRO Public Media worked with the VDOE to create VA TV Classroom to provide instruction to students in grades K-10 who are unable to access other distance learning options due to a lack of high-speed internet. These educational programs are also available on demand. Segments from both Learn and Grow With WHRO (grades K-3) and Continue To Know With WHRO (grades 4-7) are now available in eMediaVA.

Kindermusik Classes
Every day is a new beginning. A chance to help your child develop his or her highest potential and strongest foundation for learning. Experience a Kindermusik music class with your child and see why we’re the world’s leading music-and-movement program for children in early childhood. As we say, a good beginning never ends.

PBS News Hour
While virtual learning is not expected to be a long-term substitute for in-person learning, there are various creative ways in which educators can innovate and experiment to improve the experience. Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of Khan Academy, an education nonprofit with more than 100 million users and videos in 46 languages, joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss. Making virtual learning work for you: Tips from Khan Academy founder Sal Khan (News article)

Tips for virtual learning
Watch the webinar hosted by Jennifer Pease, a professor at the University of Virginia.

RamStrong
Each month, the Work/Life and Well-being program coordinator brings VCU employees programs like strength training, meditation/mindfulness sessions, financial wellness seminars, investment tips, and other programs focused on building a healthy work/life balance. See the most recent programs on the upcoming employee well-being events page.

Curated list of resources for children's learning
This list of links covers educational topics like arts, entertainment, health, history, math, science, reading, literature, technology, internet, facts, reference catalogs, parent/teacher resources. It also has fun links for playtime, like hobbies, crafts and animal care. 

Calm
Calm is providing some meditations, sleep stories, movement exercises, journals and music resources free to use and to share. In addition, they are offering VCU employees 40% off Calm Premium. Introducing Mindfulness to Schools (PDF).

VCU Recreation Sports
VCU Recreation Sports provides a Mindfulness/Meditation class every month through VCU HR Work/Life. See the monthly calendar of well-being programs on the VCU HR Work/Life page or at RamStrong Employee Events for more details. View a previous Meditation class from Rec Sports on the VCU Rec Sports Virtual Fitness & Wellness youtube channel.

Mindful.org
Mindful.org is dedicated to sharing the gifts of mindfulness through content, training, courses, and directories—helping people enjoy better health, foster more caring relationships, and cultivate a more compassionate society. Sign up for the free resilience kit and mindfulness tools for families and children. View programs for kids.

VCU HR Work, Life and Well-being programs
Each month, the Work, Life and Well-being program coordinator brings VCU employees programs like strength training, meditation/mindfulness sessions, financial wellness seminars, investment tips, and other programs focused on building a healthy work/life balance. See the most recent programs on the RamStrong Upcoming Employee Events page.

Sample work schedule based on schedules of surrounding county schools

Sample schedule for student in elementary school	Sample schedule for parent
8-8:30 a.m. Teacher preparation and planning	8-8:30 a.m. Prepare child for school day
8:30-9:30 a.m. Morning meeting, synchronous learning groups 1 and 2	8:30-9:30 a.m. Work
9:30-10:30 a.m. Synchronous and asynchronous learning	9:30-10:30 a.m. Work
10:30-11:30 a.m. Lunch with movement break	10:30-11:30 a.m. Lunch break with child
11:30-12:30 p.m. Math and integrated science	11:30-12:30 p.m. Work
12:30-1 p.m. Resource (Art, library, music, P.E)	12:30-1 p.m. Work
1-3 p.m. Planning, progress monitoring, other learning	3-3:30 p.m. Break with child, conference with teacher, if necessary
*If other breaks are needed for the child, parent can make up the remainder of work in the evening.	3:30-6 p.m. Work

 

Sample schedule for student in middle school	Sample schedule for parent
7:30-7:50 a.m. Advisory block	7-7:30 a.m. Prepare child for school day
7:55-9:05 a.m. First block	7:30-11:30 a.m. Work
9:10-10:20 a.m. Second block	11:30 - 12:10 p.m. Lunch break with child
10:25-11:35 a.m. Third block	10:30-11:30 a.m. Lunch break with child
11:40-12:10 p.m. Lunch	12:15 - 2 p.m. Work
12:10-12:40 p.m. Advisory block	2-2:30 p.m. Break with child, conference with teacher if necessary
12:45-1:55 p.m. Fourth block	2:30-4:45 p.m. Work
2-2:30 p.m. Teacher office hours	*If other breaks are needed for the child, parent can make up the remainder of their work in the evening.

 

Sample schedule for student in high school	Sample schedule for parent
8:30-9:10 a.m. First period	8-8:30 a.m. Prepare child for school day
9:20-10:30 a.m. Second period	8:30-11:25 a.m. Work
10:45-11:25 a.m. AEP/ Flex	11:25-11:55 a.m. Lunch break with child
11:25-11:55 a.m. Lunch	12:00-2:45 p.m. Work
11:55-1 p.m. Third period	2:45-3 p.m. Break with child, conference with teacher if necessary
1:20-2:35 p.m. Fourth period	3-5:15 p.m. Work
2:45-3 p.m. Check in/out and Parent teacher conferences	*If other breaks are needed for the child, parent can make up the remainder of their work in the evening.

Employee quotes about remote school challenges

“Balancing the virtual and [real life] demands of my work with the demands of keeping an 8 year-old focused on virtual classwork. The mind and needs of an 8 [year old] are so different from that of a working adult. Toggling between leading staff, conceptualizing and actualizing major tasks, and being present, mindful, creative, and patient with my child is exhausting in all ways. I feel I have aged dramatically in the past 5 months.”

“The stress and exhaustion of being a single parent redirecting and reminding a frustrated and easily distracted teenager to do schoolwork while being the sole caregiver for an aging parent with multiple health issues.”

“Working two full-time jobs in 24 hours. There is not enough time in the day, nor enough support – financial, emotional, psychological – to meet both the expectations of our university and encourage the healthy development of my very young children.” 

“The stress of balancing work and learning well enough to not lose my family or [job] while simultaneously providing emotional and educational support for my first-grade child.”

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Employee suggestions for VCU

“Supervisors reaching out directly to parents of school-aged children to work together to find a solution for balance. It is intimidating and a lot of stress for me to have to bring it [up] to my supervisor and ask instead of them coming to me for an open dialogue on what I may need to balance both work and virtual learning for my children.”

“Simple things could be effective, like providing clear guidance about how managers can support staff use of emergency FMLA leave. Providing advocacy resources to managers who are parents or have parents on staff. Asking managers to carefully consider staffing resources when deciding to implement new initiatives, especially when the work of developing and implementing new work falls to parents. Guidance for having conversations with and supporting parents who feel disempowered to advocate for themselves for fear of job loss, poor performance reviews, or having responsibilities permanently reassigned (negative longer term impact on career development)...”

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Response to survey:

• Listening sessions were conducted with VCU working parents
• VCU working parent discussion panel was conducted
• Zoom session for working parents overviewing survey results and resources
• Webinars explaining available leave options for working parents were held
• Digital collaboration platform for parents to share tips and provide support
• Child and elder care resource catalogs
• Discounts on child care programming
• Meditation and mindfulness resources

Articles:

How to Talk With a Struggling Adolescent
An article by Scott Robley, Crucial Conversations from Vital Smarts. 

Working from Home with Kids? How to Manage the Impossible
An article by Eve Glicksman, Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). 

Juggling Child Care with Telework? Here Are Some Tips
An article by Kathy Gurchiek, Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). 

HBR Readers on Juggling Work and Kids… in a Pandemic
An article by Harvard Business Review staff. 

3 Strategies to Help You Create a Meaningful Work-Life Balance in the Midst of Covid-19 Chaos
An article by Ann Peck, Stamford Advocate.

When your boss doesn't respect your family commitments (PDF version)
An article by Rebecca Knight, Harvard Business Review. 

Videos:

• Tips on working from home and using leave during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Overview of resources for working parents at VCU

VCU resources:

• Contact your HR professional
• Contact VCU HR
• Use the Talent@VCU check-in feature
• Stay up-to-date on VCU SRM Current Health Advisories

Other resources:

Leader in Me
Tips for teaching your children at home. The site provides free and paid access to thousands of resources including lesson plans, videos, classroom materials and on-demand professional development courses.