News

June is here and so is Parks and Recreation month! Things are a little different right now as we are all trying our best to got outside and stay active, while trying to maintain physical distancing protocols. That can be tough, so to help you out here are the outdoor recreation guidelines from the province as well as some weekly activity ideas from the Alberta Recreation & Parks Association.

Taking part in regular physical activity is key to improving wellness for older adults. It is one of the core ways to help improve and maintain independence and overall health and well-being. Check out the Physical Activity Toolkit PDF below!

With schools closed tweens and teens are spending more time online. Check out the 'Parenting Tweens and Teens in the Digital World' guide. This guide is to help parents educate, and to use as a guide to start conversations with their teens and tweens; so that they know how to be safe online.

Running out of ideas to keep your family entertained? Check out these Boredom Buster activities!

• Activity check lists/ideas for Family/Kids, Teens and Virtual Adventures!
• Conquest Equipment has construction equipment themes colouring and activity pages for kids, check them out here!
• A COVID Time Capsule activity sheets for kids
• A COVID time capsule activity sheets for adults
• Free worksheets and activities from Scholastic for grades K-8
• There are tons of free e-resources available through our local libraries and library systems! Audiobooks, kid friendly Tumble Books, Ancestry.com, and more!
• Ojibwa colouring and language books; Things from Mother Earth and Beautiful Words from Turtle Island

ALL travelers who returned to Alberta from outside Canada on or after March 12th are required to self-isolate immediately, for 14 days, and monitor for symptoms.

If you are sick or are unsure of your symptoms, please stay home and call Health Link at 8-1-1, or use Alberta Health Services online assessment tool. Do not go to your Family doctor, ER or walk-in clinic.

To help protect you and your family against all respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19, you should:

• Wash your hands often and well
• Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
• When sick, cover your cough and sneezes and then wash your hands
• Practice Social Distancing (learn more here)

Support Information for Residents

Individuals and families

• Temporary salary top-up for low-income essential workers
• Increasing the Canada Child Benefit
• Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment
• Extra time to file income tax returns
• Mortgage support
• Utility Payment Deferral

People facing loss of income

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Indigenous peoples

• Addressing immediate needs in Indigenous communities
• Supporting Indigenous communities public health needs and preparedness
• Making personal hygiene products and nutritious food more affordable
• In addition to the measures above, Indigenous peoples can also access benefits listed under Support for individuals and Support for businesses.

People who need it most

• Improving access to essential food support
• Supporting people experiencing homelessness
• Supporting women and children fleeing violence
• Providing youth with mental health support
• Delivering essential services to those in need

Seniors

• Reduced minimum withdrawals for Registered Retirement Income Funds
• Supporting the delivery of items and personal outreach
• Providing immediate and essential services to seniors

Students and recent graduates

• Suspending repayment and interest on student and apprentice loans
• Temporary changes to Canada Summer Jobs program
• Student loans payment deferral

Important Phone Numbers

• Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322
• Kids Helpline: 1-800-668-6868
• Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
• Toll-Free Crisis Hotline: 1-800-482-4357
• Alberta Supports: 1-877-644-9992
• Family Violence: 310-1818, or chat online, 8 am - 8 pm MST: alberta.ca/family-violence-find-supports.aspx

Help During Tough Times

At some point in our lives we all have stressful times. We can be impacted by such things as financial pressures, unexpected difficulties, unemployment, or stressful situations such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Alberta Health Services has resources and services available to help you or someone you know. Remember, if you are struggling you are not alone. There are supports in place to help you. Find them here.

Text4Hope Line

Alberta Health Services has launched a free daily text message system to provide a once-daily text with or without a related weblink, to provide support and build coping skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. To sign up, text COVID19HOPE to 393-939

I've been tested for COVID-19, now what?

If you have had a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab to test for COVID-19, while you are awaiting your results you are required to remain in self-isolation, at home. While at home, please also continue to follow good respiratory etiquette, and good hand hygiene practices. Learn more here.

I have received notice of a positive test result for COVID-19, what do I do?

You will be contacted by AHS Public Health to advise on your self-isolation period. Please remain in self-isolation. Learn more here.

Community COVID-19 Resource Guides

• Peace River FCSS Social Resource Guide
• Manning & District Social Resource Guide

Info for those caring for a COVID-19 patient at home: visit the AHS website here.

All national updates can be found at: www.Canada.ca/coronavirus

Updates from Alberta Health Services can be found at: www.ahs.ca/covid

To see the County of Northern Lights response to COVID-19, please click here.

Updated April 24th, 2020