August is return-to-school month

Following a difficult, tumultuous year and a half of mixed remote and in-person learning, parents and kids alike came away exhausted, with fewer summer options available and child care still at a premium. Now, as we move into the final month of summer, it is time once again to prepare for the return to school. While this year is planned to be all in person, there are still challenges and needs related to ongoing minimization of COVID-19 spread, such as the call to mandate masks in Boston schools for the 2021-2022 years.   



In addition, parents, many of whom have been affected negatively by the economic consequences of the pandemic, still need to provide school supplies, transportation, and support for their children going into the new year.  Beyond that, students and parents are both struggling with mental health support and preparing healthy habits for engaging in school. We wanted to highlight organizations devoted in 2021 to assisting parents (and to whom we recommend you donate if possible) with school supplies, and other resources for families going into the new school year.

• This site offers a master list of potential places to get free school supplies for low-income families in need in the Boston area.
• Eight ways to get free school supplies this year:  This guide offers a list of major resources for seeking out school supplies if you are a parent in need.
• To help students in need of supplies for the coming year, the Salvation Army is hosting their 10^th annual Back to School Distribution Drive on Wednesday August 18.
• For those interested in giving back to the community, School on Wheels offers a donation drive and services for students fighting homelessness. 
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers this helpful guide on staying up to date with checkups and required vaccinations.
• This back to school mental health checklist shows many useful tips for returning to the routine of school days and responsibilities.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a free six-week virtual educational and support group called NAMI Basics for parents of emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and teens teens.
• This guide from McClean Hospital helps parents preparing to send their kids to college. There are tips around  managing their habits, their mental health, and their wellness. 
• Parents Helping Parents is a support organization with in-person and virtual parenting support groups as well as a 24-hour support line.
• Back to School Tips for Kids Who Are Struggling: This guide offers helpful advice with setting the right mindset.

Please feel free to reach out to us at the Employee Assistance Program with any other resources you feel would be good for this list, or if you have any questions or needs. We will see you in the fall!