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خطة لطفلك في حالة مرضك (Arabic)
আপনি অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়লে আপনার সন্তানের জন্য পরিকল্পনা (Bengali)
您生病时孩子的照护计划 (Simplified Chinese)
Assurez la prise en charge de votre enfant si vous tombez malade (French)
귀하가 감염됐을 때를 대비하여 자녀에 대한 계획을 세우십시오 (Korean)
Plan pou Pitit Ou Sizanka Ou Tonbe Malad (Haitian Creole)
Plan działania w odniesieniu do dziecka na wypadek choroby rodziców (Polish)
План по уходу за вашим ребенком на случай, если вы заболеете (Russian)
Haga planes para su hijo en caso de que usted se enferme (Spanish)
اگر آپ بیمار ہو جاتے ہیں تو اس صورت حال کے لیے اپنے بچے کے لئے منصوبہ بنائیں (Urdu)

Plan for Your Child in Case You Get Sick

NYC is experiencing widespread community transmission of the COVID-19 illness. While it is scary for parents to think about getting sick, you might be comforted to talk to your friends and family about a plan for your child if that happens.

What is a plan? You can keep your child safe by arranging for a safe, responsible adult to care for your child if you become too sick to take care of them or if you need to go to the hospital.

What would I need to do? Parents might make different arrangements depending on your family's situation. Below are some tips to consider about 1) who to ask, 2) how a plan might work, and 3) communication.

1) Who to ask? Think about who might be a safe, responsible adult who could take care of your child if you become too sick to do so. This might be family, friends, or neighbors who you and your child know. Once you have ideas, talk with possible caregivers ahead of time to make sure they are willing and can help.

  • What are the risks? If potential caregivers or their household members are at higher risk for COVID-19, you might want to think of other options, in case your child is also sick.
  • What does your child think? Depending on your child's age and development, ask your child who they trust and would feel comfortable with. Older children and teens may want to take care of themselves and help take care of younger siblings, but this is not recommended. It is important for children - including older children - to have care and support from trusted adults to handle a stressful and uncertain time.

2) How a plan might work. Think about how your plan might work. Will your caregiver stay at your home, or will your child go to the caregiver's home? Will your child need help to travel? Do you have pets who will also need care?

  • Most people recover from COVID-19, but it may take up to several weeks. This checklist can help you organize the information and resources your caregiver and child may need.

3) Communication. Plans can be informal or formal, but it is helpful to make sure others know your plan and it is written down in a place that is easy to find in an emergency.

  • For an informal plan, you could write down the name and contact information of the caregiver(s) who have agreed to help you.
  • As one option for a formal plan, New York State law allows a parent to complete a form (OCFS Form 4940) to designate someone to temporarily make important decisions for a child on the parent's behalf.
  • Consider if other important people need to know your plan:
    • If someone else shares custody or the right to visit with your child, do you need to talk with them about backup caregiver planning?
    • Do you need to update your child's blue card at school?
    • Would you want to let neighbors or building staff know who has permission to come to your home if you are sick?
    • If you are currently staying in a shelter, would it help to discuss your plan with your case manager so they know who has your permission to care for your child (including coming to pick up your child if needed)?

More Resources

NYC Emergency Management and the Animal Planning Task Force have established a COVID-19 Pet Hotline for pet owners who are impacted by COVID-19 and need assistance.
Call (877) 204-8821, open 7 days per week 8am to 8pm ET. (See flyer in English or Spanish)