Extension Crawford County

225 N. Beaumont Road, Suite 240 Fax: (608) 326-0226

Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 Dial 711 for Wisconsin Relay
Phone: (608) 326-0223/0224 http://crawford.uwex.edu/

April 1, 2020
Crawford County
Dear Parents:
Extension Staff
Your local Extension Crawford County Office would like to assist families
Amy Mitchell during this time of need, by providing some useful information and
4-H & Youth Development Educator resources. This letter includes several helpful links regarding parenting,
amy.mitchell@wisc.edu finances, scam awareness, and food safety and resources.

Amanda Griswold FACEBOOK – your local Extension office has created a public group
Human Development & specifically for the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be used to keep local
Relationships Educator information upfront and current for our residents. Our goal is to act as a
amanda.griswold@wisc.edu reference for you and your family that will allow everyone to stay as healthy
as possible. The group page is called “Extension Crawford County, WI
Jessica Jane Spayde COVID-19 Community Information.”
Community Development Educator Join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/161077604952502/
spayde@wisc.edu
Home Alone – As your family is facing unexpected childcare decisions and
Kathy Lange potentially needing children to care for themselves all or part of the day. Here
Foodwise Educator is a resource for you as a parent to best Prepare Children for Self-Care during
kathy.lange@wisc.edu this period. These videos are developed for parents and their children who
stay home alone. Parents and children are encouraged to watch the videos
Karen Snitker together and use the short activities after each video to discuss their plans to
Program Assistant stay safe home alone. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/homealone/
karen.snitker@wisc.edu
Financial Resources – The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is
Stephanie Mezera impacting households, communities, and businesses. A new national survey
Program Assistant shows that 1 in 5 households in the United States have already had their
stephanie.mezera@wisc.edu income cut or stopped altogether. The frequently asking questions at this
site highlight some common financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19
Sheena Cook-Fuglsang pandemic.
Foodwise Coordinator https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/toughtimes/covid-19-financial-resources/.
sheena.cookfuglsang@wisc.edu
Scams – In other disasters that have taken place, scammers are taking
Craig Saxe advantage of people’s vulnerability. The FTC is on the alert and recently
Area Director—Division of issued warnings to companies selling scam coronavirus treatments.
Extension
Serving Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe,
Richland and Vernon Counties Food Safety – There has been no link made between the spread of COVID-19
craig.saxe@wisc.edu and food. That being said, it is best to take precautions to prevent any
foodborne illness. Clean all food preparation surfaces with soap and water,
rinse, then disinfect the surface with a bleach solution (1 teaspoon bleach/ 4
cups of water. Let the surface air dry for a full minute. Wash clothes and
Extension County towels regularly in warm water. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY AND
Board Members THOROUGHLY WITH SOAP AND WATER. Wash before touching food
items, wash after touching food items and wash before eating. More
information visit https://crawford.extension.wisc.edu/.
Wade Dull, Chairman
David Olson School Lunch Programs — Meals are currently being delivered by your
Mary Kuhn local school each day (that school would have been in session). Vans are
Donald Stirling being used to deliver a breakfast and lunch to each student that is signed up.
Wayne Jerrett If you would like to receive these meals for children in your home under the
age of 18 contact your school and they will get your information. Please,
keep social distancing in mind as meals are distributed. You do not need to qualify for free/reduced lunch to
participate in this program.

Stretching your food budget – There are several websites for parents and children to guide you as you
plan meals and snacks that can stretch your budget. Eating a variety of healthy foods from all the food
groups can contribute to your family’s well-being.
• This website will help you plan healthy meals, snacks and even some treats that work with your
budget
• https://spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu/
• This website offers an opportunity to introduce some new recipes and get the whole family in on the
meal preparation. https://eatfresh.org/recipe/filter-cuisine/kid-friendly-1644
• My plate kitchen is user friendly website with several different search options. The site is also child
friendly offering age appropriate information. https://www.choosemyplate.gov/myplatekitchen

Here are some resources for you to use for parenting during this time.
• 20 second meditations techniques. https://crawford.extension.wisc.edu/.
• Along with how to managing your fears and anxiety around the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/content/coronavirus_HUHS_managing_fears_A2%5B5
%5D.pdf
• How to Stay Calm in the Midst of the Coronavirus Crisis
https://www.acesconnection.com/blog/how-to-stay-calm-in-the-midst-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-
psychologytoday-com
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and isolation during
an infectious disease outbreak https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma14-4894.pdf
• Understanding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kids Health for Parents
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-landing-page.html?WT.ac=p-ra

It is critical to seek factual information regarding our current situation. Here are some recognized good
sources to gain better understand of the COVID-19 circumstances.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention—CDC 24/7: Saving Lives, Protecting People™
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm
• Johns Hopkins University & Medicine https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/

Feel free to contact Extension Crawford County if you have any questions regarding topic areas above.
Additionally, check our Extension Crawford County website for more helpful websites during this time and
in the future.

Stay Healthy,

Amanda Griswold Kathy Lange

Human Development & Relationships Educator Foodwise Educator
amanda.griswold@wisc.edu kathy.lange@wisc.edu

Amy Mitchell Jessica Jane Spayde

4-H & Youth Development Educator Community Development Educator
amy.mitchell@wisc.edu spayde@wisc.edu

. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and
programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.