Online toolkit for community leaders

The Canadian Red Cross, with funding from Indigenous Services Canada / First Nations Inuit Health Branch, has launched a Help Desk resource for Indigenous Community Leadership. The Help Desk is launched in coordination with other Indigenous help desks, such as First Nations Health Managers Association’s InfoPoint.

Welcome to your online toolkit! This toolkit can be used to access information and guidance on planning for health emergencies;, referrals; and community wellness and protection tools to help support your community in the face of COVID-19.

• Who is this toolkit for?
• How to use this toolkit?
• Which tools are available to you?
• Official sources of information

Who is this toolkit for?

• Community leaders and/or emergency officials looking for information, referral services, training or guidance to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• If you are not an emergency official and are looking for information on the Canadian Red Cross and safety tips to help with COVID-19, please visit COVID-19 – Novel Coronavirus information page.

 How to use this toolkit?

• The first step is to call our virtual support team at (1-833-937-1597) between 8 am and 8 pm (Central Standard Time), 7 days a week.
• You can also reach us by email at IndigenousProgramsHELPDESK@redcross.ca.   
• Our Help Desk team will assess the needs of your community, provide information and referrals, guide you through the resources below based on your needs, and/or provide you with one-on-one guidance depending on your specific areas of concern.

 Which tools are available to you?

• Downloadable graphics you can share on your social media channels.
• Planning tools for health emergencies, such as guidance and training materials on how to protect your workers.
• Health guidance such as hand-washing, physical distancing and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).   
• Community wellness and protection, such as online information for children and youth, suggestions for family activities while physical distancing, and Psychological First Aid.

Graphics that you can download and use on your community’s social media channels. You can also share posts from thee official sources of information listed below.

• Who is this for? Community Leaders and those running localized digital communication platforms.
• Social media graphics

Planning for health emergencies

• Operational Guidelines : community level coordination, planning and monitoring
  • Who is this for? Community leaders and emergency officials

Health guidance

• Six quick infection control and prevention tips
  • Who is this for? Community members looking to protect themselves, their families and their community. 

Community wellness and protection

• Activities, tips and tools for self-care, keeping in touch, staying safe online, and helping friends.
  • Who is this for?
    • Children and youth 8 years and older, with adult supervision
    • Parents/caregivers
      • Online resources
      • 21 days of Hope (Also available in Inuktitut): Use this resource on social media, share on your website or send to families to keep communities informed and help people cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
      • Finding Hope Through Caring Workbook
  • Summary on Psychological First Aid, with tips on self-care and being there for family, friends and community when they are having trouble dealing with a stressful situation. 
  • Who is this for?
    • Community leaders and emergency officials
    • Parents/caregivers
    • Youth
  • Other resources and helplines
    • If you're experiencing emotional distress and want to talk, contact the toll-free Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Kids Help Phone online, at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting CONNECT to 686868.

  First Nations Health and Wellness Colouring Book

   
  The First Nations Health and Wellness Colouring Book is an invitation to slow down. 19 Manitoba First Nation artists contributed pieces inspired by their reflections on health and wellness from a First Nation’s perspective.
   
  The colouring book was produced in partnership between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Canadian Red Cross.
  
  
  
   

  Official sources of information

  The following organizations have websites that can provide you with up-to-date and credible information to help you and your community through the COVID-19 pandemic. You can share messaging from these sources on your community’s website or social media channels.
   
  • First Nations Health Managers Association
    • ​InfoPoint
  • Canadian Red Cross
    • COVID-19 – Novel Coronavirus information page
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Indigenous Services Canada
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Indigenous communities
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Public Health Agency of Canada
    • Outbreak update  
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • World Health Organization Q&A on coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Questions and answers on coronavirus (COVID-19) 
    • Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports
    • Facebook
    • Twitter