School Shootings and Community Gun Violence: What to Say to Children and How to Help Them Cope
By: Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD
School shootings and gun violence have become a horrible reality in our country. The latest in Uvalde, Texas is another example of these tragic events that fill our screens with updates and our hearts with grief. Mass shootings are distressing, but school shootings may be especially difficult for children.
Reports of shootings in perceived safe places such as schools, supermarkets, and places of worship, can trigger anxiety and stress for children. Even participating in active shooter drills that are meant to prepare them for such incidents can be equally upsetting. Fortunately, there are ways that parents and caregivers can help children cope with the trauma of gun violence.
Rhode Island State Resources
College Bound Baby
College Bound Baby is an enhancement of CollegeBound Saver and is designed to help Rhode Island families get an early start on saving for their children's higher education.
Every child born to or adopted by Rhode Island families is eligible for a $100 CollegeBoundbabygrant to be used for higher education.
The grant will be held and invested by the Office of the General Treasurer in a CollegeBound Saver master account on behalf of the child until the child is ready to attend a higher education institution.
Parents can easily apply for the grant when they check the box on the "Birth Worksheet" at the hospital or they can download, complete and return the form before their child's first birthday.
The grant is also available to Rhode Island residents who adopt a child and submit the enrollment formwithin one year of the child's adoption date.
Completed forms should be sent to:
Office of the General Treasurer
Attn: CollegeBoundbaby
50 Service Ave.
Warwick, RI 02886
Learn more at www.collegeboundbaby.com.
RI's ABLE
Helping to make life better.
There's no limit to what people with disabilities can do.
Now, that includes saving, too.
With RI's ABLE, you can save for qualified disability expenses without losing your eligibility for certain assistance programs, like SSI and Medicaid.
For more information go to Rhode Island General Treasurer’s Website:
https://savewithable.com/ri/home.html
