Parents are struggling to find child care now that schools in Monroe County are closed to slow the spread of coronavirus, and they’re turning to social media for help.
Brianna James lives in Irondequoit, and has two kids.
"We got the news that all of the schools around us were closed until further notice," she said Sunday. "I’m on a couple of moms groups and people were posting, like, what am I going to do."
When County Executive Adam Bello announced that Monroe County schools were closing, he didn’t give parents much other information. No number to call or website to visit.
So people have been reaching out to each other online -- on Facebook, specifically.
"It’s just helping each other out," said James. "It’s just saying, hey, I’m home already, if you need help, I’m located in this town, that type of thing."
In local Facebook groups, parents are trading information, offering child care services, referring families to retired nurses, out of work teachers, even college students unexpectedly home from universities.
James is fortunate -- she has family to watch her children, who are 5 and 3. But she knows a lot of people aren't as lucky. That's why she created a specific Facebook group to help parents struggling with school closures connect with child care providers in Monroe County.
Elsewhere on the internet, other people are offering their childcare services. Jessica Masterson is a bus driver.
"I am going to have time available," she said, "and I know there’s so many children that need care that if I’m able to help anyone I’m more than willing."
Heather Horn is a mother, and a foster parent. She says the foster family community has been stepping up where they can, too.
"Foster families are trying to spread the word to each other," she said. "We’re getting phone calls from case workers. We all try to be a community and we team up together when we can."
Bello says that individual districts will have more information for parents soon.
