Making books happen: How critical reading goes on in quarantine

Throughout the city, reading advocates like LINC partners Turn the Page KC and First Book are inventing ways to get essential books into the hands of children and support to their parents and guardians.

Utility bills assistance available for many low-income households during pandemic

Many low-income families can get help with their utility bills from support agencies and through the utility companies themselves. And families that are concerned should be making applications sooner than later.

Scared of what's coming: Domestic violence may be hiding in pandemic's shadows

The disconnect that is threatening communities with the closing of schools, churches and other public encounter spaces may be not only concealing violence, but putting more vulnerable residents in danger as households struggle with economic and social stress.

No panic; Star School rises up to keep education going for court-involved teens

The pandemic was shutting down Missouri’s state-run schools for troubled youth. Teachers worried for their students whose tenuous grasp on education means so much to their chances to rise. Then, assuredly, an answer came to them: “Oh, right. Star School.”

Coronavirus testing opportunities grow, with focus east of Troost

Kansas City health providers are working with city and county officials to bring more coronavirus testing and screening to the community. Virtual screening tools and more testing operations are setting up in church parking lots and other neighborhood sites.

Scammers targeting new filers for unemployment

The state warns that scammers are targeting new applicants for unemployment with phishing attempts to steal personal information. Here’s what to watch for.

More families getting connected online; local and statewide resources grow

While Connecting for Good was distributing computers and hot spots to Kansas City families Friday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced $3.05 million in awards to support projects throughout the state to provide broadband during the pandemic.

Witnesses to 'unrelenting pain'; CCO issues 7 demands in KC's COVID-19 response

There cannot be a “colorblind” response to how Kansas CIty delivers aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, said speakers in a Facebook Live rally by Communities Creating Opportunity Thursday. The city must “bear witness to the deep unrelenting pain . . . (of) a racialized system.

Pandemic response will be true measure of Missouri KIDS COUNT report

All the inequities in the opportunities that Missouri children have for healthy lives — charted by the Missouri KIDS COUNT report since 1993 — will come under unprecedented strain during and after the pandemic.

Alert: Many people need help getting, protecting their IRS stimulus check

Alarms are sounding for the welfare of many people whose government check is proving problematic. Concerns with debt collectors, wrong bank account information, or no bank information or no mail delivery information are threatening to deny economic aid to many people who need help most.

Your at-home kids' activities guide: From virtual sky tours to scouting and more

We here at LINC and many of our partners are getting creative in offering educational and recreational activities for our families and their children as the pandemic requires us to stay at home. Keep up to date on our LINC online activities page.

Feared Census undercount threatens Kansas City amid pandemic strain

The U.S. Census’ interactive Response Rates map shows that the feared undercount among Kansas City’s lower-income neighborhoods is already being established. And efforts to combat it are caught in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now what? Missouri schools closed for rest of year, but next steps remain in flux

Even though few were taken by surprise by Missouri’s decision to close schools for the rest of the school year, the questions over what happens next aren’t any clearer on the day after.

InPlay's education program guide now rounding up 'in-home' options

InPlay’s interactive web site that gather’s and sorts options for out-of-school time programming for families was deep into its second year of serving Kansas City when, like everyone else, the pandemic changed everything.

'That ain't right!' say tenants in KC virtual rally as concern over rents, mortgages grows

With so many jobless, so many fearing to join already swollen ranks of homeless, and both renters and landlords fearing mounting debt, the rally called for a statewide moratorium on rent and mortgage during the pandemic.

Spreading the word: Free meals available for families with children

The first week without Kansas City Public Schools meal service has some providers worried that parents and guardians are not getting the message of where they can go.

Campaign puts all adults on watch for child abuse during pandemic as #Essential4Kids

A disturbing drop in the number calls to the Missouri child abuse hotline is sparking an urgent call for everyone to help keep watch on the state’s children in the awareness campaign, #Essential4Kids.

Missouri's Child Advocacy Day 2020 is on! (virtually, that is)

This week, the 2020 version of this the statewide gathering will meet online, promising “to show Missourians that even though times are uncertain now, we can still come #Together4MOKids.”

Disconnected at home: KC’s pandemic-fueled race to get Internet access for all

The pandemic’s social isolation lights new fire to a long-running struggle to get everyone in Kansas City connected to the Internet. A look at who’s doing what, and how you can get help, or give help.

What to do if you're newly unemployed in Missouri

Here’s how to file a claim if you’re one of more than 100,000 Missourians among 6.6 million Americans filing unemployment claims last week.