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In response to youth-serving organizations in need of more resources to make informed decisions during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Virginia Partnership For Out-Of-School Time (VPOST) is initiating UPDATES to help and provide resources as they become available. This is our first COVID-19 resource communication, and as the information available evolves we will share what we know.
First, we want to encourage everyone who works in this field to continue to do what you do best every day and serve as a role model to the young people you serve by embracing facts and acting in concert with your partners on behalf of youth and their families across the Commonwealth.
This initial COVID-19 UPDATE includes information on:
- Valid and reliable Information sources
- Preparedness and prevention
- Making program decisions
- Meals and Nutrition Programs
- 21stCCLC Updates
Get information from reliable and valid national and local sources:
- The CDC has issued guidance on COVID-19 for schools and childcare facilities
- Get centralized local COVID-19 information from the Virginia Government.
- For information related to COVID-19 (formerly referred to as “novel coronavirus"), visit VCU Health
Address anxiety and stress through staying calm and focusing on prevention and preparedness:
- We hear a lot about good hygiene and washing hands these days, but check out these ideas to make hand-washing both fun and educational.
- How we talk to our children and young adults about the pandemic is important, particularly those who already experience anxiety or trauma. Here is a guide for parents that works well for educators and you can share with families.
- As we discuss the virus with our staff, families, and participants, let’s also practice cultural competence.
Get practical and solution-oriented through planning and policy review:
This is the time to consult and/or strengthen your organizational policies related to infectious diseases and share them with staff and families.
- Remind staff to stay home if they are sick. If you have paid time off policies, think about what additional flexibility you can add. If you don’t currently offer paid time off, consider how you might support staff who need to take time off.
- Take cleanliness procedures to a new level and share what steps your organization is taking to keep your space clean with staff, participants, and families.
- Remind families to keep students home if they are sick. During this time remove penalties and incentives around attendance. Follow up with families if you see absenteeism rising.
- If you haven’t already, you may want to cancel field trips and/or visitors to the program.
- The decision to temporarily suspend or close a program is a difficult one. Consult with your local health department about their guidance if you have suspected contact with the coronavirus with a staff, family member, participant or guest of your program.
A couple of things we're working on getting more information about:
- Options for alternative meal delivery when schools and programs are closed - this will likely vary by jurisdiction. The USDA has announced greater flexibility in the federal child nutrition programs intended to ensure children receive meals during school closures through use of the Summer Meals Program.
- Any guidance that might be being issued by the US Department of Education or State Department of Education regarding guidance on 21st CCLC and other grant programs and possible program closures.
We will send UPDATES regularly with more resources for helping you make program decisions for these unprecedented times. Please know we are here to support you during this time of uncertainty. Look for communication from us and please be in touch with questions we might be able to help you answer and solutions you have for us to share with others.
In Partnership,
Blaire Denson, Executive Director
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| | | Contact Us: www.v-post.org 804.761.4173
info@v-post.org |
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