SLCC Parent Coronavirus (CV) Update #1

SLCC Parent Coronavirus (CV) Update #1

Dear SLCC Parents,

The CV outbreak is changing moment by moment. We want to keep in close communication with all parents during this time. This may require multiple communications, even per day. Here’s what we know up to this moment:

• Many Colorado school districts, including all Colorado Springs school districts that we serve, will close beginning Monday, March 16, 2020.  CV has shown itself to be containable whenever governments/communities practice strong social distancing. Apparently, our nation is entering a stage in which we recognize the seriousness of this virus, and the wisdom in shutting it down quickly.  SLCC/SLC will spend the next few days assessing the fast changing situation, and will communicate new decisions and policies on a regular basis. 
• Parent communication will be through 3 channels: our SLCC Parent Portal, at the following link: http://childcare.springsoflife.org/parent-blog, text message summaries, and email text that contains all information in the ‘blog’ post. What this means is that whenever the website is updated, you will also receive a text summary and an email containing the full text of the update.  Please reach out to us and let us know if you are not receiving any of these communications, so we can ensure our systems are working properly, and that we have your current contact information. Feel free to call or text us on our parent hotline @ 719-203-1044 or email us at parents@springsoflife.org (we will be available after hours and on weekends if needed). You can also talk to your child’s program director, in-person, during normal business hours, if preferred.
• If you are interested in helping us by working here (at least temporarily to help during this time), please reach out to our HR Department by calling 719-453-0202, or send an email to hr@springsoflife.org. We will likely need additional staffing help as we look to re-open our center after a potential closure.
• Although many elementary school districts have closed, to this point we are not aware of any children’s centers that have closed. This is likely to change within the next couple of weeks.  It is possible that the State of Colorado or Colorado DHS would mandate children’s center closures at some point. If this happens, of course we will comply and notify you immediately. 
• At 11 am this morning, we were involved in a conference call, directly with the Colorado Public Health Department. They communicated, in strong terms, that they do not suggest child care centers closing, in line with the public schools. They emphasized that there are currently 0 active cases in El Paso county (the one case that was here has since resolved, and no new cases have arisen). Based on this, at this point, SLCC is planning to be open next week, 3/16 – 3/20. 
• It has been difficult for us to find relevant counsel on whether/when to consider closing.  The policies stated hereafter may change at any moment. Nevertheless, we feel the need to communicate where we currently stand.
• There are 4 principles which will guide our decisions:

1. 1. Personal safety of children and staff
   2. State laws and/or recommendations
   3. Economic hardship on childcare families, as we serve a primarily low-income population, and missing work can be as serious as the virus itself.
   4. Economic hardship on our staff who may want to work as much as possible in this season.

• Until further notice, it will be SLCC’s policy to stay open as long as, a) we are not State mandated to close, and, b) it does not unduly risk the health of our precious children, their families or our staff.
•  The virus is increasingly understood to have an extremely high risk for the elderly, or those with pre-existing conditions. However, younger, healthy individuals have extremely low risk of serious illness/death as a result of becoming infected. For this reason, many of our young staff have communicated their desire to continue working, even as the virus progresses. Likewise, many of our families are indicating they will continue to bring their children for as long as possible, so that their work-life is not negatively affected.
• We consider ourselves very blessed that there are no current CV cases in El Paso County. However, personal hygiene, cleaning, and “social distancing” are still the only ways to mitigate the effects of this virus. Everyone needs to take this situation very seriously, and we are responding by taking cleaning, sanitization, and handwashing practices to a whole new level. In addition, we will be spending as much time as possible outdoors, on playgrounds, where fresh air and healthy environment also limit the risks. At this time of year in Colorado, temperatures vary significantly throughout the day. For this reason, please provide your child with extra layers of clothing i.e. shirt, sweatshirt, and jacket. 
• Please remember that outside of cleaning and sanitization practices, the primary thing we can do to minimize the spread of this disease is to ensure no children or staff are present in our center who could potentially be infected. Anyone who is displaying any symptoms of illness will be sent home immediately. Do not bring your child to care if they have any symptoms. Stay home and call the doctor and follow their instructions on what to do. During a time like this, bringing your child to care when they are sick could potentially lead to many people becoming infected.
• SLCC will be flexible regarding issuing absence charge credits during this time. Please be sure to fill out absent charge credit requests and include the reason(s) for your child’s absence(s), including sickness, wanting to keep them home to protect them from infection, etc.
• Although CV does not pose a substantial health risk to most of our staff and children, this does not mean that keeping our center open and continuing to provide child care services is beneficial for the overall good of our community. Continuing to have many staff and children gathering together, day after day, will increase the likelihood of this disease being transmitted to more people. Ultimately, the people most at risk from this disease are the elderly, and the more infections that occur in our community, the higher the risk of death for those most at risk. The message we are hearing from affected communities across the world is do whatever it takes now to stop the spread of this disease. The recommended measures are closing schools, cancelling public events, and minimizing contact of people, regardless of the social and economic costs.
• Based on these concepts, please prepare yourself personally and economically for the potential that Springs of Life (and many/all childcare centers in the area) may close for 2-4 weeks in the near future. Please work diligently to create a backup plan for childcare,and talk to your employer about available options to work through this situation. 

Stay safe, and let us know how we can help!