COVID-19 Reopening Update

En español: https://onwardhouse.org/2020/07/03/covid-19-anuncio-de-reapertura/

Onward House is pleased to announce that we will have a limited reopening of in-person youth programing beginning on July 7, 2020. 

The health and safety of our children, families, staff, participants and community members is our main priority. Onward Neighborhood House will implement a gradual approach to re-opening in a safe way. The approach includes welcoming back a limited number of students starting on July 7^, 2020.  Four weeks after this initial opening, we plan to have all children join us back at Onward House for programing. 

This post outlines the most important policies and procedures that will be taken to ensure a safe return of the Early Childhood Education and School Age programs. Our adult education programs will continue online during this phase of Onward House’s reopening.

We have put together an Enhanced Risk Management and Agency Reopening Action Plan that reflects guidelines from the city of Chicago, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDHS) Restore Illinois. This plan will be implemented to reduce the risks associated with Covid-19. Some changes include:

• We have decreased our service hours from 7am-6pm to 8:00 am to 5:00pm
• Only staff and children will be allowed in the building. Parents will be asked to drop off children in designated areas outside of the buildings.
• Daily health checks and screenings will take place for all staff children, parents/guardians, and staff before exiting the reception area and into the building. This includes temperature checks, and a health symptoms questionnaire.
• All staff, parents, visitors will be required to wear facemasks while in the buildings at all times. Children over 2 will be encouraged to wear face masks while in the classrooms and throughout the day however be required to wear them in the hallways (public spaces).
• High-touch areas will be sanitized hourly, and the building will be sanitized at the end of the day, every day.
• Classrooms have been arranged to follow distancing guidelines, and cleared of items not easily sanitized.
• Movement is restricted between classrooms and in and out of buildings during the day.

As we adjust our schedules and building flow to support recommendations by the CDC, we ask for your patience and understanding as we move through different phases of reopening. Your cooperation and understanding of what we have outlined is necessary to ensure we keep everyone at Onward House safe and healthy.

Enhanced Risk Management and Agency Reopening Action Plan

We have put into place a detailed prevention plan, which we have included below. Please read below to understand our new procedures. We will provide an online training of procedures prior to reopening.

ENHANCED DROP OFF /PICK-UP PROCEDURES:

• We encourage that the same parent/guardian drop off and pick children up, when possible.
• Parents will be given a drop-off/pick up schedule to be adhered to. If changes occur, parents will be required to call the front reception desk, prior to arrival/pick up.
• Signage will be posted indicating designated drop/off and pick up areas. Designated drop off/pick up areas will be outside the buildings, when possible, however, if not possible will be in an area be outside of the classrooms and classroom such as in the reception area.
• Handshaking or physical contact among parents/staff will not be permitted.
• Parents will be encouraged to leave an extra pair of shoes for children that are utilized for indoors only. Parents will be required to wear shoe coverings in the event of entering the building.

MASKS & PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPTMENT (PPE)

All adults will be required to wear them throughout the entire day, unless they are in a private room or office. Parents will be required to wear them at drop off, pick up, and whenever entering the building. Parents entering the building will be done only under special circumstances and only under the approval of the Program Director, Site Manager, or their Designee.

• PPE Supplies (masks for adults and children, shoe coverings, protective eyewear, gloves, smocks/disposable aprons) will be purchased and stored in the center maintenance storage room/classroom closets. 
• We will train all staff will be trained on the use of PPE, changing regulations, when/how to report refilling low supplies, and how best care and support children with new guidelines.
• All personnel who uses public transportation and food aid will be required to change clothes upon arrival at the center.
  • Classroom staff will be required to wear a smock, disposable covering, and or change clothes before entering the classrooms.   
  • All staff will be required to wear masks, foot coverings or change shoes before entering into the classrooms, buildings.

DAILY HEALTH CHECKS:
Daily health checks and screenings will take place for all staff children, parents/guardians, and staff before exiting the reception area and into the building. This includes temperature checks, and a health symptoms questionnaire. A daily log and questionnaires will be maintained at the reception area. Persons with fever of 100.4 F or above will not be admitted and asked to return home.

COVID-19 EXPOSURE OR ILLNESS:

If someone has symptoms of COVID 19 or has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, they can return to the child care center once the following conditions are met:

• If individuals have fever, cough or shortness of breath and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they will contact their medical provider for guidance and stay home away from others until 72 hours, or longer based on guidance from their medical provider and until after the fever is gone and symptoms get better.
• If symptoms worsen, the person should contact their medical provider for further guidance.
• If an individual is diagnosed with COVID 19-they must remain outside of the facility for a minimum of 14 days after receiving the positive diagnosis. They may return upon written authorization from their medical provider.

VISITORS

Signs will be posted outside the doors prohibiting parents, vendors, etc. from entering the building for at least the first 4 weeks of re-opening. All visitors will be required to wear face masks and protective footwear when entering the building.

• Inspectors, monitors, funders, vendors: During the first 4 weeks of operation, we will not have visitors or vendors other than then DCFS visits. For monthly pest control and other services required by city and state licensing, appointments will be made at times in which children and staff are not present (before/after hours and/or on weekends. Vendors – No vendor will go beyond the reception area; there will be a designated area away from the receptionist for drop off. This area will be marked and a minimum of 6 ft. away from the reception desk.
• Food vendors will deliver through the front door of the building and leave food in proper containers in the reception area. Kitchen staff, Maintenance, or other designated staff will be notified when the food arrives and food will be brought into the center by a staff person.
• Repairmen visits will occur, when possible, before/after hours and on weekends. The areas visited limited and sanitized immediately after their departure. Whether done during regular hours or during off-hours, maintenance or another designated person will escort the repairman at all times.
• Community residents – those seeking information will enter into the reception area maintaining a minimum of 6 ft. from the receptionist.

HANDWASHING

• Handwashing will be required at least hourly however more frequently if allowable.
• Upon entering their classroom or work area, staff will immediately wash their hands for at least 20 seconds using warm/soapy water.
• Employees will wash their hands including before and after contact with individuals, and after contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.
• Staff will model, teach and reinforce handwashing and healthy hygiene as is age appropriate (covering coughs/sneezes/disposing of tissues, keeping fingers away from eyes, nose and mouth).
• Staff will assist children not able to wash their hands accordingly on their own.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be placed in every room and at the entrance of every child care room however is not an acceptable substitute for soap and running water.

EMERGENCY AND COMMUNICATION PLAN

In the event of a COVID -19 exposure, we will contact local health officials to determine the plan for quarantine and program closure, if necessary. The extent and duration may be dependent on the level of exposure, outbreak levels in the community, and severity of illness in the infected individuals.

Written communication and exclusion notifications will be shared with parents, guardians, and staff, while maintaining the confidentiality and implemented in the event staff or child in attendance at the day care center tests positive for COVID-19.

• Families must immediately notify Onward House if someone in the house tests positive or if the child has been in close contact with a positive case. Staff will maintain constant communication with families to stay updated on their well-being and provide resources and referrals.
• Any child suspected of having COVID-19, diagnosed with COVID-19, or having been in contact with persons suspected of or diagnosed with COVID-19 will be excluded from the center until written documentation is provided by the child’s physician that the child is no longer communicable and may return to child care.
• An isolation area is designated inside the building away from other children, participants for

PHYSICAL SPACE CHANGES:

Ventilation systems remained in working order throughout the centers closure. Prior to reopening, windows and doors will be open to aide ventilation of buildings, where applicable. All water sources will be flushed prior to re-opening and before use.

• Before reopening to participants all buildings will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. All buildings will be cleaned and sanitized at the end of each day.
• High touch areas in all areas of the building including reception areas, classrooms, offices, break rooms, bathrooms, etc. will be sanitized hourly by designated staff.
  • Daily cleaning and sanitation schedules will be posted inside the classrooms, offices, bathroom, and Playgrounds.
• Hygiene resources and guidance posters will be posted throughout the centers describing ways to prevent the spread of germs (handwashing, coughing, face mask, and social distancing).
• Posters of when and how often to wash hands will be posted in the bathrooms and throughout the centers.
• 6 ft. markers will be placed outside doors (both outside and inside); 6 ft. markers will also be placed on floors/walls inside buildings, and stairwells, where applicable, to maintain social distancing and allowing guidance regarding entry/exit.
• At Belmont Cragin, staff will use the West Diversey Ave. Entrance to gain access to the 2^nd floor offices, eliminating the traffic throughout the center.
• Doors and windows remain open to increase ventilation, where appropriate.   Buildings have a ventilation system.  
• Use of hallway water fountains will be prohibited. Water pitchers will be stationed in classrooms with disposable cups throughout the day.
• High touch items within the breakrooms such as microwaves, coffee makers will be eliminated for at least 4 weeks. Staff will be required to bring their own dishes, including cups and utensils for breaks.
• The reception desks will be equipped with a plastic barrier.
• Hand sanitizer, bleach wipes and/or bleach solutions will be available in all offices, spaces, classrooms and bathrooms however away from child’s reach.

CLASSROOMS

• Classrooms have been measured to prior to reopening in order to meet new square footage requirements of 50 ft. per child as well as 6ft. in between cots.
• Prior to re-opening, classroom cots will be laid out 6 ft. apart and floor markers will be indicated.
• Large plastic container bags will be labeled with each child’s name so that cross-contamination of blankets/sheets can be minimized in between washings.
• Prior to re-opening, all classrooms will be cleaned, sanitized and organized eliminating unnecessary materials and furniture to allow for more frequent and thorough sanitizing as well as additional space to maintain social distancing.
  • Classrooms will remove all soft plush toys that cannot be clean on a daily basis (all clothes material toys, hair dolls, and soft dolls).
  • All area rugs will be removed
• Limited access to the classrooms will be maintained. Parents and non-classroom staff will be prohibited from utilizing the classrooms. Communication with classroom staff by other staff and/or parents will be maintained via classroom phones, email, and text. Teaching staff will communicate with parents via text, phone email, and written notice.
• Classroom meals will be individually packed by kitchen staff. When meals are ready, the kitchen staff will inform classroom staff and meals will be left outside classrooms on a rolling cart, eliminating additional staff entering the classrooms.

ENHANCED PLANS TO ENSURE SAFE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES

Indoors

• Children will want to play together and share toys. After a period of playing closely and sharing toys, children should wash their hands. 
• Teachers will limit the number of children in any given classroom area. Consider small group or individualized learning instead of large group circle time.

RESTRICTIONS:

• Children are not allowed to play with sensory items (like playdough) or to play in the sand and water tables. 
• Soft toys, dress-up clothes, puppets, and other similar soft items will be removed from classrooms.
• Toys are to be isolated after they are used by a child or group of children. At the end of the day, toys that have been used need to be cleaned and sanitized before use the following day.
• No outside toys or items, other than a set of clothing in individual Ziploc bags, a jacket and indoor shoes will be permitted.
• To aide in the cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces and equipment, teachers will limit the amount and number of supplies out on the countertops and other surfaces at any given time.
• At nap time and breaks, staff will sanitize all tables and chairs, including legs during nap time.

Outdoors and Playgrounds:

• All use of public playgrounds will cease and neighborhood walks will cease for at least the first 4 weeks and longer as needed.
• Children are allowed to use the ONH playground one classroom at a time. The schedule should allow 30 minutes between groups.
• Playground equipment will be disinfected between groups. 

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Early Child Hood Education: Center-Based 2 Year Olds:

• Two permanent teachers will be assigned to each classroom and remain in the same classrooms without mixing or interchanging classrooms.
• Child care staff and children shall be assigned to the same group every day, including meal, snack, rest and play periods. For the first 4 weeks, the 2-year-old classrooms will have a classroom with 2 teaching staff and (6) children for BB1 and (7) for BB2 to accommodate the increased square footage and 6 ft. spacing for cots at nap time.
  • After 4 successful weeks and according to DCFS allowances, classrooms will expand and allow for (8) children in the BB1 and (8) children in the BB2 classrooms.
• No staff or substitute staff will be working in two classrooms for at least the first 4 weeks.
• All combined activities will be prohibited for at least the first 4 weeks and restricted thereafter.

3-5 Year Olds:

• Two permanent teachers will be assigned to each classroom and remain in the same classrooms without mixing or interchanging classrooms. Schedules will be designed to limit combining at the beginning and end of the day.
• Child care staff and children shall be assigned to the same group every day, including meal, snack, rest and play periods. For the first 4 weeks, the 3-5 year old classrooms (Wiggle Worms/Zebras and Koalas) will have a maximum of 10 children per classroom with 2 teaching staff.
  • After 4 successful weeks and according to DCFS allowances, classrooms will expand and allow for (15) children in the 3-5 classrooms with two teaching staff.
• No staff or substitute staff will be working in two classrooms for at least the first 4 weeks.
• All combined activities will be prohibited for at least the first 4 weeks and restricted thereafter.

School Age:

• One permanent teacher will be assigned to each classroom and remain in the same classrooms without mixing or interchanging classrooms. Schedules will be designed to limit combining at the beginning and end of the day.  Child care staff and children shall be assigned to the same group every day, including meal, snack and play periods. For the first 4 weeks, the school age classrooms (Penguins/Panthers/Sea Turtles) will have a maximum of 10 children per classroom with 1 teaching staff.
  • After 4 successful weeks and according to DCFS allowances, classrooms will expand and allow for (15) children in the school age classrooms.
• No staff or substitute staff will be working in two classroom, except floaters or qualified person designated to accommodate lunch breaks.  The designated person will be in no more than two classrooms and will change smock, face mask, gloves, and shoe covers in between classrooms.
• All combined activities will be prohibited for at least the first 4 weeks and restricted thereafter.

Qualified Substitutes and First Aid/CPR

In continuing to maintain and follow requirements for personnel, we will continue with or regular/qualified substitutes through Child Care Careers in the event of a staff illness/absence. All substitutes will be trained on our plan. In the event a substitute is not available, other qualified staff have been identified and will be assigned.

Home Based Program:

• Home visitors will continue using the PAT curriculum (Parents as Teachers Curriculum) for children and parents
• Home Based Visits and Socializations will continue to be virtual, until further notice.
• Home Visits will be conducted via phone and on-line platforms (Zoom and WhatsApp), on a weekly basis and will last 30 to 45 min/based on parent’s availability.  The components of the visits will continue with the focus on:  Child parent interaction, parenting and child development education. Overall family Health, safety and wellness and supporting family needs as needed.
• Socializations will be conducted via Go To Meetings and will last an hour.  Socializations will be focused on parent engagement. Parent activities will be based on the needs of the family and will covering social emotional needs and trauma that families might going through during this pandemic time.
• Children’s socializations will cover: summer activities, such as nutrition in the summer, water safety, and summer reading. Play activities will be implemented using materials that are typically available in children’s home.  The activities will emphasize the importance of play and the relationship with primary caregivers.
• Home Visitors communicate with families via phone.  We are working on obtaining resources to provide families with a computer to improve home visits/socializations with parents.

E-Learning:

ABC-Mouse will utilized be for Early Head Start and Head Start programs.  The curriculum focuses on all learning areas and allows children to learn through educational games, books, puzzles, and songs.

IXL: will be for the School Age Program.  IXL use a comprehensive curriculum that focuses in Math, Language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish.

Both of the e-learning platforms allow teaching staff to monitor what, when, and where the children are while using the programs.  Teaching staff can track children progress and see what activities they have completed or how to support their challenges. 

• Teachers will contact children who are receiving e-learning on a daily basis between the classroom service hours and parent’s availability.   Each child will be receiving a total of 4-6 hours of instruction during the week.  Instruction will include children planning, guidance, support, and progress/monitor reviews with families. 

• Teaching staff will be using a variety of ways to communicate with children based on the parent’s availability of devices.  (Phone, e-mail, tablet, computer, and text messages).
• Children will be receiving daily activities that will be focusing on Math, Literacy, language, Cognitive, and Social-Emotional
• Teaching staff will designate a day/time that better fits the family needs to go over the progress of the children learning each week. Teaching staff will use the e-learning monitoring system to see the growth of the children in all areas.
• Teaching staff will continue sending activities from the Creative Curriculum/Teaching Strategies Gold, learning activities package will be sent out to families on a weekly basis.   This part will be monitor using pictures of the completion of the activities.

FOR STAFF:

Staff Working Spaces

Onward Neighborhood House will adopt the flexibility model. Depending on program needs, only essential workers will be on site during the first 4 weeks of re-opening; Directors, office staff, Family Support Workers and Home Visitors will continue to work remotely or switch off who will go into the center.

Staff who are sick are to refrain from coming to work and follow the Employee Handbook policies and procedures when calling in while allowing additional time to provide coverage.

• Office Space will be re-arranged to accommodate at least 6ft space for shared offices.
• Those that can work from home, will continue working from home for at least 4 weeks/or until further notice.
• All office staff will declutter and clean offices to allow for increased and more efficient sanitizing procedures.

Human Resource Policies and Procedures

All HR Policies and procedures related to COVID-19 and any other personnel policies that will impact working during a pandemic will be revised and implemented to facilitate the re-opening of the center.

A COVID-19 Protocol will be implemented to address the following:

• An employee was potentially exposed but shows no symptoms.
• An employee was exposed, has not symptoms.
• An employee was diagnosed, tested positive with COVID-19.
• The employee has a family or household member that was diagnosed with COVID-19 or was potentially exposed and/or has symptoms.
• We will be utilizing the IDPH Monitoring forms to track the temperature and other symptoms.

• Staff who are sick are to refrain from coming to work and follow the Employee Handbook policies and procedures when calling in while allowing additional time to provide coverage.  Staff who feel sick or become sick mid workday will be sent home immediately.
• Our finger swipe method of swiping in will be replaced with swipe cards.
• Once inside the building, staff will remain inside the building until the end of their shift. Outside lunch breaks will be eliminated (at least for the first 4 weeks) however large designated break rooms will be accommodated.
• Meetings with staff will continue virtually whether working on-site or remotely to avoid large group gatherings.
• For at least the first 4 weeks, staff will be restricted from traveling between sites.