COVID-19 resources and updates

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March 13, 2020

Dear Options for Learning families and providers,

I am reaching out to you with an update on our efforts to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our centers and office locations. While there has been only a few identified cases of the virus in Los Angeles County, none have any known connection to our centers or offices.

At Options for Learning, we are committed to protecting the health and well-being of our children, families, and staff. We are also supportive of local health officials as they work to contain the virus. We will continue to make thoughtful decisions based on the latest science-based information and guided by our agency’s mission to serve children and families.

We have implemented a series of preventative health measures in our classrooms and offices based on recommendations from public health officials and the California Department of Education. We encourage you to follow these same guidelines:

• Wash hands frequently (wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, roughly the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice) and dry hands completely, especially after arrivals and departures, before meals, after outdoor activities, after using the restroom, and after coughing and sneezing. 
• If soap is not available, adults may use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% to 95% alcohol (hand sanitizers should always remain out of the reach of children). 
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow and immediately dispose of the tissue and wash your hands. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Routinely and robustly clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs, banisters, countertops, toys, faucet handles, desks, computer mouse, keyboard, and phones. 
• Stay home when you are sick (don’t wait until you are VERY sick). Do not return to class or work until you have been fever-free for at least 72 hours as recommended by the County of Los Angeles’ Public Health Department.

We understand that this is a difficult and uncertain time, but we encourage children’s continued attendance in care as well as your ongoing engagement with our agency. Public health officials have told us it is appropriate for child care programs and schools to remain open and to follow as normal a schedule as possible. In alignment with area school districts, we have implemented a no-visitor policy at our sites (parents and guardians are, of course, welcome to drop off and pick up their children).

Information from health officials is being updated daily, so we encourage you to visit our website at www.optionsforlearning.org for our most current information regarding COVID-19. There you will find information about any related policies, program status updates, and recommended resources. You may also call our dedicated line at 626-209-2519 for general inquiries.

We thank you for your continued patience and understanding and for partnering with us in the care and education of your children.

Paul Pulver, CEO