COVID-19 is a recognized hazard in our workplace. The following COVID-19 mitigation policy, along with its procedures and forms, will help support a safe and healthy environment for children, families, and staff. These procedures were written in accordance with California Department of Public Health Guidance for Child Care Programs and Providers, Office of Head Start regulations, and Cal/OSHA Standards. Policy may need to be modified when revised guidance is provided by Office of Head Start, California Department of Social Services (including Title 22 health and safety practices), California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, and/or the Governor’s Office of the State of California.

Definitions

The following definitions are related to COVID-19. Questions regarding these definitions should be addressed to the HR Manager or Health Services Manager.

COVID-19 Case
COVID-19 case refers to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, has a positive COVID-19 diagnosis from a licensed health care provider, or is subject to a COVID-19-related order to isolate issued by a local or state health official.

COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 is an airborne infectious disease that may or may not cause symptoms. The most common COVID-19 symptoms are a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.

COVID-19 Test
A test for SARS-CoV-2 that is cleared, approved, or authorized including in an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to detect current infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Additionally, the test must be administered in accordance with the authorized instructions.

Infectious Period
The timeframe in which a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 is infectious.
For symptomatic individuals the infectious period begins two days prior to symptom onset. For asymptomatic individuals the infectious period begins two days prior to the positive test.

For symptomatic COVID cases, the infectious period is assumed to go through 24 hours from symptom onset. The individual must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever- reducing medication and symptoms must be mild and improving before returning to work.

Outbreak

At least three COVID-19 cases within an exposed group during a 7-day period (the initial positive will count as case one).

COVID-19 Preventative Measures

The following measures are being taken collectively throughout Shasta Head Start to help prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19:

Screening

All staff, service providers, and volunteers are required to self-screen for COVID-related symptoms before entering Shasta Head Start’s facilities
All children are screened daily before entering the classroom; throughout the day children are monitored for symptoms

Face Coverings/Masks

General
Staff, families, and children are welcome to continue to use face coverings voluntarily and without fear of retaliation.

Children
If a child chooses to wear a mask or if their parent requests their child wear a mask, the following information should be taken into consideration:

Children under the age of 2 should not wear masks
No child will be forced to wear a mask or be excluded from the program for not wearing a mask; staff will not use harsh disciplinary practices or coercion to enforce the wearing of masks
Upon daily health screening, staff will conduct a quick visual screening of the child without a mask on to check for any signs or symptoms of illness; staff should continue to watch for symptoms throughout the day, particularly when masks are not being worn (mealtime, toothbrushing, napping)
Children age 2 and up can wear a mask from home if it fits appropriately over the child’s mouth, nose, and chin
- Personal masks from home will be placed in a resealable bag when soiled and sent home to be washed
- Masks will be labeled with the child’s name
Staff will guide children in the appropriate use and care of masks
- Disposable masks will be thrown away at the end of each day or when damaged/soiled during the day
- All reusable masks will be sent home to be washed at least once a day by regular laundry or hand washed and dried thoroughly
- Masks that are not wet or dirty will be stored in a paper bag in the child’s cubby or other separate storage option when not in use

Staff
Staff have the right to wear face coverings at all times regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status without fear of retaliation

Additional Measures
In addition to aforementioned measures, Shasta Head Start will implement the following in our workplaces:

Use respiratory etiquette – cover coughs and sneezes
Frequent handwashing will continue to be a priority (see SOP 3.9 Handwashing Procedures for more details)

Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Access

Shasta Head Start will ensure appropriate reporting, recordkeeping, and access to information regarding COVID-19 within the workplace. Shasta Head Start will implement the following in the workplace:

Report information about COVID-19 cases and outbreaks at our workplace to the local health department and Community Care Licensing and provide any related information requested by the local health department
Maintain records of the steps taken to implement this COVID-19 mitigation plan
Maintain records of all COVID-19 cases within staff as well as children and families
Staff are encouraged to report potential COVID-19 hazards; reporting can be done by notifying their supervisor or by utilizing the Employee Safety Suggestion form within the Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)

COVID-19 Guidance for All Staff & Adults

All employees are responsible for using safe work practices, following policies and procedures, and assisting in maintaining a safe work environment. All staff members are expected to self-screen before arriving to work. Check for the following symptoms:

Temperature of 100.4°F or higher
Cough
Sore throat
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Muscle or body aches
Chills
New loss of taste or smell
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Congestion or runny nose
Headache

If staff are feeling too unwell to work, they should notify their supervisor and not report to work. Staff are encouraged to remain out of work until they are fever-free for 24 hours, and are well enough to return to work. Parents, service providers, and volunteers are held to the same expectations.

COVID-19 Guidance for Children

Child Screening Procedure

Staff will screen children using the standard daily health check
Children with symptoms will follow standard exclusion procedures
Ask the parent if the child has had any of the symptoms
Symptoms that are typical for an individual based on preexisting health conditions (allergies, asthma, etc.) should not be considered as a failed screening unless the symptoms have worsened, changed, or are in addition to a fever

Agency Exposure Plans

Staff Tests Positive
The following steps will take place when a staff member tests positive for COVID-19:

A COVID-19 Positive Form will be completed in order to document the employee’s name, contact information, occupation, location where the employee worked, the date of the last day at the workplace, and the date of the positive COVID-19 test and/or COVID-19 diagnosis. In all cases, the employee’s identity will remain confidential; information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis.
The staff member may return to work if 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications AND symptoms are mild and improving.

All questions should be directed to either the staff member’s manager or the Human Resources Department.

Child Tests Positive
The following steps will take place when a child has tested positive for COVID-19:

Staff Member will email completed COVID-19 Positive Form to SHS Health Department and file the original form in the health section of the child’s file.
If there has been an exposure, the staff will notify all families in the classroom of the exposure using the class alert letter.
The child may return to school if 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications AND symptoms are mild and improving.
Shasta Head Start will notify Community Care Licensing and the Public Health Department as needed.

Protocols for Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the Workplace
The following steps will take place when it is determined a staff or child has tested positive for COVID-19:

Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in areas
Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick (offices, bathrooms, common areas, )

Classroom Guidance

General Guidelines

Establish a curriculum and educational methods to inform children on how they can help prevent the spread of germs, including:
- Frequent handwashing
- Telling their teacher as soon as possible if they feel sick
- Coughing and sneezing etiquette (cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, not hands)
- Discouraging children from sharing food, drinking cups, eating utensils, towels,
- Social stories, puppets, Creative Curriculum cards, Mighty Minutes, role play, books, visuals, & modeling
Staff are required to wear smocks; smocks should be cleaned daily, and staff should change them if they become soiled
Wash hands (for at least 20 seconds) frequently and as needed, but especially upon entry into the classroom, after bathroom use, coughing, sneezing, and nose wiping
Monitor children and staff throughout the day for symptoms of illness
- For children that exhibit symptoms, if possible, move child to “sick room” and notify parents for immediate pickup; clean and sanitize classroom and materials thoroughly when children are not present
Open windows before children arrive and after their departure
Clean and sanitize drinking fountains in classrooms and on playgrounds regularly; staff may also use a pitcher and disposable cups for drinking water
Have a container with a lid to place soiled toys
- The toys and container will be disinfected daily
- The container can be placed out of reach of children if it does not have a lid