Information for Schools and Childcare
Información para escuelas y atención infantil
Helping Children Cope:
Take time to talk
Let them know they are safe
Limit media exposure
Help maintain structure & routines
Be a role model: rest, eat well & exercise
Categories:
Contra Costa Health Services works closely with the Contra Costa County Office of Education and CocoKids on issues related to COVID-19 for schools and childcare facilities. Guidance regarding school and childcare closures, reopening, etc. is developed in close consultation with these agencies, and based on health guidance from the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We encourage you to please look through the guidance provided on this page before contacting CCHS.
Contra Costa County follows the state of California’s guidance for K-12 schools (updated July 12, 2021). Some of the key aspects of the state guidance for schools includes:
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Masking: Students are required to mask indoors; adults are required to mask when sharing indoor spaces with students. Schools must develop protocols to provide a face covering to students who fail to bring a face covering to school. Masks are optional outdoors for all in K-12 school settings.
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Distancing: Minimum distancing in classrooms is not required. However, schools should maximize physical distance as much as possible while eating (especially indoors) since masks must be removed. Using additional spaces outside of the cafeteria for mealtime seating such as classrooms or the gymnasium can help facilitate distancing.
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Ventilation: For indoor spaces, ventilation should be optimized, which can be done by following CDPH Guidance on Ventilation of Indoor Environments and Ventilation and Filtration to Reduce Long-Range Airborne Transmission of COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Infections: Considerations for Reopened Schools.
This guidance is effective immediately for any K-12 schools starting their 2021-2022 academic year. However, summer school programs should continue to follow the 2020-2021 K-12 guidance.
For resources for colleges and universities, click here.
Additional Resources
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Back-to-School FAQs for 2021-22 School Year|Preguntas Frecuentes sobre el Regreso a Clases para el Año Escolar 2021-22 - 7/22/2021
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Schools Guidance Grid for COVID-19 Cases - 5/10/2021
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Click below for COVID-19 Contact Tracing Tools for Schools
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COVID-19 in Schools – Common Scenarios and How to Respond – webinar recording - 8/7/2020
Childcare
Atención infantil
Every child care program is expected to continue to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of children, providers, and families. All providers should apply new and updated policies and requirements that address the need for continued infection control and should update their emergency preparedness plan. Click here to review the State Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs.
Day camps and other supervised youth activities may post the checklist for day camps and other supervised youth activities in the facility.
The guidance for overnight camps remains in effect through September 2021 unless otherwise indicated by CDPH.
Local
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Childcare Guidance for Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Cases - 4/6/2021
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Respiratory Illness Symptom Screening Tool for Parents and Caregivers|Herramientas para la detección de síntomas de enfermedades respiratorias para padres y cuidadores
State (Estado)
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Support for Working Families|Apoyo para las familias trabajadoras
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COVID-19 Industry Guidance for Child Care Programs and Providers|Plan de California para la reapertura de los programas de cuidado infantil
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COVID-19 Case and Contact Management Within Child Care Facilities I Manejo de casos y contactos de COVID-19 en instalaciones de cuidado infantil (En inglés)
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COVID-19 Outbreaks at Licensed Childcare Facilities: Click the "COVID-19 Positive Cases in Child Care Facilities" under the "Additional Resources" heading
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Los brotes de COVID-19 en centros de cuidado infantil con licencia: Haga clic en “COVID-19 Positive Cases in Child Care Facilities” (Casos positivos de COVID-19 en Centros de Cuidado Infantil) debajo del encabezado “Additional Resources” (Recursos Adicionales).
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades)
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Resources for K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs|Recursos para esuelas y programas de cuidados infantiles
Youth Sports
Deportes juveniles
There are no longer any testing requirements for youth sports but individuals should continue to wear a mask indoors in public settings. Additional Youth Sports guidance may be provided by the California Department of Public Health, pending operational guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more information, visit the state’s schools hub.
Outdoor Playgrounds
Haga clic para ver información sobre los patios de juego al aire libre
To keep our outdoor playgrounds open and safe for all, please follow these simple steps:
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If you aren't vaccinated, wear a face covering and maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other visitors
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Wash or sanitize your hands
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Eat or drink away from others
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Visit during less busy times
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Limit your visit to 30 minutes to reduce crowding
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Stay home if you’re sick or have underlying health or medical conditions
Click here to download a PDF with safety tips.
All playground facilities operators should review and follow the State's safety guidelines as well as post this flyer at all outdoor playgrounds.