Toolkit for Educators

Everyone 6 months and older should get the updated fall 2023 COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and reduce the spread of the virus. Vaccination is the best way to protect against getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19 and helps to reduce COVID-19 outbreaks in schools and in the community. The updated vaccine can increase prior protection (from previous vaccination or infection) that may have decreased over time.

• Where to Get Vaccinated
  • Families can contact their healthcare providers or visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines to schedule vaccination appointments nearby. They can also call 1-833-540-0473 or 2-1-1 if they need help making an appointment or are homebound. or 2-1-1 if they need help making an appointment or are homebound. (Note: Minors need consent from their parent or legal guardian to get vaccinated).
• VaccinateLAcounty.com
  • Information on COVID-19 vaccines, including how to get the vaccine in Los Angeles County, vaccine safety, authorized vaccines, data, and information for providers.
• Host a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
  • A guide for coordinating school-located vaccine clinics, including best practices and resources. While it includes information and resources for TK-12 schools, the overall content is helpful for childcare facilities, preschools, and institutes of higher education.
• Shots for Schools
  • Information about required and recommended immunizations for children, students, and staff.
• CDC's Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Information about what it means to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• CDC Recommendations for Students Vaccinated Outside the US
  • Guidelines for vaccinations schedules and boosters for those vaccinated outside the US.

Increasing ventilation and improving air quality and filtration are highly effective ways to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses through the air. Make sure your site's HVAC system is in good working order and frequently inspected. Consider other ways to improve ventilation including adding portable high-efficiency air filters, opening windows and doors to increase fresh outdoor air, and moving activities outdoors as weather and air quality allow.

• CDC Interactive School Ventilation Tool
• Best Practices for Gymnasium Ventilation
• CDC Ventilation in Buildings
• CDPH COVID-19 and Improving Indoor Air Quality in Schools
• Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulation FAQs-Ventilation
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations
• The CalSHAPE Ventilation Program provides funding for public schools to maintain and improve ventilation systems from the California Energy Commission.
  • The current application cycle opened on July 18, 2023. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2024.

Ensuring students and employees have access to testing when symptomatic or exposed is important to prevent spread of COVID-19. Testing recommendations for the general public change based on local metrics, which are updated regularly on the LA County COVID-19 Response Plan website.

• Required: COVID-19 Testing Plan
  • In accordance with Senate Bill 1479, each Local Education Agency is required to develop a COVID-19 testing plan or adopt the California Department of Public Health School Testing Framework and post its plan on its website. See Senate Bill 1479 Implementation Questions and Answers for more information.
• LACDPH COVID-19 Testing Information
  • Provides information on the different types of COVID-19 tests and test accuracy, when testing is recommended, how to get free tests, and how to interpret the results.
• Free access to rapid Over-the-Counter (OTC) antigen tests
  • Use this form to request free test kits. Available for ECE, TK-12 Schools, youth camps, and after school programs. Also available for IHE who serve vulnerable students including those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Visit MyTurn for local testing sites
  • Locate a testing site near you. Click “Learn more” to schedule an appointment (if one is needed) and see testing guidelines for that location. Some testing sites can also prescribe medication to eligible people who test positive.
• CDC COVID-19 Testing Locator
  • Search for a location that offers no-cost COVID-19 testing near you.
• FDA Extended Expiration for At-home Test Kits
  • Most at-home tests can be safely used past the date on the box. Check the FDA’s At-Home COVID-19 Test page to see if the expiration date of your test kit has been extended. Note, the expiration date on the box is printed as year- month - day. For example, 2022 11 20 means November 20, 2022. Please refer to the LACDPH Testing website for additional information.

Wearing a mask can help reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19. County indoor mask wearing rules and recommendations for the general public change based on local metrics, which are updated regularly on the LA County COVID-19 Response Plan website. Children under 2 should not wear a mask.

• LACDPH COVID-19 Mask Wearing Rules and Recommendations
  • Provides up to date masking requirements and recommendations as well as information on types of masks and mask exemptions.
• Wear a Mask and Know your Rights
  • Employers are required to offer well-fitting medical masks and respirators (with instructions on proper fit) at no cost to employees who work indoors and have contact with others or who are in vehicles with others. Staff may also request masks and respirators at no cost.

Regularly cleaning surfaces helps prevent the spread of germs that make people sick. Facilities should regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and objects such as door handles, stair rails, and elevator buttons.

• CDC's When and How to Clean and Disinfect a Facility