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County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Communications & Public Affairs
313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-8144
Fax: (213) 481-1406
media@ph.lacounty.gov
TK-12 Schools
COVID-19 Toolkit
Welcome
As steps are taken to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community, the safety of students, teachers, administrators, staff and families are front of mind for us. We recognize that elementary, middle and high schools are critical components of communities and have tremendous impact on the health, growth, and development of students and the overall well-being of families. This COVID-19 Transitional Kindergarten to 12th Grade (TK-12) Education Toolkit is designed as a resource help you prepare for and respond to the needs of the education community in the context of to COVID-19. The toolkit includes protocols (documents which detail specific requirements for prevention of COVID-19 spread), guidance documents applying general prevention principles to specific educational circumstances, templates to use in carrying out your role in prevention and answers to frequently asked questions for the education setting as well as selected resources from local, state and national sources. The toolkit should enable you to manage community mitigation at your site and report COVID-19 cases if and when they occur at your educational organization.
Guidance Documents
Reopening Protocols for TK-12 Schools
- All schools in California in California must comply with policies established by the State Public Health Officer and the California Department of Education. In Los Angeles, schools must also be in compliance with the employee and student safety and infection control outlines in the Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools in order to move towards in-person instruction.
School Waivers
- With the support and guidance of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors the Department of Public Health is offering a waiver opportunity whereby schools may bring back students only in grades TK - 2 upon approval by Public Health. The waiver is NOT automatically granted and no school may reopen for full TK – 2 in classroom instruction until Public Health has communicated approval. Information about the waiver process requirements, review your school protocol and mitigation strategies for your school here.
Specialized Services
- While schools are providing modified virtual instruction for all students, small cohorts of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), children who are English Learners (EL), and students needing assessments and/or specialized services can be served in-person. Complete the TK-12 Education in Person Support and Services Notification Form prior to start of services. Instructions on how to complete the form are here.
- Guidance is available on the California Department of Public Health website for important additional details for the implementation of cohorts. Please note that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has defined the maximum number of students per cohort as 12, which is more restrictive than the California Department of Public Health’s student cohort size of 14. Please see the Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools above for more information.
- TK-12 schools that have submitted their Specialized Services Notification Form are listed here.
Guidance for Child Care of School-Aged Children
- The protocol for programs providing day care for school-aged children applies to all programs, including Early Care and Education Programs (ECE) programs, and other programs providing day care for school-aged children before, during or after normal school hours. Any site providing child care to school-aged children that is not already licensed to do so, must contact the California Department of Social Services Child Care Regional Office to confirm their exemption from licensure requirements or to request a waiver of licensure. Search for your local Child Care Regional Office here. Find additional information about conditions to qualify for a waiver from child care licensure requirements in the recent Provider Information Notice. Schools that are currently offering child care services for school-aged children or are planning to start must file a notification with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Youth Sports Guidance
- The requirements in this guidance are specific to Youth Sports Programs permitted to be open by the Order of the State Public Health Officer. In addition to the conditions imposed on these specific programs by the Governor, these types of programs must also be in compliance with the conditions laid out in this Reopening Protocol for Youth Sports Leagues. This protocol applies to recreational youth sports leagues, club sports, travel sports, and sports sponsored by private and public schools serving students in TK-12 schools.
On-Site School Health Assessment Guidance
- Despite the uncertainty about the start of in-person learning on school campuses and the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the requirement that schools provide oral health assessments prior to school and vision and hearing screening and referrals, as needed, continue to be in effect for the 2020–21 school year. The Onsite School Health Assessments document offers guidance on how to provide on-site assessments in a manner which will help to keep staff and children healthy and prevent the spread of infection.
COVID-19 Resources for Exposure Management
What To Do When You Have A COVID-19 Case At Your Facility (COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan)
- This Exposure Management Plan (EMP) for K-12 Schools details action steps to take after you have identified a COVID-19 positive case in your facility. Immediate implementation of an exposure management plan after identifying a single case of COVID-19 at the TK-12 campus can accelerate the ability to contain spread of COVID-19 and prevent that single case from becoming an outbreak at the site. This short training video walks you through the elements of COVID-19 exposure management in your facility.
Exposure Management Tools
- Notification Letter Guides
- These model letters are designed to assist with communication to parents, students and staff following identification of a COVID-19 positive case in your facility. They can be tailored to your facility's needs and contain two letters, the first a general notification letter to the school community notifying of a positive case and the second a notification letter to close contacts of a person confirmed positive for COVID-19.
- Exposure Notice
- This exposure notice is intended to make people identified as a close contact of a person with COVID-19 aware that they have been in close contact with a person positive for COVID-19.
- Line List
- Facilities are required to fill out the Education Sector line list to document details of laboratory confirmed cases who were at the facility within 14 days of illness onset and identify people at the facility who had close contact with the infected individual(s). This line list provides a way to organize that information for easy communication with public health. It's important to keep the information in this template secure by sending through encrypted email or password protected excel file.
- Line List Data Dictionary
- This data dictionary provides information about each of the fields in the case and contact line list. Refer to this data dictionary if you have questions about what should go into a particular column.
- Line List Training
- This short training video walks you through the process of filling out an Education Sector line list for cases and contacts.
Isolation and Quarantine
- Isolation
- Health Officer Order
- When someone has been diagnosed with COVID-19 they are required by law to isolate themself to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The legal authority to require isolation as well as immediate actions to take after a diagnosis are described in the Health Officer Order for Isolation. Additional languages can be found here.
- Isolation Instructions
- The steps required to comply with the Health Officer Order concerning isolation after a COVID-19 diagnosis is discussed in the instructions for home isolation. Public Health specialists will call each person diagnosed with COVID-19 to explain the isolation order and answer questions.
- Health Officer Order
- Quarantine
- Health Officer Order
- When someone has been in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 (or has symptoms but has not yet been tested or does not yet have test results) they are required by law to quarantine themself to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The legal authority to require quarantine as well as immediate actions to take after having close contact with a COVID-19 positive person is discussed in the Health Officer Order for Quarantine. Additional languages can be found here.
- Quarantine Instructions
- When someone has been in close contact with a person with COVID-19 they are required by law to quarantine themself to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The steps to take following close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 are outlined in the instructions for home quarantine. Public Health specialists will call all close contacts to explain the quarantine order and answer any questions.
- Health Officer Order
Supplementary COVID-19 Exposure Investigation Management Tools
- Exposure Investigation Worksheet
- If you have cases of COVID-19 in your facility and are having trouble determining how they might have been exposed, this Exposure Investigation Worksheet can help. It's a guide to assist with preliminary investigations to inform follow-up actions to best prevent further COVID-19 transmission.
- Exposure Investigation Worksheet Training
- This short training video walks you through the process of completing the exposure investigation worksheet.
Additional Guidance
Prevention
- Employee and Student Screening
- This screening guidance from LA County Public Health describes actions to take after an employee or student is determined to have symptoms during the screening process or develops symptoms while at the school facility.
- This document on Screening K-12 Students for Symptoms of COVID-19 from the CDC provides guidance to TK-12 schools on COVID-19 symptom screening as part of a school reopening process. Additional languages are available to choose from at the top of the document.
- Guidance for Cloth Face Coverings
- This guidance for cloth face coverings provides public health information on how members of the general public can effectively use cloth face coverings when they need to leave their home to obtain essential goods or services. It is important to note that face coverings must be paired with physical distancing and frequent handwashing – they are not a substitute for the additional measures.
- Physical (Social) Distancing
- Public Health protocol calls for the practice of social distancing (also known as physical distancing) outside the home. This means making changes in our daily lives, outlined in this guidance, to protect ourselves and others, including those who are most at risk.
- Air Quality and Outside Activity
Guidance to Assist Parents
- Caring for Children with COVID-19
- This guidance is for people caring for children who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Your child may or may not have been tested for the virus and if they were tested, you may or may not yet have the results. Even so, given the number of people who are infected, a child with symptoms like those of COVID-19 should be cared for just like a confirmed case.
- Maintaining Your Immunization Scheduling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- This resource, in the form of frequently asked questions, provides information about how to ensure children receive their routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- COVID-19 Information for Individuals and Households
- Access to Healthcare Services
- Families who need health benefits can learn about comprehensive free and low-cost health coverage here.
- LA County COVID-19 Supportive Services
- LA County is committed to supporting vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources here include programs for rental relief, food assistance, access to healthcare and other services.
- LA City COVID-19 Services for LA City Residents
- This resource provides the latest information and resources available to Los Angeles City residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources for supportive programs for residents, families, workers, renters, immigrants, businesses and other services are listed here.
- Information for Immigrants
- The Los Angeles County Department of Immigrant Affairs provides answers to common questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Since some immigrants are afraid that getting tested or treated will affect their immigration status, this site provides guidance on testing and treatment, regardless of immigration status.
Cleaning and Disinfection
- Cleaning and Disinfection Matrix:
- It's important to ensure that cleaning practices in your facility are sufficient to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas. These guidelines are focused on non-healthcare facilities such as schools, institutions, offices, daycare centers, businesses, and community centers that do not house persons overnight.
- Guidance for Custodial Staff
- This guidance is for custodial staff providing cleaning services in public places. It does NOT replace routine cleaning and disinfection procedures but provides additional information to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19. Following cleaning guidelines assures that the facilities are cleaned effectively, while properly protecting custodial staff.
Testing Guidance
- COVID-19 County Testing Plan
- The purpose of this document is to explain the County's strategy for testing to detect current COVID-19 infection. Note, it does not discuss the use of serology (antibody) tests which cannot be used alone to diagnose current infection.
- LA County Test Sites
- Find out where you can access appointments for free testing in LA County.
- Guidance Based on Test Results
- Information on COVID-19 testing and what to do with your test results. This guidance provides steps to take based on the outcome of COVID-19 testing.
- FAQs for Serology/Antibody Tests
- This document answers frequently asked questions about antibody or serology tests for SARS-CoV-2 which is the virus that causes COVID-19. It is important to note that this information will change and evolve so be sure to check resources such as the FDA page on testing for SARS-CoV-2 for frequent updates.
Guidance for Van and Carpools
- If shared rides are commonplace at your educational setting please refer to this guidance for steps to ensure that both drivers and riders remain healthy. You may also refer to the K-12 protocol for guidance assuring safety on school busses and for children using other modes of transportation to attend school.
Frequently Asked Questions
LA County
- COVID-19 FAQs
- These frequently asked questions provide background information about COVID-19 including how to identify symptoms, get tested and prevent the spread of the virus.
CDC
- School Reopening FAQs
- The answers to these frequently asked questions address common concerns for planning and responding to COVID-19 in the education setting.
- School and Childcare FAQs
- These frequently asked questions, aimed at administrators, teachers and parents provide information about COVID-19 and considerations for re-opening.
Additional Resources
LA County Office of Education COVID-19 Resources
- Health and Safety During COVID-19
- This web page provides helpful resources for districts and schools in preparing for and handling COVID-19.
- Strategic Communications Planning
- The Los Angeles County Office of Education developed this toolkit to support the region’s 80 TK-12 districts in their communication with stakeholders. Included are templates for messages on a variety of topics pertinent to COVID-19 and school reopening.
LA County Department of Mental Health
- Emotional Wellbeing During a Pandemic
- The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) supports the wellbeing of every member of our communities. The COVID-19 information home provides mental health resources for LA County residents. LACDMH's 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771 is available to provide mental health support, resources and referrals.
- Free Headspace Subscription
- LACDMH has partnered with Headspace to offer a collection of mindfulness and meditation resources - for free - to all LA County residents. The free Headspace Plus subscription includes access to hundreds of science-backed guided meditations in English and Spanish, as well as movement and sleep exercises to help manage stress, fear and anxiety related to COVID-19.
- Free Mental Health Resources
- LACDMH is also a part of PsychHub's COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub, which is dedicated to providing free resources to help people address their mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CDPH Guidance
- TK-12 Reopening Guidance
- CDPH developed this framework to support school communities as they decide when and how to implement in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. New evidence about COVID-19 transmission, including variations by age, and the effectiveness of disease control and mitigation strategies continues to emerge regularly. Recommendations regarding in-person school reopening and closure should be based on the available evidence as well state and local disease trends.
- TK-12 Guidance
- Communities across the state are preparing for the gradual reopening over the coming months. To assist with that planning process, these guidelines and considerations are intended to help school and community leaders plan and prepare to resume in-person instruction.
CDE Guidance
- Coronavirus Response and School Reopening Guidance
- This webpage provides information and resources regarding CDE's COVID-19 response efforts, including the guidance document for safely reopening schools for the 20-21 school year.
- COVID-19 School Closures and Services to Students with Disabilities
- Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-26-20 requiring the California Department of Education (CDE) to issue guidance on several topics, including ensuring students with disabilities (SWD) receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) consistent with their individualized education program (IEP) and meeting other procedural requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and California law. This guidance provides additional information based on questions received by the CDE in recent weeks.
State Department of Developmental Services COVID-19 Information
- This page provides links to general information about COVID-19 and resources and special educational supportive services for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Resources
- Safely Making California
- A partnership between the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), Autodesk, and the State of California has created the "Safely Making California" Marketplace to help fill a critical gap for all sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will connect CMTA member manufacturers and other manufacturers to employers who have the need to purchase non-medical grade Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
CDC Guidance
- Schools and Childcare Guidance Website
- This link provides access to the CDC landing page for school and childcare guidance. From here, you can navigate to all available education and childcare related guidance that CDC offers.
- TK-12 Reopening Guidance
- This guidance is intended to aid school administrators as they consider how to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, other school staff, their families, and communities and prepare for educating students this fall.
- Coping with Stress
- The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may be stressful for students, staff and the school community. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
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Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
