Coronavirus Updates

ECS COVID-19 Resources

 

March 4, 2022

Effective Monday, March 7, ECS will no longer require individuals 2 years and older to wear masks. ECS respects the individual choice for children and staff to choose to continue to wear a mask if it is their personal preference. If you believe you are at higher risk for severe illness or live with an individual at higher risk, please talk to your healthcare provider about whether they recommend you should wear a mask.

Teachers/Family Advocates/Health Specialist should work with parents to determine whether a parent chooses for their child to wear a mask moving forward. Parents who would like to have their children wear a mask will be supported by classroom and support staff. Please note that currently, the Office of Head Start (OHS) mask requirement for HS/EHS programs in the State of Florida is subject to a temporary injunction which prevent implementation or enforcement of the requirement. If this temporary injunction changes, ECS may need to require individuals 2 and older to wear masks to meet Federal Contract guidelines.

Additionally, ECS is removing the maximum group size restriction of 25. ECS requests that you continue to report any positive COVID-19 cases for staff, children, and parents to covid@ecs4kids.org.

Read the COVID-19 exposure protocol here.

ECS promotes health and safety from all infectious viruses through preventive actions to stop the spread of germs:

• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects.
• Stay home when you are sick.

 

July 21, 2021

The health and safety of children, families, staff and volunteers is our top priority at ECS. On July 1, ECS moved to our COVID-19 Phase 3 Return to Work Plan. With this plan, we increased group size and allowed masks to be voluntary in our administration buildings. In light of the increase in COVID-19 positivity numbers in the communities we serve as well as seeing an increase in employees testing positive for COVID-19, ESC plans to reprise the following mitigation strategies immediately until further notice:

1. Masks will be required in all ECS buildings and meetings whether persons are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
2. Virtual meetings/trainings are recommended when possible at this time. In person meetings will not exceed 10.

This is still an evolving and complex situation and we ask that you continue to monitor our website for updates. We appreciate your continued support of ECS and the children and families we serve.

 

July 1, 2021 – Phase III

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The health and safety of our staff, children and families remain a top priority at ECS. ECS will transition into PHASE 3 effective July 1, 2021.  This comes after careful review and consideration from the COVID-19 Response Team as well as staff feedback from the recent COVID-19 survey. Our updated COVID-19 guidelines are attached and reflect suggested guidance from The National Head Start Association (NHSA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local authorities.

Some of the key updates for PHASE 3 include the following:

• Masks will be optional in administrative buildings for fully vaccinated individuals.
• Adults will be required to wear masks while inside the classroom while children are present. 
• If able to properly socially distance, masks may be removed during outdoor activities.
• Front door in-person health screenings will discontinue at Central and Skylark Admin office.  Staff will self-screen prior to reporting to work.
• Front door in-person health screenings will continue at Centers for staff, volunteers, parents and children.  The screening questions have been revised.
• Individuals unable to work due to COVID-19 symptoms may return to work when fever free for at least 24 hours and symptoms have improved.
• The health screening will no longer ask about other family members experiencing symptoms.
• Quarantine requirement will be 10 days as recommended by CDC instead of 14 days for unvaccinated staff directly exposed.
• Unvaccinated individuals directly exposed to C-19 must isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days.
• 10 day isolation required for unvaccinated staff upon return from international travel.
• Emergency FMLA & Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) will remain in effect through June 30, 2021.
• COVID-19 Vaccine- 2 days of paid sick leave available for staff unable to work – medical documentation required.
• Community and/or parent volunteers allowed in classrooms and Home Visiting Services return for the 2021/2022 program year.
• Maximum group size limit extends to fifty (50).

 

 

OCTOBER 1, 2020 UPDATE

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The health and safety of staff, children and families remain a top priority.  After careful review and discussion, ECS will transition into PHASE 2 effective 10/12/20.  The agency will continue to practice proactive mitigation strategies including social distancing, face masks, hand washing, temperature checks & health screening, etc.

The home visiting services will remain virtual during PHASE 2.  Also, in order reduce the spread of COVID-19 ECS will continue to refrain from having community members or parent volunteers in classrooms during this phase.

This is still an evolving and complex situation and we ask that you continue to monitor our website and social media outlets for updates. We appreciate your continued support of ECS and the children and families we serve.