COVID-19

President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan

Read the plan

Remarks in the plan specific to Head Start

Requiring Staff in Head Start Programs, Department of Defense Schools, and Bureau of Indian Education-Operated Schools to be Vaccinated

To help ensure the safety of students, families, and their communities, the President’s plan includes requirements that teachers and staff at Head Start and Early Head Start programs, teachers and child and youth program personnel at the Department of Defense (DOD), and teachers and staff at Bureau of Indian Education-operated schools get vaccinated. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will initiate rulemaking to implement this policy for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which provide comprehensive education and child development services to ensure that children are well prepared for kindergarten. The Department of Defense operates 160 K-12 schools for students from military families across the U.S. and abroad, and the Department of the Interior operates 53 schools through the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) across the U.S. on and off tribal lands. These schools and programs collectively serve more than 1 million children each year and employ nearly 300,000 staff. This action will help more schools and early childhood centers safely remain open and give comfort to the many parents that rely on them every day to keep their children safe.

From Region IX Office of Head Start

Region IX is working diligently to identify supportive strategies and resources for all our programs in response to the President’s plan. Below are some additional resources to help in your planning and communication efforts:

A Letter from the Director was sent to grantees as well as CAA agencies today via eblast from Dr. Futrell

The OHS will be updating ECLKC pages with vaccination resources and tools – here are a couple links below:

Vaccination for Head Start Staff: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/about-us/coronavirus/vaccination-head-start-staff

COVID 19 General Vaccine Information: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/physical-health/article/covid-19-general-vaccine-information

Vaccine Information

Vaccine Education Webinars, Hosted by the Region 9 Head Start Association
- February 24, Watch the Recording Hear from doctors at UCLA to learn more about COVID-19 Vaccines being distributed and key issues of concern for you, your family and the communities you serve.
- March 18, Watch the recording This session features Hawaii Lt. Governor Dr. Josh Green, Dr. Thaddeus Juarez, Pacific Clinics, Los Angeles, CA and Dr. John Molina, Native Health, AZ.
For all vaccine education webinar recordings, visit the Region 9 HSA YouTube Channel.

COVID Vaccine Links

COVID Vaccine Materials (posters, fact sheets, and policy briefs)

Head Start California Updates

COVID-19 Shared Resources: View helpful documents from other Head Start agencies

Federal, State, and CDC Resources

State of California

California Department of Education COVID-19 Resources for K-12 agencies. Information and resources regarding CDE’s COVID-19 response efforts, including the guidance document for safely reopening schools for the 20-21 school year, Governor’s executive orders, and California Department of Public Health guidances.
Blueprint for a Safer Economy See what types of businesses are open in your county
ELCD Management Bulletins: Management Bulletins (MB) from the Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD), organized by release date. ELCD has created MB’s to provide guidance and directives to early learning and care contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary of ELCD Management Bulletins on COVID-19 (April 23, 2020) High level overview and explanation of important changes included in recent MB’s. This was presented to the Head Start field on April 23, and some MB’s have been superseded.
California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief during COVID-19 (April 7, 2020) Guide to help you manage your stress response during COVID-19. Includes stress-busting strategies, and a self-care checklist.
California COVID-19 information website: includes state and county-level data on cases, deaths and tests for COVID-19, county map of open businesses and updates from the governor.
CA Department of Social Services Issues Statewide Licensing Waivers (March 16, 2020) PIN 20-04-CCP provides a statewide waiver for operation of child care facilities, including licensees, registered TrustLine providers, and temporary employer sponsored child care, along with guidance for the implementation of prevention, containment, and mitigation measures for COVID-19.

Office of Head Start Resources

OHS ECLKC COVID-19 Head Start Resources. Includes flexibilities for staff wage and benefits, food, and general disaster recovery.
OHS Guidance on Head Start supporting emergency child care During COVID-19 Crisis (April 23, 2020)
For any OHS specific questions related to Head Start programs please check in with your Program Specialist.

National Head Start Association Resources

NHSA COVID-19 Policy Resources for Head Start Parents & Caregivers
Template License Agreement for Emergency Providers Use in negotiations with emergency childcare providers for the
temporary use of the Grantees’ facilities, and should be tailored to meet a Grantee’s specific
requirements.