April 6, 2020

Following today’s new directive from Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, all schools across the state will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19, the coronavirus. 

We acknowledge continued closures present many challenges for students, staff, families, and the entire community.  This has been difficult news for all of us.  Our students miss their friends and teachers, and we miss our students and colleagues.  

CHILD staff have been working for the past several weeks to provide special education and therapy services in a different model; and we will continue to work to provide answers to questions brought by this new directive.   

Here is what we know today:

During this time we are continuing to provide educational programming to our students through a menu of services: academic support/thematic learning, art, music, media, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health counseling, and behavioral support to parents and students.   

Creative programming and care for our students has always been at the core of our mission and we will continue to support our students through this crisis. 

According to the CDC, there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thebest way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.  The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person: between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)., and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
 
Public Health Guidance

We encourage you to continue to follow existing guidelines to protect your own health. The Centers for Disease Control recommends: 

• Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds; use alcohol-based sanitizer if no water is available
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with those who are sick
• Stay home if sick
• Cover cough or sneeze with tissue, throw tissue in trash, wash hands
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched object and surfaces 

Healthcare Resources:

Here is a resource for families who may want to see a doctor but don’t have one and/or those who need to enroll in public or low-cost health insurance.

Community Health Access Program (CHAP) is a telephone assistance program serving King County residents by connecting them to health insurance, health care services and other resources. CHAP services are free and confidential.  They can also connect you to free or low-cost medical providers and also assist with enrolling you in public or low-cost health insurance. For more information, phone 1-800-756-5437 or email CHAP@kingcounty.gov.  

In addition, we learned today that MultiCare Healthcare System is offering FREE virtual assessments to ANYONE with the code below.  If you have upper respiratory systems (cough, fever, or shortness of breath) and believe you need to be evaluated for COVID-19, please call first before visiting a hospital, clinic or urgent care to determine if you need to visit a specific site for testing.

MultiCare is currently offering free e-visits to anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms through MultiCare Virtual Care, where their providers will also help you navigate the next appropriate step.  Use promo code "COVID 19" at the payment page to unlock the free e-visit after completing their protocol.  This promo code will waive the usual $25 fee. 

Stay informed, take care of yourselves, stay CLOSE to home, and be safe as we all navigate this unprecedented public health crisis in our State and around the world.