Dear Families,

We all need to be commended for our dedication to staying well and protecting our families, students and each other. Thank you!  However…

The school was notified on Friday, Nov. 13 of a positive COVID-19 situation. We spoke right away to the DuPage Health Department. After sharing the situation details, they stated there was low to no risk of any kind of transmission here in the school. That was excellent news.

With the Thanksgiving holiday and winter break right around the corner, however, Child’s Voice is taking a proactive step in keeping everyone safe. Child’s Voice will start remote learning beginning Wednesday November 18, 2020. Monday and Tuesday, November 16-17 will be nonattendance days for students. Teaching staff and teaching assistants will have E-Learning planning days.

Audiology will remain open with some exceptions. Please call (630) 741-4411.

Both Early Intervention Toddler Program and the School Program will be remote until January 19, 2021. I will contact you if we need to change that date.

This decision to go remote until January 19, was not made lightly. I am proud of our staff. They give 110% to your child and to the mission of Child’s Voice. They are also concerned and worried as the Illinois COVID numbers double and triple. Child’s Voice can only provide the quality education we do because of our staff. If we do not have the staff to teach, we cannot continue. I must think of keeping them all safe and well too.

Let us be constantly reminded that, far from being a given, our ability to function in the best interests of our children is reliant upon each and every one of us doing the right thing in the face of a highly contagious virus for which there is presently no treatment.

We are in this together!

Please enjoy your family this holiday season and stay well.

Dr. Michele

 

Resources from the State of Illinois

The Illinois State Board of Education’s Coronavirus page

Notices, Guidelines, and FAQs from the Illinois State Board of Education: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/FAQ-4-1-20.pdf

Illinois Department of Public Heath: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

Illinois State Board of Education Keep Learning: https://www.isbe.net/KeepLearning

Early Childhood resources (scroll down for family resources): https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD/Pages/COVID-19.aspx

 

Resources for Families

General information: Where to Find Help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The  state’s SNAP Outreach team is available and continues to assist those in need with completing SNAP (food stamp) applications, help find a pantry or other questions. Call the hotline at 844-600-SNAP (7627) to talk with a member of the team.

Resources for families who have children with hearing loss from the A.G. Bell Association: https://www.agbell.org/COVID-19-Resources

Zoom Schools and Districts Privacy Policy: https://zoom.us/docs/en-us/childrens-privacy.html

Illinois State Board of Education Mental health resources: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/MentalHealthResources.aspx

ComEd has many programs available for customers who need help paying their electricity bills. Visit their website to learn about financial assistance.

 

Find Child’s Voice’s guidance for protecting health and safety here:

COVID Pandemic Guidance for Families

 

Child's Voice Weekly Digest heading with smiley logos

WELCOME! Weekly Digest for Nov. 20, 2020

REMINDER

Both Early Intervention Toddler Program and the School Program will be remote until January 19, 2021.  Our Audiology Center will remain open however with limitations as described below.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

On November 2,2020, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) released a memo outlining new requirements differentiating between “rapid” COVID-19 test results and RT-PCR (“full molecular”) test results.  For symptomatic individuals who wish to return to the building once they are well again, a negative “rapid” test result is insufficient.  Instead they will require a negative RT-PCR (“full molecular”) test result.  This new language can be found on the ISBE Decision Tree

On November 20, 2020, the Illinois Early Intervention Program suspended all in-person services as part of a response to Tier 3.  This affects our ability to deliver face-to-face service in both our Early Intervention Program and Audiology Center.  Our staff from both of these programs will work with families to transition to remote services or to reschedule appointments.  It is anticipated that the state will review this decision after monitoring community COVID-19 levels for 14 days, or after December 4, 2020, at which time a decision will be made about remaining in Tier 3 or returning to Tier 2.  Face-to-Face services are generally allowed under Tier 2.

DID YOU KNOW?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

  • Nationwide PPE and disinfecting product shortages are projected to last well into 2021, so we are grateful for your continued support in sourcing Clorox Wipes and Lysol Spray for Child’s Voice. Generic brands, such as Up&Up from Target or HDX from Home Depot are perfectly suitable alternatives. If you would like to know more about our current needs, please contact the Business Office for updates.
  • The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has a great COVID-19 Know the Difference graphic that has info on the differences between COVID-19, seasonal flu and the common cold. Understanding these differences is an important part of our response to COVID-19.
  • At Child’s Voice, information related to COVID-19 – including these Weekly Digests – can be found on our special website page: Childs’s Voice COVID-19 Updates.

REMINDERS

  • As a workplace, clinic, Early Intervention provider and school located in DuPage County, our COVID-19 responses are governed and guided by four agencies: Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), DuPage County Health Department (DCDH), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
  • In any COVID-19 situation affecting or possibly affecting the Child’s Voice community, we discuss with and take guidance from our point of contact at the DuPage County Health Department. State government has designated the local health department (LHD) as the agency responsible for providing direct guidance to organizations like Child’s Voice when dealing with COVID-19 situations.
  • Our decisions about when someone can return to our buildings following a COVID-19 situation are determined by IDPH and ISBE requirements and individualized guidance from our local health department (LHD).
  • While the CDC and WHO may publish updates or make statements in the media, Child’s Voice is ultimately governed by our four state and local agencies.
  • Please refer to the COVID-19 Safe Operating Guidelines developed the Child’s Voice Safe Operating Task Force for answers to specific questions. If you are unable to find your answer, please reach out to your program director for guidance.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRATICE YOUR 3 W’s

  • Wear a face covering.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Watch your physical distance.

Thank you. And stay healthy!