Planning To Reopen - Phase 2 Child Programs Minimum Requirements, Part 13

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

There are many support systems that must be inplace to successfully reopen the state of Massachusetts. One of the essential support systems that must be ready for Governor Charlie Baker's plan to reopen the Commonwealth is child care and youth programs. This blog highlights the administration's general guidance as well as the minimum planning requirements for recreational camps and programs as outlined in Governor Charlie Baker's administration's guidelines for reopening child and youth programs.

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

These requirements apply to all child and youth-serving programs, including recreational summer programs, recreational summer camps for children, municipal or recreational youth programs not traditionally licensed as camps, family child care, and center-based child care. As more is learned about the virus guidelines are updated accordingly. Those charged with planning to reopen child and youth programs should check the both the Massachusetts department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the CDC website regularly to make sure that they are following the latest guidance. 

Programs that are unable to must make the following changes to their operations or remain closed and reopen at a later date.

General Guidance for Recreational Camps and Programs

Recreational Camps and Programs must operate under the following guidance as well as all other applicable state, CDC, and/or local municipal guidance. Residential Camps and other overnight stays are not permitted until further notice.

1. Recreational Camps and Programs may operate with activity restrictions and limited opening for groups ≤12.
2. Camps may have multiple groups of 12 campers and counselors, provided physical distancing is maintained between and within groups.
3. Camps may not exceed the camper to counselor ratios in in Camp Regulations 105 CMR 430.101.
4. Visitors (including parents) and volunteers are not permitted.
5. Recreational Camps must comply with 105 CMR 430 Minimum Standards for Recreational Camps for Children: State Sanitary Code Chapter IV as well as any additional more restrictive MA state or local requirements or orders in response to COVID-19. Camps are responsible for ensuring their operations are updated to comply with new guidance and orders.

Planning for Recreational Camps and Programs

Program managers and staff of all camps that are allowed to operate during the current phase must ensure the following planning requirements are met.

1. Recreational Camps and Programs plans must be updated to address how they will meet the new health and safety requirements associated with COVID-19.
2. For Recreational Camps, plans must be included into Staff Training and Orientation and provided in writing and included in or in addition to the written camp Health Care Policy and other relevant procedures (105 CMR 430.159).
3. Elements planning for Recreational Camps and Programs must include the following:
   1. A plan to address cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing and frequency. This must include a daily staff cleaning schedule to ensure that all areas, materials, furniture, and equipment are properly cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected.
   2. A plan for identifying and handling sick, symptomatic, and exposed children and staff that includes but is not limited to daily screening checks, location of screening activities, and staff responsible for screening. All staff conducting screenings should be trained to do so by the Health Care Consultant.
   3. A plan for the isolation and discharge of sick, symptomatic, and exposed children or staff, including procedures for contacting parents immediately, criteria for seeking medical assistance, transportation of a child/staff who has developed symptoms related to COVID-19 mid-day and who rely on camp transportation, mitigation of transmission until the sick individual can safely leave the camp, and immediately notifying the local board of health.
4. Program managers and staff of recreational camps and programs must ensure that their sick leave policies are flexible and promote the importance of staff not coming to work if they have a frequent cough, sneezing, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or recent loss of taste or smell, or if they or someone they live with has been diagnosed with COVID-19. (3) Recreational Camps and
5. Program managers must designate a senior camp staff person to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. Employees should know who this person is and how to contact them.
6. Program managers and staff of recreational camps and programs must develop a plan for food service. Snacks and meals should be brought from home, be pre-packaged, or be ready to serve in individual portions to minimize handling and preparation. Where this is not feasible, staff must prepare and serve meals. Meals should not be served family style.
7. Program managers and staff of recreational camps and programs must develop a plan for safe vendor deliveries, if applicable. Noncontact delivery protocols must be arranged whenever possible.
8. Program managers and staff of recreational camps and programs must develop a plan for handling camp closings and staff absences.
9. Program managers and staff of recreational camps and programs must develop a plan outlining the lines of communication between staff and parents, local board of health, the Department of Public Health Community Sanitation Program, and other appropriate audiences.
10. Program managers and staff of recreational camps and programs must develop a plan for sharing information and guidelines with parents that includes the following:
    1. A system to check with parents daily on the health status of their children when children are dropped off at the facility.
    2. Email addresses and home, work, and mobile phone numbers from parents of children at the camp so that staff can reach them at any time.
    3. A tested communication system with parents, children at the camp, all staff, facility and/or grounds management, and emergency medical services.
    4. Information on COVID-19 including symptoms, transmission, prevention, and when to seek medical attention. Encouraging parents to share the information with their children as appropriate.
    5. Provide parents with information on the camp’s policies for preventing and responding to infection and illness. This must be given to the camper’s parents/guardians and not just provided on a website. Provide information in the primary languages spoken by the parents, if possible
11. Program managers and staff of recreational camps and programs must develop safe pickup/drop off procedures to maintain physical distancing and prevent the mixing of campers.
    1. Explain new procedures with parents prior to the first drop-off.
    2. Confirm the pickup person is camper’s parent, legal guardian, or other individual designated in writing to have permission to pick up the camper.
12. A transportation plan for limited camp transportation, if needed, provided that transportation conforms with the minimum requirements for Transportation. To view the administration's minimum requirements for transportation visit our previous blog by clicking, here. 
13. Camps must have contingency plans for arranging for transportation for a sick camper, in the case that parents are unable to pick up their children, and for staff, in case they are unable to transport themselves.

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, FDA, OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Framingham know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

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The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Framingham are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal, everyday cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Framingham today for a free consultation - (508) 370-4400.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Framingham want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!