Prioritizing Your Health and Safety

As the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnoses continues to rise, we want to assure the greater Topeka community that the health, safety, and well-being of YWCA Northeast Kansas staff, and the children, families, and individuals we serve remains our highest priority.We want you to know that we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, and are working closely with our community partners as well as YWCA USA to implement contingency planning for the spread of COVID-19 in addition to guidelines from the local health department and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  All services will remain in effect at their regularly scheduled locations and hours at this time.At this time, we continue to practice all of our regular, universal precautions to create a safe and healthy environment for all, and we will take measures as necessary to maintain service continuity while protecting the health of our staff.We ask that all YWCA staff and volunteers adopt the following additional measures:-We encourage you to stay home if you are sick, and will support any necessary individual self-quarantines.-We have increased the frequency of cleaning protocols in our facilities and will continue to share best practice hygiene tips to help keep staff healthy.-Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and use sanitizers to keep every area germ-free.-Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, nose, and mouth. For the families we serve in all of our Youth Services programs:-If your child has a fever or exhibits symptoms of illness, please keep your child at home.If your child exhibits symptoms while in our care, we will call to notify you and expect you to pick up your child as soon as possible, returning only after 24 hours since the last symptoms.-Staff have been instructed to stay home if they are showing any symptoms of being sick. In our Early Learning Center:-During nap time we make sure there is a two foot minimum required by child care regulations between cots, and sleep mats. We also place cots and sleep mats so that children rest “head to toe” rather than “face to face”.-We are making sure that our kids get plenty of fresh air. Children should have an opportunity for daily outdoor play, weather permitting.-We are performing routine environmental cleaning.-We clean toys, commonly shared items, and touched surfaces like handrails and doorknobs at least daily and when visibly soiled.-We set aside toys children have placed in their mouths and will disinfect them.-If your child begins to exhibit symptoms of illness while in our Early Learning Center, staff will take additional preventative measures to stop contagion including a self-quarantine room until you have picked up your child.-Please take blankets home with you and wash them. We will continue to monitor this situation and send updates from local, state, and national authorities as necessary. YWCA Northeast Kansas is committed to lessening exposure to, and transmission of, infectious disease and ask for your help in continuing to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of everyone.