Amidst the outbreak of COVID-19 and intense racial tensions, HSH responded and continued to move forward. COVID-specific addresses by the HSH office and imperatives included: The Office in partnership with the City of Detroit, United Way of Southeastern Michigan and the Policy Equity Group created and supported the www.detroitearlylearning.org portal to assist providers in navigating COVID-19 Relief grant applications, accessing other funding opportunities and personal protection equipment and supplies; created a guide and an interactive tool to assist providers in developing mandated re-opening plans;
- Imperative #1 – pediatric mobile clinics to ensure newborn immunizations; increased virtual pediatric appointments.
- Imperative #2 – provided grief and loss support for caregivers, youth and families; coordinated with Behavioral Health and Special Needs partners to support families during “stay at home” order, distributed ECE packets via partner distribution sites.
- Imperative # 3 – in partnership with DPTV provided 24-7 at-home learning programming through PBS Kids, coordinated child care provider business viability supports, engaged cross-sector partners to develop a communications campaign capitalizing on the essentiality of ECE highlighted by COVID.
- Imperative #4 – offered PPE grant support up to $2,500 per Learning Spaces program, assisted with TA support through www.detroitearlylearning.org, collated design considerations and facility modifications that mitigate risks for ECE programs, created a children’s storybook to illustrate COVID-19 related changes in learning environments for children, engaged with National Wildlife Federation to provide recommendations and resources for safe use of outdoor spaces.
- Imperative #5 – coordinated emergency child care needs for essential workers in partnership with the city of Detroit and Wayne RESA, supported cross-sector coordination of PPE needs survey and supply distribution, launched Connect4Care to assist families with locating care.
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