At My Kids Place, safety has always been a top priority. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to remind our families of the steps we have been taking to safely continue providing services. COVID-related updates (see italicized sections) are summarized below. Plus, there is a review of our regular routines to prevent the spread of illness.
Resources: Sick Policy, CDC Guidance
Update April 2023
On 4/3/2023, California ended the State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. My Kids Place has updated our clinic procedures to align with current recommendations. Therefore, masks will no longer be required for clients and families attended in-person appointments at MKP. Providers and clients are welcome to continue wearing a mask by choice, and we support each person’s right to make this choice. We will also no longer require temperature readings upon checking in to the clinic.
Please note that we will be monitoring respiratory virus cases within San Diego County, and may choose to reinstate our policy of requiring masks if there is medium or high rates of community transmission. Additionally, clients and those attending appointments will be asked to wear a mask if there are any respiratory symptoms observed. We also reserve the right to end sessions early if a client or caregiver appears ill. Make-up appointments can be scheduled as available, and telehealth appointments will still be offered.
Toys continued to be cleaned between uses, or quarantined if unable to be cleaned. Large equipment and high-touch surfaces are cleaned regularly.
For more information, please go to: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/covid-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx
Update August 2022
Masks continue to be required for employees, clients (age 2 years old and above), and anyone attending in-person appointments. Masks are to be worn at all times in the clinic areas, including stairwells and pre-school area. Equipment and toys continue to be disinfected with a cleaning solution after each client, or are quarantined for a week if unable to be cleaned.
Telehealth appointments are still available if your child has to quarantine or is feeling ill. Click on our Sick Policy to learn more. Make-ups are available when late cancelations are made due to illness. We allow 15 days to complete a make-up appointment to allow time for illness to subside. Cancelation fees will be waived when a make-up is completed in this time frame.
Update February 2022
California lifted the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals on 2/15/2022 with some exceptions. For more information, click here. Healthcare and childcare settings are still requiring masks for anyone over the age of 2 years old, regardless of vaccination status. MKP continues to abide by these guidelines. Please note the CDC currently recommends surgical masks or better, including KF94, KN95, or N95.
Multiple families may be present in the clinic at one time, however clinicians will continue to facilitate physical distancing. Temperature checks will continue, with 100.1deg F or higher will result in the appointment being rescheduled. Please contact us via text or email if your child or a family member are showing signs of illness, or have had a positive COVID test result so that we can discuss telehealth or rescheduling options.
In the event a provider is diagnosed with COVID-19, clients will be contacted to convert appointments to telehealth (depending on provider’s health) or rescheduled to a later date. Contact tracing will be conducted to inform any families that may have been exposed.
Update June 2021
California has lifted the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals with some exceptions. For more information, click here. Healthcare and childcare settings are still requiring masks for anyone over the age of 2 years old, regardless of vaccination status. MKP continues to abide by these guidelines.
MKP is also getting busier! More families are attending sessions in person, so treatment areas are being divided and shared to accommodate overlapping appointments while maintaining physical distance.
Update May 2021
As San Diego begins to re-open, we are allowing more families into the clinic. We continue to maintain physical distance between separate households, as well as follow CDC recommendations that all clients and session participants aged 2-years or older wear masks. Cleaning protocols have also remained the same.
Vaccine Update!
MKP providers are getting vaccinated against COVID-19! This extra precaution is an exciting step to keep our clients and families safe. We are thrilled for the opportunity to combat the further spread of this virus! However, this will not mean there will be a change in our protocols at this time. We will continue to do everything in our power to keep our clinic safe for everyone!
Cleaning Protocol Review
- Toys are disinfected between each use using an AAP-recommended bleach solution.
- Objects that cannot be disinfected are separated after use so that they are not used with a different client.
- Equipment that was used is also disinfected with bleach solution after every appointment.
- To limit the number of surfaces that could become contaminated, some equipment has been stored away.
- Clients and family members wash hands before the appointment.
- Providers wash their hands frequently throughout the day.
Masks
- All persons in the MKP clinic are required to wear masks to limit the transmission of COVID-19, as recommended by the CDC.
- Children under the age of 2 years old are exempt.
- Masks should cover the nose and mouth, and fit snuggly under the chin.
- If you have any questions about masks, please contact us or speak to your child’s provider!
Telehealth
- All families have the option of doing telehealth appointments.
- Clients that require in-person treatment may have the option to come to the clinic.
- Clients may have all in-person appointments, or a combination with telehealth appointments as well.
- The provider and the family will work together to create a plan to best meet the child’s needs.
- This plan can be updated as needed!
In-Person Appointments
- Appointments are scheduled in order to limit the overlap between clients in clinic.
- Fifteen – thirty minute blocks occur between in-person appointments accessing the gym to allow for cleaning.
- Families are asked to message the clinic upon arrival to avoid waiting inside.
- Anyone attending the session will have their temperatures checked prior to every appointment.
- A temperature of 100.0deg F or higher will result in changing the appointment to telehealth, or rescheduling for another day.
- Additionally, appointments will be changed to telehealth or rescheduled if those attending the session have any signs of illness.
- If you are unsure if you should change/cancel an appointment due to illness, please text us!
Provider Practices
- MKP providers wear N-95 or surgical masks for all in-person appointments.
- Providers also wear masks when around other persons within the clinic
- Providers check their temperatures daily.
- All appointments will be rescheduled or changed to telehealth if a provider has a temperature or is showing any signs of illness.
COVID-19 Exposure
- Families will be notified if there was a chance of a COVID-19 exposure within My Kids Place.
- Provider(s) involved will get tested and quarantine as recommended by their PCP.
- Appointments will be converted to telehealth or rescheduled as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
If you have any questions at all, please contact us!
Additional COVID-19 Resources:
HealthyChildren.org articles on a variety of topics related to COVID-19: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx
Mask Guidelines for Children: https://services.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2020/american-academy-of-pediatrics-provides-guidance-on-cloth-face-coverings-coronavirus-testing-and-ppe/
Helpful information if your child is considered “high risk”: https://www.dds.ca.gov/corona-virus-information-and-resources/vaccine-testing/
