Role of Expanded Learning During COVID-19 Crisis
Guidance on the role of Expanded Learning Programs during the COVID-19 crisis.Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Web Page
Expanded Learning Division Guidance
Date: April 30, 2020
Attention: After School Education and Safety Program Grantees, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grantees, and 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens Grantees.
Expanded Learning programs should provide support to students, families, and communities during the COVID-19 crisis. In providing this vital support, the utmost attention should be given to the health and safety of staff and those individuals served. For guidance related to proper social and physical distancing, and healthy practices for programs operating pursuant to this guidance, please refer to the Department of Social Services Social and Physical Distancing Guidance
(PDF).
Allowable expanded learning program work may include:
- Services related to providing federally approved afterschool meals or snack programs (Grab and Go food distribution)
- Online programming for youth that is reasonable and necessary
- Student and parent education and social-emotional well-being support
- Gathering virtual offsite student materials and information to support families
- Virtual staff meetings (conference calls, Zoom meetings, Microsoft Skype, etc.)
- Curriculum work
- Lesson plans
- Program data entry or validation
- Online professional development
- Systems planning work (e.g., summer programs, evaluation, sustainability, safety, budgeting)
- Other expectations and associated job tasks listed in job descriptions that are reasonable and necessary during the closure period
Note: To the extent possible, distance enrichment programming should align with the distance learning plans of the schools your students attend. Collaboration with the local educational agencies’ distance learning plan is encouraged. Programs must also comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act when delivering virtual services.
Items to be aware of when implementing any of the above:
- Final approval of work and work protocols are the responsibility of sub-grantee local supervisors
- Hours worked remain subject to supervisor approval and should be commensurate with need
- Federal Supplement not Supplant provisions remain in force
Note: For After School Education and Safety grantees please also refer to the Executive Order N-45-20 guidance that was sent out and posted on April 10, 2020.