As school resumes, the majority of Orange County’s children will be starting via a distance and/or hybrid learning program.
For many families, this scenario adds an extra element of stress to an already uncertain future. Telecommuting parents are daunted by the prospect of managing both their workload and the incessant questions of a second grader with math homework.
For others, the challenge is ensuring that students have access to reliable technology. Distance learning may force some parents to make tough decisions, including quitting their jobs in order to focus on their families.
For employers who rely on their workers to stay focused on the job at hand, distance learning has challenges. How can they support their employees while still ensuring the work gets done?
The local division of the YMCA just might be the solution they are looking for.
“We understand the need companies may have for resources to support their employees to continue daily operations and increase effectiveness,” said Jeff McBride, president and chief executive of Tustin-based YMCA of Orange County (YMCAOC).
“The changing landscape of our communities and education, distance learning, and lack of child care options can create a struggle for both companies and employees, but there are solutions—and we want them to know that if and when they need support and/or child care, we are here to help meet that need.”
To that end, YMCAOC is joining with local companies and schools including University of California-Irvine to be a resource for their child care needs, as well as a support system for distance learning.
More than 40 YMCA facilities in OC—about half of its locations—have each been outfitted with new technology to bolster virtual and online learning, with Wi-Fi, Chromebooks and certified YMCAOC teachers at every site.
Learning from Experience
The inspiration for the employer program is an outgrowth of YMCAOC’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
As the largest licensed child care provider in Orange County, YMCAOC served more than 5,000 children in 80 centers across the region prior to COVID-19.
When the pandemic hit here in early March and the world seemingly shut down overnight, they were forced to close the majority of their locations, keeping just 26 open to serve essential workers.
YMCAOC pivoted quickly to meet the shifting needs of the community.
At one point, they opened a “pop-up” child care center in the DoubleTree hotel across from UCI Medical Center in Orange to better accommodate front-line hospital staff. Rigorous safety protocols were established right away, including daily temperature checks, face coverings and intensified cleaning programs. When schools closed in mid-March and transitioned to distance learning, YMCAOC teachers and aids did all they could to support this new style of learning.
Employer Options
After several weeks of addressing the distance learning challenge, the team at YMCAOC began to consider how they could reach more people who needed support. They thought about the employees out there who were working from home, having to balance the needs of their employers with those of their children.
“We asked ourselves, ‘how can we use what we learned this spring to benefit the workers whose children are distance learning?’” said Dolores Daly, YMCA of Orange County Chief Operations Officer. “We decided to reach out to companies to let them know we’re here, and all what we can offer to their employees.”
The employer program mirrors the YMCAOC’s regular child care and distance learning program. It offers full- or part-time options for children kindergarten through eighth grade.
It also provides distance learning and homework support, enrichment activities, outdoor play, Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM), morning and afternoon snacks and more.
Families taking part in the program have a variety of options: they can choose just distance learning support, full-or-part time childcare, or a combination, two to five days a week.
Company Flexibility
YMCAOC says it is flexible, to accommodate each company’s size and budget. Some employers fully subsidize the program, so families don’t need to pay at all. Others give their employees a stipend, which helps defray the employee costs for the YCMAOC program.
A few companies promote their affiliation with YMCAOC but don’t pay any portion of it, offering it instead as a resource that families can take advantage of on their own.
YMCAOC can also establish a pop-up center at an employer’s location, although currently there are no companies taking advantage of that option.
Health and safety are a top priority. “People are still worried and fearful—it’s understandable,” Daly said. “We work closely with the Orange County healthcare agencies and we follow all the CDC guidelines. We’re very confident about our protocols.”
Just as important, she adds, is that YMCAOC is a safe place to be a “normal kid.”
“In addition to supporting distance learning, we’ve made sure to incorporate other activities like art clubs, books clubs, photography, physical education,” Daly said. “We try to provide everything a child needs for a well-rounded experience.”
