COVID Updates

arc continues to monitor and respond to the worldwide spread of Covid. Please read more for the latest information about our responsive actions, guidance, and resources to keep our community safe and informed.

Date: 1/26/2022 

FREE COVID TESTS & COVID PSL

The US government is offering four free tests per household (per address). You can order your tests at covidtests.gov.

There is new information on Covid PSL from the California legislature, announced on 1/25/2022. We are keeping abreast of these changes and will let you know how these changes affect you. If you did have time you had to take off earlier this year directly related to Covid (since January 3, 2022) you can receive retroactive pay or replacement of your PSL. Contact HRTeam@arc-experience.com directly for your personal circumstances.

Date: 1/18/2022 

ARC ENACTS NEW PAID SICK LEAVE POLICY 

We met. You shared. We listened.

And we acted.

Effective immediately arc will offer our own “arc Covid Supplemental Paid Sick Leave” to every eligible employee.

Any employee who meets the eligibility criteria (outlined below) will have up to 20 hours of Covid Supplemental PSL. This is temporary change in our Paid Sick Leave policy and we will review it monthly as the situation surrounding Covid protocols evolves.

You are eligible to access this benefit if you have been employed with arc for at least 30 calendar days, and are:

  • Caring for Yourself: You are subject to quarantine or isolation period related to Covid-19 as defined by an order or guidelines of the California Department of Public Health, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a local health officer with jurisdiction over the workplace, has been advised by a healthcare provider to quarantine, or is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis.
  • Caring for a Family Member: You are caring for a family member who is subject to a Covid-19 quarantine or isolation period or has been advised by a healthcare provided to quarantine due to Covid-19, or you are caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed or unavailable due to Covid-19 on the premises.

The code in Paycom for requesting this is “Temp COVID PSL.” You can find more resources on the COVID RESOURCES PAGE  and you can send questions to CovidHelp@arc-experience.com.

District Updates

LAUSD has modified its isolation/quarantine guidelines to reflect the CDC’s shorter guidelines. Those policies are laid out in this document. They also have additional testing sites listed here for students and employees seeking to return to school or work due to isolation/home quarantine.

ICEF is also now following those guidelines as well.  

Beyond the Bell has provided a new schedule for Covid testing. See the flyer here. 

SDUSD has added a testing location for employees. Details below.

  • Location: 9330 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
  • Times: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m | Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m | (testing site will be closed on all district holidays – 1/17, 2/18 & 2/21)
  • No appointments necessary. If you have not already signed up for testing at your school site, please go to the Primary.Health portal to register: https://my.primary.health/l/sdusd_testing. Both Rapid Antigen and PCR tests are available.

DATE: JANUARY 13, 2022

Thank you for coming to the All-Staff today. If you couldn’t make it, this is a summary of what we went over and additional resources.   

There were a couple major themes in the questions and comments during the meeting, so I’ll address them below. What we heard loud and clear was a need for MORE information and MORE communication. So be on the lookout for another all-staff meeting announcement for next week. We’ll hold these more frequently as we’re making our way through this wave. We’ll also set up some small groups to allow us to talk more specifically about challenges in each region.  

We’ve heard from other after-school providers this week who said they have as much as 50% of their staff out due to Covid. I’m grateful we’re much lower than that (about 18%). We want to do everything we can to keep YOU safe, and our kids safe and in program. Our Regional Managers are talking directly with principals about staffing.   

FAQ 

Do we offer N95/KN95 masks for our staff?
YES. We encourage you to wear these masks too. Contact your SC or Regional Manager if you need supplies. Many schools also have them on-hand for staff, so don’t hesitate to ask for them.  

If you need more masks, RMs can order them to be delivered directly to your site. We also have some face shields for those of you who want them. Again, contact your RM directly.  

Do we get paid for testing?
Yes, most districts are offering on-campus testing and you are paid on any workday when you get tested. We know that waits for testing have been long everywhere and we’re providing an additional list of testing sites on the attached list. If you have a personal situation that doesn’t allow you to wait for testing at site or cannot be done during work hours, contact CovidHelp directly to talk it through.  

There’s lots of information on testing on the district/school sites on the next page, including an appointment calendar, maps, and where you can find a mobile testing unit.  

Why aren’t we closing program?
As much as we want to go virtual in some areas, the California Department of Education will not allow us to at this time. There are districts that are even meeting today to discuss how they’re handling staff and student outages. If we hear of changes, you’ll be the first to know. 

Is my job safe if I am out with Covid?
You will not be retaliated against in any way for being out sick with Covid. Stay home, stay safe, and follow your local isolation orders. If you need an extended period of time off, talk directly with HR about your circumstances.  

What does “close contact” mean? How long do I isolate if I’ve had close contact?
Close contact means you’ve been within six feet of someone for more than 15 minutes over the course of 24 hours. The guidance today says if you’ve had close contact with someone who tests positive but you are vaccinated, boosted (or it’s been less than 6 months since your last dose), and you have NO SYMPTOMS, you do not have to isolate. Just wear a good fitting mask and you can go to work, following all the other precautions.  

Why don’t we get paid for Covid Sick Time?
The state reimbursed companies for offering sick leave for the last year but they have discontinued it. We’ve been in regular contact with our state legislators to bring that benefit back to our employees and we encourage you to do the same.  We’ll alert you immediately to any changes in PSL policy both at arc or in California. We want to continue our trend of being the first and company to implement any new benefits. We are also considering a “work program” where we have some paid time available to employees who are isolating but not sick. If there are ways we can keep you working while offsite, we’ll do that (and if you have ideas, send them to us at the Covid Help email). 

I’m afraid. I feel unsafe. I feel let down.
That’s understandable. This is two solid years of uncertainty, illness, and death for many. Everyone’s personal circumstances are unique and we can’t know what each of you is dealing with but if you need to take time off, just talk to your supervisor.   

As an arc employee, you have access to the FREE Employee Assistance Program, which is a resource provided by our health insurance provider with lots of resources on Covid (as well as other things). The login is AnthemResourceAdvisor.  There’s a more detailed COVID-related support services page with vaccine information (including a locating tool), financial tips, a guide to working during the pandemic, and even “grief and disappointment” resources. This is all available to you at no cost because you are an arc employee. 

It’s a challenge when you don’t have paid time off available, but sometimes you just need to take the time away from work to do what’s right for yourself. We are committed to being a great employer, which is why we raised pay for all site staff last year to the highest rates in the field. That’s why we kept you all working at home through the worst of pandemic. It’s why we listen, respond, and adapt where we’re able.   

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

COVID INFORMATION BY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES 

THINK YOU HAVE COVID? FOLLOW THIS DECISION TREE

January 11, 2022

San Diego Unified School District put together this helpful "decision tree" to use if you have had close contact with Covid.

You may also use interactive decision tree from Central Union that walks you through each consideration step-by-step.

Use the CDC’s Self-Checker (top right of this page if on desktop) to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care.

As always, if you have questions and want some personal help, contact us through the Covid Help email.

--Cyndy Drummey (VP/Communications)

NEW COVID RESOURCES

January 3, 2022

Who isn't tired of Covid by now? Before we even heard the word "omicron" most of us were imagining a new year where we could take off our masks, hug each other (and our kiddos!) and start getting back to contact sports and leisurely indoor dining. Alas, no sooner had the Delta variant scare us all that the new Omicron was sweeping the world.

It's critical (though admittedly challenging) to stay informed about new developments that will keep us safe and our students safe. We've collected a few resources here that we've found helpful. As we discover new resources (and simplified information!) we'll share them here. If YOU find good data, share it with the Communications team so we can spread the word.

Arc is following the recommendations of the LA County Dept. of Public Health. They have the strictest guidelines, so we're using them for all our staff (even if you don't work in LA County). These do change, so keep that link and check back regularly.

Those guidelines include more data on what constitutes a "close contact" and what to do if you test positive.

Some school districts have postponed in-person classes for a week or more. Site personnel should contact their supervisor with site-specific questions.

We strongly encourage everyone at Arc to get booster shots. If you are boosted, the LA County Dept. of Public Health is currently saying that you do not have to quarantine after close contact if you are not having symptoms. This is especially good news since California is no longer offering Covid Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (it expired in September 2021).

LA is requiring all school staff and students (public or private) to wear "medical grade" masks. Here's an article about that in the LATimes.

This video contains good information on finding free tests and other resources (the second half is in Spanish).

Listen: This is no fun for anyone, so let's be patient and kind with each other. Be the bright spot in someone's day. Especially now, try to approach the world with the Arc values: We are humble, kind, joyful, and hopeful.

--Cyndy Drummey (VP/Communications)

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