BBBSNW COVID-19 Updates

AN UPDATE REGARDING OUR RESUMPTION OF BIG/LITTLE ACTIVITIES 9/23/21

Safety is always our number 1 priority for our matches.  It's with that guiding principle that we're excited to once again be hosting Big/Little match activities.  We will continue to monitor the local case numbers and act in accordance with local guidance.  Currently, our service area is experiencing high transmission of COVID-19 which means we will observe the following measures:

• We require RSVPs for all match events so that we can not only plan for food & materials but also contact trace if need be.

• When possible and appropriate, we will space matches at least 6 ft. apart from other matches

• Everyone, age 2+, is highly encouraged to wear a mask in public indoor settings, even if they have been vaccinated 

• We will have supplies for handwashing/sanitizing and disinfecting high-touch surfaces.

If you have any questions about our events, please feel free to reach out to our office at 715-835-0161.

AGENCY UPDATE 11/20/20

TO: All BBBSNW Participants

On Tuesday, November 18, Wisconsin Governor Evers announced the continuation of the mask mandate in an attempt to mitigate the significant rise of COVID-19. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin continues to follow official state guidelines in our ongoing efforts to keep our Bigs, Littles, families, and staff safe.

It is the decision of each individual family and volunteer whether to meet in person or virtually. Current Wisconsin state orders do not prohibit one-on-one interactions (like a Big and a Little meeting in person) as long as proper safety guidelines are followed. However, all parties must agree to meeting in person.

We understand the anxiety involved in making decisions that potentially affect the health and safety of you and your loved ones. We know that people may make different decisions now than they did previously and may wish to go back to virtual meetings given the current rise in COVID-19 cases. We support your right to choose what is best in your situation. We also understand how important the relationship is between our Bigs and Littles, especially during times of increased stress and isolation. It is up to each match participant to make decisions about what is best for your household and match. Please remember that choosing not to meet in person does not reflect your level of commitment to your match.

COVID-19 IN-PERSON MATCH MEETING GUIDELINES

  • Decision to Meet – The Big, Little, and Parent/Guardian must all be comfortable with the match meeting in-person, including transportation or inside locations. Regardless of the Little’s age, the visit must be approved by the Parent/Guardian ahead of time. If the Little or their family is not comfortable with in-person meetings at this time, please be respectful and understanding of this.

  • Location of Meeting – Outdoor visits are best, but matches may also decide to meet indoors, in a public location that complies with Wisconsin Department of Health guidelines including face masks, social distancing, etc.

  • Transportation – Bigs are permitted to transport Littles. Recommended precautions include: face masks worn by driver and passenger(s); the Little should sit in the back seat regardless of age, and the Big should sanitize the area where the Little will ride before and after the visit.

  • Protective Measures:

    • Anyone participating in the visit is recommended to wear an appropriate face covering or mask.

    • Please adhere to social distancing guidelines and stay at least 6 feet apart.

    • Please wash and sanitize hands before, during, and after the visit by washing hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds.

It is important to take protective measures and consider risks for everyone in both the Big’s and Little’s households. Please do not meet if anyone living in either home meets any of the following criteria:

·      If any party to the match is at heightened risk from COVID-19, you should not meet in person at this time. These risk factors include: Advanced age, respiratory illness, diabetes and immune system suppression, among many others.

·      If any party (or someone with whom they are in close contact) is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, we recommend waiting until all are well before having an in-person outing.

Symptoms include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, and headache

More guidance around symptoms can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

The public health recommendations regarding COVID-19 are fluid and may change at any time. Our agency's guidance, whether your match chooses to meet in-person or virtually, is to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services.  As always, please keep child safety as your primary consideration.

We know this is a difficult time, on so many levels.  Please know that BBBS completely supports a decision to connect virtually for the time being, or to choose to meet outside and not transport your Little. Meeting in-person is not required at this time. If you have concerns or questions about how to support your Little during this difficult time in our community our BBBS team is here to support you in any way we can.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Match Support Specialist if you need any advice or resources to help you maintain a supportive and rewarding relationship with your match.

AGENCY UPDATE 5/18/2020

To: All BBBSNW Participants

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin puts the safety of the youth we serve and all associated with our organization at the forefront of the work we do each and every day. We make decisions based on policy, procedure, and recommendations to our staff, board of directors, and matches based on the evidence, facts, and data available to us at the time.

With the lifting of Wisconsin's “Safer at Home” Order, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin’s primary recommendation is to continue following CDC and local guidelines.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin is stressing the importance of considering not only your own safety and comfort, but also the unique situation of your Big/Little and their family in how this might impact them. If any party (Big, Little or parent/guardian) is uncomfortable with in-person meetings at that time, whether for reasons specific to them or due to more general safety concerns, meeting in person is not recommended. Every person in this program brings their own unique perspective and background into their match, and it is important to be respectful of that.

For Community-Based Matches that do feel comfortable enough to meet at this time, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin strongly recommends:

  • If any party to the match is at heightened risk from COVID-19, you should not meet in person at this time.

  • If any party (or someone with whom they are in close contact) is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, we recommend waiting until all are well before having an in-person outing.

  • While traveling together by car, we recommend all parties wear a mask.

  • Consider uncrowded outdoor activities, if possible and avoid any close physical contact

  • Wash hands and/or bring along hand sanitizer.

  • Bigs and Parents should communicate clearly about any planned activities and restrictions they require before the outing.

  • It is recommended that match activities stay local and that match outings are kept to a reasonable length of time.

School/Site-Based matches should continue to meet virtually until schools/sites reopen and allow for volunteers to resume their activities.

If you have questions or want to discuss these recommendations and what it might mean for your particular match, please contact your Match Support Specialist.

AGENCY UPDATE 3/26/2020 6:00pm

UPcoming Event - Update 3/17/2020 9:30am

  • River Falls Burger Battle was schedule to begin 4/01/2020 - postponed until later this May

AGENCY CONTACTS - UPDATE 3/16/2020 2:45pm

With our employees moving to work remotely please use these updated contact phone numbers and email addresses for the following staff:

UPCOMING EVENTS - UPDATE 3/16/2020 2:30pm

In an effort to comply with current recommendations and precautions, some Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin events will be postponed and rescheduled dates will be announced ASAP. At this time, those events include:

  • Healthy Snacks & Planting Big/Little Event 3/31/2020 (POSTPONED)

  • Chippewa Falls Bowl For Kids’ Sake 4/17/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • Menomonie Bowl For Kids’ Sake 4/24/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • St. Croix Valley Big/Little Bowl 4/25/2020 (POSTPONED)

  • Chippewa Valley Big/Little Bowl 4/29/2020 (POSTPONED)

  • Eau Claire Bowl For Kids’ Sake 4/30/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • Eau Claire Bowl For Kids’ Sake 5/01/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • River Falls Bowl For Kids’ Sake 5/06/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • Eau Claire Bowl For Kids’ Sake 5/07/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • New Richmond Bowl For Kids’ Sake 5/07/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • Eau Claire Bowl For Kids’ Sake 5/08/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

  • Hudson Bowl For Kids’ Sake 5/15/2020 (Rescheduled Date Announced Soon)

Agency UPDATE 3/16/2020 2:15pm

Greetings BBBS of Northwestern Wisconsin Community,

 

In response to health & safety concerns involving COVID -19, our agency is taking steps to protect our staff, matches, and volunteers.  While not an easy decision, ultimately, we want our community’s health and safety to come first. 

 

Effective tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, agency staff will be asked to perform their roles remotely.  Staff will be outfitted with the technology and resources necessary to ensure completion of their job duties.  Productivity levels are expected to remain the same as in normal operations.  The office will be closed to the public but members of the team will be available via phone and email during normal business hours.

 

Programmatically, we are adopting virtual means of maintaining match activity.  All current matches will be encouraged to continue their communications via phone or digital means.  The program team will communicate specific recommendations for safe platforms and will continue to monitor progress through normal match support contact protocols.  The agency will also continue to cultivate and process inquiries and virtually interview new volunteers to continue our matching productivity.  Our enrollment team will continue to monitor evolving best-practices from the affiliate network and use their best judgement in determining how to process new matches.

 

Fund Development and Marketing will also continue to execute projects according to our timelines set for the year and adjust as necessary for 2020 goals.  At this time, we are working to reschedule Bowl for Kid’s Sake in June to ensure minimal impact.  We will also be messaging to current and potential bowlers our need for strong fundraising and continued team registrations.  To complement our ask, we will communicate our efforts to ensure continuity of service through virtual mentoring for our children who are most vulnerable to the effects of isolation during this time.

 

The key to our transition to and during this period, is our communications.  I have full faith in the talented team and board members we have at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin.  While we may be conducting business a little bit differently for the next couple of weeks, our efforts to impact the lives of children remains intact.

 

For the most up-to-date info regarding our agency’s response, please visit this page https://www.bbbsnw.org/covid-19.

Additional information regarding COVID-19 can also be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

 

Sincerely,

 Wesley Escondo, Chief Executive Officer


https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

 https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf