Page updated: February 3, 2020
Prime Time Palm Beach County COVID-19 Response Statement
As always, the safety of our out-of-school time practitioners, children and families, as well as Prime Time employees, is our top priority.
Our response to the coronavirus pandemic continues to be informed by the guidance of official bodies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose framework for mitigation for our community is based on the level of community transmission of COVID-19. To protect the safety of our staff and others, Prime Time employees are currently not scheduling in-person visits with external stakeholders (i.e. out-of-school time practitioners, funders, partners). Prime Time has pivoted to offer our services and supports through virtual platforms. As we make further decisions based on the state of Palm Beach County and surrounding communities, Prime Time will update this webpage.
Prime Time advises our stakeholders to implement the appropriate protocols to help keep everyone safe. We are taking the necessary steps to evaluate the current environment with the best interests of our community.
CDC Considers OST Staff Essential Workers with Vaccine 1B Priority
CDC officials have clarified that they consider OST workers essential workers, along with teachers and child care workers with regard to vaccine priority 1-B. They have designed a COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers to help employers build confidence in this important new vaccine. The toolkit will help employers across various industries educate their workforce about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns.
Groups who should be offered vaccination next (1b and 1c). CDC made this recommendation on December 22, 2020.
Prime Time is Comitted to Supporting Out-of-School Time Programs
Prime Time’s quality advisors are committed to supporting and offering guidance to out-of-school time programs during this national crisis. While Prime Time employees are not permitted for in-person meetings or site visits at this time, the entire organization has pivoted to meet the needs of the out-of-school time field by doing so in a virtual environment.
Here are some resources that might help with the transition, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.
- Guidance on planning activities, preparing and cleaning your facility, health and safety, pick up and drop off, parent communication, food safety and more
- CSC Guidelies for child care programs that includes social distancing strategies, disinfection efforts, drop off and pick up procedures and screen procedures
- The School District of Palm Beach County COVID-19 Guiding Document
- Prime Time is offering virtual professional development trainings and live/virtual expanded learning opportunities
- Online Safety Tips and Virtual Out-of-School Time Resources includes resources for virtual activities, technology, communication, virtual professional development and general operations
Financial Resources Available to Afterschool Practitioners
Afterschool Practitioners Who Attend Virtual Trainings will Qualify for Stipends
Prime Time Palm Beach County recognizes and appreciates the tremendous sacrifice out-of-school time (OST) practitioners are making to be with youth in-person during the pandemic. To keep OST practitioners learning so they can continue to improve their practice, and now, more than ever, provide the high quality experiences for young people, all OST practitioners who are currently working with children and youth in Palm Beach County and complete trainings offered on Prime Time’s training calendar will qualify for a $45 stipend per three hour training. You are qualified for training stipends if you are employed and receiving compensation from your employer. Stipends will be distributed via PayPal and processed after training completion is confirmed.
Florida Assistance and Financial Aid Programs
Click here to view programs for financial assistance and aid for paying rent, utility bills, free food, medical care and other support available.
Many Taxpayers can file their state and Federal Tax Returns for free
Eligible taxpayers can file their federal and, in many cases, their state taxes at no cost.
Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income was $72,000 or less in 2019 can file their 2020 federal taxes for free using IRS Free File
Unemployment
The federal government is allowing states to change their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Jobs & Money Making Opportunities
For those looking for employment, these companies are in greater need of workers and are hiring.
Reimbursement of Lost Revenue
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief and Recovery application process will provide assistance to nonprofit organizations locally.
The Out-of-School Time Field
Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County is Hiring
Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County offers a wide variety of career opportunities with strong emphasis on professional development. If you have academic training or a professional background in education, guidance, social work, physical education or cultural arts, Boys and Girls Club may have a “career in caring” just right for you.
Proposed Guidance for the Establishment of Emergency Child Care Services During the COVID-19 Pandmic
Reach out to Congress
The rapid changes occurring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting afterschool program providers and the families and students they serve. Reach out to Congress today to share the impact of COVID-19 on the afterschool and summer programs in our community.
Considerations for the Afterschool Field
The Afterschool Alliance has put together a list of considerations the afterschool field should consider during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Prime Time Resources
Virtual Out-of-School Time Resources
Prime Time Palm Beach County has created a one-stop shop for gathering a wide range of resources to support the transition from in-person to virtual summer camp programming. All resources provided should not be considered as advice, guidance or requirements. The resources provided do not attempt to interpret government orders, but instead offers ideas to help you to make this transition.
SEVEN-DAY SELF-CARE CHALLENGE
Feeling anxious or worried? Feeling a loss of control amid COVID-19? Prime Time is offering tools to bring you back to center.
The Seven-Day Self-Care Challenge is a virtual on-demand offering designed to provide basic practice tools that can help us cultivate awareness, self-care, and resilience, particularly during challenging times.
Resources for Families
Hands-On Learning Activities
Prime Time strives to provide children and youth with a wide range of hands-on learning experiences. In partnership with local content expert organizations, Prime Time is offering resources from our partners to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018-2019, Prime Time offered more than 30,000 children and youth access to expanded learning opportunities.
Resources for New Stay-at-Home Workers and Teachers
Transition Successfully into the 2020- 2021 School Year Program
The Academy of 21st Century Learning is acutely aware of the academic impact that the COVID-19 virus is having on those students in our community who have not had the privilege of transitioning their studies directly into a virtual classroom. To help overcome the early school closures, they are implementing an online (ZOOM) summer program designed to help students transition into the 2020-2021 school year.
Counseling and Support Using Telehealth
Is your child or teen experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges related to the stress of social isolation, loss, or fears? We are here to support your family.
Their team of clinicians are experts in children's mental health, parenting, and trauma. As a nonprofit, they accept insurance, such as Medicaid, work on a sliding scale, or have grants that may support counseling for your child and family. Contact Center for Child Counseling for a free telephone consultation or to schedule an appointment with one of their therapists.
Free Counseling Support Helpline During COVID-19 Health Crisis
A bilingual, tollfree, 24-7 helpline is now open for all Floridians - no matter whether they are Florida Blue members or not - to help individuals cope with the stress and anxiety they may be feeling given the COVID-19 public health care crisis. This is in collaboration Florida Blue's partners at New Directions Behavioral Health.
This information is also posted on the Florida Blue blog:
https://www.floridablue.com/blog/support-line or download the flyer here.
MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY
Stay connected with free Xfinity WiFi
As part of Comcast’s nationwide response to Coronavirus, the company is providing Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country to anyone who needs them for free. The company is also offering its Internet Essentials package free for 60 days to new customers. Click here for details.
Media/App Recommendations
Helping our communities choose media and tech that can keep children and youth engaged, entertained, and learning is core to our organizational objectives. Whether you have children at home or you need to develop plans to help children learn outside the classroom, here are media recommendations for entertainment provided by Youth Speak Out International:
- Best Music Apps and Games for Kids
- New Kids' TV Shows
- 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12
- Best Family Movies
- Common Sense Selections highlighting the best movies and TV shows
- Sibling Watch-Together TV
- Best Documentaries for Kids and Families
Resources for at-home learning
Tools to help parents and caregivers keep children focused and learning at home.
- EveryParent App by Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County - includes a variety of things to do in Palm Beach County and activities to do at home, if you are looking to avoid large crowds. From outdoor activities like a day at the beach and exploring a nearby park, to indoor activities like virtual museums and e-books,
- STEM Resources
- Evidence-based health, nutrition, and physical education materials
- 17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused
- Apps That Act Like Math and Science Tutors for Homework Help
- Free Educational Apps, Games, and Websites
- Top Time-Management Apps
- Curriculum Resources for Special Needs
- Minutephysics -STEAM Youtube chanel
- Ranger Rick - Free digital content from The National Wildlife Federation
- Explore National Parks from Home
- STEM Lessons and Resources from Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Resources
Partners
Contact
katie jacob
Communications Manager
561-732-8066
kjacob@primetimepbc.org
Quick Links
General COVID-19 Info and Prevention
SBA - Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses - COVID-19 -
CDC's Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Reemployment Assistance Service Center
Reemployment Assistance Initial Claim Submit Process
Palm Beach County Drive Through Testing Information
Customizable Flyer for Your Business from the US Chamber