March 22, 2020
As we all adjust to the impact of the coronavirus on our communities, we want you to know how Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers (LVCC) is supporting children, families, and staff during this crisis. The steps we’re taking will help to limit community spread of the virus while ensuring that workers in essential roles have safe, reliable child care options.
LVCC’s 30 school-based and stand-alone early education and child care facilities have been closed since March 17 or earlier, in accordance with Governor Wolf’s orders. However, to meet the needs of parents working in “life-sustaining” roles such as healthcare, public transportation, food production, etc., LVCC applied for and received waivers permitting limited child care operations at three locations. By providing safe, reliable care for their children, LVCC is helping these essential workers to support our community as a whole. Three centers re-opened on March 20. For more information visit www.LVCConline.org.
Early education hasn’t stopped! To support at-home learning, we’re offering online education for LVCC preschoolers at no cost, through Waterford Early Learning. In 15 minutes a day, our preschool-age children can continue building literacy, math, and science skills, with oversight by parents and their own LVCC teachers. This program is already used in many LVCC classrooms and homes; big thanks to Waterford for donating 182 additional licenses so more LVCC preschoolers can participate.
LVCC employs some 200 outstanding teachers and caregivers, food service and transportation staff, and administrators, and we’re committed to the well-being of each employee. We’re proud to be able to continue supporting all staff with wages and benefits during the immediate crisis, while we plan for the possibility of a longer interruption of services. By helping our employees weather the current storm, we’ll be stronger and better positioned to move ahead with our mission when the COVID-19 crisis comes to an end.
Thank you for your continuing support! Working together we’ll protect our community and keep children and families healthy.
The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley reminds us to look out for our neighbors. If you know someone who needs help with food, housing or other necessities, please have them call 211 or visit www.pa211east.org for 24-hour assistance.