Child Care, Schools, Colleges, & Camp & Educational/Recreational Programs
General Resources
For specific guidance or resources that apply only to Child Care, Schools, Colleges, or Camps & Educational/Recreational Programs, scroll down.- Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Process for Schools, Childcare Programs and Extracurricular Programs (ACPHD, 1/06/2021)
- COVID-19 School Guidance: Alameda County School Reopening Plans
- Disinfection recommendation (CDPR)
- Guidance on Ventilation in School Buildings During the COVID-19 Pandemic (ACPHD, 12/4/2020)
- Graduation & Diploma Pick-Up Guidance (ACPHD)
- Health Screening in TK-12 Schools and Extracurricular Programs (ACPHD, 11/10/2020)
- Youth Activities (Camps, Youth Sports, Outdoor Non-contact Fitness, Outdoor Lap Swimming) Guidance (ACPHD, 9/11/20)
To request technical assistance, please email safelearning@acgov.org
- Child Care for Essential Workers FAQ (Alameda County)
- Child Care Provider FAQ (ACPHD, 9/24/2020: English | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Trad.) | Spanish
- Guidance for Screening at Programs for Children and Youth (ACPHD, 6/24/20)
- Health Screenings for Parents and Guardians (ACPHD, 10/1/2020)
- Health Screenings in Child Care Programs (ACPHD, 1/15/21): English
- Health Screenings in Child Care Programs (ACPHD, 11/18/2020): Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional)
- Health and Mental Health Support for Early Care and Education Provider: Webinar (ACPHD, 5/21/20)
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alameda County Public Health Department Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Childcare Programs (ACPHD, 9/25/2020)
- Poor Air Quality and COVID-19: Guidance for Childcare Programs (ACPHD, 9/21/2020)
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The Alameda County Health Care Services Agency continues to work in close partnership with the Alameda County Office of Education to develop plans to prepare for and facilitate the eventual reopening of K-12 schools for in-person instruction. Please see this link for more information: https://www.acoe.org/reopening
- COVID-19 School Guidance: Alameda County School Reopening Plans
- K-12 Student Resource List (ACPHD)
- Health Screening in TK-12 Schools and Extracurricular Programs: English
- Health Screening in TK-12 Schools and Extracurricular Programs: Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Khmer | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
- Trauma Resilience Tips for Distance Learning (ACPHD)
Small Cohorts Are Permitted by the State and Alameda County
On July 17, 2020, the State of California Department of Public Health issued new mandatory requirements, followed by guidance and FAQ for small cohorts to serve high needs students.Schools may continue to serve students, including high-need students, in person in small cohorts or groups under the State’s Small Cohort Guidance.
- Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth (CDPH, 8/25/20)
- Cal State East Bay Information (CSEB)
- California State University Responds to Coronavirus (CSU)
- Guidance for Colleges (CDPH, 10/2/20)
- Guidance for Camps and Education/Recreational Programs (ACPHD)
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Guidance and FAQ for Out-of -School-Time Camps and Youth Extracurricular Programs: English | Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Khmer | Korean | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese (ACPHD, 9/30/2020)
Frequently Asked Questions about Returning to School or Child Care
The following questions are also available in the form of handouts. We encourage you to download a packet of handouts and share them with families in your community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Returning to School or Child Care Handout Packet (ACPHD, 12/23/21): English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
- In most circumstances, the test is NOT recommended, and Alameda County Public Health does not require it before your child returns to school or child care.
- Other conditions must be met if your child has one of the following:
- A diagnosis of COVID-19 and/or a positive test for SARS-CoV-2
OR - Symptoms that could be due to COVID-19
OR - Recent (past 14 days) close contact with a person who has COVID-19 and/or a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
- No, your child does not have to test negative before returning. They can return when ALL the following are true:
- At least 10 days have passed since the start of COVID-19 symptoms, or date of positive test if no symptoms
- The child has had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the help of medicine
- The child's symptoms have improved.
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
Not necessarily. ACPHD recommends testing, but does not require it, for children with COVID-19 symptoms. You should decide whether to test your child after talking to a healthcare provider. Parents should choose the option below that works best for them and their family.
Option 1: When can my child go back to school/child care if they do not get tested?
Your child can go back to school/ child care when ALL the following are true:
Option 2: My child's healthcare provider says my child's symptoms are not COVID-19 related. Does my child still have to be tested?
Not necessarily. The healthcare provider will decide if your child needs to be tested.
They can write a note to your school/child care. The note from your healthcare provider will:
Option 3: I can't keep my child home for 10 days, and my child does not have a healthcare provider (or can't get an appointment). What should I do?
While it is best to talk to a healthcare provider, your child can get a COVID-19 test (molecular/PCR test, not an antigen test) at one of the ACPHD public testing sites.
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
Option 1: When can my child go back to school/child care if they do not get tested?
Your child can go back to school/ child care when ALL the following are true:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started
- The child has had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the help of medicine
- The child's symptoms have improved.
Option 2: My child's healthcare provider says my child's symptoms are not COVID-19 related. Does my child still have to be tested?
Not necessarily. The healthcare provider will decide if your child needs to be tested.
They can write a note to your school/child care. The note from your healthcare provider will:
- notify your school/child care that symptoms are not COVID-19 related and
- tell the school when it is safe for the child to return.
Option 3: I can't keep my child home for 10 days, and my child does not have a healthcare provider (or can't get an appointment). What should I do?
While it is best to talk to a healthcare provider, your child can get a COVID-19 test (molecular/PCR test, not an antigen test) at one of the ACPHD public testing sites.
- If the result from a molecular/PCR test is negative, provide the result to the school. Then, the school/child care can allow your child back when they feel better.
- If the test result is positive, the child must remain home until they meet ALL the criteria to end home isolation:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started
- The child has had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the help of medicine
- The child's symptoms have improved.
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
It depends on how much time has passed since your child was sick or positive, and what your healthcare provider says.
People can be reinfected. Evidence shows that reinfection can happen 90+ days after initial symptoms or positive test.
If less than 90 days have passed since the first symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test, then reinfection is very unlikely. Testing for COVID-19 should only be done if your healthcare provider recommends it.
ACPHD does not require testing or a note from your healthcare provider to go back to school.
If more than 90 days have passed since the first symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test, then a different diagnosis should be considered, in addition to retesting. It is best to talk to your child's healthcare provider.
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
People can be reinfected. Evidence shows that reinfection can happen 90+ days after initial symptoms or positive test.
If less than 90 days have passed since the first symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test, then reinfection is very unlikely. Testing for COVID-19 should only be done if your healthcare provider recommends it.
ACPHD does not require testing or a note from your healthcare provider to go back to school.
If more than 90 days have passed since the first symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test, then a different diagnosis should be considered, in addition to retesting. It is best to talk to your child's healthcare provider.
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
Quarantine lasts AT LEAST 10 days, but 14 days is safer.
Talk with your child's healthcare provider about testing during quarantine.
If symptoms develop during quarantine, your child should get tested. Even if your child does not develop symptoms, ACPHD recommends testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 between 4-10 days after a Close Contact.
If your child does NOT develop symptoms, and either is not tested or the SARS-CoV-2 test is negative, they can return to school after the quarantine period ends (no sooner than day 11 following Close Contact).
If your child 's test is positive, they can return to school or child care when ALL of the following are true:
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
- If your child had a Close Contact in the past 14 days, your child should be quarantined for 14 days. This option is safest, especially if your child has regular contact with people who are at high risk (over 65 or underlying health conditions.)
- To see who is at risk, check this CDC website.
- If your child does not have regular contact with people at high risk, ACPHD allows a shorter quarantine period of 10 days.
- In all cases, the child must be quarantined for AT LEAST 10 days.
Talk with your child's healthcare provider about testing during quarantine.
If symptoms develop during quarantine, your child should get tested. Even if your child does not develop symptoms, ACPHD recommends testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 between 4-10 days after a Close Contact.
If your child does NOT develop symptoms, and either is not tested or the SARS-CoV-2 test is negative, they can return to school after the quarantine period ends (no sooner than day 11 following Close Contact).
If your child 's test is positive, they can return to school or child care when ALL of the following are true:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started
- The child has had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the help of medicine
- The child's symptoms have improved.
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
The last day of Close Contact with an infected person is called "Day 0". If your child has no symptoms during quarantine and their test is negative (if tested), they can:
- Return to school on Day 11 if their quarantine period is 10 days
- Return to school on Day 15 if their quarantine period is 14 days.
- For answers to question about Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) or Medi-Cal in Alameda County, call the Family Health Line Toll Free Number 1-888-604-4636
- For help with applying for free or low-cost insurance, call the Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Toll Free Number 1-800-422-9495
- To access a health care provider through HealthPAC, call 1-877-879-9633
- In order to be eligible for HealthPAC coverage individuals must:
- Be a resident of the County of Alameda
- Have a gross monthly income at or below the 200% Federal Poverty Level
- Not be enrolled in or eligible for full- scope Medi-Cal
- Not be enrolled in private or employer-based insurance
- Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) Information Line: 1-510-567-2070
- Resource locator for low-cost healthcare services in Alameda County
Download a handout that includes this question and answer: English | Spanish | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Arabic | Farsi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese