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Baker-Polito Administration Announces Launch of Pilot to Provide Dedicated COVID-19 Testing Sites to Child Care Programs, Expanded Resources for Providers
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The Department of Early Education and Care, partnering with private, philanthropic funders, will establish pilot testing sites dedicated to child care staff, children and families

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BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the launch of a pilot COVID-19 testing program dedicated to providing on-demand PCR testing to child care providers and the families they serve to ensure easy access to testing when there is suspected COVID-19 exposure.
 
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), partnering with private and philanthropic funders from the Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative and BayCoast Bank, will launch an eight week pilot, setting up eight rotating drive-through testing sites throughout the Commonwealth, which will be open only to child care providers and individuals affiliated with programs.
 
In addition, EEC is dedicating $8 million in state and federal funds to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) to distribute to child care providers at no cost. Child care providers will be able to order up to a one-month supply of PPE, including masks for children and adults, gloves, hand sanitizer, and other supplies. 
 
With dedicated testing locations and test results provided within 48 hours, the new testing initiative is an effort to prevent sudden temporary closures of child care programs due to virus exposure. The testing sites – located in Athol, Braintree, Billerica, Dalton, Franklin, Plymouth, Sturbridge and Westfield – will allow child care programs to continue providing care when symptomatic individuals test negative and reopen quicker after potential exposures. The sites were chosen in collaboration with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the COVID-19 Response Command Center based on distance from a current state-sponsored Stop the Spread testing location and concentration of child care providers.
 
Anyone affiliated with a child care program who is symptomatic, identified as a close contact or has concerns about exposure, including all staff and their household members as well as children in care and their families, will be eligible for testing at no cost. Each site will have capacity to test approximately 400 people a day.
 
Tests will be conducted by medical personnel using a simple anterior nasal swab and will be processed by a CLIA-certified laboratory with results available to individuals via a portal in 48 hours or less.
 
Those receiving a test will need the EEC provider number of the child care program to verify their eligibility. No appointment is necessary, but pre-registration is highly encouraged. 
 
As required by state law, the lab will report results to the state’s Department of Public Health. Individuals will be responsible for reporting to their child care provider or employer.
 
Members of the Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative and BayCoast Bank have committed $450,000 to support the initial eight-week pilot, which will provide time to evaluate the efficacy of the testing program and determine next steps. The Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative is comprised of individuals and foundations supporting the early childhood sector in the Commonwealth, sharing information and best practices in early childhood philanthropy.
 
Currently, there are 2,429 center-based programs open and 4,373 family child care homes serving children and their families, which represents approximately 82 percent of pre-COVID child care capacity level. Approximately 125,000 children are enrolled in licensed child care programs each day in Massachusetts.
 
To learn more about the pilot program, click here.
 
To order supplemental PPE supplies, click here.
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  • Surreal ValeCity online media
  • April 12 2021 edition
    • Kelly Tshibaka Murkowski Vote Hurts Alaska
    • Gov Ivey 1.03 Million Community Development
    • Gov Lamont Update Coronavirus Response April 19
    • Gov Lamont Flags Lowered Walter Mondale
    • Gov Lamont Update Streamlining Human Services
    • Gov Lamont Partnership TeachRock
    • Gov Lamont Restore Unemployment Insurance
    • Gov Lamont Update Coronavirus Response April 20
    • Gov Lamont 11 Million Summer Enrichment
    • Gov Lamont Path Zero Emission
    • Gov Lamont Update Coronavirus Response April 21
    • Gov Lamont Special Elections Nov 2
    • Gov DeSantis Signs 5 Bills
    • Baker Polito April Sexual Assault Awareness Month
    • Gov Baker Nominates Maureen E Walsh
    • Gov Baker Statement Chauvin Verdict
    • Gov Whitmer 6 Million Vaccines
    • Gov Whitmer Fills Potholes Road Commission
    • Gov Whitmer Lowers Flags Walter Mondale
    • Gov Whitmer Chauvin Trial
    • Gov Whitmer Michigan Jail Reform
    • Gov Parson Robert Knodell Department of Health
    • Gov Sisolak Solidifying Changes Social Distancing
    • Gov Sisolak Appointment Brittnie T Watkins
    • Gov Sisolak Verdict Derek Chauvin
    • Covid 19 Press Bulletin April 21
    • Gov Sisolak Signs Assembly Bill 62
    • Gov Sisolak Flags Half Staff Walter Mondale
    • NCDHHS NC Counts Anuncian
    • NCDHHS NC Counts Coalition Announce
    • Covid 19 Situation Update April 20
    • Gov Lee Yearlong 225 Celebration
    • Gov Lee Appoints Members Financial Stimulus Accountability
    • Gov Cox Urges Calm Community Response
    • Nominees Announced 8th District Juvenile Court
    • Gov Cox Lowers Flags Walter Mondale
    • Update SBA Pandemic Response Programs
    • Statement Pollster John McLaughlin
    • Greens on Climate Party of Science
  • Thanks to the sponsors
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  • Independent Creators
  • Staff and Contact Information
  • Advertising / Feedback / Submissions
  • Archives 2021
  • Archives 2020
  • Archives 2016 - 2019
  • A Valley and Beyond