The latest collection of reports in the Sentinel Community: COVID-19 Community Response series focuses on how these nine communities have supported children and families during the pandemic. Evidence is showing us that helping families recover helps our society recover. Although some see this as a distinct path, the truth is that health, social and economic policies go hand in hand.
What we are learning
Family and scientific needs will drive local decisions.
No one has a guidebook on how to manage the pandemic, so across the country, states, cities, school districts, businesses and parents have approached COVID-19 management in very different ways. .
As the pandemic unfolds, Harris County, Texas, leaders are acutely aware of the challenges children and families face. This is reflected in their response efforts, prioritizing public health and seeking to promote equity. For example, the Houston Independent School District has tracked virus case numbers and waited until October 2020 to begin in-person guidance to control the spread of COVID-19, even though state guidance has allows previous direct instruction. In January 2021, the district even began offering rapid COVID-19 testing to teachers, administrators, and some students. Harris County leaders focus on the experiences of their own community members and what they need to stay safe and healthy.
Equity must be integrated into community work from the outset.
Achieving equity is a journey. At its core, this work is really about systemic change. In our research, we found that some communities have been intentional and vocal about integrating equity into their COVID-19 responses — especially those with a history of prioritizing public equal.
Although Milwaukee is one of the nation’s most segregated cities, COVID-19 has spurred much work, investment, and conversations about supporting the city’s Brown and Brown residents. For example, the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association targets childcare providers in the eight Milwaukee zip codes with the highest density of Black and Latino residents and the highest rates of COVID-19. And in June 2020, Milwaukee County recognized June 13 as a holiday and issued an order declaring racism a public health crisis.
COVID-19 has fostered the incredible ingenuity we can all develop.
Despite how challenging the past year has been, a large number of people see the pandemic as an opportunity for our society to improve. We hope that some of the solutions we’ve seen communities come up with will result in more lasting and positive change.
Realizing how much our lives have changed online, many communities have stepped up to ensure that everyone has reliable internet access during COVID-19. In Finney County, Kan., where one in five households lacked internet access before the pandemic, a local grant program provided up to $10,000 per household to cover basic expenses, including internet. Through a local education foundation, Tampa, Fla., has gone a step further than providing students with tablets and hotspots. They also send bilingual teams to families’ homes to teach them how to use their new technology. Communities like Finney County and Tampa are laying the groundwork to bridge the digital divide for children and families.
