LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS OFFER ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS DURING PANDEMIC
The Louisiana Department of Education is teaming up with Children’s Hospital New Orleans to offer additional support to schools and educators across the state as they plan to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. The partnership has led to the development of a hotline and town hall webinar series to assist educators with medical questions and information related to reducing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping kids and those who care for them safe.
The Children’s Hospital New Orleans Hotline for School Wellness and Virtual Care is open now and staffed by skilled nurses who can advise school staff on medical questions specifically relating to a student or team member about COVID-19. School nurses and other school administrators can call 504-837-7760 weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All other operational questions that schools might have that are beyond medical inquiry about a student or a team member will be directed to the school’s Regional Medical Director, who can offer guidance on implementing CDC guidelines in the school’s environment.
In the town hall series for schools, Children’s Hospital New Orleans experts will discuss topics like COVID-19 transmission basics, preventative measures and sanitation best practices, athletics and additional tips for guideline implementation. There will also be an opportunity for open Q&A. These will be offered every two weeks in July and August.
In addition to the hotline and town hall webinars for education professionals, Children’s Hospital New Orleans currently offers online COVID-19 resources for families and is developing additional return to school materials specifically for families.
“Throughout the process of developing reopening guidance and offering support to our schools, the Louisiana Department of Education has benefited from strong relationships with the medical community. Our educators will have access to medical experts who can help them make sound decisions around student and employee safety,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley.
“As the health experts for kids in Louisiana, Children’s Hospital New Orleans is proud to support Louisiana’s schools, students and their families in returning to school safely,” says John R. Nickens IV, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “With schools across the nation and here in Louisiana adapting to new practices, procedures and approaches to learning to keep students and teachers safe upon reopening, our experts are available to serve as a resource, and to help make the reopening process for schools this fall a safer, smoother experience for students, parents and educators.”