On behalf of the staff and Board of Sewall Child Development Center, thank you for your continued support in providing high-quality inclusive early childhood education and therapeutic services to over 600 young children and families.
These are difficult and unpredictable times for all of us. With the need for social distancing for the short-term future, Sewall’s services have been transformed, from in-person, on-site interactions to a variety of ways that staff is connecting meaningfully with the young children in their care and their families. Since 1944, we’ve been here for our community of children, families and community colleagues, and we will continue to do so through these difficult times.
The list below demonstrates just a few ways that Sewall is responding to the COVID-19 crisis:
- In partnership with Denver Public Schools (DPS) and in collaboration with our health partners, Sewall closed all locations on 3/16/2020. As more decisions are made by both DPS, the State of Colorado, and the Office of Child Care Services, leadership will make decisions on the process and timing of re-opening each of our locations and services.
- Sewall classroom teachers and therapists have enhanced their work remotely, utilizing technology to stay in close communication with the children and families on their caseload.
- Administration and staff are developing procedures for how educational and therapeutic services will be delivered to children with Individual Education Plans. Beginning in April, telehealth will be offered to children, birth through 3 years with Individual Family Service Plans.
- Staff is seeking ways and resources to offer food and emergency resources to our families that need it during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are offering and expanding our food programs to our communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Leadership is ensuring that staff’s physical and emotional needs are being addressed in order to support them in their important work with children and families.
- Sewall is partnering with community agencies to determine if Emergency Child Support Services can be offered at one or two sites in coordination with Governor Polis’ directive.
Finally, I want to thank all of Sewall’s friends for the multiple ways that you support the mission of Sewall in serving children and families. We will continue to send you updates of how Sewall is responding to this crisis. We appreciate greatly your support of our mission and your continued partnership with Sewall as we weather this crisis physically, emotionally and financially.
Thank you and be well,
Heidi Heissenbuttel, President & CEO