As the COVID-19 situation changes rapidly, Blind Children's Learning Center has responded and will continue to respond to the best guidance available from the CDC California Department of Public Health, Orange County Department of Education, and local governments in which BCLC serves and operates. Our top priority is the health and safety of our children, families, staff, volunteers, and the community at large.
Based on strict guidance and careful attention to the fact that BCLC provides critical services to a vulnerable population, we have implemented the following to play our role in maintaining public health.
To families receiving services, we are transitioning all services to "Telehealth" format. We remain committed to providing essential early intervention in order to promote healthy development and adaptive skills. Additionally, we will be sending learning and activity plans to students so that adaptive learning can continue in the home. Please continue to look out for updates from BCLC and your service provider(s) directly.
To supporters, we encourage you to take precautions to protect your own health and the health of others. Thank you for continuing to support our children and families. Essential services at BCLC support the health and education of children at severe risk of delays. We are working diligently to make sure those we serve continue reaching important milestones. If you are able, please consider sending a donation today to support this critical effort.
This unprecedented time calls for us to think adaptively and work together. While our physical offices are closed for the time being, BCLC will remain a place of support to our families. Our decisions will continue to be informed by guidance from the CDC, public health agencies, and collaborative partners like Orange County Department of Education and Regional Center of Orange County. To our families, staff, volunteers, and supporters, we will remain in regular contact to keep you informed about important developments.
Thank you for your support and well wishes during this time. Together, we will all get through this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Telehealth? The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines telehealth as the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration. Technologies include videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications. Until further notice, ALL programming and services from BCLC will be delivered via Telehealth and online learning.
When will students return to BCLC's school-based program? Until further notice, on-site programming will be suspended. This is in accordance to prohibitions against gatherings of any size and the closure of schools throughout Orange County and beyond.
Will children with visual impairments still receive care during this time? Yes. Early intervention and therapeutic services will continue via "Telehealth." Families will be contacted by BCLC and their direct service provider(s) to schedule Telehealth services as soon as possible to continue promoting healthy development and adaptive skills. The families of preschool and school age students will be provided online learning opportunities and sent learning and activity plans that can be facilitated in a home environment. We hope this is an opportunity to further educate parents in how they can support their child's journey to overcome obstacles created by visual impairments and other disabilities.
Where can I find the most up-to-date BCLC information in regards to COVID-19? Continue to check this webpage for the most current information. As always, we recommend following guidance from the CDC to inform your personal safety practices. BCLC will continue to keep families informed through direct communication.
My child receives in-home services. How will our family be impacted? To sustain your child's health and progress during a critical period of development, we are pivoting all services to Telehealth format as recommended by Regional Center of Orange County. Your provider will be in touch directly. Please be patient as we navigate through this time.
Why is BCLC not providing on-site classroom services? The contain the spread of COVID-19, Blind Children's Learning Center is operating In accordance to what the Orange County Department of Education has suggested, our school will not be providing on-site services for preventative measures.
If schools are closed, how will the service time be made up? We are awaiting further instruction based on the Orange County Department of Education. We will be working with each individual school district to create and implement their individual virtual learning plan according to the goals and milestones set in each child's Individual Education Plan (IEP). The Site Supervisor of Bright Visions, a program of BCLC, will contact families directly. We will ensure equity of access to quality education for our population, which includes reasonable accommodations for the needs of children with visual impairments and other disabilities.
Where can I find out more information about COVID-19? Please continue to monitor the World Health Organization and CDC websites.
Will COVID-19 impact the 16th Annual Destination Independence 5K Walk? Yes. Though we will not be holding an in-person event, though we are planning an exciting and engaging virtual experience that will unite our community in an innovative format. We can't wait to share more details soon about this meaningful opportunity to come together during this time.
For additional questions, please send us an email at [email protected].
