ALCOAST 099/20 - MAR 2020 COAST GUARD CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OPERATIONS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

R 202115 MAR 20                   
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-DCMS-DPR//                             
TO ALCOAST                   
UNCLAS //N01000//                      
ALCOAST 099/20
COMDTNOTE 1000  
SUBJ:  COAST GUARD CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OPERATIONS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE
2019 (COVID-19) PANDEMIC
A. Coast Guard Child Development Services, COMDTINST M1754.15 (series)
B. Coast Guard Non-Appropriated Fund Personnel Manual, COMDINST M12271.1 (series)
1. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing limitation to community
activities, rising concerns for workforce safety, and access to support services, COMDT (CG-11),
in concert with our DOD counterparts, has established emergency operational guidance for Coast
Guard childcare programs. This effort addresses the wellbeing of the families and staff while
supporting a mission ready work force.
2. The Coast Guard continues to protect the Nation’s economic, national and border security,
and childcare programs are critical to those Coast Guard members who conduct and support our
vital missions. While we expect unit commanders to make the best decisions for their workforce,
our intention is to keep the agency functioning and provide the services required to keep our
highly trained team performing their missions. In order to support both force protection and
mission execution our intent is to scale down CDC operations to that needed to support only
missions essential functions.
3. Commands with Child Development Centers will employ the following practices to maximize
resiliency and efficiency of our child care services during the COVID-19 pandemic: 
   a. Cancel all Hourly Childcare unless emergency/mission essential (Required)
   b. Suspend new Childcare enrollments (unless emergency/mission essential) (Required)
   c. Verify operational impacts of child care availability, including tenant commands,
to inform decision making
   d. Require parents to care for their own children at home when on a full-time telework
agreement; parent fees will be waived and their child’s space reserved for when they return
   e. Parent fees will be waived/saved space for all personnel who elect to voluntarily
withdraw their child temporarily for at least two weeks or until programs resume normal
operations
   f. All training requirements are postponed
   g. All Teacher in-Service Days are canceled
   h. Consider requiring daily sign-in for next-day care to determine daily needs, and
schedule staffing.
4. In addressing emerging staffing shortages, Commanding Officers in concert with their
CDC Directors should consider the following options:
   a. Limit childcare services to CG and DOD Single/Dual Active Duty, Single/Dual CG CIVs
and Active Duty with working spouses who cannot execute mission essential duties via
telework/self-care for own children
   b. Single ratio group sizes implemented (e.g. Preschool classrooms have a group size
of 24 children and a child:staff ratio of 1:12, implementing single ratios limits
classroom size to no more than 10 children)
   c. Explore modified hours options to accommodate critical missions.
5. Commands must ensure that all childcare center staff and in-home Family Child
Care (FCC) providers follow the most up-to-date Center for Disease Control and
Protection Guidance for School Settings, make the patrons aware of these guidelines,
and ensure the CDC guidance is followed if anyone in a childcare program comes in
contact with someone that has been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. CDC Guidance is
found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html.
Providers must engage in these best practices:
   a. Increased handwashing and sanitation practices (for example; cleaning door
handles, hard surfaces, etc.)
   b. Minimize visitors (e.g. postpone all non-critical facility maintenance)
   c. Staff shall complete all sign in/out protocols
   d. Discontinue Family Style Dining (staff will plate food for children)
   e. Discontinue Tooth Brushing and Use of Sensory Tables
6. Any reduction of services that substantially impact support to members performing
mission essential functions, to include the closure of any CDC, must be approved by the
base or unit Commander after consultation with the program, medical experts and
Community Services Command via the facility closure process facilitated by the
National Command Center.
7. Any decision to close childcare programs should take into consideration the human
resource requirements for releasing employees and their payroll status, alternate
work schedules options, telework, etc. Commands must ensure that the CG Community
Services Command (CSC) - Human Resources COVID-19 Guidance for Supervisors of NAF
Employees, 3/17/2020, are considered and all decisions are in accordance with the
REF (B).
8. As childcare services are limited to mission-essential personnel only or
suspended, families not receiving services will not be charged.
9. Notification of any closures, modification of services, or transmission events
(exposure to COVID-19) should be made as soon possible to DCMS Watch at
D05-SMB-DCMS-Watch@uscg.mil, families impacted, and impacted commands. The most
up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) from the HSWL-Service Center Work
Life program and local SOPs for reporting incidents and closures should also be
followed. 
10. Subsidy Program: If community-based (private) childcare programs are requiring
families to pay for their childcare spaces, and families are not able to attend,
invoices submitted to the CG Childcare Subsidy Program will be paid.
11. Family childcare (FCC) home providers are considered private business owners
and, as such, will determine when it is appropriate to operate their program, or
suspend services. All FCC providers must report closure of their programs to their
HSWL Regional Practice program coordinator. The program coordinators will follow
the HSWL-Service Center Work Life program and local SOPs for reporting incidents
and closures.
12. Point of contacts are Renee L. Podolec, Child Development Services, Program
Manager, at (202) 475-2160, renee.l.podolec@uscg.mil, or Rose Neel Chief, Family
Services, CG-1112, rose.neel@uscg.mil, (202) 475-5157.
13. RADM P F. Thomas, Deputy for Personnel Readiness, sends.
14. Internet release is authorized.