Vaccine Update for Home Visiting Programs
On Aug. 9 and Aug. 18, Gov. Jay Inslee made two proclamations requiring state employees, health care workers, education staff, and most child care and early learning staff to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021, as a condition of employment. In general, these mandates apply differently to different DCYF contracted service provider agencies, with some important considerations noted below. This mandate may not apply to you, and DCYF does not anticipate making contractual changes related to these proclamations at this time. The situation continues to evolve, and we will keep you updated.
Considerations
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Your staff providing home visiting or community-based child abuse prevention may be required to be vaccinated based on the provision of services, “Health Care Setting,” and falling within the health care providers license outlined in the Aug. 9 proclamation and licensed providers, both referenced below.
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Your staff providing services in education settings as outlined in the Aug. 18 announcement, which would include schools, early learning programs, and/or colleges and universities.
- Your staff entering state office buildings as contractors.
References and Resources
Again, this mandate may not apply to you, and DCYF does not anticipate making contract changes related to these proclamations at this time. Please be sure to consult your organization’s rules on COVID-19 response and vaccinations. Additional or different rules may apply at state-run facilities such as colleges, community colleges, and private sector facilities.
As a reminder, as communicated in our April 26, 2021, Guidance, Home Visiting Services Account contracted providers are expected to have developed policies and protocols for delivering in-person services by Sept. 30, 2021.
If you have any questions about the Governor’s Proclamations, please submit those to the Home Visiting Inbox at dcyf.homevisiting@dcyf.wa.gov. DCYF will respond to questions by Sept. 1, 2021.
Statewide Mask Mandate
Gov. Inslee also expanded the existing statewide indoor mask mandate to include vaccinated individuals in indoor settings effective Monday, Aug. 23.
With COVID-19 infection rates climbing and the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant, the safety of children and families receiving services, staff, and the provider community is paramount. As professionals in direct contact with children and families, we encourage you to continue to learn more about the science supporting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. For more information about how to locate the COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/.
Thank you for joining us in this important work on behalf of children and families.
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