For our efforts to support families in innovative ways during the pandemic, CCRC is being honored as a 2022 Innovative Practice Silver Awardee by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).
The award recognizes and honors programs and practices that were developed quickly and/or creatively in response to a specific and emerging public health issue. As part of the Los Angeles County Early Childhood Education COVID-19 Response Team, CCRC deployed programs and resources that assisted vulnerable families through the pandemic.
“During the pandemic, families were faced with the loss of employment and the possibility of becoming seriously ill,” said CCRC President & COE Dr. Michael Olenick. “Our staff pivoted to begin providing fresh produce and personal protective equipment so families could remain safe. We distributed cleaning supplies and technology to child care providers so they could continue caring for the children of essential workers.”
CCRC distributed to over 24,000 families and child care providers more than $1 million worth of supplies: 40 tons of fresh produce, 610,000 diapers, 50,000 cleaning products, and 27,000 articles of clothing. To keep our community safe, we distributed 1.8 million masks, 15,000 COVID Rapid Tests, and helped administer nearly 400 COVID-19 vaccines.
The mission of NACCHO is to improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments. The 2022 Innovation Award focuses on practices that were developed in response to emerging and exacerbated health inequities due to COVID-19 and demonstrate effective community partnerships and collaboration, adaptability and quality improvement, and remarkable innovation.
The response team also includes our partners POMONA, Child Care Alliance, Los Angeles Department of Public Health, First 5 LA, LACOE, City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Child360. Through our collaborative efforts, the Los Angeles County Early Childhood Education COVID-19 Response Team kept our community safe.
