In March of 2020, CAPIC was mandated to close its doors to the general public in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. This was the first time in over 57 years of delivering services that CAPIC was not able to assist clients in person. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CAPIC had to make numerous adjustments to operations in order to continue to provide at-risk individuals and families with critical resources and services during this challenging time. CAPIC had to transition to the remote delivery of services to our clients. Within one week of the closure, our programs had adapted to remote work. There was no interruption of services/resources for those in need.
CAPIC’s Emergency Assistance Program provided food, rental assistance, emergency housing, utilities and basic necessities at an increase of 400% to the previous year. Our Afterschool Program and Child Development programs provided a remote learning center for students when public schools were closed. This center allowed parents to continue to go to work. CAPIC’s Head Start Program had to assess and modify all aspects of operations to mitigate the spread of COVID and ensure the health and safety of children and staff. New health protocols were instituted, air purification and ventilation were added, and masking and social distancing remained. The Program designed a complete remote learning system in which families were given laptops, notebooks and hot spots to have access to the classrooms. There were over 100 children enrolled in the program. The Family Network also achieved success in delivering a complete remote learning session to our families. Although our Weatherization program was slowed by the shutdown, the Fuel Assistance Program was processing applications by a higher percentage than the previous year. Our SUDs Program saw an increased amount new cases of clients needing housing and detox services. They immediately transitioned to using alternative mechanisms in which they transported client to detox and sober houses. CAPIC’s SUDS Program had to halt outreach activities and shift to food/meal delivery to street-involved persons in a safe/social distanced manner. Our SUDs program also conducted outreach at the Selah Resource Center and distributed meals to homeless clients. Our team stepped up to the challenge and stabilized families throughout the pandemic.
From the onset of the pandemic to date, we have served over 7,500 clients, with our doors closed to the public. This was an amazing accomplishment for our staff, managers, Board of Directors and most important, our clients. All of our childcare sites are back in the classroom. I am proud to announce that we are reopening to the public on August 8th. I am excited to welcome back our friends and clients. The virtual world has created a void of human connection that is an added layer of support for our clients. Join us at our reopening reception on Friday, August 5, at 12:00pm. Masks will be required.
Sincerely,
Richelle M. Cromwell