About the YMCA The Channel Islands YMCA In 1887, the same year that the first train came to Santa Barbara, the YMCA was formed in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Since then, Santa Barbara, Ventura and the YMCA have grown and changed. Originally headquartered on the second floor of a downtown office building, the Santa Barbara Y offered fellowship, music and exercise programs to the community. In 1910, construction began on the first official Y building in Santa Barbara, on the corner of Chapala and Carrillo Streets. The facility opened in 1912 and offered gymnasium classes, wrestling, boxing, handball, summer camps, hikes, athletics, swimming, and a variety of clubs and social services. The Ventura YMCA got its start on September 30, 1887, with a house that was purchased on the corner of Santa Clara and Oak Street, the YMCA was then considered the YMCA of Ventura County. In 2024 the San Luis Obispo YMCA joined and we now provide service to 3 counties. Here at the YMCA, we are committed to the highest ethical standards of a non-profit community organization. The Channel Islands YMCA, an association of eight YMCAs, is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We are governed by, and accountable to, an independent board of directors of community leaders and volunteers. YMCA Mission As a leading nonprofit, the Y is committed to strengthening communities throughout the nation. Your local Y seeks to fill gaps in community services and develop activities, strengthening communities across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Believing that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, the Y nurtures potential and brings people of diverse backgrounds together. The Y has a local presence and national reach, mobilizing local communities to effect lasting, meaningful change. The Channel Islands YMCA is a charitable organization providing programs based upon Christian principles to people of all ages, races, religious beliefs, and economic status to promote Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Commitment to Inclusivity At the Channel Islands YMCA, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. We are committed to building bridges within our communities. We aspire to create spaces, experiences, and a culture where all people belong and feel connected. Core Values We stress the high importance of these values every day in all of our programs: Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Caring. Other Program Opportunities The YMCA offers diverse programming to meet the needs of each community we serve. We offer programs such as swim lessons, afterschool enrichment programs, team sports, adult wellness, youth homeless services, and more. Visit the Channel Islands YMCA website at www.ciymca.org and the YMCA of the USA website at www.ymca.org for more information about the YMCA movement and its programs.
Camp Program Information Camp Program Philosophy The YMCA program goals are to provide an environment of safety, support, caring and fun. The program is there to develop the inner strength and character of the children involved. We want to help increase your child’s physical fitness and self-awareness. We want to demonstrate the importance of the 4 Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. The Y childcare program will foster an appreciation for diversity and complement the child’s educational experience with a well-rounded curriculum. At the Y, we believe building strong kids and strong families will strengthen the foundation of our communities. Camp Program Goals The Channel Islands YMCA Camp Program is designed to allow your child the chance to become an integral part of a small group of children as they learn new skills, develop lasting friendships, and pursue the YMCA mission of healthy body, mind and spirit. In particular, YMCA Summer Camps strive: • To provide an environment of safety, support, care, and fun. • To develop the values and character of campers. • To make new friends and have fun. • To strengthen the interpersonal and social skills of campers, and allow leadership opportunities to build self-confidence. • To foster an appreciation for diversity. • To create new educational experiences and opportunities to learn new skills. American Camping Association Accreditation The American Camping Association accredits Channel Islands YMCA summer camps. The YMCA meets the highest level of camping standards with over 300 standards for health, safety and quality. Please visit https://www.acacamps.org/ for more information.
Camp Staff YMCA staff are CPR and First Aid certified and meet criminal clearance and state health regulations. All staff goes through an interview process and references are checked prior to making an offer. We take pride in our staff and provide training, which includes emergency procedures, program planning, child abuse awareness, and other areas pertaining to youth development. Staff meets or exceeds the minimum state requirements regarding academics and experience working with children. YMCA staff and volunteers are not allowed to baby-sit or transport children at any time outside of the YMCA program. Each location is managed by a highly trained YMCA Director that not only has the academic requirements for the position but also has past experience of operating youth programs. The Directors spend the majority of their time providing leadership, guidance and overall supervision to insure a high quality program is provided for the children and families.
Camp Activities Summer Camp provides a wide range of activities for your child. We utilize games, skits, cheers, arts & crafts, science and so much more. The majority of our activities are outside and camp is a high-energy fast-paced environment. Each week we have a theme or specialty, and camp staff will implement creative ways to engage your camper in fun. Please refer to the calendar for more detailed information. HEPA Standards (Healthy Eating & Physical Activity) Family involvement is an important component in establishing healthy eating and physical activity habits in children from a young age. Y programs will engage parents and guardians using informational materials and activities focused on healthy eating and physical activity. We will implement at least 60 minutes of active physical activity each day in all of our full day camps. Screen time is not allowed in most camps. If allowed for program reasons, there is a maximum of 30 minutes. We will only serve healthy snacks in program and ask that families provide health options in lunch and snacks as well. Food high in sugar (including soda) should not be brought. Fruits and vegetables are needed in daily meals.
Enrollment & Registration Information Registration Process Enrollment is allowed on a first come, first served basis. Spaces are limited, and most programs will fill to capacity. Children must meet enrollment qualifications (i.e. age, home school location) as outlined in the program description. All registration forms must be completed in full 2 weeks prior to the week in which you wish to enroll your child utilizing ePACT. ePACT Network is a digital platform for collecting your child’s emergency and medical information to improve member privacy. Children who are brought to the program with incomplete ePACT information and or not registered will not be admitted to the program. You may not complete forms on start date. Should you be turned away, fees will not be pro-rated. Immunizations & Health History Up to date immunization information and health history is required in ePACT for enrollment. This is not only a requirement of the YMCA, but also by the American Camping Association accreditation. Financial Assistance Qualifying families unable to pay the full cost of participation are encouraged to apply for YMCA Financial Assistance made available through generous contributions from friends of the YMCA. Please speak with YMCA staff for more information on eligibility requirements. The YMCA will also work with families to connect them to additional resources throughout our Service Areas. Financial Assistance must be applied for in advance of program start. Financial Assistance is not retroactive. Payment Information At time of registration, camps may be paid in full with cash, check or credit card. Otherwise, a nonrefundable deposit per week is required to reserve each camp in which you wish to register your child. If camp is not paid in full, you will be required to submit an EFT bank or credit card to be drafted. Your bank account or credit card will be drafted for the week of camp for the remaining fees (minus the deposit) the week prior. Failure to pay on time will result in loss of space and deposit. Cancelation And Changes Program deposits are non-refundable and are not transferable. Programs canceled two weeks in advance
of the start date will receive a refund, minus the deposit. No refunds less than 2 weeks out. Camp additions, changes and cancellations require a form or to be put in writing. We can accommodate schedule changes on a space availability basis, however the deposit on the original camp will be lost. If no notice is received for a change or withdrawal, camp fees will be charged and are non-refundable. There are no refunds for absenteeism. Promotional early registration rates expire and are not available after March 31st . Refunds Refunds, not including deposits, will be issued only with approval from the Program Director, and when two weeks written notice is provided. Refunds are processed through our Association Office and usually take 2 weeks for processing.
Attendance Arrival & Departure When you come to the YMCA to bring and/or pick up your child, you must stop to complete check in and out. You are required to sign for your child either on paper or via electronic system depending on the location. Parents are required to escort their child to and from the YMCA. This procedure helps to ensure the safety of your child and allows staff to determine which children are present at any given time. Failure to escort your child to/from the program or failure to use your individual pin may result in child’s termination from the program. Only Authorized Individuals May Pick Up Children For your protection, only persons authorized, in writing, by the parents may pick up your child. Once persons are authorized they will be assigned a unique pin to be used when signing your child in/out. Elementary aged children are not allowed to sign themselves out. The staff will question anyone who is unfamiliar to them and ask for identification to check their authorization. Anyone without proper authorization will be stopped from taking a child. If someone other than those persons authorized on the registration form will be picking up your child, you must notify the Program Director in writing. YMCA staff are not permitted to sign out children from program for the day except when leaving for school. Additionally, any restricted individual must have a restraining order on file with the Child Care Director. Daily Absences On School Campuses If your child is going to be absent, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you call your YMCA on the day of the absence. Your child’s safety is very important to us. Parents will be contacted by the YMCA staff if any child is marked “unexcused” unless a message has been received stating that he/she will be tardy or absent from the program. Repeated failure to report your child’s absence may result in termination from the program. If your child is absent from school for any reason, they cannot attend the YMCA that day. Parents are responsible for informing your YMCA Program Center in writing if your child(ren) will be participating in an after school activity. Please include the following information: • Days of the week that your child will be attending • Time period for the activity (start and end time) • Time child is expected to arrive at the YMCA program • Type of activity (tutoring, chorus, drama, Girl Scouts, etc.) • The start date and end date of the extracurricular activity • Name of authorized person (school teacher, coach, etc.) to pick up and/or drop off your child for the extracurricular activity
The YMCA Program Center will not release children from the program without the above information in writing. Your child’s safety is our number one priority. Late Pick-Up Please review the closing time for your program. Our staff is scheduled to leave to tend to their own families and personal commitments. Parents need to ensure that their child is picked up before the end of the program. Children become very worried when their parents do not arrive on time. If you are unable to make it, please arrange for another authorized adult to pick up your child. Please contact the program center if you anticipate being late; this will ensure the comfort of your child. Beginning at the site’s closing time, there will be a late charge of $5.00 (per family) for each five (5) minutes (or any part thereof) past closing time that the child is not picked up. The additional charge is payable to the YMCA at the time the child is signed out. You will receive a receipt for the late fee payment. Parents receiving financial assistance or receive funding from third-party agencies are responsible for paying the late fees. Parents who have not notified the Program Center that they will be late, can expect the following sequence of events to occur. These steps are necessary to ensure the safety of the child as well as YMCA staff members. • 5 mins. After Closing Time: Staff member in charge begins calling parent home and cell phone number(s) to check for problems or miscommunications. If contact is not made, alternative contacts listed on the registration form will be called. • 45 mins. After Closing Time: Staff member in charge contacts local authorities to determine if any problem related to the parent has been reported. The Program Director (or closest Director available) is contacted and appraised of the situation. • 60 mins. After Closing Time: If the child has not been picked up by this time, he or she will be turned over to the Local Police. You risk dismissal from the program if: • You fail to pay the late pick-up fee at the time of pick up • You are late in picking up your child three (3) times within a 30-day period
Health & Safety Medication Any prescription medication which needs to be administered during program hours must: • Be accompanied by “Permission to Medicate” form (available at the Program location); • Be brought directly to Staff in its original container with the child’s name, physician’s name and drug name clearly labeled on the container; and • Have specific written instruction for dosage amounts, times, etc. Non-Prescription shall be administered in accordance with the product label directions on the nonprescription medication container(s). Approval and instructions from the child's authorized representative for the administration of the medication to the child must be in writing. Note: Staff cannot split pills or administer amounts other than specified on prescription label bottle unless it is in writing by the child’s physician. Incidental Medical Services The YMCA Child Care Program will administer medications to children who have asthma, who experience allergic reactions, or require blood-glucose tests. Any other substitute foods for raising blood sugar, such as honey, orange juice, or other food substance, will be maintained at the parents’ request if we are reasonably able to do so. Parents of children with any potentially life-threatening illness or condition must be reachable by the YMCA staff the entire time the child is at the YMCA Program.
Types of Incidental Medical Services Examples: • Delivery of Medication (prescription and non-prescription) • Blood Glucose Testin • EPI-PEN • Emergency Seizure Medication Medication / Medical Services Procedures: All medication must be in the original prescription bottle with clearly legible label, specifying the child’s name, the dosage, expiration date, physician’s name, and date of medication. The YMCA is required to obtain written approval, instruction & training from a child’s parent prior to administering any physician prescribed or over-the-counter (non-prescription) medication. Original prescription with written instructions from the child’s physician is REQUIRED for all prescribed medication. Illness during Program Hours If your child becomes ill, she/he will be isolated from other children and you will be contacted to pick her/him up. The YMCA is not equipped to handle ill children beyond securing their immediate comfort. If you are contacted, you need to make arrangements to pick up your child within one (1) hour. Please be sure to keep the YMCA informed of any changes in your work or emergency phone numbers. If you cannot be reached, we will contact someone you have authorized. Any child not attending school on any regular school day may not attend the YMCA. For the sake of your child and others, if a child has a temperature of one full degree over normal, is vomiting, or shows other signs of illness, they may not attend the YMCA. If needed, the YMCA has the right to request a doctor’s note that releases the child back into the program or stating child is not contagious. Please follow all local health orders pertaining to COVID-19. Lice Policy The YMCA has a No Nit Policy, as a health standard intended to keep children lice free, nit free and able to attend the YMCA program. Head lice are one of the most common communicable childhood diseases. Parents can help prevent the spread of lice by conducting routine screening, early detection and removal of lice and nits. Should your child contract lice or nits, please inform the YMCA staff. Should there be an outbreak of lice; parents will be notified in writing. The program will be properly treated. Our priority is the safety and well-being of all the children in the program. Note, should this program be offered in coordination with a school district, the YMCA will follow the school district policy on lice. Injuries during Program Hours If your child is injured during program hours, the staff member in charge will take whatever steps may be necessary to obtain emergency medical care as warranted. These steps may include but are not limited to: • Provide immediate first aid; • Attempt to contact a parent or guardian; • If parent or guardian cannot be reached we will attempt to contact others listed on your registration forms; and • In case of serious injury, appropriate emergency medical assistance will be contacted (911 will be called). A YMCA staff member will remain with the child until parents or another authorized adult arrives. YMCA staff may not transport program participants. Emergency Procedures Fire and disaster drills are scheduled regularly to ensure that all staff is prepared in the event of an
emergency. In case of actual emergency parents will be notified of their child’s well being as soon as possible. If the YMCA Program must evacuate due to an emergency, they will go to the location listed on their emergency action plan. There will be no refunds or credits given for closures due to natural disasters. Food Service If food, like snacks, are provided during program time it will be listed on weekly calendars at the program and distributed in advance. Food provided by the YMCA will follow HEPA standards. Refrigeration and/or warming up of food cannot be provided so please do not send perishable items or items that need to be cooked or heated up. Please inform the YMCA of any allergies using ePACT. Due to the increasing numbers of children with allergies to products containing nuts, the YMCA will serve nut free products. Some YMCA locations that have children with severe allergic reactions may choose to be completely nut free. Clothing, Belongings, and Lost and Found Please send your child to the program in comfortable “play” clothing. Children will be doing arts & crafts, and going outside for activities. Their clothing may get soiled. Children should not wear clothing that will restrict activity. Footwear is required. Closed toe and closed heeled shoes are required. No shoes with heels please. We suggest providing the following: • Hat • Sunscreen • Backpack • Healthy lunch and snacks • Refillable water bottle • YMCA shirt (on trip days) • Other requests as outline in the weekly agenda (i.e. towel, swim suit) Please mark all of your child’s belongings (i.e., lunch boxes, jackets, coats). The YMCA will not be responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen articles. Please do not send valuables (cell phones, toys, radios, trading cards, video games, etc.) to the site with your child. If your child carries a cell phone, it must be turned off and stored during program hours. After one month, lost and found items will be donated to a charitable agency. Other than service animals, are not allowed on property for any period of time. Please also do not leave animals in your car on YMCA property. Sun Protection and Sun Screen Please apply sunscreen to your child in the morning and provide sunscreen as requested by the program. During your intake you will provide use information on your sunscreen use. We highly encourage children to: • Wear hats while we are outdoors; • Bring a water sipper and keep it full throughout the day; • Apply sunscreen before arrival; • Bring sunscreen and apply it to your exposed parts hourly (kept by staff); and • Wear a “sun shirt” on field trip days. We do not allow children to share sunscreen or apply it to each other for allergy reasons.
Swimming Campers will be given the opportunity to swim in the YMCA depending on the camp. If campers are allowed to swim, they must come to camp in a swim suit. Please bring a change of clothes for your camper to change into, after the pool. Each time a new session/week begins all campers will be given a swim test. Only those who pass the swim test will be allowed in deep areas. All campers are allowed in the shallow end. Floatation devices will be provided at the YMCA pool for children who do not pass the swim test and who do not show the ability to swim. Alternate activities will be provided for children who do not wish to swim.
Commitment To Inclusion The YMCA Program staff strives to respond to the needs of each individual child in a group care setting, with required ratios. The YMCA provides opportunities for involvement in large and small groups with a balance of staff-directed and child-initiated activities. The YMCA Program is, however, unable to provide one-to-one care for any child except on an intermittent basis, such as injuries, immediate disciplinary issues, and certain personal care needs customarily provided to other children. The YMCA Program welcomes all children. To the extent it is reasonably able to do so, the YMCA program will provide services to children with disabilities or any special needs in the same manner as services provided for other children of comparable age. It is essential that all pertinent information about the child’s needs be available to staff from the outset of enrollment and that a continuing bond of trust and mutual partnership exists for the benefit of the child. Therefore, a parent has the obligation to disclose significant medical, physical or behavioral issues at the time of the child’s enrollment and on an ongoing basis. If it is unclear whether The YMCA Program can reasonably accommodate the unique needs of a child, we will arrive at a final decision by reviewing the circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Such review will be comprised of most, if not all, of the following steps, unless such process would not meaningfully contribute to a final decision: • The Director (or designee) will meet with the child and family. • The Director will assess the staff member’s ability to handle the various manifestations of the child’s special needs, and consider whether additional training, the cost of which is not unreasonable, would mitigate the difficulty. • The Director will observe the child’s adaptation to the group of children. • The Director will discuss the child’s needs with the supervisor. • If possible, the child will be enrolled for a trial period, not to exceed two weeks. • A discussion of possible, necessary accommodations will be undertaken and those accommodations that are reasonable and do not fundamentally alter the nature of the group childcare service offered will be implemented. • If the child’s attendance cannot be accommodated because the needed accommodations are unreasonable or alter the nature of the service, the parents will be informed without delay.
Child Guidance, Discipline & Safety Camp Ratio Counselor to camper ratio is: 1:6 4-6 years 1:8 6-8 years 1:10 9-14 years Campers will rotate among daily activities in small groups. We aim to keep consistent camper groups the same each week if possible. During extended hours groups will consist of a 1:10 ratio Appropriate Conduct It is our intent that each child enjoys the activities planned by understanding that they are responsible for their actions. With prior knowledge of our basic rules of safety and good conduct, each child is made aware of how to exercise self-discipline. We are here to assist them and to know that we expect them to succeed. Character development is an important part of our program. We also use positive reinforcement by consistently acknowledging good behavior. The expectations listed below are the general expectations we have for all of our program participants: • Respect for yourself, for others and for property. • Be responsible for your words and actions. Philosophy The YMCA strives to maintain a positive approach to managing children’s behavior at all times. “Discipline” is the process of teaching self-control and the ability to live within limitations and agreed upon guidelines. The staff and children at each location establish expected behavior guidelines. Positive behavior is self-rewarding and allows for program activities to occur. When children choose to behave outside of the guidelines, some consequence is required to avoid future problems. The overall safety of all children in the program is our highest priority. Process As mentioned above, when positive behavior is displayed, the consequence is participation and enjoyment of planned activities. In cases of negative or inappropriate behavior, the following process will be employed: • Reasoning and Redirection: Every effort will be made to help the child understand the inappropriateness of their action and agree to an alternate form of behavior. Children may be redirected to alternative activities. When the conflict is child-to-child, every effort will be made to have them reason together face-to-face with staff facilitating. • Removal from Specific Activity: When reasoning has been pursued and has not changed behavior, removing the child from the activity involved for an appropriate amount of time may become necessary. The denied activity should be related to the misbehavior and the removal should not exceed what is developmentally appropriate. • Child/Director Conference: When the staff is not successful in correcting behavior the Director may meet with the child to redirect them to use of proper conflict resolution strategies. • Parent Conference: If the parent needs to be formally involved in the process, specific changes in behavior will be requested with specific consequences for non-compliance outlined. This is usually accomplished through the use of a “Behavior Contract.” Whenever possible, the child is present and participates in these conferences. The goal is to define what changes need to be made to help the child be successful in the program.
Removal from Program for Inappropriate Behavior If the above process has not resulted in corrected behavior, the family will be required to remove the child from the program. The YMCA reserves the right to remove a child from the program if they disrupt the program or endangers the well-being of themselves or others. No child will be allowed to continue in the program that becomes a safety hazard to themselves or others Behavior Management The safety of a child is the highest priority for setting behavior management procedures. • When a child has a serious discipline problem, (on any ONE occasion), the parent may be called by staff to request that the child be picked up within one (1) hour of the call. Hitting another child, threatening or intimidating others, injuring another child or staff member or leaving the program center is a serious discipline problem. • Should it be decided by YMCA staff that a child poses a serious discipline problem; the child may be suspended from the program for a period of 1-5 days, or may be removed from the program entirely. • The YMCA Program must follow school rules if the program is on campus. If a child is suspended from school, he or she is not allowed to attend the YMCA program during the entire time of the suspension. YMCA Child Abuse Prevention The YMCA maintains a policy of Child Abuse Prevention practices, which include procedures, related to: • Employee reference checking, hiring criteria, and fingerprinting; • Training and supervision requirements for staff; • Staff relationships with children; • Unscheduled site visitation by YMCA supervisory staff. These policies are enacted to protect parents, children, and YMCA staff members from actual occurrences of child abuse as well as allegations of abuse. For more information contact your Director. The YMCA wants all children to be safe. Unfortunately, child abuse does exist, taking many forms. • Emotional – Threatening a child or using words that can hurt a child’s feelings and self esteem; withholding love and support from a child. • Physical – Causing injuries to a child on purpose, such as bruises, burns, scars, or broken bones. • Sexual – Having sexual contact in any form with a child, including exposing, fondling, intercourse, pornography, or internet solicitation. • Neglect – Not providing children with enough food, clothing, shelter, medical care, hygiene, or supervision. If you suspect abuse, call Child Protective Services at (805) 654-3409. Outside Contact Policies YMCA staff shall not socialize with children enrolled in YMCA programs outside of approved YMCA activities, including babysitting or transporting children. Staff may also not engage with children via private electronic communication, such as social media. Any communication outside of the program time much include guardians and be for program purposes. Immediate disciplinary action will be taken by the YMCA toward YMCA staff if a violation is discovered.
Child Abuse Reporting Section 11166 of the California Penal Code requires any Child Care Custodian, medical practitioner, or employee of a child protective agency who has knowledge of or observes a child in his/her professional capacity or within the scope of his/her employment who he/she knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse, to report the known or suspected instance of child abuse to a protective agency immediately or as soon as practically possible by telephone and to prepare and send a written report thereof within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident. “Child Care Custodian” includes all of our staff at the YMCA.
Communication & Questions Communication To ensure you and your child are getting the most out of your YMCA experience, we keep the lines of communication open through a variety of ways including: newsletters, bulletin boards, family events, surveys, and feedback forms. You will receive frequent communications from us, both in person and in writing, so you're constantly informed of your children's progress, achievements' and daily activities. Activity calendars for camp will be available for each session of camp. Calendars are also emailed out to families the Friday before the next week of camp. The calendars include pertinent information for the week: contact info, special events, possible swim days, etc. Weekly schedules are subject to change. Camp Directors also communicate directly to families via email and ePACT. Please be sure to provide an email that is checked often to avoid missing any important camp information. Parent Information Area When you sign out your child each day, please check for any up-to-date information or notices at the Parent Information Area. Please check any posters and brochures for other information pertaining to YMCA activities and take your child’s items with you daily. Parent Concerns The YMCA is dedicated to developing and maintaining high levels of member service. We want to hear from you if we have not accomplished this goal. Any one of our YMCA staff is available to assist you with questions or concerns and will work with you for a resolution. In the event a concern is not resolved to your satisfaction you may contact review the posted Chain of Command for who to speak with next. You have the right to share concerns without fear of retaliation. All concerns will be investigated and/or addressed with the proper parties. Email Parents can email YMCA staff regarding any questions about the program or the YMCA. Staf can be reached at: first name + last name@ciymca.org. (For example: Director Jane Doe – email address would be jdoe@ciymca.org). The YMCA believes that face-to-face conversations are almost always best when dealing with sensitive issues or concerns. Custodial Issues/Disputes The YMCA and the staff employed by the YMCA will not become involved in any custodial disputes between parent/guardian. Staff will follow court orders to the best of our ability; however we are not legal experts. All court orders submitted with the child’s file must be official documents of the court. The YMCA will follow the instructions given by the enrolling parent as long as it supports the court
order. Non-enrolling parents can add authorized individuals on their court appointed day (following the court orders). If custodial disputes are not handled appropriately by the parents, the child may be terminated from the program. It is both parents’ responsibility to provide current and updated court orders as needed. Law enforcement may be called if needed to support the staff with protecting the child and following a court order. Photo Release The Channel Islands YMCA may take photos, videos or sound recordings of your children in our programs. We often use them for crafts or projects. The YMCA is not required to contact you regarding using photos during program for these reasons. The release and preferences completed in ePACT will be used for any photos, videos or sound recordings that will be used for marketing purposes.
A FACT SHEET FOR
Parents
What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even what seems to be a mild bump to the head can be serious. Concussions can have a more serious effect on a young, developing brain and need to be addressed correctly.
What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion? You can’t see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after an injury or may not appear or be noticed until hours or days after the injury. It is important to watch for changes in how your child or teen is acting or feeling, if symptoms are getting worse, or if s/he just “doesn’t feel right.” Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness. If your child or teen reports one or more of the symptoms of concussion listed below, or if you notice the signs or symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away. Children and teens are among those at greatest risk for concussion.
Signs & Symptoms of a Concussion Signs Observed by Parents or Guardians • Appears dazed or stunned • Is confused about events • Answers questions slowly • Repeats questions • Can’t recall events prior to hit, bump, or fall • Can’t recall events after hit, bump, or fall • Loses consciousness (even briefly) • Shows behavior or personality changes • Forgets class schedule or assignments
Symptoms Reported by Your Child or Teen Thinking/Remembering
Emotional
• Difficulty thinking clearly • Difficulty concentrating or remembering • Feeling more slowed down • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Irritable • Sad • More emotional than usual • Nervous
Physical • Headache or “pressure” in head • Nausea or vomiting • Balance problems or dizziness • Fatigue or feeling tired • Blurry or double vision • Sensitivity to light or noise • Numbness or tingling • Does not “feel right”
To download this fact sheet in Spanish, please visit: www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP. Para obtener una copia electrónica de esta hoja de información en español, por favor visite: www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP January 2021
Sleep* • Drowsy • Sleeps less than usual • Sleeps more than usual *Only ask about sleep symptoms if the injury occurred on a prior day.
Danger Signs Be alert for symptoms that worsen over time. Your child or teen should be seen in an emergency department right away if she or he has one or more of these danger signs: • One pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other • Drowsiness or cannot be awakened • A headache that gets worse and does not go away • Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination • Repeated vomiting or nausea • Slurred speech • Convulsions or seizures • Difficulty recognizing people or places • Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation • Unusual behavior • Loss of consciousness (even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously)
1.
Children and teens with a suspected concussion should NEVER return to sports or recreation activities on the same day the injuried occurred. They should delay returning to their activities until a healthcare provider experienced in evaluating for concussion says it’s OK to return to play. This means, until permitted, not returning to: • Physical Education (PE) class • Sports practices or games • Physical activity at recess
What should I do if my child or teen has a concussion?
How can I help my child return to school safely after a concussion?
Seek medical attention right away. A healthcare provider experienced in evaluating for concussion can determine how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child or teen to return to normal activities, including physical activity and school (concentration and learning activities).
Most children can return to school within a few days. Help your child or teen get needed support when returning to school after a concussion. Talk with your child’s teachers, school nurse, coach, speech-language pathologist, or counselor about your child’s concussion and symptoms.
2. Help them take time to get better. If your child or teen has a concussion, her or his brain needs time to heal. Your child or teen may need to limit activities while s/he is recovering from a concussion. Exercising or activities that involve a lot of concentration, such as studying, working on the computer, or playing video games may cause concussion symptoms (such as headache or tiredness) to reappear or get worse. After a concussion, physical and cognitive activities—such as concentration and learning— should be carefully managed and monitored by a healthcare provider. 3. Talk to your child or teen about how they are feeling. Your child may feel frustrated, sad, and even angry because s/he cannot return to recreation and sports right away, or cannot keep up with schoolwork. Your child may also feel isolated from peers and social networks. Talk often with your child about these issues and offer your support and encouragement.
To learn more, go to www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP or call 1.800.CDC.INFO January 2021
Your child’s or teen’s healthcare provider can use CDC’s Letter to Schools to provide strategies to help the school set up any needed supports. As your child’s symptoms decrease, the extra help or support can be removed gradually. Children and teens who return to school after a concussion may need to: • Take rest breaks as needed • Spend fewer hours at school • Be given more time to take tests or complete assignments • Receive help with schoolwork • Reduce time spent reading, writing, or on the computer • Sit out of physical activities, such as recess, PE, and sports until approved by a healthcare provider • Complete fewer assignments • Avoid noisy and over-stimulating environments