Youth at UW

Operational Guidance for UW Youth Programs During COVID-19

Updated September 17, 2021

The following guidance aligns with University of Washington and Washington State Department of Health guidance specific to youth engagements. This guidance has been reviewed and approved by the UW Office of the President.

Effective July 1, 2021, Washington State has ended the Healthy Washington recovery phases. Specific guidance for youth programs remains in effect.

Guidance for in-person youth engagements 

Updated 9/17/2021

The University requires any in-person youth engagements (i.e., activities, events or programs) to follow COVID-19 prevention guidance for child care, youth development and day camps outlined by the Washington State Department of Health in the Guidance for Child Care, Youth Development, After-school programs, and Day Camps During COVID-19. 

Note that there are differences between this guidance and the requirements for UW employees otherwise listed on the UW COVID-19 Recovery status web page. 

One important requirement specific to youth programs is maintaining physical distancing of at least 3 feet, and in some cases 6 feet between participants. This does not apply to campus tours run by the Office of Admissions. 

Other differences may also apply. Closely review the Guidance for Child Care, Youth Development, After-school programs, and Day Camps During COVID-19 before operating an in-person youth program.

Contact the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator with any questions about the guidance at uwminors@uw.edu. 

Required actions for all University operated and hosted youth engagements

In order to operate in-person, programs and facility hosts must:

  1. Register your youth program event(s) in the Youth Program Registration System (YPRS) prior to its start date. As part of your registration in YPRS, you will be asked to certify that you will implement all required youth-specific COVID prevention protocols outlined in the DOH Guidance for Child Care and Youth Programs.
  2. During operation, abide by the COVID-19 prevention guidance and maintain ongoing communication with OYPC to address questions or concerns.
  3. Notify the following agencies in the event of a positive COVID-19 case:
    • Employee cases should be reported to the UW EH&S Employee Health Center at covidehc@uw.edu or 206.685.1026. 
    • Youth participant cases should be reported to the UW EH&S Employee Health Center at covidehc@uw.edu or 206.685.1026 AND the relevant county public health authorities: 
      • Seattle and Bothell campuses: King County Coronavirus Call Center at (206) 477-3977.
      • Tacoma campus: Pierce County COVID-19 Call Center at (253) 798-6410. 
    • Communicate to staff and families. Do not disclose any personal identifiers. 
    • Report all instances to OYPC at uwminors@uw.edu or by calling 206-616-5706.

Note about concurrent groups

Multiple concurrent group gatherings may take place as long as:

      • more than 6 feet between each group is maintained at all times, and
      • there is no interaction between members of groups, and 
      • Adequate staff are in place to manage separate screening and supervision of activities within each group.

All activities, events and programs operating virtually or in-person and regardless of location must comply with APS 10.13 requirements for University and Third Party Led Youth Programs. 

Direct questions to uwminors@uw.edu.

Guidance areas for in-person engagements

The following sections provide supplemental resources to assist your preparation and implementation of the required COVID-19 prevention protocols set forth by WA state Department of Health. 

Social and physical distancing

Supplemental resources

Precautions for sick personnel and participants

Supplemental resources

Cleaning and disinfecting

Supplemental resources

Hygiene & Food

Supplemental resources

Personal protective equipment

Supplemental resources

Communication and training

Supplemental resources

Guidance for virtual youth programs 

All UW youth programs must comply with University guidance on safe virtual interactions.

 

Archived Guidance: this guidance is no longer in effect.

Healthy Washington Phase 1

  • No non-UW youth programs on UW campus
  • Allowable in-person youth programs:
    • All types of child care, e.g., licensed and exempt child care, preschool, seasonal day camps, and after-school programs, with group sizes following DOH guidelines.
    • Necessary non-child care indoor youth gatherings that involve no more than six people per group including adults.
    • Necessary non-child care outdoor youth gatherings that involve no more than 10 people per group including adults.

Healthy Washington Phase 2

  • No non-UW youth programs on UW campus
  • Allowable in-person youth programs
    • All types of child care, e.g., licensed and exempt child care, preschool, seasonal day camps, and after-school programs, with group sizes following DOH guidelines.
    • Necessary non-child care indoor youth gatherings with group sizes up to 15 people including adults, and at no more than 25% room capacity. Total attendance in a single space cannot exceed 200 people regardless of room capacity. Events over 50 people will require approval by Environmental Health and Safety. 
    • Necessary non-child care outdoor youth gatherings that involve no more than 15 people per group including adults. Total attendance cannot exceed 200 people. Events over 50 people will require approval by Environmental Health and Safety.

Healthy Washington Phase 3

  • Allowable UW in-person youth programs
    • All types of UW operated and contracted child care, e.g., licensed and exempt child care, preschool, seasonal, and after-school programs, with group sizes following DOH guidelines. 
    • Necessary UW operated non-child care indoor youth gatherings with group sizes up to 32 people including adults, and at no more than 50% room capacity, whichever number is lower. Total attendance in a single space cannot exceed 400 people regardless of room capacity. Events over 100 people will require approval by Environmental Health and Safety. Groups must continue to abide by University 6 feet physical distancing requirements. (updated 4/21/21)
    • Necessary UW operated non-child care outdoor youth gatherings that involve no more than 32 people per group including adults. Total attendance cannot exceed 400 people. Events over 100 people will require approval by Environmental Health and Safety. Groups must continue to abide by University 6 feet physical distancing requirements. (updated 4/21/21)
  • Allowable non-UW (i.e., third party) youth programs (updated 4/21/21)
    • Youth program activities that serve a child care purpose, e.g., licensed and exempt child care, preschool, seasonal, and after-school programs, with group sizes following DOH guidelines.
    • Necessary non-child care youth programs that are sponsored* by a UW department or operated by a UW Athletics coach. *Sponsored means that an activity is in alignment with UW’s mission, a unit head (e.g., Dean, VP) endorses the program and that the sponsoring unit is willing to support the third party in COVID-19 safety planning preparations as needed. Group sizes must adhere to limits set for indoor and outdoor non-child care youth programs as stated above.