One big concern for emergency response workers--childcare

Police officers, sheriff's deputies, firefighters, hospital and clinic employees and many others are on the front line in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, often working long hours.

That can create issues for those who have children who are home because classes have been cancelled.  The Decorah Community School District is working to help such people.

Superintendent Mark Lane says he took part in a videoconference this week with other area school superintendents and childcare was one issue which came up.  Oelwein Schools have begin offering childcare to families with emergency workers, while West Delaware is getting ready to start such a program.  Decorah could soon be added to the list.

Mayors of Winneshiek County cities are being contacted to ask for help in assessing how much need there is for such a service.  Tentatively, Decorah Schools officials are talking about using one or two rooms in a district school for such a program, which would be targeted to school-aged children and would possibly use childcare workers instead of school staff.

The Decorah School Board has given Lane to authority to create such a program if he feels it is necessary.