April COVID-19 Update

April 2, 2020

As our nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the Big Brothers Big Sisters office will remain closed to the general public. Big Brothers Big Sister staff will continue to be available to Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians from the safety of their home offices. While we do not know how long this current situation will last, we can determine that this will be our policy until state policy on social distancing or the stay at home order has been lifted. Please know that during this time our agency’s commitment to the youth, volunteers and families we serve will remain unchanged. If you need to reach any of our staff members below is the contact information:

Jennifer Bruns, Executive Director,
cell: 937-441-3006  email: jenny@bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org

Mandi Croft, Shelby County Community Based Program Coordinator,
cell: 937-507-2797 email: mandi@bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org

Ashley Steinke, Shelby County Site Based Program Coordinator
email: ashley@bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org

Becca Cotterman, Darke County Program Coordinator,
cell: 567-644-2996 email: becca@bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org

Site-Based Mentoring Programs
In accordance with Governor DeWine’s extended closure of K-12 schools in Ohio until May 1st, all Big Brothers Big Sisters site-based mentoring programs in elementary schools have been suspended and will remain suspended until schools are back in session and authorize the continuation of our programming.

We have sent out permission forms to allow for digital communication between our Site-Based Bigs and Littles, however, these communications will rely on parent monitoring along with staff checking for match support contacts. We will be sending out contact information to bigs and littles in the upcoming week. If you did not received the digital form, please let us know.

Community Based Mentoring Programs
Bigs and Littles/Mentors and Mentees in our community-based mentoring program are asked to suspend all face-to face in person contacts. If any Bigs, Littles or parents/guardians have questions or need ideas for digital safe match activities or advice on how to talk about the concern surrounding the Coronavirus, they are encouraged to reach out to their assigned Match Support Specialist or Program Coordinator.

Sister Power & Community Based Group Outings
Sister Power, Sports Buddies, and Community Based group outings will be suspended until further notice and will be reevaluted based on future circumstances.

Enrollment of New Bigs and Littles
Until further notice, our office remains closed to the public with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff working remotely from the safety of their home offices and able to accept online applications and inquiries via phone for adults to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, and for parents or guardians to enroll their child as a Little Brother or Little Sister. In-person enrollment interviews will be scheduled via teleconference or other digital means on a case-by-case basis.

How programs will be shifting:
Mentoring will be done virtually via telephone, smart phone, FaceTime, Zoom, social platforms or video conferencing. Bigs and encouraged to make twice a month contacts with their Littles throughout the duration of the public crisis. Big Brothers Big Sisters staff will be providing on-going case management support just as they always have, but will be focused on providing a variety of resources digital as well as other ways to help Bigs and Littles to have fun and continue with relationship building. Bigs and Littles are expected to make monthly contact with their assigned BBBS staff member.

General Precautions
For more information about the COVID-19, please visit the Ohio Department of Health’s website at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/.

We understand that this situation is evolving rapidly throughout Ohio, and we will keep our network informed of any updates as needed. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our staff. We appreciate your support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County, and your shared dedication to the safety and well-being of the children, families, and volunteers we serve.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Bruns, Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County
937-492-7611
info@bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org
www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org


For Match Ideas and More info, Becca and Mandi will be Live on Zoom Meetings for our different Groups next week on Friday, Monday, & Tuesday. See below for specifics.

The Community Based Bigs and Littles meeting is at 6PM on Friday, 4/3/2020. The invite link will be sent out in a Remind message tomorrow morning. 

Site Based Bigs (High School Students) - We will have a meeting on Monday, 4/6/2020 at 3:30PM - you will get a Remind with the link on Monday morning

Site Based Littles (Elementary School Students) - We will have a meeting on Thursday, 4/9/2020 at 3:30PM - you will get a Remind with the link on Tuesday morning.