COVID-19 Updates

Campus Operations

Campus operations changes have been enacted to comply with state and federal guidelines, as well as limiting exposure for our children and staff. Early childhood trauma leads to lowered immunity and higher health risks for our children, so their safety is of utmost concern at this time.

• • All campuses are closed to the public, except by appointment, until further notice.
  • Farm volunteers in Winston-Salem are still on the job and we appreciate all they do.
  • Strawberry sales begin on May 1st. Enter campus at the main entrance on Reynolda Road, follow all signs, and do not get out of your car. More information about strawberries can be found HERE.

YELLOW LEVEL – 5/8/20

We are currently operating on our Yellow level, which includes the following:

• • All campuses are closed to outside visitors.
  • Cottages maintain social distancing from everyone on campus, except for their “buddy” cottage.
  • Staff interacting with cottages must wear a mask during face-to-face interactions with the children or cottage parents.
  • In-person therapy and case support continue with precautions in place.
  • Staff is continuing to work from home as much as possible.
  • When staff is on campus, masks must be worn during all campus face-to-face interactions.
  • Gym and playground use are restricted to one cottage at a time. Equipment is cleaned after a cottage uses it.
  • Cottages are allowed to visit the farm. Students who are working on the farm practice social distancing, especially from volunteers and/or seasonal farm workers.
  • Staff are required to take their temperature before coming on shift or entering a cottage.

March 20, 2020

Dear Crossnore Partner,

Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we work together to ensure the health and safety of our children, families, and staff. Crossnore School & Children’s Home values you, and we are striving to communicate openly and consistently during the rapidly changing environment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, we want to inform you of the protective measures we are putting into place to protect everyone.

CAMPUS ACCESS:
As of May 27th, and until further notice, all our campus and office locations are closed to outside visitors and clients, EXCEPT BY APPOINTMENT. Many of our staff are working remotely and direct care staff are continuing to provide excellent service for the children and families in our care.

CLINICAL SERVICES:
The Clinical team has implemented technology-based therapy and psychiatric services for established Outpatient and Day Treatment clients. Limited face-to-face appointments are available beginning May 27th. Contact your child’s therapist to schedule an appointment. At this time, all new client assessments for Outpatient and Day Treatment clients are on hold.

If you have any questions, please contact Johannes Steffin, Clinical Director, at jsteffin@crossnore.org. 

Reminder that all visits and meetings will take place as originally scheduled, but via video-conferencing instead of in person.

We have set up a Foster Care Families page on Facebook to help us all stay connected. Please email your foster care supervisor or Alex Williams (ajwilliams@crossnore.org) for the link to that private group.

Foster Care Support Group & Trainings

May 28th, 6:30pm– A Night of Encouragement with Shenandoah Chefalo

• Author, Speaker, Trainer, and former foster youth, Shenandoah Chefalo will host a time of Q&A and encouragement for foster families and those who need a bright spot in these difficult times.  

We will also be offering weekly “Connection Groups” for children ages 5-9, 10-13, and 14+. Please RSVP.

Sign up for the events above https://forms.gle/UbEhKyx8ZEkxfCbr7 or by emailing abollo@crossnore.org.

Please continue to visit crossnore.org/foster-care-adoptions to get information and to make inquiries about becoming licensed for foster care. We are still here to answer all of your questions!

Foster Care NOW (an online event)

May 27, 2020

In an environment of praise and worship we will look at the need in the foster care world, the biblical calling of foster care, hear testimonies of those walking the foster care journey, and find ways that anyone can get involved in the community of foster care right NOW even if they can’t foster.

Sign up for this event at https://forms.gle/UbEhKyx8ZEkxfCbr7 or by emailing abollo@crossnore.org.

Past Clients and Alumni:

At this time, due to social distancing protocols, Crossnore School & Children’s Home is not able to fulfill any requests for information/records that were recorded on paper charts. We would also like you to know that requests for electronic information/records may take up to 30 days or more to fulfill, due to staff being located off site and inability to access our electronic health record.

We plan to process requests for records ASAP. If you have any questions, you can email records@crossnore.org.

With children out of school and our campuses closed to outside visitors, Crossnore kids, cottage parents, and community-based foster families face unique challenges and additional stress.

Residential children on our Avery and Forsyth County campuses need new educational, entertainment, and therapy options to utilize during these days of shelter-in-place and social distancing. Board games, craft supplies, sidewalk chalk, sporting equipment, iPads, and tablets are greatly appreciated to allow multiple children to complete their distance learning assignments, participate in virtual therapy sessions, and to relieve boredom. (Our cottages currently have a very limited number of computers available for our children.)

Please visit our Amazon Wish Lists where we’ve prioritized our coronavirus/shelter-in-place needs, or shop at your favorite online retailer and have your gifts shipped to any of our three locations (addresses below). You can also make a gift toward our greatest needs at this time by donating here.

You can help our kids and help a local restaurant. Consider purchasing and donating restaurant gift cards, or making a donation toward restaurant food delivery for our campus kids. As you can imagine, both kids and cottage parents alike welcome a night off from cooking and doing dishes!

Community-based foster families would be grateful for local restaurant or grocery store gift cards. Order gift cards to Hendersonville-specific businesses or mail gift cards from your favorite local business to any of our three locations, and we will distribute to our foster families. Or, you may make a donation to cover respite childcare for a foster family whose group childcare facilities are now closed. Your gift will allow foster parents to make a quick trip to the grocery store or simply take a break for a quiet walk in the woods.

We realize these are tough times for everyone, and we appreciate and value the support of our community. With your help, our kids will face these tough times and build their resiliency skills in the process. Thank you for caring about the well-being of Crossnore kids and families by making your special gift today!