Family Handbook

A parent/guardian arriving after the closing time of the program should notify the facility as soon as they know they are going to be late. If no communication has been received from parents/guardians about arriving late, site staff will contact the parents/guardians first, and if unable to reach the parent/guardian with information provided on the participant’s information form, staff will then start contacting emergency contacts to arrange to pick up the participant. Ride Share Programs If families use a ride share program to pick up their child, they must enter the company as an authorized pick-up, in writing, to PRCS staff. For programs using brightwheel, the company should be entered as an authorized pick up and use the pin number associated when signing out the participant. Parents must inform the company driver of the child’s name, text the PRCS staff the name of the driver each day the company is being used for picking up the participant, and driver must present ID to staff releasing child. Staff will enter driver’s name in the notes in brightwheel or the attendance roster used to sign the participant out of the program. Important Update on Exemption of Licensure for PRCS School-Aged Programs On April 16, 2024, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved a request from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) for an Exemption of Licensure from the Virginia Department of Education for County-licensed after-school and camp programs. The exemption is for school-aged programs only. PRCS preschool and childcare programs in our recreation and community centers will remain licensed. PRCS will continue to maintain the quality of these programs that you have come to expect. In fact, current PRCS licensed programs already meet or exceed licensing standards through existing internal quality control monitors. For more information, please visit our FAQs page on the license exemption request. Child Release Policy: Parental Impairment Due to Drugs or Alcohol PRCS programs establish the safety and well-being of the participants in our care are our highest priorities. To ensure their protection, our staff will not release a participant to any parent, guardian, or authorized pickup person who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Procedure: 1. Assessment of Impairment: a. If a staff member suspects that a parent or guardian is impaired due to drugs or alcohol, they will discreetly notify the Director or Supervisor on duty. b. The Director or Supervisor will assess the situation and determine if it is unsafe to release the participant. 2. Alternative Arrangements: a. If impairment is suspected, staff will respectfully inform the parent/guardian that, for the

safety of the participant, an alternative arrangement needs to be made to safely transport the child (ie-alternate authorized pick up, uber, neighbor, etc.). The parent or guardian may authorize the alternative pick-up at the time of this instance.