top of page
OUR WORK:
COVID-19 RESPONSE
RESOURCES FOR K-12 EDUCATION
In partnership with Washington Roundtable, Challenge Seattle commissioned Boston Consulting Group to compile a report examining short- and long-term learning loss due to COVID-19 disruptions in Washington State. The research effort included a landscape analysis of national research regarding learning loss; examination of 30+ case studies; and over 100 interviews with community-based organizations, school leaders, educators, caretakers, students, and more. The study also presents a menu of options that school district leaders and state policymakers can deploy to address learning loss in Washington state.
Washington K-12 Learning Loss
Challenge Seattle partnered with Washington Roundtable and Kinetic West, a social impact consulting firm, to research best practices for re-opening K-12 schools. Based on thorough research and interviews with education leaders, the resulting report reviews how other states and countries are approaching a safe return to school for K-12 students.
This work was completed on behalf of the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) and helped to inform re-opening guidance issued by OSPI to K-12 school districts in Washington State.
Best practices for re-opening K-12 schools (published May 22)
OSPI's Reopening Washington Schools District Planning Guide (published June 11)
RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS
Challenge Seattle has worked closely with Public Health experts from King County and Washington State to create a guide for businesses to support critical contact tracing efforts. Employers have a vested interest in quickly notifying employees of potential exposure to COVID-19 to keep employees healthy, maintain customer and employee confidence, and reduce the need to close facilities.
This resource provides straightforward guidance on best practices for responding to a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in the workplace, including alerting close contacts, understanding quarantine and isolation requirements, and communicating with additional stakeholders. Following these steps can help stop the spread and protect our community - please use and share this guide with others:
Employers' guide to contact tracing in the workplace (updated July 27, 2020)
In partnership with Washington Roundtable and the Boston Consulting Group, Challenge Seattle has developed a checklist to help employers prepare for a safe re-opening. Created in close partnership with public health officials, these checklists offer a framework for all employers to begin thinking about best practices for operations that protect employees, customers, and the community while we await a vaccine:
Planning for a "new normal": summary & checklists (updated April 27, 2020)
Planning for a "new normal": full report (updated April 27, 2020)
Challenge Seattle also partnered with the Boston Consulting Group to publish an analysis of the economic impacts of the pandemic, both regionally and statewide:
February 2021: Updated Economic Impacts
May 2020: Regional & Statewide Economic Impacts
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
In January 2021, Governor Jay Inslee formed the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Vaccine Action Command and Coordination System (VACCS) Center to leverage the talent and resources of the private sector to support the state’s vaccine distribution effort. Under the guidance of the VACCS Center, Challenge Seattle companies stepped up to support vaccine delivery while leading with equity.
Here's what we learned that we would like to share with others:
Vaccine Playbook for Public-Private Partnerships (March 2021)
VACCS Center Blueprint for Public-Private Partnering (October 2021)
RESOURCES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Challenge Seattle, Washington Roundtable, and the Boston Consulting Group have identified and compiled best practices for re-opening higher education. Developed in partnership with Washington's higher education leaders, the resulting resources include a checklist of baseline recommendations for re-opening, as well as additional considerations for campus safety and protocols for food services, campus transportation, and residences.
This work also includes a united statement issued by our state’s higher education leadership to instill confidence in students, parents, faculty, staff, and the community regarding their shared commitment to safely re-open.
Aligned statement of higher education leadership & best practices for re-opening higher education institutions (published June 12)
bottom of page