Thank you again for your ongoing support to ensure safety and connection during this past year. With many COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in the state and counties, we have updated our recommendations for match meetings.
Guidelines for Matches
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) is committed to keeping our Bigs, Littles, families, employees, and supporters healthy and safe. We will continue to abide by any direction set forth by the Marion County Public Health Department as our office and majority of our program participants reside in Marion County.
With evolving guidelines, implementation of COVID-19 vaccine rollout to those 12 years and older, and the start of summer, we re-evaluated our programming and maintain the following recommendations effective June 7, 2021, until further notice.
Match Relationships: As always, consistency and communication are of the utmost importance. Whatever decisions are made about time spent together, everyone in the match party should feel comfortable.
In-person match meetings are encouraged and can occur outdoors or indoors. Bigs may transport their Littles. Regardless of the Little’s age, your time together should be approved by the Parent/Guardian ahead of time. If at any point someone does not feel well, the activity should be rescheduled or immediately ended.
Fully Vaccinated: If all parties in the match are fully vaccinated, masks and social distancing guidelines are optional, unless otherwise required. Please also review and abide by these CDC guidelines for When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated.
Not Fully Vaccinated: If one party in the match is not fully vaccinated, masks should be worn and you should maintain 6 feet distance, whenever possible. Please review and abide by these CDC guidelines on How to Protect Yourself & Others.
Reporting: Should someone in either the Big’s or Little’s household test positive with COVID-19 after an in-person interaction, we ask that this information be reported to the other party and BBBSCI staff immediately. To ensure everyone’s safety, BBBSCI will share information with other parties if Big/Parent is unable to share in a timely manner. In-person visits should stop until 14 days have passed or CDC guidelines can be met.
Virtual Meetings: If anyone in the match party is not comfortable with an in-person meeting, your decision to meet virtually is completely supported. Scheduling these times ahead can make it easier to connect and stay consistent. Bigs should communicate a proposed plan with their Little and the Parent/Guardian and work together to find the right communication method and timing. Remember, consistency is key to building and sustaining relationships and trust. All match parties are expected to have weekly communication (call, text, email, video chat, etc.) and participate in at least one online activity per month (individual or agency-hosted). Bigs should schedule all interactions in advance and communicate the plan to stay connected and consistent.
Agency Activities and Support: We encourage you to make the best decisions for you and your family, stay informed, and continue to follow the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations for preventing the spread of illness. As always, we are here to provide support, help you navigate your match relationship during these unusual times, and offer activities and opportunities to help you keep connected.
- Group In-person Match Activities: BBBSCI staff are increasing the frequency of group match activities. Continue to check the Big App for these opportunities.
- Group Virtual Match Activities: Virtual group activities will also be scheduled to help facilitate interactions with Bigs and Littles alongside other matches. Please check the Big App or ask your Mentoring Relationship Specialist for all offerings.
- Ongoing Support: As always, your Mentoring Relationship Specialist is available should you have any questions or concerns.
Vaccine Information: If you or your loved ones are considering the COVID-19 vaccine, we invite you to watch this video for additional information https://vimeo.com/520142193. Please visit the CDC website for more information on COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens. If you have additional questions, please let us know. We’d be happy to connect you to more information.
BBBSCI will continue to monitor the evolving recommendations and guidelines related to COVID-19. Please stay tuned for ongoing updates and let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you, as always, for your dedication and care for each other.