Health Resources for Schools

As schools navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Minnesota is working to provide as many resources and supports as possible.

The Minnesota Departments of Education and Health are working hard to keep schools updated on critical COVID-19 information. Weekly superintendent and charter leader calls and clear guidance documents, updated often, help us provide global support. Localized support provided by the regional support teams allows us to react quickly when individual district or school needs arise.
 
Minnesota Department of Health Resources
   

COVID-19 Vaccines for School Staff

Minnesota is piloting a community COVID-19 vaccine program, partnering with local public health and school districts, to place nine pilot sites across the state. These nine pilot sites will initially serve adults 65 years of age or older and prekindergarten through grade 12 educators, school staff and child care workers.  

Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector Overview for School Staff

Questions and Answers: COVID-19 Vaccines for School and Child Care Staff

 

Regional Support Teams

The Regional Support Teams are a partnership between local public health officials, MDE, MDH and regional service cooperatives to support school districts and charter schools in navigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020-21 school year

Regional Support Teams are structured in a way that allows efficient communication from the school and district level to the state level in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a school building. The Regional Support Teams are made up of rapid response staff, health consultants and testing event planners.

Rapid Response

  • State lead to direct and oversee response to districts and schools:
    • Coordination across state supports and regional service cooperatives.
    • Works with State Testing Workgroup, oversees school testing event team.
       3-4 school testing staff who help execute events when local communities need support
  • Leads from regional service cooperatives (9):
    • Main point of contact for school districts and charter schools in region.
    • Shares updates and information between school districts/charter schools and local public health officials, MDH, MDE and other state partners.
    • Supports schools in completing contact tracing surveys.
    • Facilitates connections with local public health officials, MDH, MDE, and other state partners as needed.

Health Consultant

  • MDH epidemiologists, assigned by region and paired with regional service cooperatives and local public health officials
  • Connect with regional supports to help respond to health and epidemiology questions
  • Supports state reporting and trends on COVID-19 and implications for schools
  • Supports local and state health officials in tracking cases, testing events, and school closures

 

Saliva Tests for School Staff and Students

Staff Testing

As of January 4, 2021, all public schools providing in-person or hybrid learning must offer on-site testing to all staff that interact with students. This includes teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, support staff, nutrition staff, bus drivers and more. The state of Minnesota is providing training and saliva test kits so that schools can conduct this testing. Training and supplies are also available to nonpublic and tribal schools operating in-person or hybrid learning who wish to test their staff.

Questions and Answers: COVID-19 Saliva Testing for Minnesota School Staff

Student Testing

In response to a rise in COVID-19 cases, especially among younger Minnesotans, all middle and high schools are strongly encouraged to offer COVID-19 testing options for students.

Questions and Answers: COVID-19 Testing for Middle and High School Students