North Idaho College trustees accept mask mandate, COVID-19 vaccine requirement for Head Start progra

To keep its Head Start program running, North Idaho College has instituted a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for staff and volunteers of the program, along with a mask mandate for all involved in it.

The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to establish the restrictions to comply with federal standards, which are necessary for the college’s Head Start program to continue. Head Start provides comprehensive preschool, health and family services to eligible children and families.

North Idaho College received upward of $3.3 million in federal funding this year to host Head Start program activities for around 280 students in Kootenai, Boundary, Bonner, Benewah and Shoshone counties.

College officials said new Head Start performance standards, however, now include a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for staff, contractors and volunteers, as well as a mask mandate for all involved individuals aged 2 and older.

Read more: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/dec/16/north-idaho-college-trustees-set-mask-mandate-covi/