COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is CYW doing to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Per the order made by 6 Bay Area Counties (Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties and the City of Berkeley) on Monday, March 17th, CYW and its staff closed our offices and began resuming operations remotely.

The order went into effect on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and is currently set to last for 3 weeks through Tuesday, April 7, 2020. In the meantime, we’ll await further instruction from our local public health department and determine whether we’ll be able to reopen on or after April 7th.

CYW remains committed to the health and wellness of our providers, staff, and patients and will enact further safety protocols as needed.

2. Is the CYW behavioral health clinic closing?

As the COVID-19 emergency continues, our focus at CYW is on the safety, health and well-being of our clients, staff and community.

Due to the serious risks of COVID-19 infection and government-mandated “shelter in place” measures, we have suspended our in-person office operations.

But we will continue to offer support services through telephone and other communication tools. If you are a CYW client, someone from our clinical team will be in touch with you shortly to coordinate.

During this time, our sister clinic Bayview Child Health Center is providing telehealth, virtual medical visits, COVID-19 testing (for those who meet necessary criteria), & in-person acute medical visits to existing patients. Call them at 415-697-0500 to schedule an appointment.

3. What if I need to speak to a counselor?

CYW clients: CYW will continue to provide therapeutic sessions for our current clients and is currently reaching out to our families to find ways to support them during this time of crisis. Our hope is to continue this support to other non-CYW families in a way that is meaningful for our community. Please stay tuned.
General public: If you are not a client of CYW’s and are still in need of speaking to a counselor, below are a few resources we recommend:

• Safe & Sound talkline for parents: 415‑441‑KIDS (5437)

• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUS to 66746

• American Psychological Association toll free number for state or local referral services: 1-800-964-2000

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

• Friendshipline 24/7 Senior Support Line: 1-800-971-0016

4. What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

CYW is not a medical clinic and cannot provide medical advice, however, the current recommendation from the CDC is to take care of your symptoms and to contact your health care provider or dial 911 if you are experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing and/or sustained fever. For more guidance on what to do if you are sick, click here.

5. How can I stay informed?

For CYW updates, you can subscribe to our mailing list by scrolling to the bottom right hand side of this page and entering your email address into the form.

• For updates from the California Department of Public Health, click here.

• For updates from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, click here.

• For updates from the Centers for Disease Control, click here.

6. What can I do to stay healthy?

As recommended by the California Department of Public Health and public health organizations around the country, we recommend the following measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to stay healthy:

• Wash your hands

• Cover coughs and sneezes

• Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

• Social distancing – avoid close contact with others, especially those who may be sick

• Stay home – if you are experiencing mild symptoms like a cough or fever, stay home

• Get help – if your symptoms become more severe, such as sustained fever and/or respiratory distress, call your healthcare provider or dial 911.

Click on the Infographic below to view and download.