LTWLA staff will interact with student via live video sessions, individual and group phone calls, messages, in-person visits and other means. No LTWLA staff or LTWLA partner assumes responsibility for supervision and care of your child during the program. No LTWLA staff member may orally waive this prohibition. This is a significant difference from the caretaker relationship inherent in our in-person programs and programs of prior years.
While Ohio does not have a law regarding the minimum age a child may stay home alone, Lead the Way recognizes advice of leading experts, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, indicating that children 12 and under should be consistently supervised by a responsible caregiver. As the parent or legal guardian, you remain responsible for supervision of your child at all times during his or her participation in the program regardless of location.
The program uses virtual online platforms to provide content and communicate with your child. Primary platforms include Zoom, Facebook, Instagram, Google Hangouts, House Party, and Kahoots (others platforms may be used in the future). Any online platform has risks for a child. While LTWLA continually investigates best practices and takes steps to protect each participant, parents and guardians must retain primary responsibility for protecting their child while online during program activities. Security features of online platforms change regularly and best practices continue to emerge during this unprecedented time.
Devices loaned by LTWLA for the program allow for full internet access. The devices do not have built-in safeguards that prevent children from using it for inappropriate or dangerous purposes. Each parent or guardian who accepts a loaned tablet should have a plan for monitoring its use and preventing inappropriate use.