about L2R
We make school-based testing for COVID-19 easy.
Our story
When the pandemic hit, schools needed solutions fast. We had to find a way to reopen schools while protecting kids from a virus we knew little about. When testing technologies became available, Learn to Return was created in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health as a state-wide solution for school-based testing, one of the first of its kind.
We started with a pilot of 13 school districts and built the program in collaboration with school leaders and staff. Now we have programs in every district in the state, with over 580 schools enrolled. Our centralized model streamlines inventory management and makes implementation of testing programs as easy as possible for Washington schools.
Together, we have helped Washington state minimize outbreaks and closures in K-12 schools throughout the pandemic and are equipping them to combat future peaks in transmission and potential disruptions to school (and community) life.
Vision
We want all public, private, and tribal schools to be free of COVID-19 outbreaks and interruptions to school life.
Partners
This program would not be possible without the strong partnership between the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD), and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
We work in close partnership with DOH, OSPI, and AESD to bring free, school-based testing to more than 500 schools in Washington, including private, charter, and tribal schools.
Services
School staff work hard everyday to protect and teach kids. We work hard to support school leaders at the district and building-level so that testing for COVID-19 is a lighter lift. Our services include:
Free testing
Free, low barrier access to a range of COVID-19 testing technologies and support services
Labor Support
Access to labor partners to help staff COVID-19 testing programs
Regional Support
Partnership and support from all 9 Educational Service Districts for continued coordination.
technical assistance
On-demand technical assistance to support schools with testing implementation and maintenance
Financial Support
Access to funds to hire or reimburse school staff who support COVID-19 testing
Communications on State Guidance
Regular updates to keep schools informed of guidance and available testing support.
Equity
Every student, staff member, and volunteer deserves high quality COVID-19 testing free-of-charge regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status and other diverse backgrounds.
We believe that schools can help equalize access to testing and other pandemic services for all the communities they serve. We strive to offer services that reach diverse audiences, and work with community-based organizations to bring testing and vaccinations to marginalized populations.
Learn how our Impact Fund is reaching socially vulnerable populations in Washington.
Future
The pandemic is not over, and it will take school-based testing and other safety strategies to limit outbreaks and school closures moving forward. We are working to introduce new innovative testing technologies, ensure access to testing and vaccination for marginalized populations, and create stronger networks for school testing staff throughout Washington state.
We’d love to hear from you. to start a conversation.
Learn to Return is a service of Health Commons Project, a Washington-based non-profit that closes health equity gaps in underinvested communities. Learn to Return is funded by a CDC grant administered by the Washington State Department of Health.
