COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Blossom is committed to:
- Our staff and independent instructors - We will continue to pay the full rate for as long as we can.
- Nurturing and fostering community for childbirth educators, supplemental service providers and perinatal families through online classes and groups.
- Providing timely resources and information specific to families who are pregnant and/or are in the early postpartum period.
Would you like to know about how COVID-19 is effecting Blossom? We hope these responses will assure you that your concerns are being addressed:
1. I registered for an in-person childbirth and parent education class but now it's online, why isn’t it being offered at a discounted rate?
We are all dedicated to preserving your access to education and support but have the dilemma of requiring social distancing. Blossom must conduct business in a way that adheres to state regulations for the safety of all, therefore our classes are now live online.
In the past 2 weeks, every instructor who teaches at Blossom was called to reorganize their class curriculum so that they can now teach online. Our instructors quickly adapted to learn new tools themselves and devoted large amounts of personal time to accommodate the shift to online learning. They have transferred their knowledge into new videos, downloads, PowerPoint presentations, and other methods to help you navigate pregnancy and parenting. You will still be able to talk with your instructor and ask questions during the zoom session, where these new materials will be delivered.
We value everyone in our community, including our instructors who are our partners, without whom we cannot operate. We wish for them to continue to stay in business and therefore we’re keeping our prices intact for these classes. In doing so, Blossom hopes to sustain its services for your pregnancy and postnatal needs in the months to come.
2. What is the difference between the live online classes and the e-Classes?
Our live online classes are hosted by an instructor via the Zoom platform and other students will be in attendance with you. Therefore, they are interactive. The course curricula are unique to each instructor and are tailored to best suit the needs of the classroom.
Our e-Classes are produced by Injoy Health Education and can be purchased from Blossom via PayPal. After your payment is received a Blossom staff member will provide you a link to access the e-Class online. The curriculum is 100% self-study and you will have 90 days of access to the materials which includes videos, quizzes and other types of interactive learning. Each student will receive a Certification of Completion at the end of each course.
3. How do I access my online class? When do I receive the Zoom link for my class?
Class instructors will email Zoom links to all registered students 10-15 minutes before the class begins. Before you can take the class, you must first download the Zoom app to your device - it is easy and free! To learn more about the Zoom platform you can follow these links: Join a Zoom Meeting and Joining & Configuring Audio & Video. Issues receiving your link? Please be sure to check your spam folder.
4. A class I was registered for is now cancelled. Why wasn't it offered online?
Some childbirth and parent education classes could not be altered to an online learning format due to the high-touch nature of the class content, for example, Infant Massage. We apologize for any inconvenience that this causes and we’re happy to refer you to another program offered at Blossom that might be similar or a suitable replacement. Please email blossom@blossombirthandfamily.org or call (650) 321-2326 for help.
5. When will in-person classes resume at Blossom Birth and Family?
Blossom is planning to keep all services, groups and classes online until Thursday, April 30th. We are prepared to continue our services online until the COVID-19 virus is contained however long that may take. Please be sure to check our website for further updates to our programs and offerings over the next few months to stay current with any changes.
6. Why are the drop-in online groups and yoga classes discounted?
Blossom offers drop-in classes for yoga and groups covering topics such as pregnancy, birth and postpartum support. Yoga and groups are fundamental in community wellness routines and self-care for both body and mind.
These drop-in classes were originally created because moms and families don’t know when they are needed - the need can often appear suddenly or unexpectedly. In the current health environment, Blossom understands that these needs will become increasingly more pervasive and we expect a sharp rise in the popularity of these classes. We considered the financial impact to our customers and therefore reduced the price.
We’re proud to say that most groups and yoga classes are now operating online in real-time via Zoom! We want to encourage their use to help everyone in our community keep their minds, bodies and spirits strong as we navigate these constant changes that affect our health and wellbeing.
7. I have an 8-class pass or an unlimited class pass, why can't I use it for the online groups and yoga classes?
With this current pricing, our passes no longer offer a discounted rate so we will be glad to place your pass on hold until we resume in-person sessions. Please contact us and we can adjust the expiration date accordingly, once we re-open in person.
Contact us at blossom@blossombirthandfamily.org or call (650) 321-2326
8. What is your refund policy?
Here is a link to the Refund Policy 2021. Blossom is a community resource that is needed now more than ever. We have stepped up our ability to provide support in the coming weeks and months. The board and executive staff are committed to keeping our obligations and fairly compensating the staff and maintaining the agreed payments with the independent instructors who provide services. We will take a financial hit in the weeks and months ahead as the full spectrum of services Blossom provides and supports have been closed down or modified. We stand to lose up to 30 % of our annual revenue, funds that we count on to provide the comprehensive and personalized education and support services to expectant and new families in the Bay Area.
9. How can I help?
Here’s a link to our donation page. Every parent deserves to be supported in their pregnancy and parenting journey. Many families and businesses are being strained financially. If you are in a position to give, please consider giving generously to help us continue to fulfill the mission. Your contribution, no matter how small will help us meet our financial obligations this year.
We are all dedicated to preserving your access to education and support but have the dilemma of requiring social distancing. Blossom must conduct business in a way that adheres to state regulations for the safety of all, therefore our classes are now live online.
In the past 2 weeks, every instructor who teaches at Blossom was called to reorganize their class curriculum so that they can now teach online. Our instructors quickly adapted to learn new tools themselves and devoted large amounts of personal time to accommodate the shift to online learning. They have transferred their knowledge into new videos, downloads, PowerPoint presentations, and other methods to help you navigate pregnancy and parenting. You will still be able to talk with your instructor and ask questions during the zoom session, where these new materials will be delivered.
We value everyone in our community, including our instructors who are our partners, without whom we cannot operate. We wish for them to continue to stay in business and therefore we’re keeping our prices intact for these classes. In doing so, Blossom hopes to sustain its services for your pregnancy and postnatal needs in the months to come.
2. What is the difference between the live online classes and the e-Classes?
Our live online classes are hosted by an instructor via the Zoom platform and other students will be in attendance with you. Therefore, they are interactive. The course curricula are unique to each instructor and are tailored to best suit the needs of the classroom.
Our e-Classes are produced by Injoy Health Education and can be purchased from Blossom via PayPal. After your payment is received a Blossom staff member will provide you a link to access the e-Class online. The curriculum is 100% self-study and you will have 90 days of access to the materials which includes videos, quizzes and other types of interactive learning. Each student will receive a Certification of Completion at the end of each course.
3. How do I access my online class? When do I receive the Zoom link for my class?
Class instructors will email Zoom links to all registered students 10-15 minutes before the class begins. Before you can take the class, you must first download the Zoom app to your device - it is easy and free! To learn more about the Zoom platform you can follow these links: Join a Zoom Meeting and Joining & Configuring Audio & Video. Issues receiving your link? Please be sure to check your spam folder.
4. A class I was registered for is now cancelled. Why wasn't it offered online?
Some childbirth and parent education classes could not be altered to an online learning format due to the high-touch nature of the class content, for example, Infant Massage. We apologize for any inconvenience that this causes and we’re happy to refer you to another program offered at Blossom that might be similar or a suitable replacement. Please email blossom@blossombirthandfamily.org or call (650) 321-2326 for help.
5. When will in-person classes resume at Blossom Birth and Family?
Blossom is planning to keep all services, groups and classes online until Thursday, April 30th. We are prepared to continue our services online until the COVID-19 virus is contained however long that may take. Please be sure to check our website for further updates to our programs and offerings over the next few months to stay current with any changes.
6. Why are the drop-in online groups and yoga classes discounted?
Blossom offers drop-in classes for yoga and groups covering topics such as pregnancy, birth and postpartum support. Yoga and groups are fundamental in community wellness routines and self-care for both body and mind.
These drop-in classes were originally created because moms and families don’t know when they are needed - the need can often appear suddenly or unexpectedly. In the current health environment, Blossom understands that these needs will become increasingly more pervasive and we expect a sharp rise in the popularity of these classes. We considered the financial impact to our customers and therefore reduced the price.
We’re proud to say that most groups and yoga classes are now operating online in real-time via Zoom! We want to encourage their use to help everyone in our community keep their minds, bodies and spirits strong as we navigate these constant changes that affect our health and wellbeing.
7. I have an 8-class pass or an unlimited class pass, why can't I use it for the online groups and yoga classes?
With this current pricing, our passes no longer offer a discounted rate so we will be glad to place your pass on hold until we resume in-person sessions. Please contact us and we can adjust the expiration date accordingly, once we re-open in person.
Contact us at blossom@blossombirthandfamily.org or call (650) 321-2326
8. What is your refund policy?
Here is a link to the Refund Policy 2021. Blossom is a community resource that is needed now more than ever. We have stepped up our ability to provide support in the coming weeks and months. The board and executive staff are committed to keeping our obligations and fairly compensating the staff and maintaining the agreed payments with the independent instructors who provide services. We will take a financial hit in the weeks and months ahead as the full spectrum of services Blossom provides and supports have been closed down or modified. We stand to lose up to 30 % of our annual revenue, funds that we count on to provide the comprehensive and personalized education and support services to expectant and new families in the Bay Area.
9. How can I help?
Here’s a link to our donation page. Every parent deserves to be supported in their pregnancy and parenting journey. Many families and businesses are being strained financially. If you are in a position to give, please consider giving generously to help us continue to fulfill the mission. Your contribution, no matter how small will help us meet our financial obligations this year.
