Rethinking Essential Services in the Wake of the COVID-19 Health Crisis

Mann et al. (2020) turned their ABA clinic into free daytime childcare for essential workers.

They kept the doors open 14 hours a day and used the same staff in new roles.

No client data were collected; the paper simply tells how they did it.

The clinic stayed open and served families who had to work during lockdown.

Staff worked longer shifts but kept their jobs while regular ABA was paused.

Bergmann et al. (2021) show the opposite move: taking ABA fully online with Zoom.

Rodriguez (2020) also chose telehealth, giving a quick guide to keep treatment intact. on screen.

These papers seem to clash—one goes offline, the others go digital—but both answers fit different families: some need in-person care, others need remote.

Jimenez-Gomez et al. (2021) warn that remote staff burn out faster, so Mann’s in-person pivot may have protected staff wellbeing too.

You now have two proven crisis plans: flip your clinic into extended childcare or move sessions to Zoom.

Pick the option that matches parent jobs, staff safety, and local rules.

Write both into your emergency manual today so you can act overnight.