Hello Donna,
I thought it might help to share my experience when looking for support with a non-functional portal. I called the NAEYC support line starting last spring when the issue emerged and I could not file our annual report and many times this fall when I understood that we might lose our accreditation and our portal still wasn’t working. I used an online (but old) form, which was not accepted. I finally found a work-around through the AFP and their contacts. But, the point is that the phone line, after bouncing me from extension to extension, would always end with the same announcement, that the NAEYC was working remotely and unavailable until January. There was no way to leave a voicemail. No one responded to my calls.
While many of us worked remotely during last spring, we ensured that communication was consistently possible (through phone and direct email contacts) with our families. It was unthinkable to ‘go dark’. I think the suggestion that is being made, given that voicemail and return communication has not been available through the published support lines, is that an alternative system that allows you to respond to questions and program needs during these challenging times should be a top priority.
Thank you,
Kathy Stewart
Original Message:
Sent: 11/11/2020 2:19:00 PM
From: Donna E. Davis
Subject: RE: NAEYC Staff Working Remotely
Good Afternoon Ms. King,
Thank you for your message regarding our current phone system and the possible utilization of Google Voice. We appreciate your input.
At this time while we are working remotely, calls into our office are being routed into our voicemail system. These voicemails are then converted to date stamped tickets. These tickets are distributed among our Customer Care Team and the voicemails along with our email tickets are responded to in the order in which they are received. We do our best to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner. I assure you that we will implement live calling again once we are able to successfully do so.
Thanks again.
Donna
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Donna Davis
Customer Care Team Manager
NAEYC
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2020 10:29 AM
From: Donna King
Subject: NAEYC Staff Working Remotely
Thank you! I wonder if the association has considered using Googe Voice as an alternative to office phones. I have done this and have found it a nice way to still take calls but not have to use my personal cell number. Just a thought. :) A live voice can be quicker sometimes. :)
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Donna King
Professor of Human Development
Irvine Valley College
Anaheim CA
Original Message:
Sent: 08-19-2020 09:54 AM
From: Shantiea Dean
Subject: NAEYC Staff Working Remotely
Due to the impact of COVID-19, NAEYC staff are currently working remotely. During this time, we will not have access to live telephone calling. Therefore, we ask that you email us at: info@naeyc.org.
We are currently experiencing high volumes of inquiries. Therefore, there may be delays in our response times. However, we will be responding to your messages in the order in which they are received. We are doing our best to respond to all messages as soon as possible.
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Shantiea Dean
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Largo MD
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