Child Care Council News and Events
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
January 8th, 2021NYS Child Care Advocacy Tuesdays 2021
December 15th, 2020  Next year, early childhood advocacy will be more necessary than ever to protect New York’s young children and families from budget cuts to programs they depend on – especially those crucial to Black and Brown communities disproportionately harmed by the ongoing pandemic. While the State Capitol may not be open to us, this virtual event will be an opportunity for those who would not normally be able to travel to Albany to make their voices heard. Anyone who believes that New York State should invest in its youngest children is invited to join. Please join us for our 2021 Virtual Early Childhood Advocacy Days! Kickoff and Virtual Press Conference February 2 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Legislative Meetings: February 9 & 16 Agenda and Meeting Information to Come Register Now! Español Space on the kickoff call is limited so register early! It is very important that each attendee registers by January 20th. This will help us schedule meetings and ensure that everyone has the information they need. For group registrations, email Katie as soon as possible. For additional materials, please visit: EmpireStateChildCare.org WinningBeginningNY.org Join us and Share Your Story!  Registration closes Tuesday, January 20 |
Cares 3 Funding Available for Families
October 30th, 2020Access to affordable and safe child care is a barrier for working parents during the best of times, and even more so during a crisis. The CARES Child Care Scholarship will ensure that the children are protected and cared for as they continue to serve the public.
Parent Application:
- English – https://forms.gle/Xj2Ec9AS5wq6rvSu6
- Spanish – https://forms.gle/7AVngbms6kMufNrE8
- Chinese – https://forms.gle/G71i6yeXnH9hGwG86
English Program Information Profile: https://forms.gle/RmVMXXcfZK1vVGCL9
Spanish Program Information Profile: https://forms.gle/4S1zcZodQLJSCH7V7
Chinese Program Information Profile: https://forms.gle/jfeuVSbZUtQFRRQGA
COVID-19 Resource Kit
October 16th, 2020The NYS Department of Health has released their Pre-K-12 COVID-19 toolkit. This will help parents and school staff know how to handle potential illness.
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/10/prek-gr12_toolkit.pdf
CARES 3 Reopening/Restructuring for Remote Learning and Temporary Operating Grant
October 1st, 2020Application
Twenty million dollars is allocated to provide grants for closed child care programs to reopen or restructure under new guidelines for social distancing. This may cover partitions, technology to support remote learning, broadband access, and cleaning and classroom supplies. An additional $28.6 million will provide grants for child day care providers to pay for half of the cost (up to $6,000) to re-open up to three classrooms in an effort to restore pre-pandemic enrollment. Temporary operating funds are phased out in the second and third months as the program’s enrollment increases.
LICENSED AND REGISTERED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS may apply for a Reopening/Restructuring for Remote Learning Grant.
LEGALLY EXEMPT CHILD CARE PROGRAMS may apply for a Reopening/Restructuring for Remote Learning Grant. These programs are ONLY eligible for cleaning and classroom supplies.
Instruction Video
This instructional video provides a step by step walk through of the process for completing the Reopening/Restructuring for Remote Learning and Temporary Operating Grant Applications. This video is for both licensed and registered and legally exempt programs.
For more information, click here.
Welcome Back!
August 11th, 2020Dear providers,
I hope this email finds you well. I would also like to thank you for your commitment and perseverance in the last few months. Child Care Council is happy to announce we are starting to open to the community again. In September we are starting our classes, also we will start to see people in person for appointments. Classes will be scheduled and controlled and appointments will be limited and spaced out to ensure social distancing. I have attached a few guidelines for when you come into the building. Child Care Council will not allow anyone into the building unless they have an appointment and following protocol guidelines. As with all things these guidelines will be modified as things change with the virus. We will keep you posted on any changes.
Child Care Council is determined to get back to seeing each of you. To do this we need to ensure your safety and the safety of our staff.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or at 585-654-4727.
Hope to see you all soon.
Sincerely,
Jeff Pier
Federal CARES Act Funding Available for Child Care Providers
June 26th, 2020Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that $65 million in federal CARES Act funding is available for child care providers statewide through the New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive program.
The funding available includes:
• $20 million to assist childcare program with reopening and expansion of capacity by providing materials to support a more socially distant model, and for supplies and activities associated with reopening and expansion. This may include partitions, short term rental of space, etc.
• $45 million in childcare Reopening and Expansion Incentive funds to pay for 50% of the cost of a newly opened classroom (maximum grant amount of $6,000) as an incentivize to open the classroom. The temporary funds will phase out over the second and third months as more parents bring their children back into childcare.
New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive and Temporary Operating Assistance Applications
- The first attachment (OCFS 5450) is the application for licensed/registered child care programs
- The second attachment (OCFS 5451) is the application for legally exempt programs
- Both of these documents are posted on the OCFS website
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 15, 2020.
Guidance Documents for Child Care
June 10th, 2020The Child Care Council, Inc. would like to share these important guidance documents created and circulated by the Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. If we all do our part and follow these guidelines and safety requirements we will help mitigate the spread of COVID19 and other illnesses and communicable diseases.
“INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY”: Lists recommendations and requirements based on DOH & CDC guidelines. Also includes an AFFIRMATION page you need to sign off on stating you have read and understand the NYS guidance. https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Child_Care_Daycamps_Detailed_Guidelines.pdf
“Reopening New York, Child Care and Day Camp Program Guidelines” – This is a summary page of all of the CDC and DOH guidelines that are Mandatory VS Best Practice. Very easy to read and understand. https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/news/2020/COVID-2020Jun08-Day-Camp-Summary.pdf
“NY FORWARD SAFETY PLAN TEMPLATE” – All programs of every modality are required to complete and fill out a SAFETY PLAN for their program. This does not need to be approved by your local or state registration or licensing agency. However, it needs to be posted in your program. https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/news/2020/COVID-2020Jun08-Guidance-Reopening-Plan-Template.pdf
All programs are also required to post DOH/CDC COVID19 signage around their program space as per the guidance below:
• Responsible Parties must post signs throughout the site, consistent with DOH COVID-19 signage. Responsible Parties can develop their own customized signage specific to their workplace or setting, provided that such signage is consistent with the Department’s signage. Signage should be used to remind individuals to:
o Cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering.
o Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.
o Adhere to physical distancing instructions.
o Report symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19, and how they should do so.
o Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.
o Follow appropriate respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
Here is a link to the CDC website where you can find and print appropriate signage to place around your program space:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/print-resources.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc
Also reminding you that you must keep a “DEEP CLEANING” log to document and record how you are cleaning and disinfecting effectively throughout the course of the day. This should include sanitizing and disinfecting frequently used surfaces and areas such as doorknobs, countertops, play areas, and the bathroom.
OCFS did not come up with these rules, these are EXECUTIVE ORDERS from the GOVERNOR of NY and they must be followed. All providers are required to wear face coverings at all times they are caring for children. Refusal to follow these rules would be placing others at risk and your program out of compliance.
Thank you for your continued efforts and support throughout this challenging time
New York Forward Program Loans Available
June 7th, 2020New York Forward: Child Care Programs with fewer than 20 employees, and who did not receive funds through the Small Business Administration Loan Programs or Paycheck Protection Programs are eligible to apply for a loan through the New York Forward program.
More information and how to apply is available here.
Employer Verification Letters Required for Essential Workers to Obtain Free Child Care Scholarships
June 5th, 2020Essential workers who are eligible for free child care scholarships must get a letter verifying their employment, but that is not happening as quickly as needed.
Child Care Council Inc., a nonprofit administering the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Child Care Scholarships in Monroe, Livingston and Wayne counties, called on area employers to return the signed letters as soon as possible, to expedite the process. The pre-written letter requires an employer to simply fill in their company name, employee name, signature and date.
The Council uses the signed verification letter and other information to establish that an individual is an essential employee. Council staff also works with applicants to help identify a participating child care program or with their current registered or licensed child care provider. Eligible essential employees can apply for a scholarship by contacting Child Care Council at [email protected] or (585) 654-4720.
“During this health crisis, essential employees are doing a tremendous service to our community and often times putting their lives at risk,” said Barbara-Ann Mattle, CEO, Child Care Council Inc. “The CARES Child Care Scholarship will ensure that their children are cared for while they are at work. We just need employers to sign and return a brief letter to verify their employment.”
To qualify, families of eligible workers must have an adjusted gross income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, which amounts to an annual income of $78,600 for a family of four. New York state is using a portion of federal CARES Act funding to provide free child care for eligible essential workers.
