An update from the Director of the Kentucky Division of Child Care on March 18, 2020:
Due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, Kentucky is ordering licensed, certified, and registered child care programs shutdown by close of business on Friday, March 20, 2020, until further notice. This includes all child care centers and family child care homes. All Kentucky All STARS rating visits and DRCC annual licensing visits are canceled until further notice. This is on the advisement of Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department for Public Health in response to protecting Kentuckians from exposure to the coronavirus.
The Kentucky Division of Child Care (DCC) has asked the national Office of Child Care for an amendment to our state plan to allow Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding for CCAP-eligible families based on enrollment and NOT on attendance. This request would last through the State of Emergency and be in place regardless if a center is open or closed. DCC has also asked for an amendment for the Division to cover the cost of parent co-payments during the State of Emergency to ensure financial security for centers and for families.
For hospitals, health facilities, and large employers, guidance on limited duration child care programs is being issued by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Division of Regulated Child Care. This guidance will be available online through the Office of Inspector General’s website and the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s COVID-19 website: www.kycovid19.ky.gov. If the children enrolled in the limited duration child care programs receive CCAP assistance, please ensure the Department for Community Based Services-Division of Child Care (502-564-2524) is advised to extend payment to the limited duration child care program.
If you are a child care center or early care provider that typically provides meals, formula, and/or diapers to children, we encourage you to make arrangements to still provide these to the extent possible. Contact your liaison to the Child and Adult Care Food Program for guidance on this matter. We encourage a drive-through style distribution at the center site or delivery to a child’s home to avoid any possible congregation of people in one confined area and spread of COVID-19.
There has been some misinformation during this chaotic time. We encourage all child care providers to seek information from the Kentucky COVID-19 website: www.kycovid19.ky.gov, from the Division of Regulated Child Care, and from the Division of Child Care in order to alleviate additional confusion.
Sarah Taylor Vanover, Ed.D.
Director
Division of Child Care
Department of Community Based Services
275 East Main Street, 3C-F
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-2524