Each day we will share with Ohio Child Care Providers the latest information we have about COVID-19 and give you helpful resources that support you, your program and the families and children in our region as we navigate the days to come. This information is accurate as of 1 p.m. on 3/20/20.
Preparing for Temporary Closure
Child care programs in Ohio continue to operate today but we anticipate further information from Governor DeWine regarding when closure will happen. Here’s a guide to help you close your program temporarily to help control the the spread of COVID-19 after that announcement from the state is made.
As we communicated earlier in the week, ODJFS is implementing emergency action to support programs and help ensure that those who work in the health, safety, and essential service fields during this COVID-19 pandemic have safe, healthy child care options.
The plan includes:
- ODJFS is initiating a temporary licensing application process. This will allow the creation of new temporary child care centers and the transformation of already existing child care centers into Pandemic Child Care Centers for the children of identified health, safety and essential services workers throughout the state. These centers will be guided by the temporary emergency rules released by ODJFS last week.
- Child care centers can voluntarily apply to become licensed as pandemic child care providers.
- Pandemic Child Care Centers will be paid for all essential service staff children.
- If programs are mandated to close, the state is committed to ensuring support of programs with Publicly Funded Child Care agreements by paying these programs during the mandated closure.
If you have additional questions regarding the emergency plan, please contact the ODJFS help line at 1-877-302-2347.
New Resource from Groundwork Ohio
Groundwork Ohio has created a new resource page that includes all the COVID-19 news and updates for providers and families. Over the past week, there have been so many this page will help you find the most recent updates easily.
Upcoming Webinars
Friday, March 20 at 4 p.m.
Want to learn more about small business supports available to you and hear about the latest updates on rules and guidance for child care? If so, sign up for a conversation with Groundwork Ohio, Montgomery County Preschool Promise, Ohio AEYC, the Ohio Association of Child Care Providers and Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association. Click here to register for today’s 4 p.m. webinar.
Monday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Child care providers have been on the front line during this stressful time, continuing to provide quality care to our community’s youngest children. Southwest Ohio AEYC, Ohio AEYC and Groundwork Ohio will host a webinar from 6:30-7:30 p.m. focusing on sharing strategies for supporting your mental health during this time.
The webinar will feature Nefertiti Bruce Poyner, M.Ed. She is a provider of professional learning for the Devereux Center for Resilient Childrenco and coauthor of Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure: 50 Activities to Promote Resilience in Young Children and Building Your Bounce: Simple Strategies for a Resilient You, designed to help child care providers like you build resilience.
Click here to register for the Monday, March 23 6:30 p.m. Webinar.