The upcoming closure of child care programs as ordered by Governor DeWine will take place beginning this Thursday, March 26 through at least Thursday, April 30. As you know, child care for essential workers will be provided through new Pandemic Child Care Programs. A guidance document is now available that defines essential workers.
If You Are Closing Your Program Temporarily
You’ll need to access the TAP system, and through the drop down you will need to bill for Pandemic Days beginning Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week for the PFCC children in your care. As a reminder, programs have access to 21 of these Pandemic Days.Here’s a guide to help you think through steps to close your program temporarily and that addresses families, staff and financial needs.
If You Want to Open a Pandemic Child Care Program
You can help ensure that child care is provided to essential workers during this extraordinary time by applying to serve as a Pandemic Child Care Program.
- Centers can apply through a temporary licensing application process. This will allow the creation of new temporary child care programs and the transformation of already existing child care programs into Pandemic Child Care Programs.
- All child care providers can voluntarily apply to become licensed as pandemic child care programs. If you have already applied, there is no need to reapply.
- Pandemic Child Care Programs will be paid for all Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) children in their care at the 5-star rate.
- All essential service staff that do not qualify for PFCC will be private pay.
Click here for additional information from ODJFS. Questions can be directed to the ODJFS help line at 1-877-302-2347.
Removal from the Pandemic Child Care List
If you have been approved as a Pandemic Child Care Program and you wish to not provide pandemic care, email a request to ODJFS.
Coaching Support from 4C for Children
Please reach out to your 4C for Children coach if you need additional support. If you don’t currently have a coach, please contact us.