Updates from PennAEYC
Dear early care and education supporters,

Below is an important announcement from Governor Wolf, the Department of Human Services and OCDEL regarding the second round of funding for child care providers from the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) CARES Act dollars. There are also links to several OCDEL updates on guidance and protocols associated with the pandemic.

New information about the virus comes in routinely and the Departments of Health, Human Services and Education will continue to adjust their guidance accordingly. Programs should pay attention to the dates on guidance, monitor the certification listserv and reach out to their certification representative with questions.

We have also included details on small business loan and the Paycheck Protection Program opportunities.

Be healthy and safe,
The PennAEYC Team
Governor Wolf Announces Release of $53 Million to Support Child Care

On July 6, 2020,  Governor Wolf announced  $53 million in additional support for Pennsylvania child care providers as a result of COVID-19.

“This funding will help child care providers bridge the gap until their clientele returns,” Gov. Wolf said. “It will also help them with any increased costs that have been incurred due to the pandemic – things like cleaning and sanitization, which will help keep the 386,000 children who attend our licensed child care facilities safe, as well as the workers who do so much to care for them.”

In June, the Wolf Administration distributed $51 million in CCDBG CARES Act funds to eligible child care providers. The $53 million announced today is the remaining funding from this source and will be distributed this month. Another $116 million (that your advocacy helped secure!) in federal funds will be distributed in the coming months, bringing the total sum of financial support to $220 million.

By the end of July 2020, all child care providers who have a provisional or full Certificate of Compliance* and intend to operate in program year 2020-21 can anticipate receiving a second CCDBG CARES Act payment. Payments for July 2020, round 2 payments  will be based on the chart   in this link . *Payment will not be issued to providers who are currently in a Refuse to Renew or Revocation status for their child care Certificate of Compliance. For additional details,  please see the press release .
Announcement C-20-06 REVISED Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
 
OCDEL released the  Announcement: C-20-06 REVISED, Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities operating during the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic . This guidance covers policies and procedures providers should implement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides certified child care facilities with guidance on how to handle a positive COVID-19 case or exposure to a positive COVID-19 case in child care facilities.   This revised version of C-20-06 includes updated information related to face coverings and corrections to text in the original announcement. These updates and corrections are provided in red text within the document. 

Child care facilities that continue to remain open or that are preparing to reopen should follow the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). The guidance details the steps providers are recommended to follow in order to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on child care facilities. OCDEL developed this guidance based on recommendations from the CDC and DOH and it is subject to change. Health and safety guidance for child care facilities during COVID-19 is outlined in this document.

Topics addressed in this guidance include:
  1. Reopening
  2. Transmission and Symptoms of COVID-19
  3. Practices, Policies, and Procedures for Consideration
  4. Social Distancing in the Child Care Setting
  5. Face Masks
  6. Dealing with confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and exposure to COVID-19
  7. Reporting
  8. Additional Resources
COVID-19 Relief PA Statewide Small Business Assistance Program Grant: Application Deadline is 11:59pm on July 14 th
 
Grant awards will be between $5,000 and $50,000, and program priorities include:
  • Historically disadvantaged businesses
  • Low-and-moderate income business owners
  • Rural businesses
  • Retail, food and hospitality, health and wellness, personal care, child care and adult day care centers industry sectors
  • Businesses impacted the most based on gross revenue losses
  • Women-owned businesses
  • Designated revitalization programs, i.e. Main Street, Trail Town Program™, Pittsburgh Neighborhood Districts. PA Wilds™
 
Click Here  to submit an application.
Paycheck Protection Program has reopened

The Paycheck Protection Program resumed accepting applications July 6, 2020, at 9:00 AM EDT in response to the President signing the program's extension legislation. The new deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8, 2020. 

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.  Click here  to read more about PPP loan forgiveness. Click here for full details on the PPP Loans.
Non-contact Infrared Thermometers Available

The Pennsylvania Key, on behalf of OCDEL, has acquired non-contact infrared thermometers to distribute to child care providers operating during the Stay at Home Order issued by Governor Wolf, beginning in March 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The non-contact infrared thermometers require two, AAA batteries to operate. Batteries are not included.

Child care programs can request a thermometer at no cost by sending an email to  c19support@ksrc.biz . Please include the child care facility name; the director/owner's name; facility mailing address, including city, state and ZIP Code; and daytime phone number.

To ensure as many programs as possible receive them, please do not request a thermometer if a program already has a non-contact thermometer and does not need one. Supplies are limited and will be filled in order of request.
Fire Safety Training for Child Care Centers May be Obtained Online During the COVID-19 Pandemic  

OCDEL released the revised  Announcement C-20-07, Fire Safety Training for Child Care Centers may be obtained online during the COVID-19 Pandemic . This document is being updated to reflect the removal of Better Kid Care. The content is only available on the PD Registry.

In the event providers and staff cannot schedule in person fire safety training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OCDEL is temporarily allowing an online fire safety training that meets the fire safety regulations 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(e)(4)(ii) and §3270.4. OCDEL has approved the online fire safety course, which is called  DHS Fire Safety Training . This training course will be deemed acceptable up until 30 days after the Disaster Proclamation is lifted or such other time as the Department directs.

Providers and staff may access the fire safety training through the  PD Registr y  and searching for  DHS Fire Safety Training .

Phone: (717) 635-9026
Toll Free: 888.272.9267
415 Market St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101