COVID-19 Update: State & Federal Updates and Resources

Visit Our Website

Donate Now

FVUW Updates

Amid the growing concerns for COVID-19 and the new CDC and government recommendations we have decided to postpone the following events.

Play. Learn. Connect. Event at Kendall County Food Pantry - March 25th

No Small Matter Documentary Screening - April 15th

Week of the Young Child Resource Fair - April 18th

Fox Valley United Way Annual Luncheon - May 15th

We will also be extending our grant application deadline to April 10th, 2020

Fox Valley United Way is dedicated to the communities we serve. We will share up-to-date information on COVID-19 from the local, state and federal level as the virus continues to develop. Let's all Live United, and work together to help all of our local children and families.

State Updates and Resources

FY21 Early Childhood Block Grant RFP Deadline Extended until April 15, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Due to the recent COVID-19 school closures, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is extending the FY21 RFP submission deadline until April 15, 2020. We understand that potential applicants are currently handling other issues in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and may not be able to meet the previous due date of March 23. As a result, all applications are now due via electronic or U.S. mail on April 15, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Submission Dates and Times/Other Submission Requirements:

Proposals can be submitted electronically through the ISBE Attachment Manager or received via U.S. mail no later than April 15, 2020 at 4:00 PM. Late proposals will not be accepted. Directions for each submission method are found below. Only proposals submitted using official ISBE RFP attachments will be considered. Additional documents and attachments will not be evaluated.

Electronic Submission: Completed proposals submitted electronically should be scanned into one PDF with all supporting documents and required signatures. The attachments should be printed, official authorized signatures placed, and scanned as one file before upload. The ISBE Attachment Manager is found at https://sec1.isbe.net/attachmgr/default.aspx . Choose FY21 Early Childhood RFP from the drop down menu in Receiver Information. Submit the application using the button at the bottom of the page.

Mailed Proposals: Mail the original and one USB flash drive to ISBE Early Childhood Division, 100 North First Street, E-225, Springfield, IL 62777 to ensure the NOFO/RFP response is in the ISBE offices no later than April 15, 2020 at 4:00 PM. It is advised to use certified mail with a guaranteed delivery date and a return receipt requested.

Due to the closing of State buildings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ISBE is not able to offer the option of hand delivered applications.

Applicants who already submitted their FY21 ECBG application in response to this RFP may revise, amend and resubmit their applications by the extended submission deadline of April 15, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Proposals received at 4:01 p.m. on April 15, 2020 are considered late and will not be accepted

I SBE has updated its statewide school closure guidance to include Q&A from yesterday’s tele-town halls, today’s Executive Order providing flexibility to Open Meetings Act requirements, and updates regarding early childhood programs and childcare centers: https://www.isbe.net/…/Statewide-School-Closure-Guidance-3-…

ISBE is asking that every school district, special education cooperative, nonpublic school, and Regional Office of Education that administers an alternative learning program all complete the E-learning Technology Needs Survey at www.isbe.net/covid19 , which will help us work with the philanthropic community to meet your technology needs.

The goal of the school closure is for students to stay home. An administrator on site can ensure the safety of any students who happen to come to school, but schools are not expected or equipped to provide childcare during the school closure.

Thank you for your support and your leadership as we navigate these waters together

Guidance for Child Care Centers and Early Education Programs

At this time, the Governor has not mandated that child care centers licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services (or legally license-exempt centers outside of schools) close. However, centers are allowed to close if they so choose. In deciding whether to close, child care center leaders should consider whether they serve many parents who still need to work outside of their homes (e.g., health care workers, first responders, grocery store clerks, etc.) and whose ability to work would be limited if the center closed. If programs do decide to remain open, they are strongly urged to follow the guidance for child care centers provided by the Centers for Disease Control. Resources are available on the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development web site.

We extend our continued gratitude for your work to support our community members during this crisis. We – together – are who others look to in times of challenges. Each day, we are asked to make difficult decisions balancing the best interests of our staff, community members, and those we serve. Last week we sent guidance regarding COVID-19 (the 2019 novel coronavirus) to you and your organization to help you continue to prepare and respond.

Federal Updates and Resources

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Get In Touch

Business Office

44 East Galena Blvd

Aurora, IL 60505

St Charles branch Office

202 W Main St

2nd Floor

St Charles, IL 60174

info@foxvalleyunitedway.org

P: 630.896.4636

F: 630.896.4680