September 4, 2020
Dear SR and VPK Providers:
This is an update on reimbursements for the September service period for both SR and VPK providers along with information on new grant opportunities to support your centers/programs. This continues our efforts to help financially support your day-to-day operations, including paying teachers’ wages or incentives to retain your work force.
SR Providers Open in September
1. For the September Service Period, SR Providers will continue to be reimbursed based on enrollment rather than attendance which includes intermittent closures due to COVID-19.
2. For September, no parent copayments should be collected.
School-Year VPK Providers Open in September
1. School-Year VPK Providers will be reimbursed for the September Service Period based on enrollment after the students’ first day of attendance and for intermittent closures due to COVID-19.
Phase III CARES Act Grants Available from Your Coalition
The Office of Early Learning, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Education, is directing Florida allocations from the CARES Act to SR and VPK providers that were not eligible for Phase I or II grants. Phase III grants will support the 3,137 SR and VPK providers, including CLASS exempt contracted private providers and public/charter school providers that were closed on April 30, 2020, and reopened by August 31, 2020, consistent with local ordinances or restrictions. Allocations are based on Enhanced Field System Modernization (EFS Mod) data, with the exception that funding for public/charter school providers is based on number of SR and VPK children served, not DCF capacity.
Guidance for Child Care Providers
Updated guidance from the Department of Health is available here. Additional information from the Department of Children and Families is available here. We continue to strongly recommend SR and VPK providers adhere to this guidance.
The Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning are committed to providing up-to-date information and guidance to our early learning community to address concerns of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of our children, families, providers and their staff continue to be of utmost importance.
