Happening Thursday: Final-form Rulemaking: 14-545. Subsidized Child Care Eligibility Regulations

In regards to the Department’s final-form rulemaking, 14-545, Subsidized Child Care Eligibility, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has scheduled its meeting to consider the final-form rulemaking for Thursday, May 18, 2023, beginning at 10 AM, as listed in its Public Meeting Agenda, which can be viewed at this link. Please note, the IRRC will have a link to view the hearing on its website, which can be viewed here. 

For a list of some FAQs, please click here.

Deadline Friday: Environmental Health Understanding and Training Survey

The Healthy Childcare Partnership is a group of statewide organizations involved in childcare formed in 2022 (under the EPA Children’s Healthy Learning Environments in Low Income and Minority Communities Across Philadelphia -Cooperative Agreement -GRANT NUMBER (FAIN): 96392901); who are investigating pathways for more awareness, understanding, and training about environmental hazards and how they impact kids and staff. 

To pinpoint areas of focus, the Partnership has created a Childcare Programs Environmental Health Survey. Providers should compete the survey by Friday, May 19, 2023, so the Healthy Childcare Partnership can respond directly to interests and needs for training and policies which will keep children and staff safe and healthy in and outside of childcare spaces.

Device to Eliminate Pathogens in Child Care Facilities

The Department of Health (DOH) is currently evaluating devices that can eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold and other pathogens from air and surfaces, simultaneously. The devices could be stand alone or wall mounted, utilize a standard outlet for power, and would come with two years of supplies that may be needed to run the device. If funding is approved, DOH would purchase and distribute the devices free of charge to small businesses, non-profit entities, childcare and other facilities throughout the Commonwealth to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, flu, and other diseases. If you are interested in receiving a device that could greatly reduce viruses, bacteria, mold and other pathogens in your facility, please complete this application. Read more.

Message About Ending COVID Reporting

Shortly after the start of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 (PHE), the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), required all licensed child care operators to submit information on children and staff who tested positive for COVID-19 on the Licensed Facility COVID Data Collection Tool. 

On May 11, 2023, OCDEL ended this reporting requirement and closed the portal, to align with the end of the PHE. Child care operators and facility persons are still required to report any reportable communicable disease to the Department of Health (DOH), 1-877-PA-HEALTH or 1-877-724-3258, or their respective local health department. Learn more.

Renewing Medicaid and CHIP Coverage

Pennsylvanians throughout the state may get information in the mail about renewing their Medicaid or CHIP coverage. If they and/or their children get health coverage through the state, they must complete a renewal every year. If this renewal is not completed, they and/or their children could lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

When this packet arrives, they must complete and return it by the date printed on the packet. They can send it in by mail or deliver it in-person at any local County Assistance Office. They can also complete the renewal by phone at 1-866-550-4355 or online at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS.

Certified Child Care Providers: Deadline Extended to Order Two Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The deadline for Pennsylvania certified child care providers to order one or two Carbon Monoxide Detectors has been extended until June 30, 2023. 

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is making these detectors available to certified child care providers, but the ordering and placement of detectors is not a regulatory requirement. Certified child care providers should have received an email from School Health on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, with directions. See the original release for more details.