EARLY CHILDHOOD COVID-19 RESOURCES
New Resources Now Available for Child Care Providers
Child care providers are a critical component to keeping Iowa’s economy up and running. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they have struggled to keep their doors open and have had trouble getting the necessary cleaning supplies to keep the children in their care safe.
Through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Iowa has received $39.1 million to help these providers. The Iowa Department of Human Resources (DHS), the agency responsible for distributing the funds, released a plan last week detailing how the money will be used. Here are the key points of the plan:
- Provide a monthly stipend of $2,000 to open licensed centers and $500 to open registered homes
- Provide an additional monthly stipend of $2,000 to licensed centers and $500 to registered homes providing a 25 percent discount to essential services personnel
- Pay providers for unlimited absences and full-day care for school-age children
- Provide hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies directly to providers
- Cover the cost of background checks for employees at temporary emergency sites
- Waive CCA family co-pays and provide full tuition amounts to providers serving CCA families
- Provide a rejuvenation grant to providers who have closed to assist them in re-opening
To see the entire plan and instructions on how to apply for these funds, visit: https://dhs.iowa.gov/childcare/funding-opportunities
For the Frequently Asked Questions page, go to: https://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/DHS_FAQ_CARES_Funding.pdf?050520202312=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
For additional childcare guidance, please visit: https://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/DHS_ChildCareGuidance.pdf?032120201912
Source: State Rep. Tracy Ehlert's weekly email 2020.05.15
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
FREE Webinar - Families & Educators Supporting Learning at Home: Thursday, April 30, 2020 from 2-3 p.m. CDT.
Register Here.
Coping With COVID-19: This website provides you with resources divided in the following categories: health organizations, advocacy, NAEYC online community, NAEYC interest forums, educational organizations, teachers interacting and connecting with children, information on talking to children, support children's learning, math, and resources in Spanish.
Center of the Developing Child-Harvard University: This site has many resources for many in our field, including: Activities, Child Care, Community Service Referrals, Domestic Violence, Food Insecurity, Guidance for Parents and Caregivers, Health Care and Medical Professionals, Home Visiting, Housing/Homelessness, Policy, and Research Collection. Below are just a select few:
The Brain Architects COVID-19 Special Edition Podcast Episode 1: " A Different World"
Save the Children: Save the Children has been around for 100 years giving children in the US and around the world a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. They are always among toe first to respond and the last to leave whenever a crisis strikes.
Easterseals Illinois Autism Partnership: Resources include online stories to help parents explain COVID-19 and social distancing and a toolkit for helping parents structure their time during school closure. More resourses are available on their website.
