BRIDGE FUNDING (ECC5) APPLICATIONS OPEN
On May 21, Early Learning Division (ELD) announced another grant opportunity for Emergency Child Care (ECC) providers through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. To be considered for an award, eligible ECC providers must complete a brief application by the June 8, 2021, 5:00 p.m. (PST) deadline: https://ode.smapply.org/prog/ecc5/.
To date, ELD has awarded $82.1 in grant funding to providers since the start of the pandemic. This includes the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CARES) Act and Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF). Additionally, we anticipate $224 million in future grants later this year from the American Rescue Plan Act, pending approval from the Oregon Legislature.
Included below are a few featured Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Click here to learn more about eligibility requirements and to read all FAQs.
Q: How did ELD determine how much grant funds to award per child care license type?
The total funding available for this grant is $12 million. ELD funding formula for this grant opportunity is based on all of the following factors:
- Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) rates by license type.
- The ERDC rate times 78% for family child care facilities or 31% for center child care facilities in Oregon based on the national study: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/early-childhood/reports/2020/09/03/489900/true-cost-providing-safe-child-care-coronavirus-pandemic/.
- Capacity of each license type.
Q: Do I need to be listed in both 211info and Find Child Care Oregon?
No. Programs need to be listed for child care referrals in the Find Child Care Oregon database: https://stage.worklifesystems.com/parent/34. This is the database 211info uses to assist parents in finding child care and your Child Care Resource & Referral has enrolled you in and updates on a regular basis.
HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES VERSION 2.0
On May 18, the Oregon Early Learning Division published updates to the “Health and Safety Guidelines for Child Care and Early Education Operating During COVID-19.”
Since publishing, ELD has shared important updates on face coverings:
Providers and staff only, exception to requirement to wear a face covering if:
- They are fully vaccinated and it has been verified by the program director/provider and;
- They have a medical condition or disability, as documented by their doctor’s or other medical or mental health professional’s order, that prevents them from wearing a face covering.
Unvaccinated staff must continue to wear a face covering when children or staff are present regardless of a documented medical condition or vaccination status.
When Outdoors: If 6 feet of distance can be maintained, all staff may remove their face covering, regardless of vaccination status. School-aged children continue to be required to wear a face covering or may remove their face covering if 6 feet of distance can be maintained.
When Indoors: Fully vaccinated staff are not required to wear face coverings or physically distance inside their facility outside of child care hours. Vaccination status must be verified by the director/provider. Staff and children must continue to wear face coverings when indoors and during child care hours.
All staff, regardless of vaccination status, can follow 6.2, and remove their face covering during child care hours when they are completely alone in a space.
ELD CELEBRATES ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
Join ELD in celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! This month and throughout the year, we encourage our staff, Oregon child care providers, and early learning partners to engage, reflect, and grow in their understanding and appreciation of the AAPI identity, culture, and history. How can you support and celebrate with fellow staff members, children, and families?
The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center created a video series for educators, by educators called “We are not a stereotype.” This series explores and challenges the complexity surrounding the term Asian Pacific American, breaking it down into topics that span multiple timelines, geographies, and identities. Click here to access educational videos and resources.
Other resources:
- How to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Kids, Parents Magazine
- Incorporating Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in the Early Grades, Edutopia
- 9 Books to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, PBS for Parents
NEW REPORT: OREGON’S CHILD CARE DESERTS 2020
A new report from Oregon State University shows that as of March 2020, all 36 counties in Oregon qualify as child care “deserts” for infants and toddlers. “This report highlights why Oregon needs to continue to invest in child care and focus on strategies that build our supply of affordable, high-quality child care and ensure our existing programs are supported,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, Oregon’s acting learning system director in the Early Learning Division. “Many families are struggling to access high-quality child care, and we can’t wait to address the issue.” Click here to read the press release and here to download the report.
REMINDERS
- Visit https://oregonearlylearning.com/COVID-19-Resources/For-Providers for updated tools, FAQs, and the NEW Two-Minute Tips (TMT) resource. ELD worked with Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington to develop TMT handouts that include a brief summary of recommendations for implementing the “Health and Safety Guidelines.”
- Important recall notice for Kidde TruSense Smoke Alarms and combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms that were sold at Walmart, Home Depot, Menards, Amazon and other stores between May 2019 and September 2020. Visit https://bit.ly/3usdOXd for the full recall notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Thank you to all who attended the webinar on House Bill 3073 and the New Department of Early Learning and Care. Visit https://oregonearlylearning.com/HB3073 to download a recording of the webinar and for more information.