COVID-19 RECOVERY: RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Early Learning Division (ELD) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) are reducing requirements for child care providers, as detailed in the letter and “Child Care Provider COVID-19 Requirements and Recommendations” document published on June 25, 2021 and effective on June 30, 2021. Existing COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines will no longer be in effect.
The requirements below follow rules adopted by OHA. For requirement details, view pages 1 through 3 (or 4 for Spanish and Russian) of the “Requirements and Recommendations” document.
- A communicable disease management plan
- Exclusion and notification criteria
- Recordkeeping for contact tracing
NOTE: In the section labeled “COVID-19 Exclusion and Notification,” if “should” is mentioned, it is not required.
ELD and OHA list several recommendations for best practices on the remaining pages. These recommendations are not enforced. This includes recommendations for:
- Excluding or monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19.
- Verifying vaccination status.
- Face coverings. For example, all adults are recommended to wear a face covering unless they are vaccinated.
- Stable groups. For example, ELD and OHA recommend keeping adults and children in the same groups as much as possible.
- Handwashing and general hygiene. For example, ELD and OHA recommend always storing hand sanitizer out of reach of children.
- Food and nutrition. For example, recommendations to avoid family-style meals and discontinue use of drinking fountains.
- Ventilation and air flow. For example, recommendations to improve air quality by opening windows and doors, exhausting air from indoors to outdoors, using filtration methods, and (if applicable) ensuring ventilation systems operate properly.
- Cleaning and building maintenance. For example, ELD and OHA recommend the 3-step method: 1. WASH 2. RINSE 3. SANITIZE or DISINFECT.
- Transportation. For example, recommendations for cleaning and sanitizing the transportation vehicle.
- Health education, training and communication. For example, recommendations for including COVID-19 safety precautions in staff orientations, staff trainings, and family support.
If you have any questions, please contact your licensing specialist or email us at ProviderContact@state.or.us.
NEW TEMPORARY RULES FOR LICENSED PROGRAMS
On June 24, 2021, the Early Learning Council approved temporary rules for licensed programs to allow continued use of hand sanitizer in certain circumstances, expanded use of Aide 2 staff, as well as transition time for online CPR training to meet licensing requirements. Click below to view temporary rules by provider type. Click here to view a recording and meeting materials.
The Early Learning Council also adopted temporary rules to implement SB 757. SB 757 modified “conditional enrollment”, which is temporary limited enrollment in the Central Background Registry (CBR) for child care staff while they await full enrollment. This will help child care programs hire new staff and transition individuals with Emergency Background Checks in a timely manner.
These temporary rules expire 180 days after adoption. ELD will engage the public and present permanent rules for adoption by the Early Learning Council in a future meeting.
- Temporary Rules – Certified Center (CC)
EnglishSpanishRussianVietnameseChinese - Temporary Rules – Certified Family (CF)EnglishSpanishRussianVietnameseChinese
- Temporary Rules – Registered Family (RF)EnglishSpanishRussianVietnameseChinese
LAST CALL FOR SUPPLIES
Oregon child care providers are invited to request supplies from the Early Learning Division (ELD) until July 16, 2021. As we move into COVID-19 recovery, this is the final opportunity to access free supply packages containing items such as masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, etc. from ELD’s remaining inventory. Masks are optional as of June 30, 2021 and are still included in these pre-packed supply kits. Funds to purchase the supplies during the pandemic were approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2020.
Providers who have requested supplies previously are welcome to make another request.
How do I order supplies?
Go to the website (https://supplyconnector.org/states/oregon/free-ppe/) and complete the order form. Please have your license/provider number and the shipping address for supplies ready.
Some care packages are suited for school-age child care and others accommodate the care of young children and infants. Providers can choose one option.
OREGON HOUSE BILL 3073 PASSED BY OREGON LEGISLATURE
On June 26, 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 3073. HB 3073 creates a new early learning agency – called the Department of Early Learning and Care, or DELC, beginning January 1, 2023.
The Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program, currently administered by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), would be transferred to DELC on July 1, 2023, aligning all child care administration under one agency. The goals of the new agency are to create a child care and early learning system that is more responsive to the needs of children, families, and providers, particularly our most vulnerable families. A single agency may help Oregon support funding and expansion opportunities, grow the supply of child care, and ensure equitable access.
For more information and updates on this legislation, visit https://oregonearlylearning.com/HB3073.
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!
Celebrate Pride Month by checking out this LGBTQ+ book list for kids! By reading and sharing stories that support inclusivity, you can help children and families in your community feel represented, empowered, and safe.
Additional resources are included in the June 9 Child Care Updates.