Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for families, child care providers, and businesses
As the Coronavirus outbreak continues to impact our communities, we'll keep the list below updated with resources to help our members and the child care providers and families they work with.
If you have additional resources, please email Gemma DiMatteo at gdimatteo@rrnetwork.org.
COVID-19 Emergency Child Care Support in California - We created this one-pager with resources for essential workers seeking child care, individuals and facilities who would like to provide care, and providers who are open and in need of supplies
The California Department of Education (CDE) Early Learning and Care Division
Management Bulletin 10-09: Reduced Days of Operation or Attendance Due to Emergency Condition - Instructions for all ELCD contractors in case of emergency closures or reduced days of operation
CDE Guidance for State of Emergency Situations March 2020
Alternative Payment (AP) Programs
Topic |
Reimbursement |
Provider closes |
Ten days of non-operation allowed per fiscal year per provider 5 CCR Section 18076.2 (b)(2). The State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) is working with the Governor’s Office to issue an Executive Order that will provide further guidance on this issue. |
When a child is absent due to parental concern |
Providers will be paid based on families certified need/attendance record or invoice. COVID-19 can be considered a family emergency. The SSPI is working with the Governor’s Office to issue an Executive Order that will provide further guidance on this issue. |
Agency closes |
If in consultation with the local public health department it is determined that the AP agency needs a full or partial closure, the agency will be reimbursed for administrative and operation costs. Follow guidance in Management Bulletin (MB) 10-09. Contractors may revise their Minimum Days of Operation (MDO) anytime within the fiscal year. |
Ensuring timely reimbursement to providers |
The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, requires reimbursement to providers within 21 days of receipt of invoice. The Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division contracted agencies should have a plan for reimbursing providers in the event of an emergency. |
Agencies Providing Direct Services (CCTR, CSPP, etc.)
Topic |
Reimbursement |
Agency and/or site closes |
If in consultation with the local public health department it is determined that an agency and/or site providing direct services (i.e. General Child Care [CCTR], California State Preschool Program [CSPP], etc.) needs a full or partial closure, the agency/site will be reimbursed for administrative and operation costs. Follow guidance in MB 10-09. Contractors may revise their Minimum Days of Operation (MDO) anytime within the fiscal year. |
When a child is absent due to parental concern |
Parents may use either of the excused absences categories as follows:
|
Resource & Referral Programs
Topic |
Reimbursement |
Agency closes |
Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies primary function is to provide child care resources and information to families. During a State of Emergency, it is critical for families to have access to these services. R&R agencies should have a plan for providing services in the event of an emergency. If in consultation with the local public health department, it is determined that a R&R agency needs a full or partial closure, the agency/site will be reimbursed for administrative and operation costs. Follow guidance in MB 10-09. The SSPI is working with the Governor’s Office to issue an Executive Order that will provide further guidance on this issue. |
CA Department of Social Services (CDSS)
Child Care and Development Division Updates - COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Childcare Programs (July, 2021)
All County Welfare Directors Letter March 19 - COVID-19 guidance for attendance and reporting requirements for CalWORKs Stage One and Bridge Program
All County Welfare Directors Letter March 12 - Provides guidance on existing policy and flexibilities available to County Welfare Departments (CWDs), as well expectations for serving communities affected by the statewide outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 or novel coronavirus).
PIN 20-06-CCP - Social and Physical Distancing Guidance and Healthy Practices for Child Care Facilities in Response to the Global Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Written in Collaboration with the California Department of Education
CDSS CCL Coronavirus Information and Guidelines
- Coronavirus Information and Guidelines for Child Care Settings (English)
- Información sobre el coronavirus y directrices para los entornos de cuidado infantil (Spanish)
- 托兒照顧設施的新型冠狀病毒信息和指南 (Mandarin)
TrustLine Update March 18, 2020 - Response to the Covid-19 Emergency Situation
All county welfare directors letter addressing the temporary extension of the 120-day TrustLine retroactive payment period due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease
California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety & Health
SAFETY & HEALTH GUIDANCE COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Childcare Programs
California Department of Public Health
Workplace Outbreak Employer Guidance
Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings
Interim Guidance for Day Camps
Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) web page
2019 Novel Coronavirus Guidance for Child Care and Preschool Settings
CDPH Gathering Guidance 3.11.20
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
Step-by-Step
Cleaning for Child Care (En
Español)
Step-by-Step
Disinfecting for Child Care Providers (En
Español)
Step-by-Step
Sanitizing for Child Care Providers
(En
Español)
Reminders
for Using Disinfectants at Schools and Child Cares (En
Español)
California Department of Public HealthWomen, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Information on how to continue receiving WIC benefits during COVID-19
San Francisco update on WIC services
Los Angeles flyer on local WIC services being offered in English and Spanish
California Child Care Initiative Project
COVID-19 Tip Sheets
California Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Employers and Workers
California Employment Development Department
Information and resources for workers and employers affected by Coronavirus
Center for Disease Control
General information on the Coronavirus
Frequently asked questions: COVID-19 and Children
Guidance for workplace, school, home, and commercial establishments
Interim guidance for businesses and employers
Guidance for keeping households safe
CDC Coronavirus 2019 Community Mitigation Strategies
What To Do if You Are Sick
Stop the Spread of Germs
Caring for children: tips to keep children healthy while school's out
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
Do's and Dont's of Visiting Parks and Recreational Facilities
Child care decision tree - tool to assist directors and administrators in making (re)opening decisions regarding child care programs during the COVID-19 pandemic
CDC’s most recent recommendations for child care and K-12 (updated April 12, 2020):
- Guidance for school and child care programs (April 1, 2020)
- Supplemental guidance for child care programs that remain open
- K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs: FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents
- Reminders for using disinfectants at schools and child cares
Child Care Aware of America
Coronavirus updates and resources for child care providers and CCR&Rs
Coronavirus: How does it impact child care providers and CCR&Rs?
Coronavirus: What child care providers need to know
Coronavirus FAQs for child care providers and families
California Food Policy Advocates
California's Coronavirus Food Security Efforts for Young Children
COVID-19 Update: New Flexibilities Available to Improve Food Security
Child Care Law Center
Questions and Answers about the Impact of the Coronavirus on Family Child Care in California
Cal EITC
COVID-19 Resources page - includes tax filing, CalFRESH, financial assistance programs, food banks, disability insurance, paid family leave, paid sick leave, low-cost internet and affordable computers, unemployment insurance, and worker's compensation
Family Values @ Work and the
National Employment Law Project
Flow chart on unemployment insurance, paid sick time, and paid leave, and which of these benefits are available to workers and under which circumstances.
Bipartisan Policy Center
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act: Updates to the PPP
Blog post detailing how Congress, through the CARES Act, is providing
several methods of relief and assistance for child care businesses, parents, and communities
Summary of the U.S. Small Business Administration assistance in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the
CARES Act) specifically for child care providers
UCSF California Childcare Health Program
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfection Frequency Table
National Low Income Housing Coalition
Responding to Coronavirs: Ensuring Housing Stability During a Crisis
U.S. Small Business Administration
Assemblymember Laura Friedman District 43
COVID-19 Small Business Relief Programs and Resources
Facts and figures on the Coronavirus outbreak
National Alliance of Home Visiting Models
Model guidance in response to COVID-19
EdSource
Coronavirus Q&A: What California parents and students should know
Resources for talking to children about Coronavirus:
Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Inc. (CDR) presents episode one of Sandy Sanitizer. In this first installment, we're introduced to Nature Nita and Sandy Sanitizer, two best friends who provide helpful information to guide us through a pandemic-filled world.
ZEROTOTHREE's Tips for Families: Talking about the Coronavirus with young children
NYT Parenting's How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus by Jessica Grose recommends "Keeping your own anxiety in check is key."
Heard on Morning Edition: NPR's Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus by Malaka Gharib offers a comic to help kids understand.
This article written by Vivian Manning-Schaffel is pretty simple and to the point: How to Talk to your kids about the coronavirus (and ease their fears).
This New York Times article focuses on Talking to Teens and Tweens about Coronavirus by Donna De La Cruz.
Don’t forget that Sesame Street in Communities has many videos and activities to help teach children about being healthy and kind.
CDC Activities and Resources for teaching Handwashing and staying healthy, check out the NSF Scrub Club page, there is also a list of websites that offer activities for older kids and teens - Websites for Kids and Teens
The parenting Assistance Line has resources for parents (and other adults), here is one called Teaching Your Child About Germs.
The California Childcare Health Program,
has been providing the child care community with information and
resources since 1987, bookmark this site for valuable information on
health and wellness in early care and learning programs.
Save the Children's 7 Simple Tips on How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus
Mental health resources
California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief for Caregivers and Kids during COVID-19
Psychology Today: 5 Ways to Rewire Your Brain to Deal With Coronavirus Stress
Care for your coronavirus anxiety by Shine
Other resources
KQED article: How to File for Unemployment in California During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Vox article on how the coronavirus will cause a child care crisis in America
A letter from a group of national organizations to
Congress, asking them to include robust flexible emergency
funding for child care and early learning in the stimulus package.
A letter to the late Berry Brazelton from the Brazelton Touchpoints Center about the coronavirus outbreak.
Stress and child care and school closures related to the coronavirus: some recommendations for policy and private action by Peggy Daly Pizzo, M.Ed., Ed.M., Director, Early Learning Project at Stanford Graduate School of Education
World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters
Shelter-in-place orders
Governor Newsom issued a statewide shelter-in-place order on March 20, 2020. This has been extended to May 4, 2020.
Facial Coverings Orders
A few counties and cities have issued an order requiring the use of face coverings in public.
This includes:
- waiting in line to go inside a store
- shopping at a store
- on public transportation (or waiting for it)
- in a taxi or rideshare vehicle
- seeking healthcare
- going into facilities allowed to stay open, like government buildings
- working an essential job that interacts with the public
The CDC instructs the correct way to wear a mask and instructions to make masks at home.
The CDC has FAQs about wearing masks.
The counties that have issued facial covering orders for all members of the public are listed below:
- San Francisco: Children under 2 must not wear a face covering. Children 2 to 12 years old are not required to wear a face covering. If they do, they should be supervised by an adult.
- Contra Costa: Children aged 12 years and younger are not required to wear masks. Children 2 years old or younger must not wear them because of the risk of suffocation.
- Marin County: Children aged 12 years or younger are not required to wear a face covering.
- Sonoma County: Facial coverings should not be placed on children under age 2. Children over the age of 2 should wear a face covering.
- Alameda County: Any children aged 2 years or younger should not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation. Parents and caregivers must supervise the use of face coverings by children to avoid misuse.
- San Mateo County: Children under 2 years old must not wear a face covering. Children 3 to 12 years old may wear one, but it is not required.
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
- Ventura County
Counties that have issued facial covering orders, but does not include all public spaces are listed below:
- Los Angeles County requires individuals to wear a face cloth covering while visiting essential businesses.
- San Diego County requires employees who may have contact with the public to wear a cloth face covering, such as in grocery stores or on public transit. Childcare providers must wear facial coverings when serving food.
- Orange County is strongly encouraging residents to wear face coverings when leaving home, and mandates employees at essential businesses while working. The City of Costa Mesa is making face coverings mandatory.
Office of Child Care Administration for Children and Families
COVID-19 and Early Care and Education: Considerations Before Reopening
The learning module is now available on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center site!
Explore the latest research- and science-informed resources and practices on caring for children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Early care and education (ECE) directors and staff members and training and technical assistance (T/TA) staff members can use this tool as a guide to prepare programs to reopen. This tool is up to date as of July 1, 2020.
Topics in This Module
· Caring for Our Children policies and procedures pertinent to the pandemic
· How to involve your Health Services Advisory Committee in reopening decisions
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decision tree to help directors and administrators make reopening decisions
· Considerations for screening children and staff members upon arrival
· Current guidance on wearing masks
· Guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects
· Caring for children with special health care needs
· Supporting staff and family wellness
Target Audience
· ECE program directors and staff members
· T/TA staff
Access the Module
Select this Web link to access the learning module.
Additional Resources
Select these links for up-to-the-day information and guidance on health and safety best practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic:
· Office of Head Start COVID-19 Updates
· Office of Child Care COVID-19 Updates
· Get the Facts About Coronavirus.
Questions
Contact the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) at health@ecetta.info or (888) 227-5125 (toll-free).