February Events & Updates
Friday, February 26, 2021
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Greetings!
“Black history isn’t only in the past—it’s happening right now.” As Black History Month comes to an end, we encourage you to continue understanding, respecting and celebrating Black culture and the Black organizers leading the way towards a more equitable early education system for all.
In the legacy of Black history—past, present, and future—check out some amazing organizers:
We also encourage you to attend “The State of California’s Children & Youth in the COVID Era” hosted by Child Watch on Friday, March 5, 9 am-1 pm. This is a policy and advocacy virtual symposium that will highlight the current state of California’s children and explore opportunities to rebuild communities of color with social justice, racial equity, and the lives of young children as the drivers of decision-making and action. Register here.
Our COVID-19 Resources page includes vaccine sign-up links, FAQs, and virtual information sessions about the vaccine. Appointments for vaccinations are now open to Early Care Educators and Oakland Coliseum is already scheduling! San Francisco began vaccinations this Wednesday, February 24 – pending availability of the vaccine as new shipments arrive. See sign up information below.
The 2021 Tax Season may be especially difficult for caregivers and families this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we have compiled a list of free or low cost, in-person and virtual income tax preparation services on our Tax Resource page and will be sending a series of ECESF tax information emails leading up to the tax filing deadline on April 15.
We’ve gathered additional information for you below, including educator and program resources, upcoming CPAC meetings, conferences, and workshops. Don’t miss the latest article from the Teaching Behind the Mask series in 48Hills.
Anna & Sara
Anna Wolde-Yohannes
ECESF Program Manager
anna@ecesf.org
Sara Hicks-Kilday
ECESF Director
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48hills Early Care Educators Series
Teaching Behind the Mask
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48hills—"Teaching Behind the Mask is a series of voices from infant, toddler, and pre-school classrooms across San Francisco. It’s a collaboration between Barbra Blender, Eliana Elias, and the remarkable early-childhood education teachers who continue to serve children and families during the pandemic." Find links to the latest article by Chandler Graddick as well as past installments in ECE in the News—read & comment!
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Covid-19 Vaccine Information |
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Visit ECESF’s COVID-19 Resources page for additional information, including webinars, fact sheets, vaccination sign ups, and vaccination sites across Bay Area counties
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From SF Quality Connections Updates
New Way to Get Appointments
Getting an appointment has been getting better and here's a new WAY….Thanks to your advocacy and our DPH, Children’s Council of SF and Wu Yee R/R, OECE and First 5 SF Partners!
We are developing call lists for educators and ECE staff who want to have the vaccine team call them to schedule their appointment. And, work is going on behind the scenes to designate blocks of time slots for educators at key clinics.
There are links below for educators (including support staff) to sign up. As we need permission to release phone numbers, please ask staff to complete the survey link with their personal phone numbers and language information. FYI, Teachers who are over 65 will be prioritized, so please complete information on birthdate as well.
Link for licensed FCC and Center-based staff
Link for Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) and Nannies
Please share these links with teachers, support staff, FFN, and Nannies who work or live in SF. Child care educators are important to the vaccination teams and SF DPH nurses!
You Should Try Every Avenue for Scheduling the Vaccine
We are encouraging all who want the vaccine to be on multiple lists (including the call list) and to attempt scheduling on various websites to get their shot. Whether you go to a pop up clinic (in your neighborhood), your health care provider, pharmacy, or the new FEMA Oakland coliseum site-- scheduling is not always easy based on the availability of vaccine supply. This information changes daily. Follow the SF DPH Twitter feed.
Be Prepared for the Sick Day That Teachers May Need After the Second Shot
True Story ... An administrator sent all of the staff to get their vaccine on the same day. The next day, many needed to take the day off due to side effects. Lesson Learned: Try for Fridays and the Weekend. Plan for sick days for all.
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Vaccine Drop in for educators in 94124 or 94134 |
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New drop-in vaccinations for residents in the 94124 & 94134 zip codes at the Southeast Health Center (2401 Keith Street)! Anyone 65+ or in Phase 1B (Child care workers/educators, food service, emergency service workers & transit operators) can drop-in daily, 9am-3pm.
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San Francisco Educators sign up
(Important: FCC should not check off the box that they are working at home. This is for educators working remotely—and will lowers the Tier to 1C.)
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California sign up
Sign up for the California COVID-19 Vaccine at myturn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255 and schedule your appointment, or get notified when appointments are available in your area. Important: ALL educators can use this link to sign up at the federal mass vaccination site in Alameda at Oakland Coliseum. You DO NOT have to be an Alameda County resident.
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Free rides for vaccinations
Starting on Tuesday, February 23, Muni and Paratransit free for those traveling to and from getting vaccinated for COVID-19. These rides are good for trips to the city-sponsored high-volume vaccine sites, hospitals, or anywhere else offering vaccines.
How to Ride Free on Muni: Catch the bus and head to where you need to go. Have your vaccine appointment confirmation or instructions ready in case SFMTA staff asks to see your proof of payment.
How to Ride Free on Paratransit: Paratransit van riders must call to make a trip reservation and indicate that they are going to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Staff will make a note in their records to alert the driver that the rider does not need to pay a fare for their trip. Paratransit taxi riders will have $60 loaded onto their taxi debit card, which will be valid for up to six months, to get to and from their vaccine appointment. For more information, call the Paratransit office at 415-351-7000 (M-F, 9 am-4 pm).
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Recommendation from NAEYC’s “Open Discussion Forum Digest”
Listen to the podcast “Children of the Pandemic” – Join Hanna Violet and other parents and educators as they discuss the challenges in raising and educating children during the pandemic and potential paths forward in these trying times.
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Child Development Permit Stipend
Effective January 4, 2021 stipends are available to cover the Child Development Permit application fee for all permit levels and types. Those with permits expiring within the next 12 months, are encouraged to take advance of this. For more information, visit www.childdevelopment.org and/or email CDEV@ccsf.edu to request a virtual Professional Development Project (PDP) appointment.
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ECE Assistance for Programs and Educators
"Navigating Relief for Child Care Providers: An Overview of the Help That May Be Available for Child Care Programs and Providers."
This document is designed to help child care center directors and family child care owners, as well as early childhood educators and staff, understand what help may be available by providing a brief, high-level overview of programs and links to additional, guiding information.
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Grants and Loans for ECE Programs |
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Early Education Economic Recovery Program Grants & Loans
The City & County of San Francisco is working to minimize the impacts of the COVID Pandemic on our ECE programs and preserve family access to quality care and education through the Early Education Economic Recovery Program grants and loans. More details on eligibility and how to apply are on the OECE information page.
Programs currently receiving OECE ELS/PFA should have received an email with a Docu-sign form. Didn’t receive one? Contact Children’s Council’s help desk: 415-343-4669 or support@childrenscouncil.org.
Non-ELS programs fill out an interest form included on the OECE website information page in English , Español , and 中文.
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Apply for PPP Before March 10th: Help for Family- and Center-Based Child Care Businesses With Fewer Than 20 Employees |
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The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a forgivable loan program to help very small businesses, such as child care programs, with much needed financial support during these unprecedented times. From February 24 to March 10, 2021, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for a PPP loan. This exclusive application period allows participating lenders to focus on serving very small businesses, such as family child care (FCC) educators and early care and education (ECE) programs.
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Learn more about PPP loans by exploring the resources below.
The Biden-Harris Administration statement issued on February 22, 2021, provides details on changes to PPP to increase lending opportunities for small businesses to further promote equitable access to relief. The statement includes information on the exclusive application period for PPP to help very small businesses, such as FCC educators and ECE programs. Here’s a link to the statement for more details: Changes to PPP To Further Promote Equitable Access to Relief.
- Two national webinar videos to help you understand and access PPP—one video for FCC educators and one video for ECE programs
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Several resources for small businesses to help FCC educators and ECE programs learn more about PPP and navigate the challenges created by the pandemic.
Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program are due no later than March 31, 2021, for all businesses, but program funding may run out before then.
Message sent by the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families. To receive messages directly, join their email list, please subscribe here.
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Child Care Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC)
CPAC is San Francisco’s state mandated local planning council. CPAC general membership meetings and committees are open to the public and provide important updates from CPAC’s committees, public agencies, key stakeholders and the ECE community. Details and ZOOM access for CPAC meetings are on the ECESF Event Calendar Event, and included in links below.
Representatives of ECESF bring ECE educators and program operators issues and priorities to CPAC as CPAC members, chair of the Workforce Committee and Adhoc on Black Children, active Policy and Legislation Committee members, and as part of the Executive Committee.
Can’t make daytime meetings? Want a place to talk among other educators working at San Francisco ECE sites to better understand the policies discussed at CPAC—and add your voice? Let us know your interests—and we’ll plug you in!
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CPAC Policy & Leg Committee/SF ECE Advocacy Coalition Policy Meetings
CPAC Policy & Legislative Committee is coordinating meetings with the SF ECE Advocacy Coalition to allow for quick response to policy needs and greater participation. Meetings will be held two times a month. March meetings will be held on March 3, 2021, 9:30-11:30 am, the 1st Wednesday, and March 17, 4-5 pm, the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
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CPAC General Meeting
The next CPAC General meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2021, 9:30-11:15 am, the 2nd Wednesday of every month. At the march 10th meeting SFDPH’s Katie DellaMaria will give vaccination and COVID updates, CPAC will discuss planning work regarding racial equity.
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CPAC Workforce Committee Meeting
The next CPAC Workforce meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2021, 2-3:30 pm, the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The Workforce Committee collects input and reviews information on workforce needs, the impact of current policy and program, and the need for additional supports or changes that will enhance services and workforce wellbeing. Next meeting we will be reviewing wage scales, programs, and workforce data.
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CAAEYC Conference & Workshops |
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2021 Annual CAAEYC Conference and Expo!
April 23-25, Virtual and On-Demand
See more information here.
Attendee Registration
We have simplified the registration fee schedule. Whether or not you plan to attend one day, two days or all three days, you pay a flat rate. Members receive the best rate – not a member, join and save $80!
Member Rates and Deadlines
- Regular: $389 – March 8 through Conference
*Non-members – add $150 to each of the values. Join at $69 and save $80.
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Equity in Action Committee, East Bay Chapter of CAAEYC Workshops
Sign up for two workshops on March 27, 2021 presented by the Equity in Action Committee, East Bay Chapter of CAAEYC! Cost: *FREE*, donations encouraged
AM workshop 10am-12pm - Similarities & Differences Anti-bias Training - REGISTER
PM workshop 1:30-3:30pm - Mindful Practices for Empowering Educators - REGISTER
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ECESF receives funding from the Office of Early Care and Education to provide field building and peer supports to early care educators, as well as generous donations and in-kind contributions to build our advocacy and community work from individual early care educators, and allies, community organizations and agencies. Support our work. Donate! |
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