June 15, 2020
Dear SR and VPK Providers:
We wanted to clarify information on the reimbursements for the June service period for both SR and VPK providers.
SR and VPK Providers
Open
as of June 1 and July 1
1.
For June and July 2020 Service Periods
, you will continue to be reimbursed based on enrollment rather than attendance and for the SR required parent co-payments. This is an effort to help financially support your day-to-day operations, including paying teachers’ wages or incentives to retain your work force. Based on your current School Readiness and VPK enrollments (through the end of the program year), we understand that these funds alone may not be sufficient to cover all of your payroll expenses, but are expecting that these funds, in part, be allocated to wages or bonuses to retain your staff.
2.
For June and July Service 2020 Periods
, SR providers continue to be eligible for the bonus for serving first responders. More information about that program is
here
. (Note: The bonuses have been extended through July 31, 2020 but are still limited to a maximum of $12,000 per provider.)
SR Providers with
Closures in May
1.
For payment of the June Service Period
, you are required to complete an online questionnaire in the provider portal and provide information related your current enrollment, estimated financial losses, and conditions that must be present in order for you to reopen. The questionnaire link is located on the provider portal homepage in the Common Tasks panel. You will be prompted with a pop-up when you log on to the provider portal. The questionnaire is required to be completed by June 22
nd
.
SR Providers that
Remain Closed
July 1
1.
Your responses to the June questionnaire
about your plans to reopen your center/program will be reviewed. Your July service period reimbursement may be adjusted based on whether your center is opened or closed.
As a reminder - NO parent co-payments should be collected from ANY school readiness family for the
June and July
Service Periods. Collection of the parent copayments by providers will resume August 1, 2020.
The Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning remain committed to providing up-to-date information and guidance to our early learning community to help you stay open or reopen your programs safely. The health and safety of our children, families, and providers’ staff continues to be of utmost importance.
We appreciate your commitment to care for all of Florida’s children and are looking forward to “business as usual” in August.
If you have questions, you may contact you early learning coalition for more information.
Shan Goff, Executive Director
Office of Early Learning
