October 2021   Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 17 provides a single point-of-contact for Montgomery County families, early learning service providers and community members looking to gain information and access services that support high-quality child care and early learning programs. ELRC Region 17 can help families find the best child care for their children by offering links to many services, including Child Care Works, Pennsylvania’s child care subsidy program.     Through ELRC Region 17, child care professionals can obtain support in building quality outcomes for children by working with quality coaches to achieve Keystone STAR 3 and 4 status, building connections with community partners and supporting children and families in accessing additional services, such as PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start, home-visiting and Early Intervention. Please review our monthly newsletter and email us at elrcregion17@pa.gov with questions!

OCDEL Announcements The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification, has recently released the following Announcements:   OCDEL Announcement 21 #07 Change in Policy Regarding Eligibility for Owners/Operators of a Child Care Facility announces a change in policy regarding Child Care Works (CCW) eligibility for parents/caretakers who are owners/operators of a child care facility.   OCDEL Announcement C-21-08: Compliance with Acting Secretary of Health’s Face Covering Order clarifies the minimum necessary documentation that must be maintained by a child care provider to demonstrate an exception for a medical condition under Section 3.B of the Order, clarifies the enforcement actions that DHS will take for noncompliant licensees, and updates Appendix A of Announcement C-21-07 accordingly.   ELRC Announcement 21 #08 Keystone STARS Designation Extensions & Delayed Rollout of STARS Designation System Message provides information regarding granting one-year extensions to all Keystone STARS Designations effective Oct. 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2022 as providers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant early childhood education (ECE) staffing crisis. ELRC Announcement 21 #09 Child Care Works Payment During Ongoing Novel Coronavirus provides updated guidance regarding Child Care Works (CCW) payment to child care programs participating in CCW and to ELRC staff. This updated policy obsoletes the following announcements in their entirety effective Sept. 30, 2021:   ELRC Policy Announcement 21 #06 Restoring Child Care Works Invoicing, Attendance and Payment Policies ELRC Policy Announcement 21 #04 Child Care Works Payment During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) ELRC Policy Announcement 20 #17 Child Care Works Payment During the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency   Pursuant to Act 73 of 2021, the suspension of various regulatory provisions under the state disaster emergency declaration that are currently in effect and which were set to expire on Sept. 30, 2021, are now extended until further notice. In a communication issued Sept. 30, 2021, OCDEL indicated that communication would be issued related to payment provisions for Child Care Works (CCW). While child care providers will receive payment based on current CCW enrollment, the usual eligibility and attendance policies will continue. Attendance of children must still be tracked and reported on invoices. Beginning with the submission of Oct. 2021 CCW invoices, child care providers will mark COVID-19 related absences as “CA” (COVID absence) to distinguish it from a non-COVID related absence on a paper invoice or include a note on an online invoice. Please contact ELRC Region 17 with questions.

Reporting COVID-19 Cases Child care programs in Montgomery County are required to report cases of COVID-19 to all three agencies listed below:   Montgomery County Office of Public Health at (610) 278-6211 or MCSchoolsCOVID19@montcopa.org DHS Certification Representative ELRC Region 17, Terry McLaughlin at (610) 278-3261 or TMcLaugh@montcopa.org Include the date of closure and date of re-open Whether the whole program is closed or a classroom is closed If classroom closure, include a list of CCW children affected Forward email response from DHS verifying notification of closure   Child care providers will mark COVID-19 related absences as "CA" (COVID absence) to distinguish it from a non-COVID related absence on a paper invoice. For online invoices, providers should include an Enrollment Comment under each child who had COVID absences, stating the dates of the COVID related absences, to distinguish from non-COVID related absences.

Upcoming ELRC Region 17 Events Health & Safety Regional Task Force Wednesday, November 10th, from 1:00pm-2:30pm Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwudOqvrzkrEtUkH8daYAeF5NwJKEo_vzdk

Provider Spotlight We would like to congratulate the following providers who worked hard to increase their Keystone STAR Quality Rating over the 1st quarter of the year!   STAR 2  SMG Clubhouse, Horsham STAR 2  St. Francis Early Learning Center, Norristown STAR 3  Kids World Child Center, Abington STAR 4  Kiddie Academy of Horsham STAR 4  Coventry Christian Schools, Pottstown STAR 4  Chelten Child Development Center, Dresher STAR 4  Little Faces Learning Center, Gilbertsville STAR 4  Monica Wince Family Child Care Program, Pottstown   Contact your Quality Coach for information about increasing your STAR Rating!

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grant  The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grant application is now available to eligible child care providers in the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Eligible providers are encouraged to review these materials thoroughly BEFORE submitting an application. In addition, your ELRC is prepared to help you think about the best use of the funds in your program.   If at any time during the application process you disagree with information that is listed for your location, you should STOP and contact ELRC Region 17. Stop the application process and contact your ELRC immediately if you disagree with any of the following information entered by the system in each provider’s application:   The licensed capacity listed in the application under the “Licensing & Affiliations” section as “capacity.” This should be the same number as your CER issued by Certification. The Keystone STAR designation in the application listed under the “STARS Add-on” section. The CCW enrollment counts for March 13, 2020, and/or March 11, 2021, listed under the “Child Care Works Add-on” section.   The application will be available in the PD Registry until January 31, 2022. There is a robust amount of funding, but as with all things, grants are based on the availability of funds.

Community Outreach   ELRC Region 17 participated in “State Rep. Matt Bradford's Family Fair” on September 20, 2021 at the Elmwood Park Zoo. Information was provided about quality subsidized child care in Montgomery County. Families were supplied with books, pens, diapers, children’s toys, and connected with other agencies.

Fire Prevention Month The National Fire Protection Association has announced the theme of Fire Prevention Week 2021 is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” Join them as they work to educate everyone about the different sounds the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep children and staff safe. When an alarm makes noises – a beeping sound or a chirping sound – you must take action.   Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. In the event of fire, you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely, which is why smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement). Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.   Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that displaces oxygen in your body and brain and can render you unconscious before you even realize something is happening to you. Without vital oxygen, you are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in a short time. Carbon monoxide alarms detect the presence of carbon monoxide and alert you so you can get out, call 9-1-1, and let the professionals check your home.   For more information, visit fpw.org and sparkyschoolhouse.org.

Other Resources

ELRC Region 17 Subsidized Child Care ELRC Region 17 Finding Quality Child Care ELRC Region 17 Keystone STARS ELRC Region 17 Employee Directory ELRC Region 17 Email ELRC Region 17 Activity Guide ELRC Region 17 At-Home Resources A Parent's Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care A Parent's Handbook to Subsidized Child Care Access to Other Services American Academy of Pediatrics CHIP Children's Health Insurance Clothing Resources County Assistance Office Developmental Milestones List Early Intervention (birth-age 3) Early Learning GPS Infant Resources Early Head Start Chester County Intermediate Unit Early Head Start Maternity Care Coalition Food Resources FindChildCare.pa.gov Head Start Help for Pennsylvanians in Need Intermediate Unit (3-5 years) Is this the right place for my child? Kindergarten Readiness Montgomery County School Districts Montgomery County, PA Online Subsidy Application or Redetermination PA Department of Education PA Department of Human Services PA Promise for Children Parent Infant Resource Guide PENNIE PA Health Insurance Pre K Counts Prepare for Kindergarten Subsidized Child Care Program WIC Women, Infants & Children

Early Learning Resource Center Region 17 In partnership with Montgomery County Dept of Health and Human Services P.O. Box 311, 1430 DeKalb Street Norristown, PA 19404 Phone: (610) 278-3707 Fax: (610) 278-5161 Email: elrcregion17@pa.gov Website: montcopa.org/elrc

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