Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, is the Municipal Election in Pennsylvania. Polls are open on election day from 7 A.M. - 8 P.M. Each county has its own voting system and locations to vote. Find your polling place.
Apply to be on the Regulation Rewrite Subcommittee
As part of the Child Care Certification Regulation Rewrite Project, OCDEL is looking for members to serve on an Early Learning Council (ELC) Subcommittee that will provide feedback to internal workgroups charged with rewriting Pennsylvania's child care regulations. Work will be conducted virtually during the winter and spring of 2022. Visit the Certification Rewrite Page on the Pennsylvania Key’s website to learn more about the project, view an informational session from the Virtual ECE Summit, and apply to be part of the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee application is open through Nov. 19, 2021. Questions? Contact Karen Grimm-Thomas at c-kgrimmth@pa.gov.
Did You Know...ARPA Stabilization Grant
Did you know if you are a child care provider with a regular or provisional Certificate of Compliance issued on or before March 11, 2021; and are either open and available to provide child care or in a temporarily closed status due to a COVID-19 pandemic related reason; and are not in the Revocation or Refuse to Renew status with the OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services, you may be eligible for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grant. Find out how you can apply before the Jan. 31, 2022, deadline.
Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) PAHAN Updates
CDC Guidance released on October 21, 2021 recommends that patients who received the primary series of any of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines may be eligible for a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Contact your own healthcare provider for more guidance.
This guidance replaces PA-HAN-583 and provides clarification on quarantine recommendations for individuals exposed to SARS-CoV-2. People can be considered fully vaccinated >2 weeks after the receipt of the last dose if they have received any combination of two doses of an FDA approved COVID-19 two-dose series.
Fully vaccinated people who have had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be tested 5-7 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test
Contact your own healthcare provider for more guidance.
Introductory Course for Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators
Today is the release of the new Introductory course for the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (PA PSCECE). These are the general knowledge and skills that educators need to know and be able to demonstrate as they work with children and families. Get more information on the Pennsylvania Key website.
Enrollment Happening Now for Pennie
The 2022 Open Enrollment Period for Pennie is happening now! Pennie is PA’s official health & dental insurance marketplace and the only link to financial assistance to help reduce the cost of coverage and care. Pennie’s Open Enrollment Period for 2022 Coverage Runs from Nov. 1, 2021, to Jan. 15, 2022. Visit pennie.com to shop and compare health coverage plans. Pennie’s plan comparison tool allows you to answer questions about your health status, preferred providers, and even prescription drug needs. The tool will then display coverage options for you to see your total costs for care, including premium, deductible, and total out-of-pocket costs.
Reminder: Regulatory Suspension Update
Pursuant to Act 73 of 2021 (HB 1861), the suspension of various regulatory provisions under the state disaster emergency declaration that were set to expire on Sept. 30, 2021, were extended until further notice.
OCDEL strongly advises licensed child care providers implement plans and strategies to meet the currently suspended regulations while OCDEL works through the process to reinstate some of its regulations.
