The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Policy and Professional Development, has released the Announcement 20 #17 Child Care Works Payment During the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. The Announcement provides information to child care programs participating in Child Care Works (CCW) through the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC). This policy details payments based on current enrollment for child care providers who experience a closure or absences related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) while the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency most recently renewed on Aug. 31, 2020, remains in effect. In order to continue supporting child care providers through closures and reopening resulting from COVID-19, OCDEL is updating its previously issued guidance which addressed CCW payments through the end of the Disaster Emergency period.
This updated policy provides additional information and supersedes ELRC Announcement 20 #11. This policy does not apply to providers who are temporarily closed.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, child care providers are encountering complex challenges exceeding the scope of normal operations. DHS recognizes providers have been impacted by mandated closure for significant periods of time or temporary closures due to COVID-19.
Effective Nov. 1, 2020, CCW payments to child care providers will be based on their current enrollment, with the exception of the following:
- Providers who have been closed by Certification due to a negative sanction will not be paid.
- Providers who have reported permanent closure will not be paid.
- Providers who temporarily closed more than 14 consecutive business days due to COVID-19 exposure, please reference CCW Payments for closure or absences related to COVID-19 guidance within the Announcement.
