#1 - Census Day is April 1st!
A million children did not show up in the 2010 Census- therefore our county lost federal funding that supports child care services. Complete the 2020 Census form online, by phone or mail. Our community needs the funding.
Click here to learn more about why and how to complete the Census.
Share the below flyer with your parents.
#2 - OCFS Quarantine Regulations for Child Care Programs
In the event a parent of a child in your program must be quarantined, advise the parent they cannot enter the child care program for any reason, including picking up their child. If the parent is exhibiting signs of illness or has been tested and is positive for the virus, they must utilize an emergency contact authorized by the parent to come pick up the child. If the parent is being quarantined as precautionary measure, without symptoms or a positive test, child care staff should walk out or deliver the child to the parent outside the child care building. The child must not return to the child care program for the duration of the quarantine.
Click here to read more guidance from OCFS
#3 - CCCW Trainings Postponed Due to the Coronavirus
Because of the current coronavirus situation and the governor's executive orders, the we are postponing ALL trainings scheduled for the month of March, with hopes of resuming in-person trainings in April. This includes all calendar and on-site trainings, First Aid & CPR, and Health & Safety trainings.
The Early Childhood Conference scheduled for April 25 is also cancelled.
As we get more information on how we should proceed with trainings, we will inform you of these changes and/or updates.
We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dana Doyle at
[email protected] or (914) 761-3456 ext. 113.
Stay well and be safe.
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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Child Care needs Federal help today!
The third coronavirus stimulus bill under consideration today only includes $3 billion for child care, while the need is estimated to be $50 billion to keep programs open.
Sign on to our letter of support right now by clicking the link below:
Many child care programs are open right now, doing their very best to support children and working parents, especially emergency workers and other essential staff.
All of our programs will be needed to help our community and the nation get through this crisis. Please send your support today.
For more information or to join our advocacy efforts contact Kathy Halas at
[email protected]
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We're here to help!
We spent our Friday afternoon distributing 14-pound bags of shelf durable goods, diapers and wipes to those in need at no cost.
We maintained social distancing during distribution and even in the fun staff/volunteer photo we took afterward.
We are glad we were able to help and we hope to do this again.
Special thanks to the following for making this food distribution possible - it takes a village!
For more information or to join our advocacy efforts contact Kathy Halas at
[email protected]
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Online Training from the Child Care Council and Smart Horizons!
Choose from a large selection of OCFS approved individual trainings
Also available 45 hour training packets for:
- CDA Renewal - Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and Family Child Care
- CDA Renewal in Spanish - Infant/Toddler, Preschool, andFamily Child Care
Eligible for Educational Incentive Program (EIP) Scholarships
For information about online CDA courses,
Click here
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Coronavirus Information- Official Resources
For more information about COVID- 19, including resources and county break down of positive cases:
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
The Office of Children Services has posted information for child care programs. With the attached link, look for "See below for provider specific information."
Be sure to review the provider newsletter from last month as it contains specific and helpful information all programs should be aware of and follow.
March 2020 Provider Newsletter
If you or your program has had:
- Contact with a person known to have COVID-19
- Contact with a person under investigation
- Anyone known to have active quarantine status
You must contact the Departments of Health at 866-588-0195 and The Office of Children and Family Services.
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Regulations Reminder: 417.11(i)(2) Handwashing
Caregivers and volunteers must ensure that children thoroughly wash their hands or assist children with thoroughly washing their hands with soap and running water when they are dirty, after toileting, before and after food handling or eating, after handling pets or other animals, after contact with any bodily secretion or fluid, and after coming in from outdoors
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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2019 Honorees
Our heroes our working endlessly to support the community during this crisis. We have decided to move
our
2nd annual Early Education Hall of Heroes to
Friday, August 7th from 7pm-10pm at Mercy College.
Registration opens in early June.
Have a hero in mind?
Click here
to nominate a child care professional by May 12!
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Fun Activites for Families and Caregivers
During this unfortunate time, many schools and child care programs are closed. While some child care providers and parents have to stay home to attend children. Here are some fun and education activites.
Click here for resources for families and caregivers
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- Census Day
- Covid-19
- Early Education Hall of Heroes- date change
- Children's Corner
- What's Cooking
- Family Fun and more
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Early Education Hall of Heroes
Mercy College
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY
August 7, 2020
Registration will open in June
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Join our 2020 Membership!
Benefits Include:
- Membership Certificate to post at your site
- Discounted calendar trainings and on-site trainings
- Listing on your website with a link to yours
- Free postings on the Council's job bank
- Free Members Only networking events
- Lakeshore Learning coupon and discount
- Printed Council Training Calendars
- Free promotional gift
- Refer a friend and receive voucher for a free training
FREE Business Series for members,
click here to learn more
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Covid-19
Are you out of work?
Is your program closed?
OCFS is seeking assistance from licensed and registered child care programs and their employees. Child care workers who are temporarily out of work due to COVID-19 related program closures may be able to help fill vital roles at other child care programs.
If you are interested in helping support your community by helping to keep local child care programs operating-especially to care for children of health care and other critical workers, please complete this
Survey for Current Child Care Workers. Your responses will be shared with local child care programs that are in need of staff.
The Child Care Council is also collecting this information and sharing it with OCFS, Please email
[email protected] or leave a message about your open or closure status.
Are you or your employees experenciencing a lost in income?
The New York State Department of Labor is ready to assist. Please click the below link and read the instructions on how to file a claim.
Important Numbers
General Questions
211
Department of Health (DOH)
24/7 Hotline
People under self-quarantine or exposure to known cases
1-
866-588-0195
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Opportunities to Connect with Colleagues!
Regular meetings at the Council for family providers, early childhood directors have been supspended due ot the community spread of the coronavirus. We are hoping to schedule some video meetings in the near future. Stay tuned.
Providers Network:
This group for registered family and licensed group family providers meets 4 times a year. For information about the network, contact Sarah Merrifield, CCCW Infant Toddler Specialist at
[email protected] or (914)-761-3456 ext. 107.
Westchester Early Childhood Directors Association:
The Association meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1:00- 3:00pm. Contact Howard Milbert at Ossining Children's Center at (914) 941-0230 or Dawn Meyerski at Mt. Kisco Child Care Center at (914) 241-2135 or
[email protected] for details.
School Age Directors Network:
Join the network today!
Please note the networking groups do not meet in August.
The Council is pleased to host these groups. We encourage you to attend their meetings.
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Let Us Help You to Renew Your Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)
We can tell you everything you need to do AND review your training certificates to tell you if you have met the requirements.
We can also help you to apply for an EIP award to pay the renewal fee.
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What's Cooking?
Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Broccoli
Doesn't this look delicious?
To learn how you may receive reimbursements for meals and snacks, contact Latoya Ramsey, Provider Services Supervisor at (914)-761-3456 x 118 or email her at [email protected]
Welcome our new CACFP participants- Damaris Hogue, Mayra Rivera & Gladis Valerio.
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Community Resources
United Way's 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, multilingual information and referral helpline open 365 days a year, 9am-7pm.
United Way's 2-1-1 call specialists can give you information about things such as:
- Food Assistance
- Housing assistance and shelters
- Abuse prevention
- Elder care
- Mental health services
- Recycling regulations
- Services for people with disabilities
- How to become a foster parent
- Where to get medical help and more
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