March 20, 2020
COVID-19 Update from Head Start California
Updates from the State of California, legislation, guidance and announcements
To the Head Start Community:
These are challenging and uncertain times. Information is coming rapidly and it’s a lot to digest. You have already been making critical decisions impacting the health and safety of your staff and the children and families they serve. With no playbook to follow, you are already rising to the challenge,
  • Implementing orders and guidelines from federal, state and local authorities.
  • Collaborating with city and county officials.
  • Responding creatively to the challenges facing your staff and families.
Like many of California’s counties, Sacramento County issued the order for everyone stay home. Like so many of you, the Head Start California staff is home. But we are still working. And perhaps the best thing the association can do for you right now is stay focused on our mission and our promise to help our members connect, engage and advocate. Be assured that Head Start California staff will be working diligently to keep you informed.
 
They say in a crisis we should over-communicate. But we also know that we are all receiving similar and even over-lapping information from federal, state, county and local governments; health advocates; children advocates; hospitals and more. Our goal is to avoid making the echo chamber louder than it already is without sacrificing the need for accurate, up-to-date information.
So, we will:
  1. Send you a weekly COVID-19 update with the most recent information. 
  2. Use our new COVID-19 webpage to curate and organize the most recent, relevant information, including:
  • Changes in law and regulation from Office of Head Start and the Governor’s Office
  • Practices and innovative solutions 
  • Resources that will be helpful to you, your staff and your families
  • Opportunities for connecting with each other, state and federal agencies.
 
Head Start has been a strong and resilient community for over 50 years. This pandemic won’t change that; it will simply help us prove it once more.
Gov. Newsom Proclaims Executive Order N-26-20 in Response to COVID-19
On March 13, 2020, Gov. Newsom signed an executive order securing funding for the state's public school districts for use in distance learning, providing meals, and student supervision during school hours. Read more here.
California Launches New Comprehensive, Consumer-Friendly Website and Public Service Announcements to Boost COVID-19 Awareness
Gov. Newsom announced March 19, 2020, the launch of a new Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) public awareness campaign to provide useful information to Californians and inform them of actions they can take to further prevent the spread of the virus. The campaign is anchored by a new, consumer-friendly website , that highlights critical steps people can take to stay healthy and resources available to Californians impacted by the outbreak, including paid sick leave and unemployment assistance.
CA Department of Social Services Issues Statewide Licensing Waivers
Public Information Notice (PIN) 20-04-CCP provides a statewide waiver for operation of child care facilities, including licensees, registered TrustLine providers, and temporary employer sponsored child care, along with guidance for the implementation of prevention, containment, and mitigation measures for COVID-19. View it here.
Gov. Newsom Signs Emergency Legislation to Fight COVID-19 
The emergency legislative package provides $500 million General Fund to help California fight COVID-19 and authorizes increases up to $1 billion.
The funding will:
  • Increase hospital bed capacity and purchase medical equipment to combat the coming surge in COVID-19 patients;
  • Protect hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities most vulnerable to COVID-19 spread;
  • Provide lifesaving services to Californians isolating at home;
  • Support local government to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in homeless populations and provide safe beds for people experiencing homelessness; and
  • Provide funding to clean child care facilities that remain open. Read more here.
COVID-19 Guidance on Apportionment, Attendance, and Reporting Requirements from CDE's Early Learning and Care Division
Management Bulletin 20-04 was issued to notify and provide guidance to state-subsidized early learning and care programs about updated apportionment, attendance, and reporting requirements after the enactment of Senate Bill 117. This waiver applies to programs including but not limited to CSPP, CCTR and CAPP. It is important to note that this is not a permanent change to statute or regulations. These requirements will apply until June 30, 2020, unless nullified or changed by the Legislature. As the situation evolves and more information is available, the California Department of Education will issue additional guidance.
COVID-10 Guidance for K-12 Schools from CDE
There is a new guidance from the California Department of Education that contains guidance on distance learning, remote learning guidance and getting internet access. This guidance also contains information on school meals and child care and student supervision. Read the Guidance here.