COVID-19 Child Care Guidance

CASY will continue to work to keep this information updated with new guidance released from the Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning. To ensure you are reading the most update to date guidance released, we urge you to visit their website directly at: https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/5761.htm

COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance for OECOSL stakeholders

• Temporary assistance grant application (claim weeks March 23, 2020 – April 5, 2020) – Chrome browser preferred

The first application for the first period from March 9, 2020 – March 22, 2020 is now closed.  All currently started applications for this grant period of March 9 – March 22 will be accepted up until 6 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2020. The new grant period that is currently posted and subsequent grants periods will close on the dates listed in the chart below: 

Please Note: When applying for this grant you will only claim the self/private/cash paying children that are absent or did not attend due to closure from your program. All CCDF voucher children will be paid by using personal days through the late attendance process.

• RECORDED: COVID-19 Update Webinar (3/24/2020)
  • Webinar FAQs (April 1, 2020)
• Updated guidance for child care providers (March 20,2020)
  • COVID-19 checklist
  • Temperature policy notification template
  • Closure due to positive COVID case notification template
  • Cleaning and sanitizing guidance
  • Talking with children about coronavirus
  • COVID-19 recording for child care programs (March 17, 2020)
• FAQ from child care provider webinar (March 19, 2020)
• Instructions/tutorial for temporary assistance grant application (March 27, 2020)
• Liability insurance for childcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 15, 2020)

Providing Care for Essential Staff:

Child Care Programs:

Respond to the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring that essential staff have the child care they need to work.

Want to be a part of this critical effort?

If you have vacancies, even temporary due to parents working from home, and you are willing to assist parents who are essential to our communities, please complete the emergency care form located below. Many parents are seeking care for their children so they can continue to keep our communities operational. We are working to assist these families when needed.

Community Organizations:

Hoosier organizations are helping to establish pop-up child care to serve staff who are essential to the COVID-19 response.

Do you want to be a part of the effort? Get connected today: 

3/23/2020 Indiana has issued a Stay-At-Home Order.

Click the link below for questions about what that means for child care programs.

Indiana Stay-At-Home Order FAQ

Indiana Grant and Loan Opportunities:

SBA Paycheck Protection Program Is Now Available

Starting on April 3, 2020, small businesses, including child care businesses, have the opportunity to apply for and receive loans to assist in covering their payroll and other certain expenses through existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders.

Visit the Paycheck Protection Program Borrowers sheet for information on eligibility and next steps:  https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–Fact-Sheet.pdf

For more resources visit the Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources page: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Available

Child Care programs could also be eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), which includes a $10,000 grant that businesses can apply for and which they do not need to pay back.

Apply now as loans and grants will be awarded on a first come first serve basis to those who are eligible.

Resources from Child Care Aware

Child care providers across the nations are closing as measures are set in place to reduce the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). If your child care business has closed or seen a drop in children attending and you’re experience financial distress, these resources can help.

Emergency Funding Resources that Child Care Providers Can Use Now

Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) has also prepared several resources including a video covering the following topics:

• Background and prevalence of the virus
• Protection in childcare
• Hygiene practices including cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting*
• Exclusion policies
• Social distancing
• When to seek medical attention
• Self-care

View those resources here. *Please note: It is the recommendation of Child Care Aware that “Family style dining should be suspended indefinitely to prevent multiple hands touching utensils and to decrease the risk of contamination.”