NEW YORK FORWARD CHILD CARE EXPANSION INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that $65 million in federal CARES Act funding is available for child care providers statewide through the New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive program.

 The funding available includes:

• $20 million to assist childcare program with reopening and expansion of capacity by providing materials to support a more socially distant model, and for supplies and activities associated with reopening and expansion. This may include partitions, short term rental of space, etc.
• $45 million in childcare Reopening and Expansion Incentive funds to pay for 50% of the cost of a newly opened classroom (maximum grant amount of $6,000) as an incentivize to open the classroom. The temporary funds will phase out over the second and third months as more parents bring their children back into childcare.

New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive and Temporary Operating Assistance Applications

Download OCFS 5450 for licensed/registered child care programs or OCFS 5451  for legally exempt programs.  Both of these documents are also posted on the OCFS website and can be found at: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on July 15, 2020.

NYS DOH INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY as of June 8, 2020

The State has made available a business reopening safety plan template to guide business owners and operators in developing plans to protect against the spread of COVID-19.  The template of this plan is attached, or programs can find the template at the following link: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_BusinessReopeningSafetyPlanTemplate.pdf

There is also a summary document for child care programs and summer camps operating and/or re-opening during COVID-19.  It may be helpful with further clarifying the NYS DOH INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.  The summary document can also be found at: https://wwwgovernor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Childcare_and_Summer_Camps_Summary.pdf

As you may know, on June 1, 2020, OCFS issued emergency regulations which state that all child care programs “must operate in compliance with all emergency health guidance promulgated by the Department of Health in the interest of public health during a designated public health emergency. Provided that, during a designated public health emergency, any relevant emergency directives from the executive chamber or from the Department of Health shall supersede regulations of the Office in the case of any conflict.”  This regulation requires child care programs to comply with the attached NYS DOH guidance and is effective immediately.  The emergency regulation language can be found HERE.

Special Live Webinar Training: "Guidance and Best Practices for Child Care Programs Operating During the COVID-19 Emergency"

Registration is now open but capacity is limited, so register today! Please note, you only need to register for ONE session. If you are interested in congregate viewing of this training, email the ECETP mailbox for information.Visit https://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/ for more information.