COVID-19 Resource Center
Resources, News, and Updates for CCR&Rs, Providers, and Parents
2020 Flu Information
Each year, to comply with New York State Public Health Law (PHL) § 613, licensed and registered day care programs, nursery schools, pre-K, kindergarten, school-age child care programs, and public and non-public schools are required to post information about influenza (flu) and the benefits of flu vaccination at the start of flu season in early fall. This year, flu vaccination is more important than ever because the flu and the virus that causes COVID-19 may both be spreading. Flu vaccination will help reduce the spread of flu and help ease the burden on our health care system.
More information and Fact Sheets:
Survey on Child Care Program Enrollment
OCFS is collecting information from licensed and registered child care providers to find out how many children are attending child care as New York reopens. All open and operating child care programs are asked to complete this survey every Wednesday. If you are receiving a CARES2 Child Care Expansion Incentive, completing this form each week will satisfy the enrollment reporting requirement.
Executive Orders
- March 7 COVID19-EO-202
- March 12 COVID19-EO-202.1
- March 14 COVID19-EO-202.2
- March 16 COVID19-EO-202.3
Federal Resources
News and Updates
March 17, 2020 — Notice to Child Care Providers Regarding Directives
OCFS- Attention: Child Care Providers
There is no State directive to close child care programs at this time. OCFS is working on creative ways to help expand child care capacity in a safe way across the state. As a reminder, licensed programs are responsible for reporting to OCFS if they are voluntarily closing.
In certain circumstances, local authorities have the authority to direct programs to close under quarantine or other emergency orders.
Your license capacity remains in effect unless you’ve been approved for a waiver by OCFS. We encourage you to consider the ability to care for children who are not attending school but whose parents must continue to work. There may be ways for you to serve a greater number of children while continuing to prioritize their health and safety and that of your employees. To the extent practicable, consider ways to manage your program to limit group sizes and interactions between groups in line with the Centers for Disease Control guidance.
March 17, 2020 — Memorandum to Voluntary Agency Chief Executive Officers and Executive Directors
As part of New York States’ continued effort to curtail the transmission of the Novel Coronavirus of 2019 Disease (COVID-19) and maintain the health, safety, and well-being of the children and families served in residential treatment centers and congregate care settings (programs), the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) encourages the implementation of policies which limit visitor access. Programs must take immediate steps to temporarily restrict visitors to only:
- specified family members,
- medical personnel, and
- Behavioral health specialists.
Download the complete memorandum as Word or PDF.
March 16, 2020 — Child Care Subsidy Information in Regard to COVID-19
Effective immediately, local social services districts can expand the child care services they provide to families affected by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Districts may select from the following options:
- extend the eligibility period,
- expand the definition of a child needing protective services,
- expand the number of allowable absences,
- expand the number of program closures,
- extend eligibility up to 85% of the state median income level,
- waive family shares, and
- make other requests related to eligibility and/or administration of the child care subsidy program.
A letter to Commissioners and the waiver request form are provided below.
Human Resources
- A Leader’s Guide to Effective Dialogue Under Pressure
- An Employee Has COVID-19. Now What Do I Do?
- Equity and Inclusion During COVID-19
- What is the difference between a furlough and a layoff
- 5 Things To Know About Coronavirus And People With Disabilities
- For Urban Poor, the Coronavirus Complicates Existing Health Risks
- Rural Americans Are Vulnerable to the Coronavirus
Links
- Mental Health and Wellness Resources
- Office of Child Care COVID-19 Resources
- CDC’s coronavirus website
- NYS Department of Health’s coronavirus website
- NYS Department of Health’s directory of local health departments
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation disinfection product registration directory
- Virtual Culture - Coronavirus and Telecommuting
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
- Children's Responses to Crises and Trauma
- Office of Child Care (OCC) resources for CCDF leaders
- CDC guidance for child care programs that remain open
- CDC Example 3 related to Person Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Eco-Healthy Child Care Website
- How to Balance Children’s Screen Time During the Pandemic