To:
From:
Tracey Campanini,
Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development & Early Learning
Issue Date: June 25, 2020
Effective Date: Immediately
End Date: August 31, 2020
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT REPLACES IN ITS ENTIRITY, ANNOUNCEMENT 20 #08
To provide additional information to child care programs participating in Child Care Works and the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC) in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is an updated policy, providing additional information and replaces ELRC Announcement 20 #08.
COVID-19 continues to be active in Pennsylvania. The information about managing COVID-19 is continually being updated. This announcement focuses on the clarification of payments for Pennsylvania’s child care subsidy program, Child Care Works (CCW), for the period of July 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020.
On March 6, 2020 Governor Wolf issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is serving as the lead agency to coordinate information at the state and local level.
Information will continue to be shared to address questions and concerns brought to OCDEL’s attention. We continue to monitor information from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guidance developed by DHS will be centrally located on this page, which will be updated as additional guidance becomes available. We ask that you continue to consult these resources for updates on COVID-19, information on staying healthy, and updates on the situation in Pennsylvania.
DOH has routinely shared that Pennsylvanians should be prepared for the continued spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and is urging continued planning. As a result, child care programs serving children and families enrolled in CCW have inquired whether they would continue to receive CCW payments in the event child care facilities closed due to COVID-19.
On Friday March 13, DHS issued a policy announcement addressing CCW payment in the event child care was mandated to close by the Governor. That policy was updated outlining CCW payments for May and June. In times of emergency, the commonwealth strives to support citizens to the greatest extent; therefore, processes and policies are evaluated and updated to be responsive to community needs and the continually evolving situation. As a result, this policy communicates additional information regarding CCW payments for child care services.