Family child care providers throughout California are bravely navigating the impact of Omicron and other variants while caring for young ones. CCPU providers stood together to win the support and stability we needed to stay healthy and keep our doors open, and we continue to advocate for what providers and families need as the pandemic continues. Read below to be sure you’re taking advantage of the programs and tools available to you.

Financial support 

As a reminder, CCPU-UDW members fought for the following benefits, which are in effect from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022: waiver of family fees, reimbursement based on enrollment rather than attendance, and 16 paid nonoperational days for COVID-19-related closures. 

Our second and largest COVID-specific agreement with the state includes:

1. Waiver of family fees: no families pay family fees and providers are reimbursed for the full amount of the certificate or voucher without deducting family fees from July 2021 through June 2022 
2. Reimbursement based on enrollment rather than attendance otherwise referred to as “hold harmless”: Ensure all reimbursements for care provided since July 1, 2021, are based on the maximum certified hours of care rather than attendance so providers don’t lose money if families stay home due to COVID or other reasons
3. Additional 16 paid nonoperational days for COVID-19-related closures: Reimbursement for up to 16 non-operational days for COVID-19-related closures starting July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022

In support of child care providers that are open during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as those that plan to open by February 28, 2022, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care Licensing Program (CCLP) continues to partner with local Resource and Referral agencies to distribute emergency supplies. The distribution of emergency supplies is scheduled for the last two weeks of January 2022.

Supplies and COVID test distributions

CCLP will distribute supplies, including both at-home COVID test kits, surgical masks for children, and other PPE. Emergency supplies are for all child care program types, e.g. licensed and exempt providers caring for subsidized and non-subsidized children.  

Resource and Referrals’ distribution methods include: 

• Delivery of the supplies to the provider’s doorstep for rural areas
• Weekend drive-through pick up
• Pick up when they drop off subsidy claims or walk-in

Reach out to your local Resource and Referral to find out when, where, and what PPE is offered. Click HERE to start searching.

The latest guidelines

 The latest testing guidelines for the child care industry can be found here. Testing is one layer in a multi-layered approach to COVID-19 prevention particularly when social distancing is not possible. While there is no testing requirement from CCLP, there may be a testing expectation from the local Public Health Department or other organizations that providers work with. To the extent that there are testing or other COVID-related safety requirements for providers or families from authorized organizations, those organizations are responsible to provide whatever is needed to comply with such requirements.  

REMEMBER: Free, confidential COVID-19 testing is available to every Californian. Get vaccinated to reduce the need for testing. 

The more we come together through our union, the greater the victories we build. Join our union today!