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The New York State Office of Children and Family Services provides a range of resources to help parents with their child care needs, people who want to start or are currently running child care programs, and anyone with a concern about the health or safety of a child in a day care program.

Updates and Important Announcements

Final Report of the Child Care Availability Task Force
Supporting Families, Employers & New York's Future: An Action Plan for a Strong and Equitable Child Care System May 4, 2021  

Final Report of the Child Care Availability Task Force

Update to Health Advisory: Quarantine for Community Persons Exposed to COVID-19 April 22, 2021  

Update to Health Advisory: Quarantine for Community Persons Exposed to COVID-19

Governor Cuomo Announces $26.6 Million Available to Support Essential Workers and First Responders Through the Empire Pandemic Grant Program April 16, 2021  

$26.6 million in Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement funding is available to New York State first responders, health care workers and other essential workers for unreimbursed expenses they incurred while responding to the coronavirus pandemic between March 1 and July 31, 2020.

For more information see:

Letter to Providers - Child Abuse Awareness Month April 9, 2021  

Dear Provider,
This letter provides information on April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

New York State Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan April 5, 2021  

Public Hearings
Note: Revised dates

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Division of Child Care Services is in the preliminary phase of developing its next CCDF State Plan and is seeking input from the public, local departments of social services, CCDF Tribal Grantees and other stakeholders. The comments and any other feedback received will be considered in development of the State Plan and in future policies for the child care subsidy program and quality improvement activities.

Get information on the public hearings.

Coming soon! New York State’s Draft FY 2022-2024 Child Care and Development (CCDF) Plan

Letter to Providers - Updated Travel Guidance April 1, 2021  

Dear Provider,
Today, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) updated its COVID-19 Travel Advisory. All New Yorkers must adhere to the travel guidelines, attached hereto, and available on the NYS DOH website. Please review the information contained in these important guidance documents.

Learning about the COVID-19 Vaccine: Basics and More (Presentation) March 23, 2021  

Child care providers and programs wishing to be up to date on information about current COVID-19 vaccines can now access a new informational resource. This PowerPoint presentation contains information and answers to many of your most frequent questions.

Dear Provider Letters - Elijah's Law & Anaphylaxis Policy for Child Day Programs March 15, 2021  

This policy sets guidelines to be followed by child day care programs for both the prevention of anaphylaxis and during an anaphylaxis emergency.

The SBA is Reopening the Paycheck Protection Program February 22, 2021  

Apply for PPP Before March 10th: Help for Family- and Center-Based Child Care Businesses With Fewer Than 20 Employees

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a forgivable loan program to help very small businesses, such as child care programs, with much needed financial support during these unprecedented times. From February 24 to March 10, 2021, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for a PPP loan. This exclusive application period allows participating lenders to focus on serving very small businesses, such as family child care (FCC) educators and early care and education (ECE) programs.

Learn more about PPP loans by exploring the resources below.

The Biden-Harris Administration statement issued on February 22, 2021, provides details on changes to PPP to increase lending opportunities for small businesses to further promote equitable access to relief. The statement includes information on the exclusive application period for PPP to help very small businesses, such as FCC educators and ECE programs. Here’s a link to the statement for more details: Changes to PPP To Further Promote Equitable Access to Relief.

For more information about PPP and other financial business supports, please visit the Office of Child Care’s (OCC) webpage: Early Care and Education Providers: Taking Advantage of the New Small Business Administration Loan and Grant Programs, which includes the following information:

  • Two national webinar videos to help you understand and access PPP—one video for FCC educators and one video for ECE programs.
  • Several resources for small businesses to help FCC educators and ECE programs learn more about PPP and navigate the challenges created by the pandemic.

Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program are due no later than March 31, 2021, for all businesses, but program funding may run out before then.

En Español

Solicite para el PPP antes del 10 de marzo: Hay ayuda para empresas de cuidado infantil familiar y cuidado basado en centros con menos de 20 empleados

El Programa de Protección de Pago (Paycheck Protection Program--PPP) es un programa de préstamos perdonables para ayudar a empresas pequeñas, como programas de cuidado infantil, con apoyo financiero muy necesitado durante estos tiempos sin precedentes. Del 24 de febrero al 10 de marzo de 2021, solo las empresas con menos de 20 empleados pueden solicitar un préstamo PPP. Este período de solicitud exclusivo permite a los prestamistas participantes concentrarse en prestar servicios a empresas muy pequeñas, como los educadores de cuidado infantil familiar (family child care-FCC) y los programas de educación y cuidado infantil a edades tempranas (early care and education-ECE).

Obtenga más información sobre los préstamos PPP explorando los recursos a continuación.

La declaración de la Administración Biden-Harris emitida el 22 de febrero de 2021 proporciona detalles sobre los cambios en los PPP para aumentar las oportunidades de préstamos a las pequeñas empresas para promover aún más el acceso equitativo a ayuda. La declaración incluye información sobre el período de solicitud exclusivo para PPP para ayudar a empresas muy pequeñas, como los educadores de la FCC y los programas de ECE. Aquí hay un enlace a la declaración para obtener más detalles: Changes to PPP To Further Promote Equitable Access to Relief (Cambios a PPP para promover acceso equitativo a ayuda).

Para obtener más información sobre PPP y otros apoyos comerciales financieros, visite la página web de la Oficina de Cuidado Infantil: Early Care and Education Providers: Taking Advantage of the New Small Business Administration Loan and Grant Programs (Proveedores de educación y cuidado temprano: Aprovechando los nuevos programas de préstamos y subvenciones de la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas), que incluye la siguiente información:

  • Dos videos de seminarios web nacionales para ayudarlo a comprender y acceder a PPP: un video para educadores de la FCC y un video para programas de ECE
  • Varios recursos para pequeñas empresas para ayudar a los educadores de la FCC y los programas de ECE a aprender más sobre PPP y navegar los desafíos creados por la pandemia.

Las solicitudes para el Programa de Protección de Pago vencen a más tardar el 31 de marzo de 2021 para todas las empresas, pero los fondos del programa pueden agotarse antes de esa fecha.

Dear Provider Letter - Comprehensive Background Check Schedule and Requirements February 22, 2021  

This Dear Provider Letter provides guidance on an updated schedule for completion of Comprehensive Background Check requirements. As you are aware, new federally mandated background check requirements were enacted in late 2019; however, the COVID-19 pandemic caused interruption in the ability to schedule fingerprinting appointments in 2020. The guidance in this letter outlines the expectations for completion of these requirements for those that were impacted during this specified timeframe in 2020.
February 22, 2021 Letter Word | February 22, 2021 Letter PDF - English
February 22, 2021 Letter Spanish Word | February 22, 2021 Letter Spanish PDF - Spanish / Español

Update Guidance for The New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Program January 12, 2021  

New vaccine guidance has been issued for Facilities and for OASAS / OCFS / OMH / OTDA.

See the COVID-19 Guidance page for more information.

See New Vaccine Guidance for Child Care Providers.

Dear Provider Letter — New Vaccine Guidance for Child Care Providers January 11, 2021  

Dear Provider Letter - January 11, 2021 - New Vaccine Guidance for Child Care Providers

This Dear Provider letter provides guidance to child care programs regarding the State's vaccination plan. Prioritized populations now include: owners, operators and staff of OCFS licensed and registered child care programs; providers and staff of New York City based child care programs under article 43 and article 47 of the city health code (identified as "approved child care"); and providers and staff of Legally Exempt Group Child Care programs. Please read this information carefully, and review the Department of Health's website for detailed information.
January 11, 2021 Letter Word | January 11, 2021 Letter PDF - English
January 11, 2021 Letter Spanish Word | January 11, 2021 Letter Spanish PDF - Spanish / Español

NY CARES2 Award Reimbursement Information November 17, 2020  

All requests for reimbursement should be submitted by completing and submitting the OCFS-5453 New York Forward COVID Reimbursement Request Form.

See the NY CARES program page for forms and more information.

Important Deadlines

  • Provider budget modifications should be submitted to OCFS at ocfs.sm.CARES2LR@ocfs.ny.gov 12/15/2020
  • Provider receipts may be submitted to the CCR&R up to 12/31/2020. see the Reimbursement Instructions for details.

See the CARES 2 Reimbursement Instructions & Allowable/Non-Allowable Expense chart for more information.

Interim Guidance on COVID-19 Test-Out for Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Red or Orange Micro-Cluster Zones” Under the New York State Micro-Cluster Action Initiative November 3, 2020  

Under the authority of Executive Order 202.68, schools in red and orange zones must close in-person instruction for at least two weeks. On October 30, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced strict health guidelines, as detailed herein, for schools to reopen in red and orange cluster zones during this time in order to help keep schools in focus areas safely open to in person instruction. The guidelines require mass testing in schools before they reopen followed by intensive symptom and exposure screening conducted daily, as well as surveillance testing of 25% of the in-person student and faculty/staff weekly. New York State will provide rapid test kits upon request for schools wishing to participate.

CARES3 Grant Applications and Instructions for Child Care Programs Updated October 29, 2020  

CARES 3 Reopening/Restructuring for Remote Learning and Temporary Operating Grant

These applications are for grants available throughout New York State from the federal CARES Act funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant opportunities are to assist reopening and expansion of capacity in child care programs by providing for supplies associated with reopening and expansion.

For more information, see the CARES 3 Reopening/Restructuring for Remote Learning and Temporary Operating Grant page.

For technical assistance and support with CARES 3 applications in English and Spanish please call the OCFS Human Services Call Center toll free at: 1-844-863-9316. Representatives are available to assist you.

October 29, 2020 - Now Available: Child Care Scholarships for Essential Workers

Policy 20-02: When Does Remote Learning Require a Child Care License or Registration?
Register Here: Remote Learning for Single-Purpose Program Notification Form September 14, 2020  

Policy 20-02 has been issued to provide guidance on whether a remote learning configuration is exempt from New York State Office of Children and Family Services child care licensure or registration. This policy statement can be found on the Child Care Policy page.

Remote Learning for Single-Purpose Program Notification Form

Programs intending to serve children under the single-purpose program exemption are requested to notify OCFS of the program including the location, number of children served daily and a point of contact including phone and email address, which must be completed on the online form.

Weekly Survey on Child Care Program Enrollment June 30, 2020  

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.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

The Coronavirus information related to Child Care programs now has its own page: ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/COVID-19

Child Care News

New York State Celebrates Provider Appreciation Day, May 7, 2021 Provider Appreciation Day recognizes the remarkable work of all New York State's child care professionals during an unprecedented time.
Department of Health and Office of Children and Family Services Issue Emergency Regulations to Strengthen Medical Exemption Process for School Vaccinations Emergency Regulations will Prevent Medical Exemptions from Being Used for Non-Medical Purposes.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services to Donate 22,000 Pack ‘n Play Cribs to Child Care Providers to Promote Safe Sleep for Babies Legally-exempt, family child care, and group family child care programs across New York State are each eligible for one crib. The safe sleep Pack ‘n Plays are being given free of charge.

Comprehensive Background Clearance Information

New Emergency Regulations

OCFS issued new emergency regulations that make changes to the rules for comprehensive background checks to ease the burden on programs and parents. These new regulations went into effect on February 7, 2020. You can find them here: ocfs.ny.gov/main/legal/Regulatory/er/.

Policy Directives

Frequently Asked Questions - Update February 11, 2020

Scam Alerts

Scammers claiming to provide COVID vaccine registrations

English

OCFS has learned that child care programs are being contacted by individuals falsely representing themselves as employees of OCFS and/or the Department of Health. These individuals give the child care provider the name of their licensor/registrar and tell them the purpose of the call is to arrange a vaccine appointment for them. The individual gives the child care provider a “password” such as this: 2010-I-LIRO 0145 for them to use to obtain the vaccine. The individual asks the child care provider for personal information to get them on a vaccination list, and in some instances, are threatening to shut the child care program down if they opt not to take the vaccine. Some scammers are offering free supplies to providers, reference the regulations, and mention the program’s regulator by name. The scammers speak Spanish and English.

OCFS and DOH are NOT calling child care programs to schedule vaccinations, or give out free supplies. PLEASE DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION! If you have any questions about your child care program, please contact your regulator directly.

Español

¡NUEVA INFORMACIÓN SOBRE ESTAFADORES!

La Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias (OCFS por sus siglas en inglés) se ha enterado que programas de cuidado infantil están siendo contactados por individuos que pretenden representar a empleados de la OCFS y/o del Departamento de Salud (DOH por sus siglas en inglés). Estos individuos proporcionan al proveedor de cuidado infantil el nombre de su licenciante/registrador y le informan que el propósito de la llamada es coordinar una cita para vacunarse contra el COVID-19. El individuo proporciona al proveedor de cuidado infantil una contraseña o “password” similar a la siguiente: 2010-I-LIRO 0145 para que el proveedor la use para obtener la vacuna. El individuo solicita información personal del proveedor de cuidado infantil para añadirlos a la lista de vacunación, y en algunos casos les amenazan con cerrar el programa de cuidado infantil si optan por no registrarse para la vacuna. Algunos estafadores están ofreciendo suministros gratuitos a los proveedores, hacen referencia a regulaciones y mencionan el nombre del regulador del programa. Los estafadores hablan español y inglés.

OCFS y DOH NO están llamando a programas de cuidado infantil para programar vacunaciones o para ofrecer suministros gratuitos. POR FAVOR NO COMPARTA INFORMACION PESONAL. Si tiene preguntas sobre su programa de cuidado infantil por favor contacte a su regulador directament.

Phishing targets CARES grantees

English

OCFS has been notified that child care providers are being contacted by a group saying they are a third party entity working with the CCR&R/Child Care Council on the CARES grants. THIS IS NOT ACCURATE!

DO NOT SHARE INFORMATION WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN YOUR CCR&R OR OCFS REGARDING CARES GRANT AWARDS. This "third party entity" will have your program name, address and license number and then ask for details such as social security number and bank information, so they may seem legitimate. Remember that your program information and license number are public information listed on the OCFS website.

OCFS and the CCR&R will not ask for sensitive information such as your banking information over the phone. If you have any concerns or questions about who is contacting you, please do not give out information. Contact the agency facilitating your reimbursement claim for assistance.

Report fraud: 1-800-HHS-TIPS or online

Español

¡ADVERTENCIA DE FRAUDE!

Se nos ha notificado que proveedores de cuidado infantil están siendo contactados por un grupo informándoles que son una entidad de terceros que está trabajando con los CCR&R y el Child Care Council en subvenciones de CARES. ¡ESTO NO ES CIERTO!

NO COMPARTA INFORMACIÓN CON NINGUNA OTRA ENTIDAD QUE NO SEA SU CCR&R O LA OFICINA DE SERVICIOS PARA NIÑOS Y FAMILIAS (OCFS) CON RESPECTO A LA SUBVENCIÓN DE CARES 2.

Esta “entidad de terceros” tendrá el nombre de su programa, la dirección y el número de licencia, y luego le pedirá detalles tales como su número de Seguro Social e información bancaria, de manera que aparenten ser legítimos. Recuerde que la información de su programa y el número de su licencia es información pública listada en el sitio web de la OCFS.

La OCFS y los CCR&R no le pedirán información confidencial tal como información bancaria por el teléfono. Si tiene alguna preocupación o preguntas acerca de quién le ha contactado, por favor no proporcione información. Póngase en contacto con la agencia que está facilitando su solicitud de reembolso por asistencia.

Denuncie Fraude: 1-800-HHS-TIPS o enlinea

QUALITYstarsNY

Quality Stars

QUALITYstarsNY is New York State's quality rating and improvement system. It is a voluntary program to rate, improve and communicate levels of quality in all regulated early care and learning programs. Read more about the important QUALITYstarsNY initiative.

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