5 Things You Need to Know
In this Issue:
- ECD: The Latest Live - August 10 Virtual Convening Registration
Five Things You Need to Know
More States Post Applications for Child Care Stabilization Funds
- Focus on Equity in Head Start
CDC Releases Updated COVID-19 Early Care and Education/Child Care Guidance
- Transforming Tribal Early Childhood
- Learn about the President’s Build Back Better Agenda
ECD: The Latest Live - Virtual Convening Registration
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Please join the Office of Early Childhood Development for our monthly webinar series focused on the latest updates from the Biden-Harris Administration on early childhood policy. This is a forum for ACF and federal agency leadership to share progress on implementation of early childhood programs. Hear about how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is supporting families and the early childhood community, the Administration’s plans to Build Back Better, and how you can support the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. This month’s speakers will include ACF and ED leadership who will discuss how ARPA funding can be used to support the early childhood education workforce. We will also welcome Team, Inc., a Connecticut non-profit program, partnering to implement ARPA child care funding.
Speakers include:
- Katie Hamm Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development, Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD)
- Dr. Ruth Friedman Director, Office of Child Care (OCC)
- Dr. Bernadine Futrell, Director, Office of Head Start (OHS)
- Miriam Calderon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, US Department of Education (ED)
- David Morgan and Jamie Peterson, Team, Inc.
Link to registration info and to submit questions or topics of interest for the webinar, visit: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_GvTnJfO5QJKkbkezH_bQIw
More States Post Applications for Child Care Stabilization Funds
The American Rescue Plan provided $39 billion in child care funds, including $24 billion dedicated to stabilization subgrants that will help child care providers address the financial impact of the pandemic. Eleven states, including Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, and Vermont have posted their applications, and child care providers may apply now for funding.
The child care stabilization subgrants will provide financial relief to child care providers to defray costs associated with the pandemic and lost revenue. Importantly, these grants do not have to be repaid, as is often the case with loans. Grants are available for family child care and center-based child care providers who meet eligibility criteria.
Bookmark the link and check back to see when your state posts an application and help spread the word!
https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/state-and-territory-child-care-stabilization-grant-applications
Focus on Health Equity in Head Start
Head Start programs play a vital role in advancing health equity in communities across the nation. As we continue to navigate out of the pandemic and prepare Head Start programs to return to in-person services, the Office of Head Start is refreshing and relaunching the Sleeves Up for Head Start campaign with a specific focus on racial equity and targeting areas with low vaccination rates and higher rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. This effort begins with a conversation on the August 4 webinar during the Head Start Forward campaign to learn about how programs can work within communities to promote vaccine access and confidence. OHS will share their Health Equity framework and a checklist for Health and Safety considerations.
OHS #HeadStartForward campaign and links to past webinars here: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/about-us/article/head-start-forward-series
CDC Releases Updated COVID-19 Early Care and Education/Child Care Guidance
On July 9th, the CDC issued updated COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs. The new Guidance is available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/child-care-guidance.html
CDC also updated Tip Sheets for center-based and family child care providers:
For vaccine resources, visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/
Videos from child care providers about getting vaccinated available here:
- Family child care provider, Tonia McMillian, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SG5IVjgYrY
- Center-based child care provider, Carol Wong, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=SOXW5d0FrvE&feature=youtu.be
Transforming Tribal Early Childhood
In partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) hosted a webinar on July 29th to kick off an exploration of new opportunities for transforming tribal early childhood programs and systems. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) and other COVID-19 related legislation included large investments and present an unprecedented opportunity for tribal communities to develop and implement a vision to improve tribal early childhood programs and systems to better meet their needs. This webinar kicks off a series of meetings to discuss issues related to coordination and alignment of early childhood programs in tribal communities.
Future webinar topics include: Addressing Mental and Behavioral Health Issues among Children and Families; Ensuring Equity in Tribal Early Childhood Services (Understanding the Need and Building the Supply); Building and Improving Facilities for Early Care and Education; Integrating Language and Culture into Early Childhood Programming; Professional Development Opportunities and Challenges; Family Engagement and Family Leadership; Supporting Coordinated Data Systems; and Blending and Braiding Funding and Leveraging Policy Flexibilities.
Registration information for the webinar series coming soon!
Learn about the President’s Build Back Better Agenda
Here’s a link a recent op-ed article in Fortune from Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, see: https://fortune.com/2021/07/07/gina-raimondo-commerce-childcare-women-unemployment-infrastructure-american-families-plan/
Listen to Katie Hamm, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development discuss the proposals in the American Families Plan on the podcast, Parenting and Politics here:
White House American Families Plan Fact Sheet, see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/28/fact-sheet-the-american-families-plan/
Office of Early Childhood Development
ECD acts as a catalyst to create collective impact and support early learning and care of our nation's children and their families. This newsletter is for early childhood field catalysts and our partners in this work.
Please share suggestions for other topics or ways to improve future newsletters and webinars by sending an email to earlychildhooddevelopment@acf.hhs.gov
Email: earlychildhooddevelopment@acf.hhs.gov
Website: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ecd
Twitter: @ecdgov