Child Care Connections
COVID-19 Resources
Resources
COVID-19 Announcements
Resources
COVID-19 Resources for Families & Communities
community focused
COVID-19 Updates
With the continual changes around COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Montana, this page is intended to serve as a resource to Families and Child Care Providers in our service area. Updates from this page will also be shared regularly on our social media platforms.
In times like these, we as an agency look to the experts to give us guidance on how to respond. This page is to provide you with current information from trusted sources and experts. Please use the links below to guide you to additional resources including current announcements from CCC to those we serve, updates, closures, resources, and even some fun activities.
Daily Updates
COVID-19 Announcements
The links below will connect you to recent communications from CCC to our clients and community, as well as relevant directives from Local, State, and Federal officials. These announcements include official updates and closures:
Updated Frequently
Montana Response: COVID-19 – Global, National, & State
Updated Frequently
Park County: Health Department COVID-19 Updates
Updated Frequently
Healthy Gallatin: COVID-19 Information Page
Updated Frequently
Jefferson County: Public Health COVID-19 Updates
Updated Frequently
Lewis & Clark County: Public Health COVID-19 Updates
- 11/17/2020: MT STATE: New COVID-19 Directives
- 11/06/20: Gallatin County Health Department: New local restrictions to slow the transmission of COVID-19
- 11/05/2020: Lewis & Clark Public Health: Updated Guidance for Responding to a COVID-19 Positive Employee
- 10/19/2020: MT STATE: CHILD CARE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: COVID-19
- 8/19/2020: MT STATE: Applications open for funding through the $50 million announced 8/11/20
- 8/11/2020: MT STATE: Governor Bullock Directs $50 Million to Maintain and Expand Child Care and Support Montana
- 07/31/2020: Gallatin County Health Department- Face Coverings in Child Care
- 07/22/2020: MT STATE: Face Covering FAQ- Including for child care facilities
- 07/15/20: MT STATE: Governor’s Face Mask Mandate
- 07/02/2020: MT State: Governor’s Plan for Reopening Safe Healthy Schools for Montana
- 06/02/20: CCC- Offices are now open with limited hours. Bozeman- 8 am – 4 pm, Helena- 8:30 am -4:00 pm
- 05/21/20: FFYF: Senators Call for $25 Billion in Child Care Relief Funding
- 05/20/20: CDC: Initial Phase II Reopening Guidelines- Child Care page 40
- 05/29/20: MT STATE: Governor’s Phase II Reopening Directive
- 05/14/20: CCC: Q&A with ED for Child Care Providers
- 05/08/20: FFYF: New National Child Care Relief Campaign
- 05/06/20: MT STATE: Gov. Bullock Announces $10 Million Available for Child Care Facilities in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 04/28/20: CCC: BBS Co-Payments Waived for March, April, and May
- 05/01/20: CCAoA: How Can CCR&R Agencies Help Child Care Programs Reopen?
- 04/29/20: MT STATE: MT School Safety Advisory Committee Issues School Re-Entry Guidance.
- 04/25/20: KBZK: Paycheck Protection Program Loan Application Process Resumes Monday
- 04/24/20: Center for American Progress: Coronavirus Pandemic Could Lead to Permanent Loss of Nearly 4.5 Million Child Care Slots
- 04/22/20: MT STATE: Reopening Montana Phased Approach
- 04/22/20: MT STATE: Montana Reopening Guidelines
- 04/22/20: MT STATE: Gov. Bullock Announces Plan for Phased Reopening of MT
- 04/20/20: Gallatin County: COVID-19 Situation Report
- 04/17/20: FFYF: Child Care and COVID-19: Emergency Relief Funding to States for Education
- 04/17/20: CCC: CDC Guidelines For Child Care Providers & Info on Masks
- 04/16/20: MT DLI: Expanded Unemployment Benefits- Self Employed
- 04/15/20: FFYF: Celebrating Week of the Young Child 2020
- 04/07/20: MT STATE: Gov. Bullock Extends Stay-at-Home Order Through April 24th
- 04/03/20: MT STATE: Gov. Bullock to Bolster Food Security During COVID-19
- 04/01/20: MT STATE: DPHHS FAQ on Child Care in MT During COVID-19
- 04/01/20: MT STATE: Gov. Bullock’s Official Child Care Directive- Essential Service Declaration
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- 03/31/20: Gov. Bullock Announces Consumer Protections to Lessen Financial Hardships on Montanans During COVID-19 Pandemic
- 03/31/20: ECSB: Further Clarification on BBS for Child Care Providers
- 03/31/20: MT STATE: Education Department Approves MT’s Assessment Waiver- State Testing Update
- 03/30/20: CNN: Trump Extends Social Distancing Through April
- 03/30/20: UNICEF: Greater Support Needed for Working Families as COVID-19 Takes Hold
- 03/28/20: NYTIMES: FAQ on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment, and the Coronavirus Plan
- 03/27/20: ECSB: Important Best Beginnings Scholarship Updates
- 03/26/20: CCC: UPDATE: FOR PARENTS: Gov. Bullock’s Stay-at-Home Directive
- 03/26/20: CCC: UPDATE: FOR PROVIDERS: Gov. Bullock’s Stay-at-Home Directive
- 03/26/20: Gov. Bullock Issues Stay at Home Directive to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
- 03/26/20: FFYF: Congress Includes Crucial Relief for Child Care Industry in COVID-19 Stimulus Package
- 03/26/20: CCC: Training and Fingerprinting Update
- 03/25/20: FFYF: What’s included for child care in the COVID-19 Relief Stimulus Package
- 03/25/20: Gallatin County Emergency Management Situation Report: #20200325-01
- 03/25/20: ECP: Registry Update During COVID-19
- 03/24/20: CCC: Letter of Guidance to Child Care Providers
- 03/24/20: Gov. Bullock Announces Extension of Closures, Mandates Social Distancing
- 03/24/20: Gov. Bullock Issues Directive Providing Flexibility to Local Governments
- 03/23/20: CCAoA: Child Care Needs Funding
- 03/22/20: Gallatin County Emergency Management Situation Report: # 20200322-01
- 03/20/20: Center on the Developing Child: Stress, Hope, and Science: Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic
- 03/20/20: Governor Bullock Extends Tax Filing for Montana State Taxes
- 03/19/29: Prevent Child Abuse America: Policy Response to COVID-19
- 03/19/20: City of Helena: COVID-19 Impact Mitigation Measures
- 03/19/20: MT House of Representatives Updates
- 03/19/20: No Kid Hungry: COVID-19 Update
- 03/18/20: Families First Coronavirus Act Passed March 18th
- 03/18/20: Bozeman Schools COVID-19 Update
- 03/18/20: City of Livingston- State of Emergency, COVID-19
- 03/18/20: FFYF- Urgent Request to Congress for Child Care Sector in COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package
- 03/18/20: MNACPP Letter- Please Support Your Child Care Providers During this Pandemic
- Why pay child care providers when they are closed due to COVID-19
- 03/17/20: CCAoA Coronavirus Webinar: Resources for Child Care and Advice from the Field
- 03/17/20: Lewis & Clark County Health Department Letter to Child Care Providers
- 03/17/20: ECP- Notice of Office Closure
- 03/16/20: CCC Child Care Updates | COVID-19
- CCC Office Closures to the Public
- CCC resources and training updates for Providers
- Best Beginnings Caseworker contact information
- 03/15/20: CCC COVID-19 Announcement for Families
- 03/15/20: CCC COVID-19 Announcement for Providers
- 03/15/20: CCC Offices Closed to the Public
- 03/13/20: CCC Letter to Child Care Providers
Frequent Updates
COVID-19 Resources for Families & Communities
The links below will connect you to recent communications from CCC to our clients and community, as well as relevant directives from Local, State, and Federal officials. These announcements include official updates and closures:
Family Resources
General COVID-19 Education & Resources
Use the links below to access helpful resources to stay safe and healthy:
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
- Get the latest updates from the State
- Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA)
- Institute for Childhood Preparedness: Coronavirus Resources and Information
- FREE signs and flyers about COVID-19 for kids
Family Resources
Business Resources for Child Care Providers
- COVID-19 Grant Applications Opening May 7th
- PPP- Updated Docs loaded to SBA and Treasury Website
- PPP- Additional FAQ’s
- PPP- How to calculate loan amounts
- SBA COVID-19 Disaster Loan Comparison
- Paycheck Protection Program: Understanding this program for Providers
- Paycheck Protection Program Application
- SBA Resource Guide
- Family First Act Training for Child Care Providers with Elizabeth Linsky CPA
- YOUR MONEY: A Hub for Help During the Coronavirus Crisis
- WEBINAR: What Child Care Programs Need to Know About the Financial Side of the Coronavirus
- First Five Years Fund: Details on Child Care Relief in the COVDI-19 Economic Stimulus Bills
- How to Get Financial Help During the Pandemic
- Mark Cuban: Advice for small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Small Business Emergency Loans: Now available to MT
- Support for Child Care Providers- Response
Family Resources
Child Care Providers can
Family Resources
Resources for the Community
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Food and Meals:
- Gallatin Valley Food Bank- Available Meal Schedule
- School Meal Availability in Gallatin County
- Montana Food Bank Network
- Helena Food Share COVID-19 Response
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Volunteer Opportunities (even from home!):
Family Resources
Wellness & Mental Health Resources
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Children:
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Adults:
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Families:
- Emergencies: Helping Families and Children Cope with COVID-19
- Not Just For Kids: Pyramid Model Strategies During COVID-19
- More than a Virus: Responding to our own and our child’s feelings around COVID-19
- Supporting Families During COVID-19: Routines
- Supporting Families During COVID-19: Family Engagement
Family Resources
Activities for Children, Families, & Child Care Providers
- Looking for ways to educate your children on COVID-19, or for activities to keep stay busy during this uncertain time? Check-out the links below for educational and fun activities: (Stay tuned for more… updated daily! New links are in bold!)
- CCC’s First Annual Coloring Contest!
- Submissions are now being accepted through April 30th. Awards Celebrations will be rescheduled (TBD).
- A daily schedule and lesson plan example
- List of Authors and Artists doing FREE story time and art lessons
- Vroom- Activities for Kids
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems from the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
- New episodes will be posted each weekday at 1:00 p.m. ET and then remain online to be streamed afterward. Check back each weekday for new LUNCH DOODLES!
- Virtual Field Trips
- Virtual National Park Tours
- Skype a Scientist for Families
- Virtual Hike on the Great Wall of China
- Virtual Field Trips
- Hands-on Home Learning for Preschoolers
- STEAM: Fun and Easy Science Experiments for Kids at Home
- Scholastic: Learn at Home
- List of Free Education Courses
- The Entire List of Companies Giving FREE Subscriptions Due to School Closures
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BOOKS:
- Book: Masks Aren’t Scary! A COVID-19 story about face masks for children ages 0-3
- Book: Wear Face Masks, Stop Germs! A COVID-19 story about face masks for children ages 4-6
- MontanaLibrary2Go.com
- Arbordale Publishing is making their digital books available for free to all families through May 15, 2020. All books are in both English and Spanish and other languages are available on select titles.
- Book: Helping Children Understand COVID-19
- Book: COVID-19 Social Story for Kids
- Listen to Olaf from Frozen read books each night!
- Gryphon House: Our Favorite At Home Pinterest Activities
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PE With Joe: Home exercise for kids of all ages, updated daily!
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COLORING SHEETS:
- CCC’s First Annual Coloring Contest!
Family Resources
Reopening Child Care Programs:
- MT STATE Emergency Grants for Child Care Providers – Opened 5/7/20
- Business Reopening Kits
- Food and Nutrition Assistance/Resources for Child Care Providers
- CCAoA: Reopening Flow Chart
- How Can CCR&R Agencies Help Child Care Programs Reopen?
- CDC: Guidance for Open Child Care Programs
- CCAoA: Considerations for Child Care Closure Due to COVID-19
- 4/22/20: MT STATE: Reopening Montana Phased Approach
- 4/22/20: MT STATE: Montana Reopening Guidelines
Family Resources
Resources for Parents
- MT DPHHS: Supporting Young Children During COVID-19
- YOUR MONEY: A Hub for Help During the Coronavirus Crisis
- FREE Webinar: Working from home with kids
- NPR: Triple Duty, working, parenting, and teaching from home
- Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource
- Free Internet Installation for Students During COVID-19
Resources for Employers/Employees:
- UNICEF: 7 Ways employers can support their employees during COVID-19
- Families First Act: Guidance for Employees
- Families First Act: Guidance for Employers
Family Resources
Face Masks – What Child Care Providers & Parents Need to Know
- 07/15/2020: MT State: Governor’s Face Mask Mandate
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Face-coverings are not required for:
- Children under the age of five (5)
- All children between the ages of two and four, however, are strongly encouraged to wear a face-covering in accordance with the provisions of this Directive
- Children under the age of two (2) should not wear a face-covering
- Children under the age of five (5)
- As of 7/15/2020, CCC is waiting for more specific details on how this directive will affect child care facilities. Information will be sent out to child care providers as soon as possible.
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- CDC Guidance on face coverings
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Resources to help children understand face Masks:
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Where to get child-sized, youth, and adult face Masks:
- Online retailers selling face masks
- Best Reusable Cloth Face Masks for Kids- 21 places to buy
- How-to make children’s face masks
- No-Sew face mask patterns
- Child Care Connections is looking into options to be able to assist you in finding low-cost or free face masks in a limited capacity. We’ll continue to update you as we have availability.
