On May 14th, 2020, CCC’s Executive Director, Jane Arntzen Schumacher held a question and answer session via Facebook LIVE. Missed it? Like to watch it again? You can view it HERE.

A summary of this event and additional resources are below. Click HERE to jump to resources.

SUMMARY: Highlights from Jane’s Address.

• We at CCC have felt and seen your frustration and struggles during this stressful time and we want you to know that we care.
• We are working to support our providers and families through the COVID-19 crisis by:
  • Communicating regularly with providers and families
  • Offering free trainings around available funding
  • Reviewing and submitting to the State all ECSB emergency grant funding applications within 24 hours of receipt
• ECSB cares about providers and is offering support to the best of their ability by:
  • Reimbursing providers the full authorized amount for families attending at least 85% of their authorization attendance.
  • Processing the emergency grant funds as fast as possible after receiving applications from R&R’s like CCC.
• Guardian Programs vs. PopUp Programs:
  • CCC’s Guardian Programs are partnerships with licensed providers that were established before COVID-19.  We have MOU’s and agreements with these providers. This process was started 3 years ago.
  • Pop-Up Programs are providing care exclusively for the children of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • These programs have not been operating unlicensed- they are required to follow the same guidelines as any open child care providers or Guardian Programs.
    • These programs are temporary care during the pandemic, they will not stay open long-term.
    • The expenses for opening these programs include:
      • Hiring and training all new staff
      • Finding and Opening a Facility
      • Operating at a reduced daily fee
    • Funding available to these programs is competitive and intended to offset the costs directly associated with implementing these temporary programs.
    • These programs primarily care for school-aged children due to school closures.
• COVID-19 ECSB Emergency Grant Funding:
  • The ECSB Emergency funding is not being given to unlicensed care programs.
  • Pop-Up programs are eligible to apply for a competitive grant of up to $90,000. They may not receive that full amount. Only 20 programs in the state will receive funding.
  • Non-competitive grants for licensed child care programs are for ALL licensed programs in the state.
  • LCP’s are not eligible for these funds
  • Licensed providers who do not have children in care or employees on their payroll are eligible
  • CCC’s role is to accept these applications and submit them to the State for final processing and award. CCC does not process these grants.
• Funding for additional stop-gap services such as the Provider Pantry that CCC has offered has been raised through community grants and donations separate from the ECSB funding.
• CCC will continue our mission to advocate for providers by:
  • Continuing to post updates, send emails, and provide ongoing communication.
  • Continuing to seek out funding from private funding and to help fill those stop-gaps.
  • Continuing to provide training support and technical assistance.
  • Family Services will continue quickly processing Best Beginnings invoices.
  • Sending you resources to assist in advocating for yourself.
• CCC is actively advocating for providers and families, but we cannot create change on our own. We are one voice among more than 185 voices of providers in our region. This is our opportunity to make positive, real change in early childhood care.
  • See the resources below to learn more about advocating for early care.

RESOURCES:

Additional resources will continue to be posted here as they are developed. Do you have a resource that you’d like to see posted? Please email rose@cccmontana.org or visit our COVID-19 Resource Page at cccmontana.org/COVID-19.

• It’s About Time: Advocating for Montana Child Care in only 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes!
• Understanding the Child Care System: A look from the top down
• ECSB Emergency Grants for Licensed Child Care Providers
• Additional Funding Available for Montana Businesses Including Child Care Providers
• Text FOOD to 877-877 for Food Resources for Child Care Providers and Families