COVID-19 Resources

As we progress through this extraordinary time, we are here to serve as a resource for PennAEYC members and the early care and education community. Please know we are trying to share anything coming out of the government that could be helpful, recognizing each program or concept may not help everyone.

NAEYC COVID-19 Advocacy and Resources for Early Care and Education Providers

NAEYC State Survey Data with Quotes: Child Care at a Time of Progress and Peril September 2021

NAEYC State Survey Data: Child Care at a Time of Progress and Peril August 2021 – highlights the depth of the challenges, how relief is helping, and what more is needed for the child care sector

NAEYC Survey Data July 2021: Progress and Peril: Child Care at a Crossroads – highlights child care’s continued struggle to survive  

NAEYC Statement – Child Care is Essential and Needs Emergency Support to Survive  (March 15, 2020)

NAEYC Child Care is Essential and Needs Emergency Support to Survive page – highlights resources, actions and advocacy opportunities in response to the coronavirus pandemic

NAEYC Coping with COVID-19 – online COVID-19 resources from NAEYC and a few national health and educational organizations

 NAEYC Pandemic Surveys – findings from NAEYC surveys of child care providers, including PA providers

Federal and State COVID-19 Relief Funding for Early Learning Programs

CARES Act

The federal CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) was a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus that included $3.9 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Program and $750 million for Head Start – March 27, 2020

From the $3.9 billion in CCDBG, $106 million in CCDBG came to PA for child care:

  • DHS OCDEL allocated $51 million for eligible, certified child care providers – May 21, 2020
  • DHS OCDEL allocated $53 million for eligible, certified child care providers – July 6, 2020

From the discretionary CARES Act funds, $125 million was allocated by the General Assembly and Governor for early learning and pre-k – May 28, 2020:

  • $116 million for child care;
  • $7 million for Pre-K Counts; and
  • $2 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 included $303 million in support for child care – December 27, 2020:

  • $140.7 million to support child care providers 
  • $64.6 million to help child care providers continue to account for increased costs in order to operate safely
  • $87.17 million to support increased, regionalized base payment rates for child care providers participating in subsidized child care. 
  • $3 million to expand the number of child care professionals who can receive pandemic relief awards to an additional 5,000 people

The American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan includes approximately $1.18 billion for PA in support for child care:

  • $455 million in expanded child care assistance
  • $728 million in child care stabilization funds

Current Advocacy Opportunities – Get current advocacy efforts details by joining both the Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA and Childhood Begins at Home issue campaigns. We urge you to take action today to help #SolveChildCare by clicking this link.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grants

OCDEL is making American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grants available to eligible child care providers. These grants and the required reporting will be completed in the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Directors, owners, administrators and/or designated fiscal staff members can access the application for their program under the Keystone STARS/Grants tab in their organization’s profile.

Additional information, including instructions, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents and previous announcements can be found here. Eligible providers are encouraged to review these materials thoroughly BEFORE submitting an application. In addition, your ELRC is prepared to help you think about the best use of the funds in your program.

Applications are open, apply now. Application is available until Jan. 31, 2022. Grants are based on the availability of funds.

Vaccine Information

Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses.

All Pennsylvanians age 5 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As of November 2, with parental consent, children ages 5 through 11 may now receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the pediatric vaccine.

All adults in Pennsylvania are now eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine booster. Based on CDC recommendation, everyone 18 and older can schedule a booster dose six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Announcements and Information

Additional Announcements, FAQs and Waiver details

Expired Policies

A list of the regulations suspended in whole or in part and their current status is available on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website here. Some other regulations have been reinstated and those available on the DHS website. 

OCDEL, Bureau of Certification, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Key, has recorded webinars on the CDC guidance for child care providers including:   

*OCDEL has noted that documents will be updated and re-released on a recurring basis as new information becomes available. 

General Resources

We encourage you to continue to consult these resources for updates on COVID-19, information on staying healthy, and updates on the situation in Pennsylvania.

We also encourage you to visit www.sharedsourcepa.org for helpful resources that you can use with families and staff to reduce the level of anxiety, communicate what is known to be most appropriate health, hygiene and safety practices, as well as interim guidance for child care businesses.

Professional Development for Providers 

PennAEYC has a list of upcoming online sessions on our Upcoming Events page. We also want to share other resources from partners across the state:

Resources for Providers and Parents

upgradedpoints.com/best-virtual-museum-tours/(opens in a new tab)

Our partners at NAEYC host a a site for families, NAEYC for Families. Our partners in Southeast PA at First Up: Champions for Early Education has a list of parent resources. Also, our partners in Southwest PA at Trying Together host a parent page. 

PennAEYC Email Messages