Coronavirus Information
for Palm Beach County Child Care Providers

Page Updated: April 1, 2020

List of Closed Child Care Providers

Child Care Provider Updates:

How To Be Mindful Of Your Mental Health
While Keeping Children Safe During A Quarantine

School-Age Children Webinar

Virtual Learning Q&A Overview

by Ms. Diana Fedderman

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

School District of Palm Beach County

The Palm Beach County School District launched a Virtual Learning Plan for all school-age children that will begin on Tuesday, March 31st. School-age children enrolled in a Palm Beach County School are required to participate. Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Diana Fedderman, offered a Provider Focused Webinar to help answer any questions about the Virtual Learning Plan.

We hope you use this Q&A webinar to support your school-age students. Please feel free to share with teachers and colleagues.

ELCPBC Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Q&A Webinar for Child Care Providers

Who to call with Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions?
The Florida Department of Health has opened a 24-hour hotline and email account for all coronavirus questions:

1 (866) 779-6121

COVID-19@flhealth.gov

Office of Early Learning Update

March 30, 2020 @ 4:00PM

Dear Early Learning Provider,

The Office of Early Learning in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education issued a Provider Q & A one-pager. The purpose of the document is to provide guidance and clarification regarding the state actions to minimize the financial impact to School Readiness & VPK Providers.

At the top of the document, it clearly states that all provisions will be reviewed every 15 days. So what is in effect today, may not be in two weeks. Please continue to check your emails and join our webinars whenever possible. We are also providing helpful community resources on our social media.

Our provider hotline remains open to assist you: 1.877.767.4659

Link | OEL Provider Q & A

Office of Early Learning

"How to Handle Attendance"

If your site was open – Mark attendance correctly. Using the “Absence due to Disaster” reason for any child that was absent between March 16th and March 31st. Additional documentation is not needed for these absence days.
If your site was closed – Ensure that you have notified us with all the dates your site was closed prior to submitting the attendance. We will enter emergency temporary closure dates in the portal. Submit attendance in system – days will appear with an *, but will be paid. *Closure notifications can be sent to the Provider Services team (Jon or Maureen) or your Reimbursement Team Specialist.
DO NOT change your closure calendar on your profile.

If your site was open and offering VPK – Mark attendance correctly. If children had additional absences from March 1st through March 31st will be paid. There will not be an 80/20 calculation applied to March 2020.
If your site was closed – Ensure that you have notified us with all the dates your site was closed prior to submitting the attendance. We will enter emergency temporary closure dates into the portal.
If your site was open but not offering VPK – ensure that you have notified us with the non-VPK dates prior to submitting the attendance.
Do NOT Change your VPK application class calendar due to the COVID-19 closure dates.

We would like to also remind that providers should also continue to implement health and safety routines and proper hygiene within their programs and adhere to CDC guidance which includes but is not limited to:

Encouraging staff and parents to protect their personal health.
Posting signs and symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough, shortness of breath.
Encouraging parents to stay home and keep children home when sick.
Creating and maintaining heightened cleaning and sanitation procedures is of the utmost important; Clean surfaces that are frequently touched – things such as shared desks, toys, counter-tops, kitchen areas, electronics and doorknobs.
Postponing or canceling field trips and meetings that require close contact.
Staying up to date on developments in your community.
Creating an emergency plan for possible outbreak.

Providers Extended Learning Opportunities

Week Two | Cognitive Development

Click on the image above for a PDF (print-friendly) version of the Week 2 Calendar.

Providers | Extended Learning Opportunities Videos

We hope you enjoy this week's Providers Extended Learning Opportunities above:

@ELCPalmBeach on Facebook
@ELCPalmBeach on Twitter
@ELCPalmBeach on Instagram
@ELCPalmBeach on YouTube

Child Care Providers | Operations, Information & Resources

Child Care Providers | Small Business Resources & Support

Child Care Relief in Federal Stimulus Package

Late Wednesday night, the Senate passed a sweeping economic stimulus bill to provide relief to America’s families, small businesses, and major industries as they struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Included throughout the package is significant relief for the nation’s child care industry. It is important to note: the U.S. House of Representatives must pass the legislation and then it goes to the President for signature.

First Five Years Fund

Link: Stimulus Package --Congress Includes Relief for Child Care Industry in COVID-19

Important Links With Valuable Information

Link to Child Care Specific Provisions in Stimulus

Link To Details in Keeping American Workers Paid & Employed Act (Part A of the Stimulus package)

SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF RESOURCES

Child Care Specific Provisions in Stimulus Bill | Link to child care specific provisions in the bill.

Keeping American Workers Paid & Employed Act (Part A of Stimulus) Link to guide for employee retention efforts during this time.

Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan | Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. This is a short term loan, not a grant.

Business Damage Assessment Survey | The State of Florida has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida's local business operations so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin. If you want child care businesses to be represented, we strongly recommend every child care facility (especially private pay) fill out this survey.

Florida Dept. of Economic Opportunity's Short Time Compensation Program for Employers | The short time compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown. There are eligibility requirements, but this is a temporary solution for employees with reduced hours.

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance in Response to Coronavirus | The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters.

Price Gouging Hotline | Price Gouging Hotline: 1.866.966.7226 Please call and report any price gouging that you see locally.

Coronavirus Tax Relief | The IRS has established a special section on their website to help taxpayers, businesses, and others affected by the Coronavirus.

Business Development Board of Palm Beach County | The BDB of Palm Beach County has created a resource page for local businesses in Palm Beach County.

FPL responds to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by lowering customer bills for the second time this year

- Lower fuel costs are enabling FPL to issue a one-time decrease of nearly 25% for the typical residential customer bill, beginning May 1

- FPL plans to issue the savings through a one-time bill decrease in order to accelerate savings to customers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rather than the standard practice of spreading out savings over the remainder of the year

- FPL previously lowered customer bills approximately 4% in January; bills remain among the lowest in Florida and the nation

Mar 30, 2020

JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Florida Power & Light Company today announced its plan to significantly lower bills for the second time this year and fast-track savings to customers amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Subject to Florida Public Service Commission approval, beginning May 1, FPL plans to issue a one-time decrease of nearly 25% for the typical residential customer bill as a result of lower fuel costs.

In Florida, FPL and other electric providers traditionally refund any fuel savings to customers over many months. However, given the abrupt financial challenges facing many customers due to COVID-19, FPL will instead request permission to give customers the total annual savings in a single month’s bill. Business customers will also see a significant one-time decrease in May, that will vary by rate class.

“Everyone at FPL understands how critical it is to continue to provide reliable electricity and to keep as much money as possible in our customers’ pockets,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “Traditionally, our regulators expect these types of savings to be spread out over the balance of the year. However, challenging times call for exceptional measures. I believe this one-time bill decrease is the most effective way to infuse customers with much-needed money as we all navigate through this difficult and unsettling time together.”

Please Click Here For Our Parent & Family Resources
(Including - "How To Talk To Children About Coronavirus")

We are here to be a supportive resource during this time.

Please feel free to contact us.

Coronavirus Information
for Palm Beach County Child Care Providers

List of Closed Child Care Providers

Child Care Provider Updates:

How To Be Mindful Of Your Mental Health
While Keeping Children Safe During A Quarantine

ELCPBC Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Q&A Webinar for Child Care Providers

1 (866) 779-6121

COVID-19@flhealth.gov

Providers Extended Learning Opportunities

Click on the image above for a PDF (print-friendly) version of the Week 2 Calendar.

Child Care Providers | Operations, Information & Resources

Child Care Providers | Small Business Resources & Support

FPL responds to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by lowering customer bills for the second time this year

- Lower fuel costs are enabling FPL to issue a one-time decrease of nearly 25% for the typical residential customer bill, beginning May 1

- FPL plans to issue the savings through a one-time bill decrease in order to accelerate savings to customers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rather than the standard practice of spreading out savings over the remainder of the year

- FPL previously lowered customer bills approximately 4% in January; bills remain among the lowest in Florida and the nation

Please Click Here For Our Parent & Family Resources
(Including - "How To Talk To Children About Coronavirus")

Child Care Providers

Contact Us

Links

Follow Us

Coronavirus Information for Palm Beach County Child Care Providers

List of Closed Child Care Providers

Child Care Provider Updates:

How To Be Mindful Of Your Mental Health While Keeping Children Safe During A Quarantine

ELCPBC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Q&A Webinar for Child Care Providers

1 (866) 779-6121

COVID-19@flhealth.gov

Providers Extended Learning Opportunities

Click on the image above for a PDF (print-friendly) version of the Week 2 Calendar.

Child Care Providers | Operations, Information & Resources

Child Care Providers | Small Business Resources & Support

FPL responds to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by lowering customer bills for the second time this year

- Lower fuel costs are enabling FPL to issue a one-time decrease of nearly 25% for the typical residential customer bill, beginning May 1

- FPL plans to issue the savings through a one-time bill decrease in order to accelerate savings to customers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rather than the standard practice of spreading out savings over the remainder of the year

- FPL previously lowered customer bills approximately 4% in January; bills remain among the lowest in Florida and the nation

Please Click Here For Our Parent & Family Resources (Including - "How To Talk To Children About Coronavirus")

Child Care Providers

Contact Us

Links

Follow Us

Coronavirus Information
for Palm Beach County Child Care Providers

How To Be Mindful Of Your Mental Health
While Keeping Children Safe During A Quarantine

ELCPBC Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Q&A Webinar for Child Care Providers

Please Click Here For Our Parent & Family Resources
(Including - "How To Talk To Children About Coronavirus")