New state program helps with child care
Parents of school-age kids could get some relief from child care this fall for students who are learning virtually.
Gov. Mike Dewine's office announced Monday a new program that will let child care providers that are licensed with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Education care for school-age children who are learning remotely during the school day.
The license was available beginning Tuesday, and providers who get involved will receive funding to cover the cost of care for economically eligible children.
“With more than 30% of school districts opting for remote and hybrid models of learning for the start of the school year — including many of Ohio’s largest school districts — working families need safe options for their child’s care during the school day,” Dewine said in a statement.
The Ohio Department of Education is working to extend the state's same temporary pandemic care option to its licensed school-age child care providers and could be effective by early September, upon approval by the State Board of Education.
In addition, JFS is going to launch a new license, the Temporary Pandemic School-age Child Care license, which will be open to churches, recreation centers and businesses that would like to become safe places for kids to be when they're not learning in school buildings.
“The safety of children is our No. 1 priority,” JFS director Kimberly Hall said. “The new Temporary Pandemic School-age Child Care license will ensure that our children are cared for in safe, clean facilities by qualified staff, while also reducing the regulations that organizations have to abide by to become licensed.”
In addition to eliminating many child care licensing requirements, JFS is also waiving the registration fee for Temporary Pandemic School-age Child Care providers.
The Ohio Association of Child Care Providers issued a statement crediting Dewine, JFS and legislative members of the Ohio Controlling Board with ensuring $9 million to "alleviate the burdens on Ohio’s families for the start of the school year."
"Now, as many children adjust to learning remotely or on a hybrid schedule, Ohio’s child care remains an essential foundation in ensuring those students can continue their learning safely and efficiently while their parents are at work," the association said in a statement. "Ohio’s child care providers are prepared and determined to continue providing safe, quality care to Ohio’s children."
The pandemic has required numerous changes in child care to keep students, teachers and other staff safe from COVID-19. Child care providers are facing what they've called unsustainable costs of providing care safely under pandemic conditions.
To apply for a license, visit JFS.OHIO. gov/cdc.
“This is encouraging news for Ohioans. We were among the first in the nation to test Remdesivir, the promising drug in the treatment of COVID-19, which enabled our community to benefit from our participation in the clinical trial program. ”