Effective immediately, we are suspending all in-person services for a minimum of the next two weeks. We will re-evaluate the start of our services based on the decisions and information provided by the CDC and the local authorities. In the meantime, we are training our staff on new procedures to bring our services to you safely.
The National Small Business Association has extended an invitation by the White House to connect with President Trump and his administration for a call on Friday, March 20 at 3:45.p.m. Eastern regarding the COVID-19 response for the small-business community.Below, please find the formal invite from the White House.————————————————————Dear Small Business Owner,You are cordially invited to participate in a conference call with the President, on March 20, 2020 at 3:45 PM EST. Please register via the link below. Call in information will be received upon registration.RSVP LINK: https://ems9.intellor.com?do=register&t=1&p=901338 (https://ems9.intellor.com/?do=register&t=1&p=901338)*Please note this call is intended for Small Businesses (https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards). Due to capacity restrictions, please limit registration to 1 line per small business.*Please note this call will be recorded.We look forward to speaking with you.Sincerely,The White House Office of Public Liaison
In light of the continued global outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), United 4 Children recognizes that some of our community may be negatively affected and impacted. As always, our focus is on the well-being of our providers and their children. With confirmed cases of the virus in Missouri and Illinois, we are taking extra precautions to limit exposure.
We are working diligently to effectively bring our services to you while protecting the health of you and our staff.
Effective immediately, we are suspending all in-person services for a minimum of the next two weeks. We will re-evaluate the start of our services based on the decisions and information provided by the CDC and the local authorities. In the meantime, we are training our staff on new procedures to bring our services to you safely.
This is the best option to keep our community healthy and safe. As we work on these transitions, please be patient with us. Suspending these services is in direct alignment with our values and commitment to providing every child with the foundation to thrive. United 4 Children is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all children, their loved ones, and center employees—especially those who are immuno-compromised, elderly, disabled, or otherwise vulnerable.
What is our plan?
We will be suspending all community events, ERS, observations, assessments, trainings, classes and site visits for the next two weeks. We will train our staff on new technology and create procedures to effectively provide services safely. We will continue to re-evaluate based on the decisions and information provided by the CDC and the local authorities. We will continue to assess our procedures and make any necessary changes.
What do you need to do?
Please use precautions to keep your center sanitized. Wash your hands thoroughly, sanitize hard surfaces, do not touch your face or mouth and use CDC guidelines. As it is impossible to predict the impact and spread of the coronavirus, it will not alter United 4 Children’s focus on continuing to serve you and the children in our community.
We will continue to communicate frequently to give you the most up to date information.
Our staff will be calling you directly to talk through this plan. If you have any questions, please contact your United 4 Children representative.
Thank you for your partnership,
Deanna Finch
Executive Director
| COVID-19 and Subsidy Child Care PaymentsThe Department of Social Services is committed to supporting our subsidy child care providers during this state of emergency. It is important that children have the opportunity for continuity of care during and after this crisis has subsided. The department will implement the following payment policies in response to COVID-19 effective March 18, 2020.Child Care Subsidy Payments:Pay for Units above Authorized Amount: Payments will be made for children whose attendance is greater than authorized due to school being closed; parent required to work additional hours; and other circumstance as approved by the division. Units will be paid through a Child Care Payment Resolution Request (CD-147).Pay Additional Absences: Additional absences will be paid for children who are unable to attend child care due to suppressed immune systems or other chronic illness; or when the family is under quarantine. The provider will be required to submit a Child Care Payment Resolution Request (CD-147) to be paid for the additional absences.Payment Due to Facility Closure: If a facility is forced to close due to local government mandate; lack of staffing due to COVID-19 exposure/quarantine; or other mitigating circumstance as approved by the division, payment may be made to the facility. In order to be considered for payment due to closure the facility must have a completed Notification of Child Care Closure form on file with the Children’s Division Early Childhood section. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ChildCareClosure |
Please review the information from the CDC and take the recommended steps to keep yourself and those you care for healthy. These are things we all know and have been practicing for years, good hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, staying home when sick, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Specific resources for schools and child care programs can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html
The resources provided by the CDC offer child care programs:
- recommendations on the cleaning and disinfecting;
- checklists to help you plan and prepare if an outbreak occurs in your community;
- suggestions for how to talk to children about Coronavirus; and
- guidance and frequently asked questions for administrators of child care programs.
School Closings
The DHSS-SCCR has received questions from providers about what will happen if schools close in their area and whether they will be able to care for school-age children. The CDC is not recommending that schools or child care facilities close unless COVID-19 has been identified in their area. However, we recognize owners of child care facilities will be making the decisions about whether to close or remain open (unless they are directed by their local health officials). Child care is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure and will be vital to those who work in health care and law enforcement.
If a school closes in an area due to COVID-19, SCCR will consider this an emergency school closing. Licensing rules 19 CSR 30-61. 19 CSR 30-61.165 and 19 CSR 30-62.172 address emergency school closings and allow licensed programs to accommodate enrolled school-age children who need care. During the period of time the school is closed, the provider will be permitted to exceed the licensed capacity of the facility by 1/3. This 1/3 excess attendance for emergency school closings is not in addition to the 1/3 excess attendance that is allowed for overlap. So the total number of children in care should not be more than 1/3 above the license capacity at any point in the day.
Facilities that care for additional school-age children during an emergency school closing are required to maintain staff/child ratios during the time of the emergency school closing. The provider is also be required to maintain a written record including the dates of the emergency school closing, the reason for the closing (i.e. school closed due to COVID 19), and the number of children in care on each day of the emergency school closing.
Stay Up-to-date
As this is a rapidly changing situation, we want to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information. Feel free to visit the DHSS website for updates: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/. This site also includes the number for a 24-hour hotline should you have general questions about COVID-19.
Children’s Story Explaining Virus
If you are looking for a great resource to talk to children about the coronavirus and how they feel about it, click HERE for a great childrens story to share.
To locate your nearest federally-qualified health center, please visit https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
St. Louis County Health Line | 314-615-2660
St. Louis City Health Department Line | (314) 612-5100
