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Resources for Child Care Programs & Early Educators
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis grows in Alaska and worldwide, we want you to know that we are here for you, Alaska’s early childhood educators and programs. Below are some resources and updates to support you during these uncertain times.
Business Management
- COVID Relief Funding Dashboard (DEED)
- Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs during COVID-19 (CDC) – updated August 11, 2022
- What’s the Latest with COVID-19 and Child Care? (Child Care Aware of America) – updated Feb. 7, 2022
- Back To School – An Update to the CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC and Child Care Aware of America) – updated Sept. 14, 2021
- Partnering with Families for Child Care Emergency Preparedness (Child Care Aware of America)
- Leaning On and Building Strengths during COVID-19 Response & Recovery: Operational Considerations for Child Care Programs (Child Care Aware of America)
- State of Alaska COVID-Conscious Business Toolkit
- How Child Care Businesses Can Survive COVID-19: Considerations for Child Care Centers (Committee for Economic Development). Listen to the podcast.
Planning to Open/ Close
The following resources are available for programs deciding to remain open or close:
- Business Continuity Planning for Child Care (Child Care Aware of America)
- Child care reopening communications plan with templates (Hi Mama)
- Whether to Close or Stay Open: One of the Hardest Decisions in Child Care (Child Care Aware of America)
- Resources for Pre-K Educators (DEED)
- Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations (CDC)
- Checklist for Teachers and Parents (CDC)
- Should I Close My Child Care Program? [Flowchart] (Child Care Aware of America)
State of Alaska & Municipality of Anchorage – Licensing & Regulations
Questions about State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage licensing and regulations can be directed to:
State of Alaska Child Care Program Office (CCPO) and Child Care Licensing
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 888.268.4632
- Website
Child Care Assistance
Municipality of Anchorage
- Email: hhsccl@muni.org
- Phone: 907.343.4758
- COVID-19 Questions & Reporting Form [PDF]
- Child Care Programs FAQs [PDF]
- Notification of Facility Emergency Form – COVID Related [PDF]
- COVID-19 in Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services
- MOA Child Care Programs FAQs Nov 2020 [PDF]
Legal Resources
The following legal resources are available for early educators and programs for consideration:
Businesses
- Alaska Free Legal Answers (Q&A): Attorneys answer written questions on civil matters for low-income Alaskans.
- Alaska Courts Self-Help: Resources for representing yourself and your business in court, including debt collection, delinquency and small claims.
Individuals
- Alaska’s Emergency Rental Assistance (Alaska Housing Finance Corporation) — The application period for Alaska Housing Rent Relief closed on October 1, 2021.
- Alaska Legal Services Corporation: Legal assistance for low-income Alaskans in civil matters, including consumer, family, housing, public benefits, healthcare, and Alaska Native, senior, and veteran issues. Read more.
- Alaska Law Help: Guide to self-help and free and low-cost civil legal resources for low-income and senior Alaskans. Topics include COVID-19, family, domestic violence, money problems, housing, seniors, life planning, health care/public benefits, Alaska Native, victims rights, and tribal courts. Read more.
- Landlord/Tenant Hotline: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8pm (AKST)
- Anchorage: 907-743-1000
- Statewide: 855-743-1001
- COVID-19 Hotline: Statewide: 844-263-1849
- ANDVSA: Legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Read more.
- Alaska Institute for Justice: Human rights protection, in particular for immigrants, refugees, and Alaska Native communities. Read more.
- Disability Law Center: Social Security Disability Insurance applications; disability-related employment discrimination; Medicaid/Medicare appeals; special education access; access to voting; and mask policy exemptions. Read more.
- Alaska Courts Self-Help: Resources for representing yourself in court; includes family law, domestic violence, debt collection, delinquency, housing, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. Read more.
COVID-19 Vaccine
State of Alaska
All Alaskans ages 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccinations Near You
- Vaccine Hotline (9 am to 6:30 pm, M-F): (907) 646-3322
- 24-hour Nurse Hotline: 1-800-841-8343 [PDF]
- Vaccine Information: (907) 531-5100 (MOA)
- Text your ZIP code to 438829
- COVID Response & Vaccination Information (MOA)
- Find Your COVID-19 Vaccine (State of Alaska)
- Vaccine Information for all Alaskans (State of Alaska)
- FREE COVID-19 Test Locations (MOA)
- Find a Vaccine or Booster Near You (CDC)
- COVID-19 Vaccination: Clinical Resources for Each COVID-19 Vaccine (CDC)
- State COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Plans (Child Care Aware of America)
About the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Most Children and All Teens Can Get COVID-19 Vaccines (CDC)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Overview (Child Care Aware of America) | En español [PDF]
- COVID-19 Vaccination: Clinical Resources for Each COVID-19 Vaccine (CDC)
- Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines (CDC)
- Child Care Staff and the COVID-19 Vaccine (Child Care Aware of America)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for School Settings and Childcare Programs (CDC)
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination (CDC)
- COVID Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
- Myths & Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines (CDC)
- Five Reasons to Vaccinate (State of Alaska) [PDF]
- Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for People who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding (CDC)
- Answers to FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccine from the Alaska Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (Alaska Children’s Trust)
- 6 Things About the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children
- Vaccinating Children with Disabilities Against COVID-19 NEW April 2022
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Supplies
The following resources are available for programs:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
- Guidance for Emergency Operating Center PPE Request
- Request PPE
- Form 213 Resource Request Form
- Visit the DHSS website for more info
- Rasmuson Foundation
- State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
- How to Access and Pay for COVID-19 Supplies: Child Care Aware of America’s latest guidance on clean and safe child care.
- Food Supply: U.S. Foods can help provide food for child care programs still operating. Learn more.
- CDC: Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) Toolkit | Nutrition | CDC
Professional Development
thread’s statewide offices are physically closed, but we are open for business and providing professional development opportunities through distance delivery.
- Training — thread’s trainings are FREE through June 30, 2023 and will be delivered via Zoom. Visit thread’s training calendar for updates.
- On-site Services — Training and/or technical assistance will be available through distance delivery methods as possible. Please contact your Professional Development Specialist for more information.
- Travel Reimbursements — thread is discouraging early educator travel during this time. If you have a pending Alaska SEED travel request/reimbursement, please contact Alaska SEED by calling 907.265.3194 or email to discuss your specific needs.
Recorded Workshops
Thursdays with thread
- A Conversation on HB149 and the Child Care Trust Fund with Special Guest Rep. Zack Fields. Watch it now.
- Alaska’s Child Care Workforce Bill with Special Guest Rep. Zack Fields. Watch it now.
- For more information about this legislation, email Rep.Zack.Fields@akleg.gov.
- What Early Educators Need to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine. Watch it now.
- Federal Financial Assistance Round 2. Watch it now.
- What Are the Needs of Child Care Programs in Alaska Now? Watch it now.
- Can Insurance Cover You during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Watch it now.
- Legal Considerations for Child Care Programs during COVID-19. Watch it now.
- Licensing, Child Care Assistance, COVID-19 Mandates — and Your Business! Watch it now.
- COVID-19 Resources for Alaskan Businesses with Jon Bitner from the Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Watch it now.
- Interested in SBDC services? Request an advisor.
- Health Guidance for Child Care During COVID-19 with Dr. Elizabeth Ohlsen. Watch it now.
Child Care Aware of America
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- COVID-19 Risk Among Child Care Workers. Watch it now.
- Evolving Your COVID-19 Strategy. Watch it now.
- Child Care During COVID-19: Guidance & Implementation from Experts. Watch it now.
- Social Distancing in Early Care and Education – Feasible or Impossible? Watch it now.
More Resources
- Municipality of Anchorage COVID-19 Resource Page | Multi-lingual COVID-19 Information Page
- Report: Demanding Change – Repairing our Child Care System (Child Care Aware of America)
- Survey Result: Saved But Not Solved America’s Economy Needs Congress to Fund Child Care (NAEYC)
- American Rescue Plan Act (Child Care Aware of America)
- The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021: Provides an extensive summary of resources relevant to Alaskans, tracking funds coming in as well as grant opportunities.
- COVID-19 Evidence Based Resources (U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences Regional Educational Laboratories)
- Infants & Toddlers in Emergencies (Child Care Aware of America)
- Supporting Young Children’s Learning and Development at Home: Resources for Early Childhood Educators and Caregivers (Regional Educational Lab Southwest)
- Report: Picking Up the Pieces – Building a Better Child Care System Post COVID-19 (Child Care Aware of America)
- CDC: Interim Guidance for Child Care
- FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents in School/Child Care Settings (CDC)
- Emergency Child Care & Technical Assistance Center (Child Care Aware of America)
- Coronavirus for Child Care Providers (Committee for Economic Development)
- Blog: The Critical Work of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies During COVID-19 (Child Care Aware of America)
- Table: State Policies & Ration Changes During COVID-19 (Child Care Aware of America)
- Survey Results: The Impact of the Pandemic on ECE Higher Education Programs (NAEYC)
- Nature-Based Learning Resources (Head Start | Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center)
- Guidance Related to Child Care During COVID-19 (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Federal Response to COVID-19
- CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- CDC: Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs: Before and During an Outbreak
- CDC COVID-19 Resources for Families: Daily Life and Coping
- Biden Administration Lays Out Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under 5 (CNNPolitics)
- DOH Alaska Covid-19 Information Hub (Statewide)
- DOH Alaska Covid-19 Data Dashboard Update (Statewide)
- Updated CDC Guidelines for School, Child Care, College
- CDC’s Strategy to Increase Confidence and Demand for COVID-19 Vaccines: Pediatric Edition
- 6 Ways Schools Can Promote COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccination for Children
- UAA: Early Childhood Programs – Fact Sheet (PDF)
- UAA: Early Childhood Education Program
Resources to Stay Safe & Healthy
Prevention means staying vigilant about hand hygiene and keeping a close eye on children and staff who are showing signs of illness. These resources provide you with tips for keeping children and staff healthy:
- Resource Guide for Developing Integrated Strategies to Support the Social and Emotional Wellness of Children (U.S. Administration for Children & Families)
- Outdoor Play in a Pandemic: How Child Care Can Reach Its Full Potential (Child Care Aware of America)
- Tips & Questions to Keep Child Care Providers and Families Healthy (Child Care Aware of America)
- Self-Care Guide for Parents (The Integration Group)
- Environmental Health and Safety in Child Care Settings: Considerations During Viral Outbreaks (Child Care Aware of America)
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC)
- Talking with Children about Coronavirus Disease (CDC)
- K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs (CDC)
- Resources for Healthy Child Care (Child Care Aware of America)
- 12 Tips for Healthy Living (Child Care Aware of America)
- When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19 (CDC)
- What Child Care Providers Need to Know about Preventing Flu (Child Care Aware of America)
- Back to School Resource Health Kit – Tips for Mindfulness for Teachers, Students & Parents (North Star Behavioral Health)
- COVID-19 Program Posters (CDC)
- Diaper Changing Steps for Child Care (CDC)
- Handwashing Video (Providence Valdez Medical Center)
- Return to School Flow Chart – page 27 [PDF] (Alaska Department of Education and Early Development)
- Creating a COVID-19 Family Plan – in multiple languages (Alaska DHSS)
- Caring for Our Children, COVID-19 Crosswalk (National Center on Early Childhood Education Health & Wellness) [PDF]
- Step by Step Cleaning for Child Care Programs (California Childcare Health Programs)
- Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19 (Environmental Protection Agency)
- Child Care During COVID-19: Guidance & Implementation from Experts (Child Care Aware of America) (Webinar Recording)
- Discussion with CDC Regarding Guidance for Open Child Care Programs (National Administration for Children & Families) (YouTube)
- Daily health checks (National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education)
- COVID-19 Resources (Institute for Childhood Preparedness)
- Operational Guidance for Safe In-Person Learning (CDC)
- 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline FAQs – Alaska Department of Health
Supporting Children & Families
- Alaska Child and Adult Care Food Program (Alaska Dept. of Education & Early Development)
- Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events (Child Care Aware of America)
- Being a Helper: Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Secure after Disasters (NAEYC)
- Grieving Children in a Pandemic (Child Care Aware of America)
- Abuse Prevention During a Crisis: Tips for Educators & Caregivers (Alaska Children’s Trust)
- Webinar Series: Addressing Abuse & Neglect During COVID-19 (Zero to Three)
Tell Us Your Story
thread wants to hear from you about how COVID-19 is affecting your family. Share your story.