To ensure providers are available for essential workers, the state will be providing stipends to child care providers who have been licensed to operate during this pandemic. Licensed homes will receive $750. Centers with one to two classrooms open will receive $2,000, centers with three or more classrooms open will receive $3,000. Applications for the stipend will be available on Monday, March 30 to providers through their local Child Care Resource & Referral agency.
The state has also created a website to help our essential workers find emergency childcare. For more information call the Early Learning Helpline at 1-888-228-1146 between 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Volunteer to Support Emergency Child Care
Qualified volunteers who are willing to temporarily work in an Emergency Child Care Home or Center should complete an Emergency Child Care Staffing Survey. You will be contacted if there is a need in your area.
We know that communities have incredible volunteers ready to help their first responders, health care professionals, and others who must continue to work through this crisis. We encourage communities to activate and mobilize your volunteer networks. However, all volunteers who take care of children should also have a current background check. Below is a list of potential individuals and organizations who already work with children in your community and may already be background checked:
- Child care and support staff whose program has closed
- School teachers and auxiliary staff whose school has closed
- Already active classroom assistants
- Already active parent volunteers
- Faith-based programs
- Independent tutoring programs
- Volunteer sports programs
- Children’s museum staff
- Music and arts programs
- Park district programs
- After school programs
- Local public health department staff
- Community college early care and education students and faculty
- Members of the Red Cross
- Community service organizations