Child Care Aware of New Jersey COVID-19 Resources

Child Care Aware of New Jersey is open and working to support families statewide as families seek and obtain child care in order to return to work or remain employed.

New health and safety requirements are in place to promote the safety of those who work in child care and the families with children that are served. For the latest information, check out these resources from the NJ Division of Family Development.

Department of Children and Families, Division of Family Development

Guidance for Child Care During COVID-19

DCF COVID-19 Web Page
NJ Department of Human Services, Governor Murphy Announces Child Care Initiative from Coronavirus Relief Fund to Support Working Families (August 28, 2020)
NJ Dept. of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, Frequently Asked Questions on Executive Order #149 and Child Care Centers (June 18, 2020)
Emergency Child Care Important Information and Resources
Guidance for New Jersey Child Care Facilities On COVID-19 Related Health and Safety Requirements (May 29, 2020)
Cloth Face Covering Instructions(CDC, May 29, 2020)
Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting(CDC)
Guidance to Emergency Child Care Centers on Client Eligibility and Tuition (April 1, 2020)
DCF/Office of Licensing FAQs (March 25, 2020)
DCF/DFD Emergency Child Care Program - Overview & Rates (April 1, 2020)
Emergency Child Care Health and Safety Guidance (March 25, 2020)
Governor Murphy Executive Order No. 110, Requiring Child Care Centers to Close on April 1 Unless Approved to Serve Children of Essential Workers (March 25, 2020)
Essential Personnel Categories (March 25, 2020)

New Jersey Department of Health

NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Updates

NJ Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

Division of Unemployment Insurance

Unemployed? Apply for unemployment compensation here.
Congress increased funding and expanded the safety net due to COVID-19. The self-employed and individuals working in faith-based organizations are now eligible for unemployment compensation through a new federal program! Apply through the Division of Unemployment Insurance. It's a one-stop shop!
COVID-19 Scenarios & Benefits Available, NJ Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development. (English) (Spanish)

Tax Relief

The IRS general web site
Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments
New Employer Tax Credits

Have questions about COVID-19?

Use the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub to find quick answers to questions such as

How can I protect myself from COVID-19/novel Coronavirus?
What are the "stay at home" rules in New Jersey? What businesses are closed?
Where and how do I get tested for COVID-19 in New Jersey? Who should get testing?
Has the deadline for filing taxes been extended?
What types of benefits or assistance are available to me during the coronavirus outbreak?
Am I eligible for any unemployment benefits if my work has been negatively impacted by COVID-19?
What housing and rental assistance and mortgage relief is available for New Jerseyans? What if I'm getting evicted or in foreclosure?

State announcements, services, and assistance are available through the COVID-19 hub. Try it!

Child Care Provider Resources

NJ Dept. of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, Frequently Asked Questions on Executive Order #149 and Child Care Centers (June 18, 2020)
Guidance for New Jersey Child Care Facilities On COVID-19 Related Health and Safety Requirements (May 29, 2020)
Emergency Child Care Health and Safety Guidance (March 25, 2020)
DCF/DFD Emergency Child Care Program - Overview & Rates (April 1, 2020)
Routine Schedule for Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
COVID-19 Care Kits for Open Registered Family Child Care Providers

Podcasts from the Committee for Economic Development (CED), April 16, 2020

The are many new financing options available to support child care programs. However, it can be confusing to know which path might be the best for you. The podcasts below help every child care program understand the options available and key questions to consider.

Small Business Administration Help

SBA Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (Congressional changes enacted on June 5, 2020)
PPP Flexibility Act One Pager (June 12, 2020)
SBA COVID-19 Relief Programs (Summary and Concepts) Bipartisan Policy Center & Committee for Economic Development (April 2020)
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (P3), Forgivable Loans if Used for Eligible Purposes (Find a local lender)
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), including up to $10,000 in emergency grants (Apply through SBA link)

Need Help Reviewing Business Options?

Business Resources for Early Education Providers Addressing COVID-19 (web site)
Find your local Small Business Development Center or local Women's Business Center. Free help!

Helping Family Child Care to Thrive Through the Public Health Crisis and Beyond

In January 2020, there were 1,486 registered family child care providers in New Jersey. In May, Child Care Aware of New Jersey and the New Jersey Family Child Care Providers Association conducted a survey to better understand the family child care home landscape and providers' needs for re-opening.

COVID-19 Impact. Among the 1,014 family child care providers who responded to the survey, 346 closed due to the pandemic (218 responded in English and 128 responded in Spanish). Two-thirds of survey respondents indicated they have remained open and reported this was out of necessity - her own income and economic well-being, and families have been counting on her.

The number of registered family child care programs in New Jersey has been declining over the past decade. As the state looks to re-open businesses and services to jumpstart recovery, working parents will need access to child care. With parent anxiety high related to potential COVID-19 exposure, there could be a shift in parent preferences for the smaller child care settings offered in neighborhood family child care homes. Both open and temporarily closed family child care providers will need meaningful support to welcome children and keep everyone (including themselves) healthy and well.

New Jersey Family Child Care Home Provider Survey Results

Coming soon!