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.

CCR&Rs: Supporting Families & Providers During COVID-19 New Jersey COVID-19 Resources

Download CCANJ's full infographic about CCR&R services and COVID-19's economic impact on families here.

NEW! COVID-19 Child Care Initiatives Extended

Enrollment-based Payment: DFD will continue to pay providers based on enrollment rather than attendance through December 31, 2021.

Full-Time Child Care Assistance for School Age: The Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development (DFD) will continue to pay for children approved for full-time care through the NJ Child Care Subsidy Program due to remote learning through June 30, 2021.

Child Care Tuition Assistance for School-Age Children: The extension will happen automatically for approved families currently enrolled in your program and who continue to need child care while their child (5-13 years old) attends remote learning through June 30, 2021. Payment for child care services will be issued directly to providers. Providers can now view their Tuition Assistance payment record on NJCCIS at: https://njccis.com/njccis/home

Supplemental Payments: DFD will issue an additional supplemental payment of $300 per subsidy-eligible child for full-time care, or $150 for part-time care per subsidy eligible child through June, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children enrolled in your program.

Should you have any questions, please contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. For questions related to Child Care Tuition Assistance for School-Age Children, please visit https://njccis.com/njccis/home.

Dept. of Children and Families & Dept. of Human Services, Division of Family Development

Guidance for Child Care During COVID-19

Extension of COVID-19 Child Care Initiatives through June 30, 2021 (DFD, February 19, 2021)
DCF COVID-19 Web Page
NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance for Reopening Childcare (January 4, 2021)
Frequently Asked Questions during the Public Health Emergency (December 21, 2020)
General Accommodation Program Supervision Childcare Center - Frequently Asked Questions
Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development, COVID-19 Update (School-age Tuition Assistance Program for families with income of $150,000 or less) (October 1, 2020)
New Jersey Department of Health, COVID-19 Guidance for Reopening Childcare (September 29, 2020)
Executive Directive No. 20-032, COVID-19 Child Care Standards Pursuant to Executive Order No. 149 (September 18, 2020)
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

DCF COVID-19 Web Page
Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development, Child Care Provider COVID-19 Stabilization Grants (October 1, 2020)
Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development, COVID-19 Update (October 1, 2020)
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 Relief for Child Care Providers

For the latest information on small business relief, make sure to check out the following resources from Child Care Aware of New Jersey:

Small Business Administration Help

Federal Paycheck Protection Program Re-Opened (CED, January 5, 2021)
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!