Below you can find a variety of resources to keep you up-to-date on COVID-19. All content is courtesy of Pritzker Children’s Initiative. Please click the colored type to read more.

Policy and Advocacy

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Earlier this week, the House passed legislation that provides paid sick leave and nutrition provisions. It also provides additional funding for unemployment insurance and establishes free testing for COVID-19. This bill is an important first step in addressing the public health and economic challenges from the outbreak and for promoting food security for low-income and vulnerable people.

Child Care in Crisis Understanding the Effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic

The National Association for the Education of Young Children surveyed child care programs to learn more about the challenges they are facing across states and settings, and the impact significant public support would have on a program moving forward. A staggering 30% say they would not survive a closure of more than two weeks.

Partner Spotlight

A recent Child Trends publication provides comprehensive guidance, recommendations, and resources informed by child trauma experts.

The National Women’s Law Center has been at the forefront of urging Congress to invest additional, significant, emergency, and flexible funds to support child care and early learning programs at this time.

In a letter to Congress, many partners including the Alliance for Early Success, The First Five Years Fund, Council for A Strong America, Bipartisan Policy Center, Center for American Progress, and Ounce of Prevention Fund illustrated the child care sector’s need for immediate relief to keep doors open through COVID-19. I encourage you to read the full letter.

Thanks to a Consensus Letter To Congress, measures to provide direct assistance to child care providers are being considered. The quick action by our friends at All Our Kin, Zero to Three, Ounce of Prevention, Center for American Progress, and the First Five Years Fund was invaluable to making this happen. We will be following this action as it moves through Congress.

General Resources

Coronavirus Prevention and Response Information

Visit Head Start’s Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center to find guidance on a variety of issues, including Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) flexibilities, prevention strategies, program closures and wages and benefits.

Latest COVID-19 Actions By State

View state-by-state COVID-19 updates as they affect child care programs thanks to the Alliance for Early Success’s monitoring and reporting.

Office of the Administration for Children and Families

The Office of the Administration for Children and Families compiled information about the flexibility in spending CCDF funds in response to state and federal declared emergency situations.

Ten Steps for States to Take Regarding Child Care

The National Association for the Education of Young Children prepared guidance about to support the child care community in states that have closed schools.