Oregon Early Learning Division - Provider FAQ HERE (Español AQUI)
Child Care Resource & Referral of Multnomah County FAQ (below)
Updated March 26, 2020, 10am
The most updated version of this document can be found https://ccrr-mc.org/emergency-access-resource/
I would like to temporarily close my business during this time, who should I notify?
If you are closed or plan to close your program temporarily, please contact your licensing specialist.
Do I have to close my child care program?
In a letter from Amy Joyce, the Early Learning Division Child Care Director… ”Yesterday, Governor Brown announced Executive Order 20-12, which calls for new business closures, including child care. The order will require child care providers - licensed and recorded programs - to close unless they are providing emergency child care. The statewide child care closure takes effect Wednesday, March 25. Providers must submit an application to remain open by Friday, March 27. This will give providers time to talk with families and staff regarding participation in emergency child care…” Read the entire letter
If you are NOT caring for designated emergency and essential personnel, please contact us to temporarily close your program. If you are not sure, please contact your licensing specialist to discuss your situation. Email Winnie.Cheung@mhcc.edu or call 503-491-6205. Please indicate your program name, date of closure, license number (if known).
What if my program wants to stay open to serve the emergency and essential workforce?
See the guidance documents and press release on March 24th. You will need to complete the application and your licensing specialist will contact you. CCRR-MC staff are available to assist you to complete this form. To complete the application:
Why do I need to fill out a separate application to be an emergency care program?
This application allows the Early Learning Division to know who is able to operate under the temporary rules enacted during the COVID-19 emergency. This information is vital to understand the supply of child care. This will allow for quick and easy referrals for emergency and essential workforce families to access care. This application will also allow CCRR to check in with you to determine what you need to remain in operation and is also being shared with the USDA food program, so those payments can easily continue during open operations. Expect a call from your licensing specialist to review your application and answer your licensing questions.
I am worried about financial loss during my temporary closure due to COVID-19. What should I do?
This is an unprecedented situation that no one anticipated. Please see below for more information on how the DHS ERDC program has expanded and can assist you in collecting payments from families living at or below approximately 250% of federal poverty level (about $61,500 for a family of 4).
Additional Resources
What if parents can’t pay their copay because they are out of work?
Good News-ERDC has implemented temporary changes. Please see the press release here or call the DHS Direct Pay Unit with questions Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm at 1-800-699-9074. Letters went out March 16th stating the following:
Will I be paid by DHS for providing care even if children are choosing not to attend due to COVID-19?
Please see above. DHS will continue to pay for children in your care even if they are absent or you are forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 emergency. Please see the press release here or call the DHS Direct Pay Unit with questions Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm at 1-800-699-9074.
Will CCI continue to pay me even if children are choosing not to attend due to COVID-19?
Yes, please contact Deb.Johnson@mhcc.edu for more information.
When is the Preschool Promise application due?
Deadlines to submit an application for Preschool Promise or the Equity Fund have been extended to May 4, 2020.
My CPR is about to expire (or already has). What should I do since all CPR classes are cancelled?
CCRR agencies are working with the office of child care to set up a TEMPORARY online version that will fulfill this requirement to keep everyone in good standing. More guidance will be coming out shortly. You will not be out of compliance if you were unable to obtain this certification in time due to the COVID-19 response, but must adhere to future and temporary guidance on this. For individual circumstances, please contact your licensing specialist.
Can I have an in-person appointment or a site visit?
In accordance of the recommendations provided by the Oregon Health Authority and Governor Brown’s executive order 20-12, we will not be meeting with individuals face-to-face or provide on-site visits until further notice. We look forward connecting with you virtually or over the phone to meet your needs.
Can I make an appointment to review my CDA or Spark portfolio?
Currently, we are not meeting with individuals in person. Please call or email your R&R office so that they may provide support over the phone, email or by virtual meeting.
How do I access training for licensing?
We have canceled all in person training until April 28th. We are working on the possibility of offering trainings online. Please check the Early Learning Division, Office of Child Care for a full list of frequently asked questions and specific information on licensing. https://oregonearlylearning.com/COVID-19-Resources/For-Providers
You can also visit the OCCD website for mandatory online trainings: http://campus.educadium.com/OCCD/course/category.php?id=3
Take your Food Handlers test FREE of charge:
http://triwou.org/pages/show/ccccrr-food-handler-certification?site=ccccrr
I signed up for a training, will I get a refund?
We are currently providing refunds for all canceled trainings from March 12 through March 31st. Our team is working on processing the refunds so there is no need to call to cancel.
Child Care Resource & Referral of Multnomah County FAQ (below)
Updated March 26, 2020, 10am
The most updated version of this document can be found https://ccrr-mc.org/emergency-access-resource/
I would like to temporarily close my business during this time, who should I notify?
If you are closed or plan to close your program temporarily, please contact your licensing specialist.
Do I have to close my child care program?
In a letter from Amy Joyce, the Early Learning Division Child Care Director… ”Yesterday, Governor Brown announced Executive Order 20-12, which calls for new business closures, including child care. The order will require child care providers - licensed and recorded programs - to close unless they are providing emergency child care. The statewide child care closure takes effect Wednesday, March 25. Providers must submit an application to remain open by Friday, March 27. This will give providers time to talk with families and staff regarding participation in emergency child care…” Read the entire letter
- Facilities must prioritize the child care needs of first responders, emergency workers, health care professionals, followed by critical operations staff and essential personnel, followed by individuals working outside of the home, consistent with guidance provided by the Oregon Department of Education, Early Learning Division.
- Essential Health Worker: Direct health care service providers, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, home health care workers and individuals who work with the elderly; and critical function workers whose attendance is required for a health care facility to remain operational, as determined by the health care facility.
- Essential Worker: all workers needed to keep social systems functioning and people served: grocery store workers, custodians, gas station attendants, recycle & trash, sewer cleaning, etc.
If you are NOT caring for designated emergency and essential personnel, please contact us to temporarily close your program. If you are not sure, please contact your licensing specialist to discuss your situation. Email Winnie.Cheung@mhcc.edu or call 503-491-6205. Please indicate your program name, date of closure, license number (if known).
What if my program wants to stay open to serve the emergency and essential workforce?
See the guidance documents and press release on March 24th. You will need to complete the application and your licensing specialist will contact you. CCRR-MC staff are available to assist you to complete this form. To complete the application:
- Download the application. Save to your computer/tablet/phone.
- Fill in all required information on the form. Save your changes to your computer. You may also print the application and write in your responses-then scan or take a picture of the document.
- Send an email or fax the form to the contacts at the bottom of the form. OCC.CustomerService@state.or.us or fax to 503-947-1428.
Why do I need to fill out a separate application to be an emergency care program?
This application allows the Early Learning Division to know who is able to operate under the temporary rules enacted during the COVID-19 emergency. This information is vital to understand the supply of child care. This will allow for quick and easy referrals for emergency and essential workforce families to access care. This application will also allow CCRR to check in with you to determine what you need to remain in operation and is also being shared with the USDA food program, so those payments can easily continue during open operations. Expect a call from your licensing specialist to review your application and answer your licensing questions.
I am worried about financial loss during my temporary closure due to COVID-19. What should I do?
This is an unprecedented situation that no one anticipated. Please see below for more information on how the DHS ERDC program has expanded and can assist you in collecting payments from families living at or below approximately 250% of federal poverty level (about $61,500 for a family of 4).
Additional Resources
- The Small Business Administration has approved all of Oregon eligible for low interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans due to the COVID-19 outbreak. https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
- Tom Copeland is the industry leader for family child care businesses. He is offering free webinars and resources that may be helpful in understanding options, liability, and resources for in-home child care businesses. http://tomcopelandblog.com/
What if parents can’t pay their copay because they are out of work?
Good News-ERDC has implemented temporary changes. Please see the press release here or call the DHS Direct Pay Unit with questions Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm at 1-800-699-9074. Letters went out March 16th stating the following:
- There is no copay-existing copays have been reduced to $0.00. If a family has already paid their copay, please work with them on reimbursement. Further guidance is forth coming on how long this will last but is in effect for March and April.
- The income limit has increased for initial eligibility and now is the same as the ongoing and exit amount limits (approximately 250% of FPL).
- The absent day policy has expanded and child care providers can bill ERDC for up to one full month for children scheduled to be in care but are unable to attend due to the COVID-19 crisis. This also applies to families receiving child care assistance through the TANF JOBS program.
- ERDC has implemented emergency billing for temporarily closed facilities. Licensed providers (RFM, CFM, CNT provider types) and license-exempt centers (NQC and QEC provider types) can bill in the event of temporary shutdown. Providers must remain in approved listing status to receive payment. Initial guidance suggests this is for up to 14 days-More guidance will be coming next week in regards to how long a facility can be closed and still receive payment.
Will I be paid by DHS for providing care even if children are choosing not to attend due to COVID-19?
Please see above. DHS will continue to pay for children in your care even if they are absent or you are forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 emergency. Please see the press release here or call the DHS Direct Pay Unit with questions Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm at 1-800-699-9074.
Will CCI continue to pay me even if children are choosing not to attend due to COVID-19?
Yes, please contact Deb.Johnson@mhcc.edu for more information.
When is the Preschool Promise application due?
Deadlines to submit an application for Preschool Promise or the Equity Fund have been extended to May 4, 2020.
My CPR is about to expire (or already has). What should I do since all CPR classes are cancelled?
CCRR agencies are working with the office of child care to set up a TEMPORARY online version that will fulfill this requirement to keep everyone in good standing. More guidance will be coming out shortly. You will not be out of compliance if you were unable to obtain this certification in time due to the COVID-19 response, but must adhere to future and temporary guidance on this. For individual circumstances, please contact your licensing specialist.
Can I have an in-person appointment or a site visit?
In accordance of the recommendations provided by the Oregon Health Authority and Governor Brown’s executive order 20-12, we will not be meeting with individuals face-to-face or provide on-site visits until further notice. We look forward connecting with you virtually or over the phone to meet your needs.
Can I make an appointment to review my CDA or Spark portfolio?
Currently, we are not meeting with individuals in person. Please call or email your R&R office so that they may provide support over the phone, email or by virtual meeting.
How do I access training for licensing?
We have canceled all in person training until April 28th. We are working on the possibility of offering trainings online. Please check the Early Learning Division, Office of Child Care for a full list of frequently asked questions and specific information on licensing. https://oregonearlylearning.com/COVID-19-Resources/For-Providers
You can also visit the OCCD website for mandatory online trainings: http://campus.educadium.com/OCCD/course/category.php?id=3
Take your Food Handlers test FREE of charge:
http://triwou.org/pages/show/ccccrr-food-handler-certification?site=ccccrr
I signed up for a training, will I get a refund?
We are currently providing refunds for all canceled trainings from March 12 through March 31st. Our team is working on processing the refunds so there is no need to call to cancel.