We’re here for Kansas child care professionals.
COVID-19 Resources for Providers
Child care providers are vitally important for keeping Kansas families and communities working. Here are important resources to help your child care business during these challenging times.
Many of the following programs were established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Financial Stability
“I need help paying my staff and other bills.”
“I need help paying for food for the children in my care.”
“I don’t know if I or my staff qualify for unemployment.”
“How does COVID-19 impact licensing requirements?”
Health & Safety
“I need the latest updates on health and safety guidelines.”
“How do I talk to my children about COVID-19?”
“I need help dealing with the stress of COVID-19.”
“I need help finding and paying for supplies.”
Supporting Learning
“I am teaching different ages than I am used to. How can I best serve them?”
Financial Stability
“I need help paying my staff and other bills.”
Even in the best of times, owning a business can be stressful. You may be juggling financial concerns on top of your own family needs. The good news is that relief and recovery options are out there, and more are on the way. Explore your options below.
- Kansas Hero Relief Program:The Kansas Hero Relief Program grants provide support to licensed child care centers and family child care programs impacted as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Child Care Supply & Sustainability Funds*
- Child Care Revenue Replacement Funds – coming soon!
- Bonuses for Providing Child Care Support to Emergency Workers – coming soon!
*The Supply funds may still be available to you if you are temporarily closed and intend to reopen. You can reapply when you reopen.
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Relief Options:You may consider applying for more than one of these options in combination with other state options. However, employers cannot “double dip” and cover payroll with both PPP and EIDL for the same employees. Visit the SBA Coronavirus Relief Options webpage for an overview of the following options, or click the links below:
- Local Assistance: Quality, free counseling from local community partners may be available in your area to help you navigate your options. To find support near you, click here.
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Your business may be eligible for a forgivable loan forgiveness for retaining employees. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. To learn more, click here. (Resumed April 27, 2020).
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance: You may be eligible for a cash advance of up to $10,000 within 3 days of application that can be fully forgiven if used for qualifying expenses. To learn more, click here.
- Express Bridge Loans: Small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender may be able to access up to $25,000 quickly. To learn more, click here.
- Debt Relief: Some small businesses may be eligible for cancellation or postponement of debts during the COVID-19 pandemic may be available. To find out if your business qualifies, click here.
- Unemployment Benefits: If you have had to cut-back hours or furlough employees, and can no longer cover pay with SBA options, you may consider helping your staff apply for UI benefits from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). To learn more, click here.
“I need help paying for food for the children in my care.”
For more information, visit the CACFP website or contact KSDE Child Nutrition & Wellness at 785-296-2276.
“I don’t know if I or my staff qualify for unemployment.”
To begin the process of filing for unemployment insurance benefits, click here.
“How does COVID-19 impact licensing requirements?"
For the latest information regarding child care licensing, visit KDHE’s COVID-19 Child Care and Foster Care Toolkit.
To help the state have the latest information to support families in need of care:
- If you have had to temporarily close your child care program, please take a moment to report the closure by following this link.
- If you have recently reopened your child care program, please take a moment to report the reopening by following this link.
Health & Safety
“I need the latest updates on health and safety guidelines.”
- For Kansas-specific child care guidance, visit KDHE’s COVID-19 Child Care and Foster Care Toolkit.
- For additional guidance, visit the CDC’s Guidance for Child Care Programs.
- If you need help finding supplies, KDHE recommends starting by contacting your local licensing surveyor and resource and referral agency to see if they can assist you in connecting with local resources. Your local school district may also be able to connect you.
- If you need help paying for supplies, the Kansas Hero Relief Program Supply Grant offers grants for licensed child care providers to help offset the cost of purchasing supplies.
“How do I talk to children about COVID-19?”
- Talking with Children about Coronavirus: This resource from the CDC can help you as you try to explain COVID-19 to the children in your care. It may also be a good resource to share with your families.
- The Power of Storytelling: This resource shares how you can help your children process all of the uncertainty and change happening around them through telling stories.
- Sesame Street in Communities: These bilingual resources can help address the developmental, physical, and emotional needs of the children in your care.
- HealthyChildren.org: These resources cover everything from tips for making masks for children to developmentally-appropriate activities to keep the children in your care occupied and learning.
“I need help dealing with the stress of COVID-19.”
The uncertainty and changes during this time can cause a lot of stress. Providers are experiencing new realities and self-care can often be the last thing on the to-do list. Self-care is critical for those taking care of others. Below are some practical self-care tips you can start today and share with your families!
- If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed, or you feel like you want to harm yourself or others, please:
- Call 9-1-1.
- Call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224) or visit TheHotline.org.
- For CDC recommendations on how to managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.
- How to Support Children (and Yourself) During COVID-19: This guided resource can help you find ways to support the emotional and physical wellbeing of your family during this time.
“I need help with finding and paying for supplies.”
- Finding Supplies: KDHE recommends starting by contacting your local licensing surveyor and resource and referral agency to see if they can assist you in connecting with local resources. Your local school district may also be able to connect you.
- Hero Relief Supply Grant: The Kansas Hero Relief program offers grants for licensed child care providers to help offset the cost of purchasing supplies.
Supporting Learning
“I am teaching different ages than I am used to. How can I best serve them?.”
We are all having to adapt to these new circumstances, but we aren’t doing it alone. Stretching beyond our comfort zones can be hard, but these resources may help you feel more confident in these new circumstances.
- HealthyChildren.org: These resources cover everything from tips for making masks for children to developmentally-appropriate activities to keep the children in your care occupied and learning.
- Sesame Street in Communities: These bilingual resources can help address the developmental, physical, and emotional needs of the children in your care.
- How to Support Children (and Yourself) During COVID-19: This guided resource can help you support the emotional and physical wellbeing of the children in your care as well as your own wellbeing.
- The Power of Storytelling: This resource shares how you can help your children process all of the uncertainty and change happening around them through telling stories.
- Kansas Enrichment Network: This resource hub can help you find and plan engaging STEAM activities for the youth in your care as well as ideas for how to involve parents in their learning.
- Vroom: These resources include tips and fun activities that help boost brain-building in young children.
Stay connected for the latest KQN updates.
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