The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program administered through the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) that provides reimbursement for healthful meals and snacks.

For more information, visit the CACFP website or contact KSDE Child Nutrition & Wellness at 785-296-2276.

If you are not working or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.  To learn whether you qualify for unemployment insurance benefits and other helpful information, review these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

To begin the process of filing for unemployment insurance benefits, click here.

You may be wondering how to maintain certain licensing requirements during this challenging time. KDHE has maintained a toolkit to help answer questions or concerns you may have regarding licensing updates related to COVID-19. They are continually updating guidance.

For the latest information regarding child care licensing, visit KDHE’s COVID-19 Child Care and Foster Care Toolkit.

Please continue to complete the forms below if you have to close your program, and then again when you’re able to reopen your program. This information greatly helps to inform KDHE efforts.

• 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.

This is a stressful time for adults, as well as children. Talking with them about crises can be challenging. Below are a few resources that may help explain, in developmentally-appropriate terms, what is happening in the world right now.

• 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.

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.

Visiting grocery stores with empty shelves has become a new reality for many. Child care centers have strict regulations of necessary supplies and it can be challenging to find many of them in stock right now. Below are some resources that may help with finding necessary resources.

• 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.