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& Resources
Registered and Licensed Providers, please find attached the most recent letter and Frequently Asked Questions from OCFS regarding the Governor's Executive Order EO 202.7 and Essential Workers.
Programs
Child Care &
Development Council
Comprised of Registration, Child Care Resources and Referral, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Child Care & Development Council is a local resource for registered/licensed, legally-exempt, and potential child care providers, as well as parents looking for child care options.
Traffic Safety Board
We provide education to schools, businesses and community organizations to increase residents' safety while walking, bicycling, or driving. We coordinate similar efforts with law enforcement, healthcare providers, and child passenger safety technicians.
NYS Facemask requiremens
Please see the following information regarding the new facemask mandate in NYS
Oswego County Traffic Safety Drive Safe, Live Safe
This event has been canceled due to precautions related to the Coronovirus.
4/17/2020
From OCFS:
Dear Child Care Provider:
The Governor’s recent Executive Order, EO 202.6, as well as the associated guidance issued by the Empire State Development Corporation, sets forth in-person work restrictions, effective as of March 20, 2020 at 8 pm, and until further notice. These restrictions require all businesses and nonprofit entities utilize telecommuting and work from home procedures to the extent possible. However, essential businesses are exempt from these restrictions.
Child care and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public are essential services and are therefore exempt from these restrictions.
We are writing to confirm that your child care program, which is licensed, registered, or enrolled with OCFS qualifies for this exemption and may remain in operation to the extent necessary to provide those services. This includes your administrative offices and those employees necessary to support the essential functions of your program’s mission.
Don’t forget to regularly check the NYS DOH and OCFS websites for the latest guidance on COVID-19 as the outbreak evolves.
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/providers.htm
https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/news/COVID-19/
The value of the child care services you are providing is immeasurable. Thank you for all you’re doing to support children and families during this stressful and challenging time.
Sincerely,
Janice M. Molnar, Ph.D., Deputy Commissioner
Division of Child Care Services
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3/16/2020 11:00am
From ECLC
As many of you may know, the governor has issued Executive Order No 202.1 Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency. While this emergency direction states that there can be regulatory flexibility in the standards for staff/child ratios in all child care modalities; it is important to note that this is on a case by case basis and a waiver must be submitted to OCFS. OCFS NEEDS TO APPROVE YOUR LIMITED TIME WAIVER PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION. OCFS is committed to reviewing waivers as soon as they are received so that services are not interrupted.
OCFS will not be making determinations on program closures due to COVID-19. Such closures will be directed by local Departments of Health. If a child contracts COVID-19 and is in contact with other children, the child and the exposed children should not be allowed to attend their current, or any other, child care program. Programs should also notify the regional office and their CCR&R if a child in the program has been quarantined.
If a childcare program is closing for issues related to COVID-19, they are required by OCFS regulation to immediately notify the regional office and their CCR&R.
At this time, all new staff must still follow the CBC process; they must be fingerprinted and have a current medical statement before starting work in a program and paperwork must be submitted for a Comprehensive Background Check. Currently, OCFS does not have flexibility in this area.
Subsidy payments to programs that are closed or have increased absences is a local social services district option. OCFS is working on waivers that will allow each district to modify its child care plan to allow them to pay for additional absences and closures.
Oswego County Health Department information and updates
Office of Children and Family Services information and updates
Mission
Our mission is to be a community resource agency to support and improve the quality of life for youth and families of Oswego County.
Vision
Our vision is to be a valued premier resource that builds healthy families and communities by affecting change in behaviors, environments, and policy through quality, accessible and affordable education, training, advocacy, technical assistance, and partnerships.
