The following email was sent to child care providers on April 23 by UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter Chair Tammie Miller.

We hope this email finds you and your family safe and healthy. We realize many of you have questions and concerns about the future amidst the coronavirus crisis. We want you to know that we are all in this together. Below, we've gathered some important information for you in terms of your unemployment benefits, your safety and your care for your children.

Unemployment benefits for family child care providers

How to file a claim for unemployment insurance:

• To file a NEW claim for unemployment insurance, visit unemployment.labor.ny.gov.

• If you already have a claim, visit labor.ny.gov/signin to make weekly certifications or to view your claim information.

The NYS Department of Labor has also put together this flier about how to apply for unemployment.

Another resource is this Q&A by Tom Copeland, family child care business expert. You'll find the answers to the following questions and others:

• How does the new federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act benefit child care providers?
• Which child care providers are eligible to receive unemployment benefits?
• How much money will the state send you if you are an eligible child care provider?
• How do child care providers file for unemployment benefits?

Child care assistance

The state OCFS has approved several waivers to New York City to provide support for families receiving child care assistance as well as providers and agencies providing child care services. These waivers are currently in effect through May 14, 2020.

The following translations are available: العربية | বাংলা | Español | 繁體中文 | Русский | 한국어 | Polski | اردو | Kreyòl ayisyen | Français

Face masks required in public

Download this letter from the Office of Children and Family Services to see the updated requirements for wearing face coverings in public during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Child care services are an essential business function

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared child care an essential service during the COVID-19 emergency. If you are questioned about your ability to operate during the emergency, the Office of Children and Family Services has prepared this letter to reinforce that child care is an essential service in New York State.

New CDC supplemental guidance on child care

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted a Supplemental Guide for Child Care. This resource, written in collaboration with the Offices of Child Care and Head Start for a variety of child care settings, provides guidance specific to child care issues such as:

• Social distancing;
• Child pickup and drop off procedures;
• Cleaning and disinfecting of toys and bedding;
• Safely caring for infants and toddlers; and
• Food preparation and meal service

We encourage you to continue safe practices. Please continue to check OCFS website for updates and additional information on COVID response resources.