Enrolling Now for Summer! Summer Programs for School Age Children include field trips, educational tours, art classes, crafting and more $150 per week, all meals included to support Oklahoma families. Providers can spend the funds on a variety of key operating expenses, including wages and benefits, rent and utilities and cleaning and sanitation supplies. Specialty grants will be available beginning in spring 2022 to help start new childcare programs, assist with staff retention and address childcare deserts, pandemic. CARES monies have provided quality and sustainability payments based on a childcare provider’s capacity, star rating on the Quality Rating and Improvement System and providers’ compliance to licensing and permit requirements. Funds have also provided sanitation payments to help with added cleaning costs, an increase in absent pay days (where providers still get paid for those families on childcare subsidies even when that child cannot attend due to illness), an increase in the daily subsidy rate paid to providers, coverage of family co-pays and payment for the full-time childcare rate for school-aged children. American Rescue Plan monies have provided stabilization grants for childcare programs as well as incentivized quality improvement, access to care and workforce development
particularly in low-income and special needs communities. OKDHS will also use ARPA funds to cover 3 months of childcare subsidy for those unemployed due to COVID, provide continued increased subsidy rates, provide business training resources for providers and make available an increase in stipends awarded to program staff who meet professional development hours, among other initiatives. ARPA funds will be available through September 2024. “The sustainability grants had a huge impact [in 2021],” said Lee. “We heard relief from people and how much it helped. DHS has plans for those to continue for at least a year. That gives us time to look at the future and how we can help going forward.” While it’s not quantifiable, another result of the pandemic is a likely increase in unlicensed childcare homes. In Oklahoma, if you’re caring for children other than your own in your home on a regular basis, you must be licensed to do so, and that requires start-up costs to meet licensing requirements and receive a permit, according to OKDHS. Lee says in many cases an unlicensed home is the case of a friend or neighbor offering childcare
on an ongoing basis so a parent can work or attend school. Oftentimes those individuals may not be aware of the licensing process or the level of support provided by OKDHS. “We want to keep children safe; we assist financially and provide the educational component,” said Lee. “We know people are concerned about the monetary part.” For families who need childcare, those who are income-eligible can receive childcare subsidies. Those who qualify do not have to pay out of pocket for childcare, and Lee says OKDHS plans to continue that for as long as possible. But those who qualify aren’t always aware of the financial assistance or willing to use it. “There is a stigma of being on subsidy,” said Lee. “It’s really just supplementing and supporting getting children into quality programs.” OKDHS is planning a mass marketing campaign to seek out potential qualified childcare employees. The agency also provides free training for childcare teachers and directors, as well as business resources for providers and other support.
Need to pick up after 6 p.m.? We can help! • After-school and summer programs for school age kids • Caring for infants through 12 years • 3-star nationally accredited program • Open 24 hours and Saturday • Accept military, tribal, DHS & drop-in care • Serving Oklahoma City families for over 35 years
3601 NW 51st - OKC 405.946.3223
309 Bizzell - MWC 405.737.8790
3034 NW 17th - OKC 405.947.7722
3 OKC Locations 540 N Council Rd. - 405.789.0661 5816 NW 36th St.- 405.947.4002 6624 NW 63rd St. - 405.721.1830
www.childcareinc.com
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