Orange County Insight 1/2021

As the new school year approached, the Orange County School System announced that the children would have two options for learning, all virtual, or a hybrid schedule in which they would attend in person 1 - 2 days per week and virtually the remaining days. OOY staff determined that due to the attendance restrictions, they could not take as many children into the Locust Grove Program as usual. OOY and the school administration cooperated to open a fourth childcare site at Lightfoot Elementary School. OOY staff quickly completed the licensing and hiring processes to ensure the site would be ready at the beginning of the school year on August 24. The Lightfoot Elementary site serves children attending Unionville Elementary, Lightfoot Elementary, and middle school students in that district. Childcare at all four sites is open to anyone in need, and no longer limited to the families of essential workers. Each location offers care from 6:30 am until their respective closing times each evening. On their virtual days, children stay at the sites all day. On their hybrid days they attend before and after - school care. Children work on their virtual school assignments for at least two hours per day with staff assistance as needed. During non - academic time staff provides creative activities for the children and encourages more outside time. OOY used Federal CARES Act Grant funds to purchase toys and games that are easier to sanitize to provide more options for the children. Many families have seen their childcare costs dramatically increase because schools are not operating full - time. To offset this financial burden, the OOY administered a grant open to families using any Orange County childcare provider. This grant provided funding assistance to cover the increase in childcare costs. During the grant period of August 24 through December 31, families' applications were reviewed and processed, and childcare providers received direct payments. By the end of November, OOY had distributed $57,160.74 in relief to local childcare providers. Safe childcare is essential so that family members may remain in the workforce. 2020 was a year of many changes, but the Office on Youth staff did not let that dampen their spirit and commitment to serve Orange County families. OOY childcare staff has been creative, resilient and has stepped up to challenges placed before them. They look forward to continuing to serve the community in 2021.

Page 8 | January 2021

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