Update for Ohio Providers: Latest ODJFS information; #TrainingTuesday

Here’s a quick snapshot of the latest resources and information we have today, May 19, 2020.

Latest Information from ODJFS

• These payments will be discontinued when programs are permitted to reopen on May 31, 2020.
• The last PFCC closure payment will be issued on June 5, 2020 for the week of May 24, 2020.
• If a program chooses to remain closed after May 31, 2020 they will not continue to receive the PFCC closure payment.

• Prior to March 25, 2020, programs were permitted to bill for up to 21 pandemic days each state fiscal year. These pandemic days were used by programs if they made the business decision to close prior to the State’s mandated closure.
• When child care reopens, providers can only bill for any remaining pandemic days when the local or state health department requires the program to close as a result of COVID-19.
• Programs who decide to remain closed after May 31, 2020, cannot bill for pandemic days.
• Please be reminded the new state fiscal year begins July 1, 2020 and each program’s pandemic days will reset to 21.

• All child care programs licensed prior to becoming a temporary pandemic program will begin operating under their regular child care license on May 31, 2020.
• Temporary pandemic child care centers without a regular child care license or who are not issued a regular child care license before June 9, 2020 must cease providing care on June 9, 2020, per rule 5101:2-12-02.01, Ohio Administrative Code.
• If the temporary pandemic child care center has been issued a regular child care license since March 25, 2020, then the center will operate under the regular license beginning on May 31, 2020.
• The last payment for temporary pandemic programs who are closing after May 30, 2020 will be for the service week of June 7, 2020 – June 9, 2020.

• Programs with a Provider Agreement for Publicly Funded Child Care in place prior to March 25, 2020 will begin operating under that agreement on May 31, 2020.
• If a temporary pandemic child care center that was not previously licensed becomes licensed and wishes to provide publicly funded child care, the center must complete a new agreement in the CCIDS Provider Portal under their new license number.
• The Pandemic Agreement signed for your pandemic child care license cannot be used for the new regularly licensed center.

• Providers should begin encouraging families to contact their county agency to ensure authorizations are in the system for their selected provider.
• Authorizations were not created for any temporary pandemic programs.
• If a new child is attending your program then they should be contacting the county to have their child(ren) authorized to your program beginning May 31, 2020. As usual, these authorizations will be reflected in the Time, Attendance and Payment (TAP) system.
• Publicly funded child care programs will resume using the TAP system to track child care attendance beginning May 31, 2020.

• ODJFS is currently updating the rules to outline the changes as transition back to regular licensure begins Programs will be notified when the rule language is final. As part of the implementation of the rules, time specific requirements will not be assessed immediately. Some examples include updated child medicals, annual fire inspections, annual vehicle inspections and health training updates.
• More details on all rule related items in this email and implementation will be included in the Manual Transmittal Letters issued with the rules.

• Child care payments rates for child care provided on or after May 31, 2020 are located in rule 5101:2-16-10, OAC and can be found here
• The payment rates are the same as the pre-pandemic payment rates.

• ODJFS is currently discussing grant opportunities to provide support to programs. Details will be provided as they become available.

• Transitional pandemic child care information has been added to the ODJFS provider and family pandemic web pages.
• On the provider’s page there are links to a toolkit for programs to assist with reopening and a communication section that includes a copy of the post-COVID survey recently sent to all providers. ODJFS will continue to add more resources to the toolkit so continue to check the website for updates.
• On the families page there is a document to assist them in sending their children back to child care.

• How to reopen under your previous license or close your pandemic program: Contact your licensing specialist
• Payments: Child Care Help Desk at CCIDS_business_unit@jfs.ohio.gov or 1-877-302-2347, option 1
• Policy: Policy Help Desk at childcarepolicy@jfs.ohio.gov or 1-877-302-2347, option 4

#TrainingTuesday

Check Out Upcoming Virtual Training Opportunities:

• The Quest for Empathy | May 22 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Handwashing and Sanitization: Procedures for a Healthy Program | May 22 | 10-11 a.m.
• Starting a Child Care Program | May 28 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Handwashing and Sanitization: Procedures for a Healthy Program | May 28 | 1-2 p.m.
• Using Literacy to Enhance Math | May 28 | 6-8 p.m.

Visit 4cforchildren.org/training for more!

#CoachingCorner