We know you’re having a tough time right now because of COVID-19. We’ve been holding webinars about different topics related to your childcare business and COVID-19 to get you the information you need.

Here we’ve also posted links to relevant resources. If you have a question that you can’t get answered through our webinars or through state agency websites, please email info@mschildcare.org. We’re here to help!

RECENT NEWS

MS CARES Grant money available; small business owners encouraged to apply immediately

Please note that this can help pay for COVID-19 related expenses from 3-1-20 through 12-30-20. Please note that the deadline to apply is January 15, 2021.

“We want to share the portal link for the MS CARES grants that are available through the state of Mississippi and administered through Community Foundations in the state. These are available for food pantries and nonprofits and are reimbursement grants for expenses related to COVID-19 starting on March 1, 2020 through Dec. 30, 2020.

“The link will route your grant application to the appropriate foundation based on your county. The grants are for up to $4,000 for food pantries and $4,000 for nonprofits. Food pantries may apply for both grants, but not with the same receipts. The grants will be available until January, but the funds are first come, first served and not unlimited.
The portal link where you can learn more is: www.mscaresgrant.com.”

Free COVID-19 Testing Available for Child Care Workers

From the Mississippi Department of Health:

“Child care facility workers in Mississippi can now receive free drive-through COVID-19 testing at selected Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) community testing locations conducted at many county health departments, and at the West Street Farmers Market in Jackson. 
K-12 teachers, staff, school administrators and child care workers of Mississippi licensed child care facilities can be tested regardless of whether they show symptoms or have had close contact with someone positive for the virus. They must receive an appointment by completing an online questionnaire found at https://covidschedule.umc.edu/.

For a list of scheduled testing sites, visit http://HealthyMS.com/page/14,22406,420,874.html. 

Keep up with the latest COVID-19 information by downloading the free MS Ready mobile app or follow MSDH by email and social media at www.HealthyMS.com/connect.”

CDC Guidance for Child Care Providers

For those childcare providers who choose to remain open during COVID-19, there is Centers for Disease Control guidance available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html.

WEBINARS

Webinar 1 – March 27, 2020
Unemployment | Mississippi Office of Re-employment Assistance
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-1

Webinar 2 – March 31, 2020
Child Care Program | Mississippi Department of Human Services
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-2
Read FAQs from this webinar: https://conta.cc/2yNxlcy

Webinar 3 – April 1, 2020
Childcare Guidance | Mississippi Department of Health
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-3

Webinar 4 – April 7, 2020
Small Business Resources | Ty Necaise, CPA
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-4

Webinar 5 – April 9, 2020
CACFP | Office of Child Nutrition
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid19-webinar-5

Webinar 6 – April 20, 2020
CCAIR | Mississippi Department of Human Services
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-6

Webinar 7 – May 22, 2020
Mississippi Small Business Grants | Representative Jarvis Dortch
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid19-webinar7

Webinar 8 – July 2, 2020
Mississippi Small Business Grants | Kiyadh Burt, Hope Policy Institute & Janet Dickens, Mississippi Small Business Development Center
View the recording here: https://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-8

Webinar 9 – January 14, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines | Mississippi State Department of Health | Dr. Thomas Dobbs
View the recording here: http://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-9

Webinar 10 – February 4, 2021
COVID-19 Relief: PPP & EIDL – second round | Hope Credit Union and MS Small Business Development Center
View the recording here: http://bit.ly/mlicci-covid-webinar-10

LINKS TO RESOURCES

MDHS

DHS is currently offering higher reimbursement in CCPP for centers that have completed the CCAIR training. Get more information here.

State Early Childhood Advisory Council of Mississippi’s COVID-19 Updates:
https://secac.ms.gov/covid19/

Centers for Disease Control

CDC Guidance for Childcare centers that remains open during COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html

CDC guidance for child care centers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/child-care-decision-tool.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools-faq.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/checklist.html

MDES

For info on COVID-19 unemployment: https://mdes.ms.gov/unemployment-claims/covid19/

For workers (child care staff): https://mdes.ms.gov/unemployment-claims/covid19/#WorkerFAQs

For employers (child care centers): https://mdes.ms.gov/unemployment-claims/covid19/#EmployerFAQs

MSDH

MSDH information on COVID-19:
https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html

FAQ for Child Care Facilities and COVID-19: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,0,183,865.html

Licensure offices closed: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,0,183.html

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

COVID-19 Information from Mississippi Dept. of Health:
https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html

Federal COVID-19 Resources for Child Care:

For information about federal developments during the COVID-19 public health crisis related to child care visit the National Women’s Law Center’s child care assistance page: https://nwlc.org/issue/child-care-assistance/ and the Center on Law and Social Policy’s child care subsidy page: https://www.clasp.org/issues/children-youth-families/child-care-and-early-education/child-care-subsidies. You can also sign up for ongoing alerts from both organizations.  

Federal COVID-19 Resources for Individuals & Families

10 Things You Should Know About Federally funded paid sick and family leave: https://www.clasp.org/blog/10-things-you-should-know-about-coronavirus-paid-sick-and-family-leave-rights