COVID-19 Related Resources for Child Care Providers

To support child care providers affected by the various impacts of the pandemic, the City of Irvine has gathered the following resource links. These links are for organizations outside the City, and are collected here for your convenience. For more information on the City’s measures to prevent spread in our community, visit cityofirvine.org/covid19.​

Announcements/New Resources

The Children’s Home Society of California (CHS) offers free personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to child care providers. Providers can call Resource & Referral hotline at (714) 543-2273 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment to pick up the PPE supplies. More information: chs-ca.org.

If you have health insurance, click here to learn about reimbursement for COVID-19 at-home tests. No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured at more than 20,000 sites nationwide. Click here to find testing locations.  

California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network

The IECMHC Network offers an expanded suite of infant and early childhood mental health consultation resources services and services to all early learning and care programs and providers across California. Click here to request assistance for center-based programs or click here to request assistance for family child care programs.

Areas of support include:

  • Promoting positive mental health and social and emotional development.
  • Focusing on relationships and practices that buffer against stress and trauma.
  • Addressing behaviors that providers find concerning or challenging.
  • Developing a program culture that promotes the well-being of providers, children, and families.

Click here to view the flier or for more information. 

Start Well Mental Health Consultation for Early Care and Education

If you are facing challenging behaviors, concerns about the mental health of your children, or have a desire to focus on social and emotional development in your program, Early Childhood Mental Health consultants can help you support the children in your program and their families. For more information or to request early care and education assistance, click here.

Licensed Child Care Facility Stabilization Stipends

The Licensed Child Care Facility Stabilization Stipends were approved in the California 2021-22 State Budget Act and authorized to be distributed by the California Department of Social Services. These one-time “licensed stipends” will be facilitated by the Community Care Licensing Division, Child Care Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more, visit the Licensed Stipends FAQs webpage.

Opportunity to Receive Support from Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children (OCAEYC)

If you are a family child care provider, faith-based child care owner/director, or private child care center owner/director, and have struggled due to COVID-19, you are eligible to apply for support and may receive:

  • Professional development (18+ hours)
  • Individualized support
  • Stipend funds
  • Resources and materials for business development

Click here to view flier and click here to apply. Funded by First 5 Orange County and Community Action Partnership Orange County.

COVID-19 Exposure - Child Care Reporting and Best Practices

Child care providers must report any positive COVID-19 cases they become aware of in any individual that has been on their program site within the past fourteen days to the Orange County Health Care Agency and the State of California Community Care Licensing Division. To view details regarding next steps if you are notified of a positive case in a staff member, participant or anyone who has been present in your program, click here.

COVID-19 Licensed Child Care Facilities and Providers (FAQs)

Answers from California Community Care Licensing Division to many of your COVID-19 related questions.

COVID-19 Testing

To view COVID-19 Testing Resources in Irvine and Orange County please, click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine

All individuals age 6 months and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. * Parental consent is required and you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine if you are under the age of 18. For assistance locating a COVID-19 vaccine, visit COVID-19 Vaccine Resources. 

General Information

Please ensure that both Children’s Home Society (CHS) of California and Community Care Licensing (CCL) has your updated contact information including phone number and email to receive updates and information regarding your program.

CHS: 714-456-9800
CCL: 714-703-2800
 

State of California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division:

Review and follow the Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of children, providers, and families. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the information in your facility to show employees and families that you’ve reduced the risk and are open. 

Orange County Health Care Agency:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Schools and Child Care Programs

Child Care Law Center: See updates on new guidance or policies for the following topics:

Webinar from Early Childhood Investigations:

Resources from Zero to Three:

Reports on the Status of Child Care

Financial Resources

Additional Resources

Child Care Exchange: Keys to Rebuilding Enrollment Post COVID-19

Every Child California: COVID-19 Resource Page

Supporting Children's Mental Health

Additional City Resources

On-Demand Training & Resources and Training Calendar: The Child Care Coordination Office compiles this list of resources and webinars for early care and education professionals to enhance the quality of child care in Irvine. Many of these webinars would also be beneficial for families having young children.

Finding Child Care: View all open programs in Irvine via an interactive map and lists of family child care and center based programs.

For more information, visit cityofirvine.org/covid19 or call Irvine Child Care Coordination Office directly at 949-724-6632.