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 California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is distributing 200,000 COVID-19 tests to Child Care Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies for distribution to child care providers. At this time, tests are in limited supply. The state continues to make every effort to secure as many test kits as possible and will quickly disseminate additional inventory as it becomes available.

As a reminder, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. The link can be found here: COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests.

In addition, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) distribution to local R&R agencies will began the week of January 24, 2022. The PPE includes Adult N95 masks, child surgical masks, hand sanitizer, face shields, non-latex gloves, and gowns. PPE is intended to be provided to all child care program types, (e.g. licensed and exempt providers, Tribal child care programs, child care centers, small large family child care homes, state preschool programs, etc.).

Children’s Home Society Orange County, as the designated R&R for the County, is organizing a drive through distribution for providers who will be notified by email once the date and time are confirmed.  Please contact CHS OC at 714-543-2273 or 949-364-6605 to ensure that you’re email address is on file with the agency so they can notify you with distribution information.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

The California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Network offers free virtual consultation services to promote the social and emotional health and well-being of children and the adults who care for them.

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. Click here to request services.

Start Well Mental Health Consultation for Early Care and Education

Are your staff overwhelmed by children’s challenging behaviors? Do staff often call parents to pick up their children due to their challenging behaviors?  Is behavior a ‘hot topic’ amongst your teachers and parents?  Start Well can help, we are available to work with YOUR program!

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 please, 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 5 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, please visit COVID-19 Vaccine Resources. 

General Information

Please ensure that both Children’s Home Society (CHS) of CA 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: Questions & Answers on Providing Child Care during Coronavirus. See updates on new guidance or policies for the following topics:

  • Vaccines
  • Liability, Contracts, and Waivers
  • Families' Obligation to Pay
  • Unemployment and Financial Supports

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

Child Care Aware: Grab, Adapt and Go COVID-19 Resources for Child Care Program 

  • Guidance and customizable forms from Child Care Aware. Click the link then scroll down under the photo and blog post to find list of linked documents for download. Downloads available in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian and more languages.

California Inclusion and Behavior Consultation Network: COVID Virtual Consultation Flier

Supporting Children's Mental Health

Early Childhood OC: Clean, Disinfect, and Sanitize Health Guidance

Printable step-by-step directions, cleaning routine sample schedule, and general health guidance.

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.