Today is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day! Of course, here at the Council, we are amazed and grateful every day for all you do to teach, nurture and protect the little ones in your care. This year is unlike any other with the COVID-19 emergency, and once again, you have shown the lengths to which you will go to care for our children and their families.

So we thought about it - what gesture is big enough to convey the depth of our gratitude today? Only a parade would do!

As New York State aggressively expands COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity, the Department of Health has revised guidance to increase testing for frontline workers, including all first responders, health care workers, and essential employees who interact with the public, while continuing to prioritize resources. Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider for individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• * An individual is symptomatic or has a history of symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, and/or trouble breathing), particularly if the individual is 70 years of age or older, the individual has a compromised immune system, or the
• individual has an underlying health condition; or
• * An individual has had close (i.e. within six feet) or proximate contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19; or
• * An individual is subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine; or
• * An individual is employed as a health care worker, first responder, or other essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working; or
• * An individual presents with a case where the facts and circumstances – as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state or local department of health officials – warrant testing.

Saturday, May 2, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Self-Care During Today's Stressful Times-Stress Reduction Techniques for Early Care and Education Professionals

The Covid-19 outbreak has been stressful and emotionally exhausting for all of us. It has been hard to take care of our physical and emotional well-being. Join us as we discuss provider-specific risk factors, practice relaxation techniques, and explore art and music and mindfulness techniques that can relieve your stress now and impact your program in the future.

Westchester's first responders and essential workers shouldn't be over-burdened by child care costs as they work to serve and protect others during the COVID-19 emergency. With grants from the Westchester Community Foundation's COVID-19 Response Fund and RXR, the Council is happy to announce a new scholarship program to help immediately.

Who is eligible:

If you live in Westchester County, are a first responder/essential staff working outside the home, and your gross household income is below 85% of NYS State Median Income, you should apply. [Your income might also make you eligible for a child care subsidy through the Westchester Department of Social Services (DSS)]. If you are not found to be eligible for the Subsidy Program, you may be considered for this Scholarship Fund on a case-by-case basis, for example, if you are employed less than 20 hours/week.

Congress is about to approve additional funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - don't miss out!  

Shira Leibowitz, Ph.D., CEO of Discovery Village, a licensed child care center in Tarrytown, has been trained through the Westchester County Office of Economic Development and Volunteer New York to assist you in applying for these programs.  She is particularly determined to provide this help to child care businesses.  You can reach Shira to set up an appointment via this link Click Here!

Good luck to all!  And a very special thanks to Shira for sharing her expertise so generously!