{"id":2257,"date":"2020-03-18T15:24:07","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T19:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlychildhoodny.org\/newswatch\/?p=2257"},"modified":"2020-04-23T12:21:11","modified_gmt":"2020-04-23T16:21:11","slug":"were-here-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earlychildhoodny.org\/blog\/were-here-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"We’re here for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Partners,<\/span><\/p>\n

All of us at the Institute would like to reach out to let you know we remain here for you during these uncertain times. Our initiatives and services, including New York Works for Children <\/a>and Aspire<\/a>, QUALITYstarsNY<\/a>, the Informal Family Childcare Project<\/a>, Coaching<\/a>, the Career Development Center<\/a>, the NYC Early Childhood Research Network<\/a> and the Leadership Initiative<\/a>, are all open.  <\/span><\/p>\n

We all share a primary concern – the health and well-being of children and families across New York State.<\/em> During this unprecedented time, many families, but particularly health care workers, first responders, grocery store staff, and transit employees, will be relying on a diverse array of childcare arrangements. For those programs and individuals who are able to extend themselves to provide essential, stable, nurturing care, we thank you for your service.<\/span><\/p>\n

For those of you who are doing your part by practicing social distancing, we thank you as well. We know that for a workforce used to being at the center of vibrant neighborhoods, isolation can be uncomfortable. Some educators are using this pause as a time to reflect on their practice; others may take this time to update their Aspire profiles, refresh their resumes, or complete the Training and Technical Assistance Professional Credentials. Participants in QUALITYstarsNY may find more concentrated time to work on their Quality Improvement Plans. Please let us know how we can help you in your efforts.  Each of us are available via email or telephone!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wherever young children are, we are mindful of their ongoing nutritional, social-emotional, and educational needs. We are committed to joining you in finding the safest, most compassionate solutions to ensure children continue to thrive. In the coming days, we will be developing key resources to support you, including resources for self-care. We invite you to reach out to your touchpoints at the Institute to share your ideas, questions and concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

We wish you and your community health, safety and happiness. We will get through this together. 
\n 
\nSincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t 
\nSherry M. Cleary<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\tUniversity Dean – Office of Early Childhood Initiatives<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\tExecutive Director – New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute<\/span><\/div>\n

\n\tWe want to hear from you! <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\tWe have setup a forum<\/a> for you to share your thoughts, ideas, and questions about what all of these changes mean for you, the children you serve, and your program. Our early childhood experts and coaches are available to listen and help you find answers. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t <\/div>\n
\n\tWe are compiling a list of various resources for the early childhood workforce. We will continue to update this list as we receive information. See below. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t <\/div>\n
\n\tYou can also reach out to us individually by emailing: questions@earlychildhoodny.org<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t <\/div>\n
\n\tResources<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n\t\tImportant Websites<\/u><\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t\tNational <\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\tCoping with COVID resources<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\tNAEYC brief : Child Care in Crisis Understanding the Effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\tCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/a>:<\/strong> The CDC website includes up-to-date guidance from the federal government, including a decision tree about school closures.<\/div>\n
\n\t\tNational Association for Family Childcare (NAFCC)<\/a>: <\/strong>The NAFCC<\/span> has guidance for Family Child Care providers and a survey about how the crisis is impacting their businesses.<\/div>\n
\n\t\tOffice of Head Start (OHS)<\/a><\/strong> The OHS website has information about wages and benefits and Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP<\/span>) flexibilities.<\/div>\n
\n\t\tChildcareAware:<\/strong> <\/a>ChildcareAware<\/span> has helpful guidance for Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&Rs) Agencies and Providers, as well as a survey for the field.<\/div>\n
\n\t\t <\/div>\n
\n\t\tNew York State<\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\tNYS Department of Health<\/a> <\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\tNYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\t <\/div>\n
\n
\n\t\t\tNew York City<\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tNYC Department of Health<\/a> <\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tNYC Department of Education <\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tFood and Other Resources for Families in NYC<\/span><\/u><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tFeeding America:<\/a><\/strong> This organization helps feed communities and individuals facing hunger across the United States through a nationwide network of food banks.<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tNYC Locations:<\/u><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tFood Bank For New York City<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t355 Food Center Dr.
\nNew York, NY 10474
\n718.991.4300<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tCity Harvest<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t6 East 32nd Street, 5th Fl.
\nNew York, NY 10016
\n646.412.0600<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n

No Kid Hungry:<\/a><\/strong> The organization also has plans in place to ensure families know how to find food while schools are closed and making sure kids get three meals a day. Their website includes information for program leaders on what they can do to receive funds for food services, as well as policies and procedures for agencies to set up grab and go meal sites.<\/p>\n

Hunger Free America:<\/a><\/strong> Provides food guides in multiple languages across the boroughs on how families can access food and food benefits. The guides are found on their website.<\/p>\n

Fresh Food Pantry<\/a><\/strong>:<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>Farmers donate their fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries, homeless facilities, soup kitchens, and community centers in all five boroughs. The services provided are limited during the pandemic, but some are still open. Click the link above for current schedule.<\/p>\n

NY Common Pantry<\/a><\/strong>:<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>New York Common Pantry works toward the reduction of hunger and food insecurity through an array of programs that function to establish long \u00adterm independence for those we serve. Some services are being reduced during the pandemic but current offerings can be found at this link above. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Several Food Pantries in NYC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Food Bank NYC<\/a><\/strong>:<\/b><\/span><\/a> <\/b><\/span>Food Bank For New York City has been the city\u2019s major hunger \u00adrelief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years. During the pandemic Food Bank NYC is providing resources on how to get food as well as applying for benefits such as SNAP, etc.<\/p>\n

Directory of Soup Kitchens and Homeless <\/a>Shelters<\/a><\/strong> – <\/span>provides<\/span> information on shelters and food distribution sites nationwide.<\/p>\n

Salvation Army Manhattan Citadel-<\/strong>175 East 125th St, 7th Floor, New York, NY 1003 provides shelter and other services and is open through the pandemic. \u200bOperational Resources and Unemployment Benefits<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOperational Resources and Unemployment Benefits<\/u><\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tUnemployment Benefits:<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tNYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.<\/div>\n