- OREGON STATE >> COVID RESOURCES FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
- Child Care Connection Sheet From Pandemic Partners of Bend – CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
As Central Oregon schools prepare for school closures and child care facilities close in an effort to reduce transmission of COVID-19, employers, families and child care providers will be grappling with child care issues. For many children in our area, school/child care is the safest place to be during the day.
As our community looks for alternatives, we encourage families and employers to call 211 to get additional information on child care options.
As our community looks for alternatives, we encourage families and employers to call 211 to get additional information on child care options. Yesterday afternoon (Friday, March 13, 2020) the Oregon Office of Child Care, Early Learning Division released an FAQ for providers and families. Currently, child care facilities (home and center based) are not required to close, but parents should contact their provider to make sure they are operating. The Office is currently working on how to provide temporary child care options.
Additional resources:
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Some local school age programs, including YMCA and Reach in Redmond are extending their out of school time options. WE encourage you to call as things are changing quickly.
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School Districts have announced free “Grab and Go” or site based meal options for students: visit your district’s website for more information: Bend-La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Jefferson County 509J, Crook County and Culver.
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The Child Mind Institute® has provided “Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus”, resources for adults to reassure children.
We encourage employers, families and children to practice the appropriate precautions in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 including washing hands, staying home if you are sick and practicing spatial separation. For more information on reducing risk, visit the Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN).
For additional press inquiries please contact Melanie Mesaros with the Office of Child Care, Central Office at 503-856-6040 or melanie.mesaros@state.or.us. Check here to lear more for the latest from the Early Learning Divison.
The Central Oregon Child Care Steering Committee includes The Bend Chamber, Governor Brown’s Regional Solutions team, Better Together, The Early Learning Hub, NeighborImpact, Central Oregon Health Council, TRACES, OSU and COCC. The mission of the group is: Community and employers invested in Central Oregon’s children, families and workforce to increase the supply of affordable, accessible and quality child care in Central Oregon.
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Aloha, my name is Malia and I just moved to Bend on March 14 from Kaua’i Hawaii! Previously to moving, I owned my own Preschool serving children and their families ages 2.8 through 5. I am currently hoping to open my own preschool here in Bend. With COVID keeping us quarantined and the kiddos home, my hope is to finish my curriculum I started called Parenting 101! I was thinking to add a COVID twist to. My hope is that this will help parents cope and use this as a guide to helping their kiddos through this hard time. I could offer and present it to parents interested(via Zoom). I was also thinking to have some Zoom meetings with kiddos and families reading them a book about COVID(child appropriate)and then having themed discussions making it a 6 week or more program . Just thoughts and ideas. I feel very uneasy with charging parents for this because I know some parents are out of work and struggling. I could use anyone’s help on figuring out how I could help, but also be able to make some income to be able to pay my bills as well. So, if anyone has resources or ideas on how I can move forward with this, I would love to begin supporting my new community of Bend’s children and families!! Thank you, Malia