The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the vital role child care plays for millions of children and families, especially for those who work on the front lines of the crisis. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is also underscoring the precariousness of high-quality, affordable, and accessible child care – the result of years of underinvestment in the system.

State policies play an important role in exacerbating or mitigating these factors.

CCR&R staff play a key role in supporting caregivers in child care programs during the response and recovery phases. In-person visits have traditionally been an essential aspect of providing support services to child care providers, yet during the COVID-19 recovery phase these visits have likely been suspended in an effort to ensure the protection of children, caregivers, families and CCR&R staff. Organizations that offer in-person support visits should consult with the local and state health departments before reintroducing this service.

Over the past week, I have been inspired by the eloquent words of so many of my colleagues across our field who are also committed to the health and promise of each and every child, individual, family and community.   

On June 4, 2020, three major changes were made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness program to make it more flexible and less burdensome for borrowers to receive full loan forgiveness. These changes apply to new borrowers and those who already received their loan, and should make it easier for PPP loan recipients to have their loan completely forgiven by the Small Business Association. This added flexibility is particularly helpful for businesses that are still not fully operational.

In the wake of the coronavirus, child care is facing serious challenges. While the field has come together to ensure public health guidance is followed, that care is available for frontline personnel, and that additional reopening of the sector is approached appropriately, more is needed to ensure that child care programs, both center-based and family child care, survive in the long term.

Springtime for Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies typically brings a multitude of outreach events with many opportunities to engage families and child care professionals. The pandemic has changed how CCR&R agencies provide services and outreach. CCR&Rs have quickly responded to the ever-changing health crisis and the uncertainty within the child care field, and have found innovative ways to engage families and educators.