At the start of the pandemic in 2020, community needs shifted. While the well-being of children remained a priority, the team at La Red saw the impact that COVID-19 was having on the mental health of not only the children but also on their parents and providers.
FFN care is one of the most used forms of child care for young children and reliance on this care increased during the pandemic. Greater attention to, inclusion of, and support for FFN caregivers is an urgent priority.
A recently released report from Home Grown and the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) provides critical state and city data on the current integration of Family Child Care (FCC) providers in publicly-funded pre-K. Titled Including Family Child Care in State and City-Funded Pre-K Systems: Opportunities and Challenges, it also examines perceived opportunities and challenges with FCC participation in pre-K. Home Grown believes that Family Child Care providers contribute a vital service, often in under-served communities, and are deserving of the opportunity to access public pre-K funding to further nurture and teach the children in their care.
Home Grown recently launched our Building Comprehensive Networks initiative to provide resources and support to states, counties, cities, and tribes interested in building comprehensive networks as durable, publicly-funded infrastructure. Together we look to build better networks to support home-based child care providers and the children and families who rely upon it.
As states work to allocate American Rescue Plan funds, Home Grown recognizes the need to continue to champion the stabilization and lasting investment in the child care sector, and home-based child care, in particular.
Home Grown is pleased to introduce the cohort of incredible provider leaders in our Leading from Home initiative. Home Grown created Leading from Home with the belief that it is critical to engage providers and parents in policy change and to support the leadership of providers and their ability to influence policy and systems.
Home Grown partnered with the Urban Institute and Child Trends to look at the CACFP and opportunities for home-based child care provider participation. The two reports present overlaps in their findings and recommendations, including the importance of building relationships, cross-system collaboration, and centering the realities of HBCC providers and caregivers
As we collectively see, learn, and support FFN caregivers, we will better value and include these essential caregivers and the children and families they serve in early childhood systems. With new federal investments, now is the time to embark on this journey to make our system more inclusive and equitable.
The application for a first time PPP is straightforward and forgiveness–the process of removing the debt so you can keep the funds–is easier than ever. The PPP deadline has been extended until May 31, 2021.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Leave provides home-based child care providers with the opportunity to receive funds that can support them with expenses needed to run their organizations. There are two programs through which home-based child care providers can provide this leave.
