Day Care Scholarships Available for Essential Worker Families
Dear Friend of EOC of Suffolk:
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m happy to inform you that the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk is now able to respond in a new and valuable way. We now have a special opportunity to assist many of our community’s heroic first responders and essential workers.
To ease the financial burdens pressing upon the families of these essential workers, and to help keep these courageous employees on the job, qualified parents may now obtain tuition scholarships to send their children to our Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center, located at 655 Montauk Highway in the Swann Nursery Commons in East Patchogue.
Under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the State of New York allocated $30 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) to cover child care costs delivered by eligible providers like Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center. To qualify, parents’ income level must be less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level – or $78,600 for a family of four. Child care costs will be paid up to market rate for each region statewide. The list of eligible essential workers can be found here.
At child care centers around the state, CARES funding is also being used to purchase supplies including masks, gloves, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, and food. Locally, the scholarship program is being administered by the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. in cooperation with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Parents can apply for a tuition scholarship by completing this form. They will be notified by the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. of their eligibility within 24 hours.
As one of the very few child care centers open for business in southern Brookhaven, this tuition scholarship initiative provides Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center and EOC of Suffolk with a wonderful opportunity to help blunt the negative impacts of this dreadful pandemic – and to serve as a vital resource for this essential and life-sustaining workforce.
Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center’s educational program – which serves a full demographic spectrum of young people – offers developmentally appropriate programs with specialized curriculum for a variety of ages. They are following full CDC recommended COVID-19 safety precautions.
Please spread the word. I ask every one of you to act now – and to use your various platforms and networks to bring this new program to the attention of the public as best as you can.
Stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely,
Adrian Fassett
C.E.O.
New Guidance Documents from the NYS Department of Health
Please see attached for new guidance documents from the NYS Department of Health:
- DOH Directive on Resuming Elective Outpatient Surgeries and Procedures in General Hospitals in Counties and Facilities Without a Significant Risk of COVID-19 Surge​
- DOH Advisory on Reporting Requirements for All Laboratory Results of All COVID-19 Tests
- DOH Advisory on COVID-19 Serology Testing
In addition, new executive order 202.25 has been posted here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20225-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency
New York State has a released a special tribute video for our essential workers which can be found by clicking here​. Please feel free to share with your networks and post on social media.
The Department of Labor has created a great, user-friendly website with information about UI/PUA eligibility: https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment/file-your-first-claim-benefits. This is a really helpful landing page for everyone. At this link you will find a section for “eligibility.” Then there a sub-links for categories such as:
– Frequently asked questions​
– For teachers and other school workers
– Exhausted or expired unemployment insurance benefits
– Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
– Certifying for weekly benefits
Upcoming Food Drive Donation Opportunity & NYS Child Care Assistance Links
Message from Police Officer Will Zieman:
We are proud to announce an upcoming collaboration with the Suffolk County Police Women’s Association. A county-wide food donation drive is being coordinated this week; flyer attachments have been included with this email. Each precinct has designated a location for food donation deliveries. In the 6th Precinct, Axis Church will be receiving donations to be distributed to families in need. Their Axis Café (address also on attached publications) is located at 2884 Route 112, Medford. Officers will be present during the drop off times this Friday, May 1 from 10am-1pm. We will assist with removing donations from your vehicle and maintain social distancing protocol. Please feel free to share the attached flyers with others.
Secondly, below you will see information shared from Deputy Police Commissioner Risco Mention-Lewis. She has provided important links pertaining to child care grants for essential workers. Please share this information with your fellow community members.
Kind Regards & Wishing each of you good health,
-Will Zieman
Police Officer Will Zieman #6256
6th Precinct Community Liaison Officer
Email: William.Zieman@suffolkcountyny.gov
631-854-2600
The Governor announced that New York State will provide child care scholarships to all essential workers starting Monday, April 20. Essential workers include first responders such as health care providers, pharmaceutical staff, law enforcement, firefighters, food delivery workers, grocery store employees and others who are needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We previously worked to clarify that United Way and 211 employees working in response to the pandemic are, in fact, essential.
Child care costs will be covered with $30 million in federal CARES Act funding to essential staff whose income is less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level – or $78,600 for a family of four – and will be paid up to market rate for each region statewide.
Essential workers can use the funding to pay for their existing care arrangement. If an essential worker needs child care, they can contact their local child care resource and referral agency (https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/referralagencies.asp) (CCRR) to find openings. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services will administer the program.
Learn more or fill out an application here (https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/news/article.php?idx=2119) .
Like many of the other sources, funds are limited and will likely run out fast. Encourage your qualifying employees to apply!
Message from Rep. Lee Zeldin
To make an appointment, call 845-553-8030.
To make an appointment, call 1-888-364-3065.
To make an appointment, call 516-874-0411.
To make an appointment, call 845-553-8030.
zeldin.house.gov/coronavirus .
Member of Congress
NYS Coronavirus Update: A Powerful Letter from Kansas — Absentee Ballot Applications Will Be Mailed Out — New Resources for Domestic Violence Victims
2020 Helen Martin and Trade Winds Scholarship Applications are now available!
The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is pleased to release its Scholarship application for the Helen Martin and Trade Winds Scholarships!
The deadline to apply is JUNE 12, 2020 at 12 NOON.
Applications may now be submitted VIA EMAIL instead of needing to be mailed in. Copies must be emailed to ymann@addressthehomeless.org AND gguarton@addressthehomeless.org.
However, an original, signed release form must be mailed in for our records. The original release does not need to be received in the mail by the application deadline, but a signed copy does need to be emailed with the other required documents by June 12, 2020 at 12 noon.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Good luck!
Greta Guarton, LMSW
Executive Director
NYS Coronavirus Update: New Contact Tracing Program Launched – Financial Relief for Hospitals
Message from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo:
We are living in a profound moment in history. Our actions today will shape our future and we cannot risk undoing all the progress we have made. We will rely on science and facts to guide our next steps. I know there are some people who want to reopen as quickly as possible. I also want to return to normal. But there are too many lives at risk. We need to act prudently today or else we’ll suffer the consequences tomorrow.
Mortgage Companies/Health Insurance/Grocery Delivery
1.       On March 20, 2020 Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order to halt evictions and foreclosures for 90 days. Suffolk County is asking anyone who is experiencing a foreclosure or eviction to report their mortgage company to 311. They are tracking which companies are not in compliance. (See attached EO 202.8)
2.       Health and Welfare Council of Long Island is helping people navigate the NYS open health insurance exchange. The exchange has been reopened until May 15. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
3.       Umbrella, a grocery delivery company, is offering essential item delivery during this crisis. They are waiving their membership fee and are asking for a $10 *suggested* donation. They are also looking for volunteers to help with their efforts. You can sign up for deliveries (or volunteer) at www.askumbrella.com or call 516-882-4498. If you have any questions, you can also email emma@askumbrella.com.   They are currently up to a 5 day waiting period, which is significantly shorter than 2-4 weeks by PeaPod, Instacart, Shipt, etc.