The New York State Office of Children and Family Services provides a range of resources to help parents with their child care needs, people who want to start or are currently running child care programs, and anyone with a concern about the health or safety of a child in a day care program. Find out more about OCFS

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Latest News & Events

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National Provider Appreciation Day

National Provider Appreciation Day is a time to thank child care providers, teachers, school-age program staff, child care center directors and staff, and all those who work with children and are responsible for their education and care. Read more...

This is a special day to recognize family-based child care providers, teachers, school-age program staff, child care center directors and staff, and all those who work with children and are responsible for their education and care.

Read the proclamation

 

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Mold Cleanup for Child Day Care Providers Webinar

The effects of Superstorm Sandy were devastating to many throughout New York State, including you as child care providers. Damages were severe in some cases and some of you are still cleaning up your programs. The effects of the storm can be lasting and we wanted to help get you back on track so you can provide the best possible care for the children and families in enrolled in your program. During this Webinar training Todd Crawford, from the New York State Department of Health, discussed mold cleanup in child day care programs. He shared information on how to clean up on your own and who to contact for help. He also addressed specific questions about mold cleanup from those who participated live that evening. 

Watch this Webinar training to find out more about cleaning up mold in your child care program. Please note you will not receive training credit for this Webinar unless you attended the Webinar at a site on 4/3/13. However, there is so much wonderful information in this training you will want to take advantage of this valuable resource and watch! 

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Draft for Public Comment, New York State Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan for FFY 2014-2015.

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New Health and Safety Requirements for Cribs.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of new health and safety requirements for cribs. Beginning December 28, 2012, any crib provided by a child care program must meet new and improved federal safety standards. The new standards address deadly hazards previously seen with traditional drop-side rails, require more durable hardware and parts and mandate more rigorous testing. Read more...

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Clean-up: After You Return to Your Child Care Facility

Thank you for attending the Clean-up: After You Return to Your Child Care Facility Audio Conference on December 18, 2012.  To receive training credit, please complete the form.

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Disaster Distress Helpline Provides Crisis Counseling and Help to People Affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy -
Monday, December 17, 2012

The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 can provide immediate counseling to anyone who needs help in dealing with many problems arising from the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

The Helpline is a 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a man-made or natural disaster tragedy. The toll-free Helpline is confidential and multilingual and available for those who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of natural or man-made disasters, incidents of mass violence or any other tragedy affecting America's communities.

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers.  The Helpline staff will provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services.

Access the Disaster Distress Helpline at http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/

• Tips_for_Parents_With_Preschool_Children
• Tips_For_Parents_With_Schoolage_Children
• Helping_young_children_heal

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Governor Cuomo Announces FEMA
Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

Residents of thirteen declared counties may apply for FEMA disaster assistance through January 28, 2013

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Superstorm Sandy

The following are resources for families and providers to help cope with natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy:

• Dear Provider (Spanish)- December 2012: For child day care providers affected by Superstorm Sandy: The Division of Day Care Services  (DCCS) is mailing  this letter on December 7, 2012,  which is packed with resource information, to make sure you are aware of what help and support is available to you in your area of the state. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering disaster assistance.  If you have insurance, FEMA may provide assistance  that may cover damages that your insurance doesn’t. That is why all  individuals affected by Superstorm Sandy are urged by FEMA to apply for assistance. (December 2012)
  • NYS Children’s Issues Task Force Superstorm Sandy Resource Guide - This document contains a wealth of Federal, NYS, local, Mental health, Legal, and Spaces and Equipment Available resources. Also included is a listing of the local Child Care Resource & Referral agencies in impacted counties. (December 2012
  Resources for Children and Youth During or After a Disaster from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

 

Resources for Returning Home after a Flood or Hurricane:

• Returning Home after a Hurricane or Flood (English)/ Cómo ayudar a los niños a confrontar una catástrofe (Spanish)
• Recovering from Disaster, Guidance from FEMA (English only)
• Repairing your Flooded Home (English Only)
• Hurricane Sandy Preparedness and Recovery NYS Dept. of Health

Resources for Helping Children Cope with a Disaster:

• Helping Children Cope with Disasters (English)/ Regreso al hogar después de un huracán o una inundación (Spanish)

Child Care Assistance for Victims of Superstorm Sandy

Social services districts affected by Superstorm Sandy can expand the child care services they provide to families for the duration of the disaster recovery period.

Archived news

QUALITYstarsNY is New York State's quality rating and improvement system. It is a voluntary program to rate, improve and communicate levels of quality in all regulated early care and learning programs. Read more about the important QUALITYstarsNY initiative.