COVID-19 News & Updates
Child Care Resources Inc. will update this page as new information becomes available.
Please check back regularly for updates.If you’re concerned that you’ve been exposed or have a general question about COVID-19, you can call:
North Carolina COVID-19 Hotline: 866-462-3821 (open 24 hours, seven days a week).
For non-emergency COVID-19 questions: Call 211 or text “COVIDNC” to 898211
If you need a COVID-19 test: Check your symptoms and find a testing place today.
Please regularly check the COVID-19 North Carolina Dashboard for the most up-to-date reports on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, school clusters, ongoing outbreaks, risk factors, contact tracing, and more.
Latest Updates
- Mask mandates, social distancing restrictions lifted and FAQs, nc.gov (May 14, 2021)
- UPDATED: StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) and FAQs, NCDHHS (May 14, 2021)
- Pfizer Authorized for Children 12+, nc.gov (May 12, 2021)
- UPDATED: Interim Guidance for Private Social Gatherings and Guidelines for Get-Togethers, NCDHHS (May 11, 2021)
- Reference Guide for Suspected, Presumptive, or Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 (K-12), NCDHHS (May 7, 2021)
- Infection Control and PPE Guidance (K-12), NCDHHS (May 7, 2021)
- UPDATED: ChildCareStrong Public Health Toolkit, NCDHHS (May 3, 2021)
- Guidance (Spanish) and FAQs (Spanish) on Face Coverings and Masks, NCDHHS (April 30, 2021)
- UPDATED: Youth and Amateur Sports Guidance, NCDHHS (April 30, 2021)
- Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Update, FDA (April 24, 2021)
- Timeline for lifting NC COVID-19 Restrictions, nc.gov (April 21, 2021)
- Extra Credit Grant Program Extended, NCDOR (April 14, 2021)
- Everyone 16+ Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine, NCDHHS (April 7, 2021)
- UPDATED COVID-19 Child Care Payment Policy, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 26, 2021)
- At-Home COVID-19 Testing Program, NCDHHS (March 26, 2021)
- Bonus Payments to Child Care Teachers and Staff, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 26, 2021)
- Accelerated Vaccine Timeline for Groups 4 and 5, NCDHHS (March 25, 2021)
- Requirements and Recommendations for Recess, Specials, and General Activities, NCDHHS (March 23, 2021)
- Operational Grants, March and April 2021, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 12, 2021)
- Deeper Dive: Group 4, NCDHHS (March 11, 2021)
- Community Vaccine Ambassador Program, Atrium Health (March 10, 2021)
- Frontline Essential Workers Eligible for Vaccination Beginning March 3, nc.gov (March 2, 2021)
- Revised Flexibility in Policy and Regulatory Requirements for Child Care Providers, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Feb. 26, 2021)
- FAQs for Eased Restrictions Under Executive Order 195, nc.gov (Feb. 24, 2021)
- Exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees, SBA.gov (Feb. 23, 2021)
- How Child Care Staff Can Help Get Child Care Staff Vaccinated, NCDHHS (Feb. 17, 2021)
- UPDATED Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program, NCDHHS (Feb. 17, 2021)
- Low Income Energy Assistance Program, mecknc.gov (Feb. 15, 2021)
- Mecklenburg County Public Health Vaccination Appointments, mecknc.gov (Feb. 11, 2021)
Vaccination Information
- Bilingual Flyer - COVID-19 Vaccines: Your best shot against COVID-19, NCDHHS (May 11, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Information, FDA (May 7, 2021)
- Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Update, FDA (April 24, 2021)
- Everyone 16+ Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine, NCDHHS (April 7, 2021)
- Accelerated Vaccine Timeline for Groups 4 and 5, NCDHHS (March 25, 2021)
- Deeper Dive: Group 4, NCDHHS (March 11, 2021)
- Community Vaccine Ambassador Program, Atrium Health (March 10, 2021)
- Frontline Essential Workers Eligible for Vaccination Beginning March 3, nc.gov (March 2, 2021)
- How Child Care Staff Can Help Get Child Care Staff Vaccinated, NCDHHS (Feb. 17, 2021)
- Mecklenburg County Public Health Vaccination Appointments, mecknc.gov (Feb. 11, 2021)
- Vaccination Group 3 - Frontline Essential Workers, NCDHHS (Feb. 10, 2021)
- Deeper Dive: Group 3 - Child Care/Pre-K (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Feb. 10, 2021)
- Vaccine Data Dashboard, NCDHHS (Jan. 26, 2021)
- Find My Vaccine Group, NCDHHS (Jan. 25, 2021)
- Vaccination Group 2, NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- Vaccination Group 1, NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- UPDATED: COVID-19 Vaccines 101 (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- Local Vaccination Sites By County, NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- Infographic - Vaccination Rollout Plan (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- Video: Older North Carolinians, You Have A Spot, Take Your Shot (English / Spanish / Captioned), NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
Video: Governor Jim Hunt on the importance of taking the COVID-19 shot, NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- Frequently Asked Questions, NCDHHS (Dec. 16, 2020)
COVID-19 Executive Orders
Health Guidance
- Connect with a Child Care Health Consultant, (Sept. 10, 2020)
- No-cost community testing events (NCDHHS)
- New tools available: If you believe you or or a loved one may need a COVID-19 test, check your symptoms and find a testing place today.
- The Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) connects North Carolinians to additional mental health and resilience supports that help them cope and build resilience during times of crisis. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- The Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) provides mental health and resilience supports for child care staff, health care professionals, emergency medical specialists, first responders, other staff who work in health care settings and their families who are experiencing stress from being on the front lines of the state’s COVID-19 response. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Flyers available in English and Spanish.
- Child care health consultants provide free emergency, health and safety training and on-site assistance.
- Child care health consultants by county
Regulatory Flexibility
- Revised Flexibility in Policy and Regulatory Requirements for Child Care Providers, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Feb. 26, 2021)
- Extension of WIC COVID-19 Flexibilities, fns.usda.gov (Sept. 21, 2020)
NC DCDEE/DHHS Guidance
- Reference Guide for Suspected, Presumptive, or Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 (K-12), NCDHHS (May 7, 2021)
- Infection Control and PPE Guidance (K-12), NCDHHS (May 7, 2021)
- UPDATED: ChildCareStrong Public Health Toolkit, NCDHHS (May 3, 2021)
- UPDATED: Youth and Amateur Sports Guidance, NCDHHS (April 30, 2021)
- UPDATED COVID-19 Child Care Payment Policy, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 26, 2021)
- Bonus Payments to Child Care Teachers and Staff, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 26, 2021)
- At-Home COVID-19 Testing Program, NCDHHS (March 26, 2021)
- Requirements and Recommendations for Recess, Specials, and General Activities, NCDHHS (March 23, 2021)
- Operational Grants, March and April 2021, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 12, 2021)
- UPDATED: StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) and FAQs, NCDHHS (March 4, 2021)
- Revised Flexibility in Policy and Regulatory Requirements for Child Care Providers, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Feb. 26, 2021)
- How Child Care Staff Can Help Get Child Care Staff Vaccinated, NCDHHS (Feb. 17, 2021)
- UPDATED Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program, NCDHHS (Feb. 17, 2021)
- UPDATED: What are We Learning About Children and COVID-19 fact sheet and website, NCDHHS (Feb. 2, 2021)
- COVID-19 Community Readiness toolkit for mental and behavioral health supports, NCDHHS (Jan. 25, 2021)
- Partner COVID-19 Testing Toolkit (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Jan. 7, 2021)
- UPDATED: Requirements and Recommendations for NC Non-Public Schools, NCDHHS (Dec. 11, 2020)
- UPDATED: Interim Reopening Policies for NC Pre-K Programs, NCDHHS (Dec. 9, 2020)
- Celebrating Safely: Tips for the Holidays, NCDHHS (Dec. 4, 2020)
- K-12 COVID-19 Antigen Testing Pilot Application Packet, NCDHHS (Dec. 3, 2020)
- Spanish-language COVID resources, NCDHHS (Oct. 26, 2020)
- Operational Grants Formula – August 2020, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Oct. 23, 2020)
- COVID -19 Community-Based Organization Remote Learning Facility Inventory, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Oct. 1, 2020)
- COVID-19 Testing Approach Paper, NCDHHS (Sept. 25, 2020)
- SlowCOVIDNC app, NCDHHS (Sept. 24, 2020)
- FAQ on Employers Requiring Negative Tests, NCDHHS (Sept. 24, 2020)
- Public Schools Now Able to Implement Plan A for Elementary Schools, (Sept. 17, 2020)
- Resumption of All Monitoring Visits to Child Care Facilities, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Sept. 11, 2020)
- Updated Guidance on Face Coverings in Child Care Facilities, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Sept. 10, 2020)
- UPDATED Child Care Guidance, NCDHHS (Sept. 2, 2020)
- Child Care Hotline flyer (English, Spanish), NCDHHS (Aug. 27, 2020)
- School-Age Care Operational FAQ, NCDHHS, (Aug. 27, 2020)
- Parent Toolkit: What To Know When Looking for School-Age Child Care, NCDHHS (Aug. 27, 2020)
- UPDATED to include Spanish resources: COVID-19 Protect and Prevent Media Toolkit, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Aug. 27, 2020)
- UPDATED Information and FAQs for Child Care Providers, NCDHHS (Aug. 27, 2020)
- UPDATED Information and FAQs for Families, NCDHHS (Aug. 27, 2020)
- Proof-of-immunization and health assessment requirements for school and child care facilities, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Aug. 13, 2020)
- Summary of Resources for Child Care Providers During COVID-19, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Aug. 12, 2020)
- State of Emergency Rules for School-Age Care, NC DCDEE/DHHS (August 12, 2020)
- Flyers to Promote Child Care Hotline, NC DCDEE/DHHS (August 7, 2020)
- Memorandum on Cloth Face Covering Distribution for K-12 Students, Teachers and Staff - Private Schools, NCDHHS (Aug. 3, 2020)
- Public Health Grant Opportunities, NCDHHS (July 31, 2020)
- COVID-19 Support Service Program, NCDHHS (July 31, 2020)
- Cloth Face Covering Door Sign for Child Care (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (July 7, 2020)
- Steps to Take After COVID-19 Testing (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (July 7, 2020)
- Checklist for Developing a Reopening Plan, NCDHHS (June 30, 2020)
- Slowing the Spread Posters, NCDHHS (June 30, 2020)
- UPDATED Door Sign for Child Care/Screening Criteria, English and Spanish, NC DCDEE/DHHS (June 16, 2020)
- UPDATED Interim Guidance for Child Care Settings, NC DCDEE/DHHS (June 15, 2020)
- Public Reporting of COVID-19 Clusters in NC Schools and Child Care Settings, NC DCDEE/DHHS (June 8, 2020)
- NC Pre-K Program COVID-19 Guidance Webinars, NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 22, 2020)
- COVID-19 Child Care Response Webinar (slides and presentation), NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 21, 2020)
- Joint Interim Guidance Eligibility Determination and Enrollment for NC Preschool Programs, NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 21, 2020)
- NC Pre-K End of Year Program Guidance, NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 19, 2020)
- NC Pre-K Remote Learning: Interim Survey Report, NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 15, 2020)
- NC Pre-K Program Remote Learning Guidance, NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 15, 2020)
- COVID-19 Child Care Reopening Application and Step-by-step instructions for completing the application NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 8, 2020)
- UPDATED Child Care Provider FAQ, NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 8, 2020)
- Information on requesting Personal Protective Equipment, NC DCDEE/DHHS (May 6, 2020)
- Tips to Navigate Federal Relief Options for Family Child Care Providers — webinar and slides (April 23, 2020)
- Solicitud Para Padres de Asistencia Financiera para Cuidado Infantil de Emergencia, NC DCDEE/DHHS (April 9, 2020)
- Provider Portal for Emergency Child Care Subsidy Program, NC DCDEE/DHHS (April 7, 2020)
- Webinars for Child Care Providers, NC DCDEE/DHHS (April 6, 2020)
- Parent Application for Financial Assistance for Emergency Child Care, NC DCDEE/DHHS (April 1, 2020)
- COVID-19 Emergency Child Care Provider Application Form, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 26, 2020)
- Updates and Action Requested for Child Care Facilities, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 23, 2020)
- Child Care Provider COVID-19 Service Status Survey, NC DCDEE/DHHS
- COVID-19 Response in NC
- Guidance for Child Care Centers, NC DCDEE/NC DHHS
- Guidance for Individuals and Families, NCDHHS
- Handwashing Poster for Children and Adults, NC DCDEE/DHHS
- Are you an essential worker needing child care? (English and Spanish), NC DCDEE/DHHS
National Organizations
- Child Care Aware of America: Coronavirus News and Resources (including a webinar, decision-making guidance for centers, and policy resources)
- NAEYC’s recommendations
- NAEYC: News and Resources (including a survey for child care centers and an online community for questions)
- NAEYC: Child Care in Crisis – Understanding the Effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Online early educators’ community
Additional Local Resources
- Extra Credit Grant Program Extended, NCDOR (April 14, 2021)
- FAQs for Eased Restrictions Under Executive Order 195, nc.gov (Feb. 24, 2021)
- UPDATED Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program, NCDHHS (Feb. 17, 2021)
- Low Income Energy Assistance Program, mecknc.gov (Feb. 15, 2021)
- COVID-19 Guidance for Families, NC Child Care Health and Safety Resources Center (Jan. 7, 2021)
- UPDATED: Interim Reopening Policies for NC Pre-K Programs, NCDHHS (Dec. 9, 2020)
- "Whatever Your Reason" Statewide Public Campaign, nc.gov (Sept 3, 2020)
- COVID-19 Protect and Prevent Media Toolkit, NC DCDEE/DHHS (June 22, 2020)
- PSA videos on COVID-19, ready to share: Rev. Prince R. Rivers | Psychiatrist Dr. Jacquetta Foushee | North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green | Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, MD, FAAFP, Associate Professor and Family Medicine Residency Program Director for the Duke Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (Watch in Spanish) (June 22, 2020)
Text “FOODNC” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 for food assistance or view this interactive map to locate nearby meal sites
- Free Tools and Supplies for Those Working with the Crisis
- Updated Information on Closures
Financial Support for Child Care Programs
- UPDATED COVID-19 Child Care Payment Policy, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 26, 2021)
- Operational Grants, March and April 2021, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 12, 2021)
- Exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees, SBA.gov (Feb. 23, 2021)
- Grants for child care programs, nc.gov (Oct. 6, 2020)
- CCRR Council Forgivable Loans through the Federal CARES Act For Small Business Including Child Care Providers
- FEMA Public Assistance Program Summary (March 25) and Applicant Briefing Schedule (April 6)
- Emergency Loans: Gov. Cooper requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration grant North Carolina an emergency declaration that would allow for small businesses economically affected by the coronavirus to receive loans
Employment
- To apply for unemployment: NCWorks at www.des.nc.gov or call 888-737-0259. The NC Works offices have closed, so unemployment services are all online or via phone right now.
Taking Care by CCRI — Activities for Home and Child Care
- For a library of tips and activities for families, providers, and caregivers, please visit our Taking Care page.
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Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union,
Rowan, and Stanly counties
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