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
- Updated COVID-19 booster for everyone 6 months and older, NCDHHS (Oct. 8, 2022)
- P-EBT Update, NCDHHS (July 26, 2022)
- Novavax vaccines authorized for adults 18+, NCDHHS (July 18, 2022)
- UPDATED: ChildCareStrong Public Health Toolkit, NCDHHS (July 6, 2022)
- Frequently Asked Questions, NCDHHS (July 5, 2022)
- UPDATED: StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12), NCDHHS (June 24, 2022)
- COVID vaccine available for children 6 months and older, NCDHHS (June 21, 2022)
- Materials about children and teenagers, NCDHHS (May 24, 2022)
- Materials about vaccines and boosters, NCDHHS (May 24, 2022)
- Booster available for children ages 5-11, NCDHHS (May 20, 2022)
Vaccination Information
- Updated COVID-19 booster for everyone 6 months and older, NCDHHS (Oct. 8, 2022)
- Novavax vaccines authorized for adults 18+, NCDHHS (July 18, 2022)
- Frequently Asked Questions, NCDHHS (July 5, 2022)
- COVID vaccine available for children 6 months and older, NCDHHS (June 21, 2022)
- Materials about children and teenagers, NCDHHS (May 24, 2022)
- Materials about vaccines and boosters, NCDHHS (May 24, 2022)
- Booster available for children ages 5-11, NCDHHS (May 20, 2022)
- COVID-19 Booster Shots Available for All Vaccinated People 5+, NCDHHS (Dec. 9, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available for Children Ages 5-11, NCDHHS (Nov. 3, 2021)
- Booster Shots Available for More North Carolinians, NCDHHS (Oct. 22, 2021)
- Booster Shots Available for High-Risk Groups, NCDHHS (Sept. 24, 2021)
- FDA Approves Pfizer Vaccine for People 16+, NCDHHS (Aug. 23, 2021)
- TeenVaxFacts Informs NC Teens about COVID Vaccines, NCDHHS (Aug. 23, 2021)
- Additional Vaccine Doses for Immunocompromised People, NCDHHS (Aug. 16, 2021)
- UPDATED: COVID-19 Vaccines 101 (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Aug. 13, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine for Teenagers, NCDHHS (July 13, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Video PSA's, NCDHHS (July 13, 2021)
- Greater Urgency for Vaccinations, NCDHHS (July 8, 2021)
- "Vax Up or Mask Up" Campaign, NCDHHS (May 26, 2021)
- Pfizer Authorized for Children 12+, nc.gov (May 12, 2021)
- 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)
- Community Vaccine Ambassador Program, Atrium Health (March 10, 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)
- Deeper Dive: Group 3 - Child Care/Pre-K (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Feb. 10, 2021)
- Vaccine Data Dashboard, NCDHHS (Jan. 26, 2021)
- Infographic - Vaccination Rollout Plan (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information (English and Spanish), NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
- Video: Governor Jim Hunt on the importance of taking the COVID-19 shot, NCDHHS (Jan. 14, 2021)
COVID-19 Information Hub
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
- P-EBT Update, NCDHHS (July 26, 2022)
- UPDATED: ChildCareStrong Public Health Toolkit, NCDHHS (July 6, 2022)
- UPDATED: StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12), NCDHHS (June 24, 2022)
- Spring into Summer Campaign, NCDHHS (March 22, 2022)
- Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, DHHS (Jan. 2, 2022)
- Stabilization Grant Payment Estimator, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Oct. 26, 2021)
- Increase in COVID-19 Clusters Among School Sports Teams, NCDHHS (Sept. 8, 2021)
- "COVID-19 in NC and the ChildCareStrongNC Public Health Toolkit: What You Need to Know" Event Recording, NCDHHS (Aug. 26, 2021)
- "COVID-19 in NC and the ChildCareStrongNC Public Health Toolkit: What You Need to Know" Q&A, NCDHHS (Aug. 26, 2021)
- NC COVID-19 Child Care Guidance Updates, NCDHHS (Aug. 12, 2021)
- Interim COVID-19 Policies for NC Pre-K Programs, NCDHHS (Aug. 2, 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)
- Operational Grants, March and April 2021, NC DCDEE/DHHS (March 12, 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)
- 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)
- COVID-19 Testing Approach Paper, NCDHHS (Sept. 25, 2020)
- SlowCOVIDNC app, 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- COVID-19 Response in NC
- 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
- P-EBT Update, NCDHHS (July 26, 2022)
- American Rescue Plan, whitehouse.gov (June 22, 2021)
- N.C. Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program, nc.gov (June 3, 2021)
- Child Tax Credit (English and Spanish), whitehouse.gov (June 22, 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)
- Free Tools and Supplies for Those Working with the Crisis
Financial Support for Child Care Programs
- Stabilization Grant Payment Estimator, NC DCDEE/DHHS (Oct. 26, 2021)
- 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)
- 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.
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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