Providers

FINAL REMINDER

July 7, 2023By

July 7, 2023

Dear Child Care Providers:

The deadline to complete the Revised American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) survey is August 15, 2023.

Per Child Care Bulletin 23-08, child care providers are eligible to receive a flat-rate, one-time stipend in the amount of $1,442 per child enrolled IF the following criteria have been met:

1. The child care provider must have served child/ren enrolled in a state-subsidized early care and development program in the month of April 2022,
2. The child care provider must have completed the revised American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) survey by August 15, 2023, AND
3. The child care provider must currently be open and providing care for a child/ren enrolled with Supportive Services, Inc.

**The ARPA stabilization funds are intended to stabilize the child care field, and the ARPA prohibits distributing funds to child care providers that are no longer providing care and/or are permanently closed.

If you believe you meet ALL three of the above requirements, please visit the ARPA Survey Website at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6696727/CDSS-CDE-ARPA to complete the survey online.

NOTE: Child care providers must complete the revised ARPA Survey even if they have already completed the
previous version of the survey in 2021.

Prior to issuing the one-time stipend, Supportive Services, Inc. must first receive confirmation from the California Department of Social Services that you have completed the revised version of the ARPA survey and the agency will verify that each provider meets all three requirements as outlined above.

If you have already completed the revised ARPA survey, you may disregard this notice.

Download the Flyer

ACT NOW!

The Deadline to Complete the Survey is
August 15, 2023

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Providers

Cyber Attack – Letter dated 6/22/23

June 27, 2023By

Investigation of a Recent Cybersecurity Attack

—

 

June 26, 2023

Dear Child Care Provider,

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), Childcare Providers Labor Relations Department notified Supportive Services, Inc. of the investigation of a recent cybersecurity attack. This data breach, which resulted from a software vulnerability in a prpoduct provided by a third-party file transfer company, has affected approximately 2,500 organizations worldwide including CalHR.  Supportive Services, Inc. and CalHR takes your privacy and safeguarding of provider data and computer systems extremely seriously. At the direction of CalHR, Supportive Services, Inc. was asked to notify child care providers of specific information.  Please download this notice to read the complete text.

Download the Cyber Attack Letter Dated 6.22.23
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Providers

ACT NOW….New Survey Deadline

June 23, 2023By

ACT NOW…. The Deadline to Complete the Survey is
August 15, 2023

—

 

June 8, 2023

 

RE: Revised American Rescue Plan Act Survey Requirement

 

Dear Child Care Providers:

Supportive Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Revised American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) survey deadline has been extended to August 15, 2023.

Per Child Care Bulletin 23-08, child care providers are eligible to receive a flat-rate, one-time stipend in the amount of $1,442 per child enrolled IF the following criteria has been met:

1. The child care provider must have served child/ren enrolled in a state-subsidized early care and
development program in the month of April 2022

2. The child care provider must have completed the revised American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) survey by
August 15, 2023, AND

3. The child care provider must currently be open and providing care for a child/ren enrolled with
Supportive Services, Inc.

**The ARPA stabilization funds are intended to stabilize the child care field, and the ARPA prohibits distributing funds to child care providers that are no longer providing care and/or are permanently closed. If you believe you meet ALL three of the above requirements, please visit the ARPA Survey Website at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6696727/CDSS-CDE-ARPA to complete the survey online. NOTE: Child care providers must complete the revised ARPA Survey even if they have already completed the previous version of the survey in 2021.

Prior to issuing the one-time stipend, Supportive Services, Inc. must first receive confirmation from the California Department of Social Services that you have completed the revised version of the ARPA survey and the agency will verify that each provider meets all three requirements as outlined above.

If you have already completed the revised ARPA survey, you may disregard this notice.

Download the Flyer
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Providers

Family Fee Waiver Continues

June 23, 2023By

Waiver of Family Fees ANTICIPATED to CONTINUE
through September 30, 2023

June 20, 2023

Dear Parents and Child Care Providers:

Supportive Services, Inc. received notification that the waiver of family fees is anticipated to continue from July 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023, pending the Governor’s approval of the revised state budget.

Although the continued waiver of family fees, was passed into law by the California Legislature this past month, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has not officially released a Child Care Bulletin (CCB) or guidance on this new law as they too are awaiting the authorization of the state budget by the Governor.

In the meantime, Supportive Services, Inc. is asking parents to “hold off” on paying family fees, until the agency receives final guidance from CDSS via an official CCB which will provide official language and guidance for Supportive Services, Inc. to formally notify ALL participating families and child care providers. In addition, we ask that child care providers also “hold off” on charging or collecting family fees until formally notified.

We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the agency at (559) 230-2030.

Respectfully,

Anita L. Walton
Executive Director

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childrenProviders

Child Care Facts

May 18, 2023By

Child Care Facts
Extension of ARPA Survey and AB 179 Stipend Deadlines

Dear California Child Care and Development Programs and Partners:

The purpose of this message is to communicate the following extensions to previously established deadlines for provider completion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) survey, as well as distribution of Assembly Bill (AB) 179 Stipends.

ARPA Survey

The deadline for providers to complete the ARPA survey has been extended from June 1, 2023, to August 15, 2023.  For more information about the ARPA survey, please refer to Child Care Bulletin (CCB) No. 21-19E, or visit our ARPA survey webpage.

AB 179 Stipends

The deadline for contractors to distribute AB 179 $1,442 per-child stipends to eligible providers has been extended from June 30, 2023, to September 30, 2023.

As a reminder, contractors must make every effort to distribute stipends to providers within 45 days of confirming that the ARPA survey has been completed by the provider.  For more information about the AB 179 stipends, please refer to CCB No. 23-08 or visit our Stipend webpage.

If you have questions about the information in this message, please contact the Child Care Policy and Development Bureau at (916) 657-2144, or CCPB@dss.ca.gov.

 
Child Care & Development Division Website

Question: What is the status of the $1,442 per child one-time stipends approved in 2022?

Answer: The funds have been released to the community based Alternative Payment Programs (APPs) by mid-May. The APPs are in process of getting the $1,442 stipends out to those providers that have completed the ARPA survey. Click here to read more on the stipends and the ARPA survey.

Question: How do I know if I have received or will receive any of the ARPA investment Funds?

Answer: If you received ANY of the below previous stipends in the last 36 months, then you are a recipient ARPA investment funds. If you expect to receive the AB 179 one-time flat-rate $1442 stipend because you provided care in April 2022 and are currently providing care to a family enrolled in an early care and development program, then you will be a recipient of the ARPA investment funds.

  • Spring/Summer 2021 Stipend ($525 per child)
  • Summer 2021 Stipend ($600 per child)
  • Licensed Provider Stipend ($3,500 to $6,500 based on licensed capacity)
  • Secondary provider payments when a family’s primary provider was paid for nonoperational days due to COVID-19 related reasons.
  • Reimbursement Based on Certified Hours of Care Rather than Attendance
  • Licensed Provider Incentive ($500 when a family child care home license has been obtained and maintained for 12 consecutive months)
  • Supplemental Rate Payments $1,442 per child stipend (AB 179)

Question: What if I do not have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)?

Answer:Only licensed day care homes and centers have a Federal Employer Identification Number. If you are child care provider who a family, friend or neighbor, you do not have a FEIN.

Question: What do I enter for the provider name, location address, location phone number and email address?

Answer:

If you are licensed day care home or center, please enter the business name, business address, business phone number and business email address.

If you are a child care provider who is a family, friend, or neighbor, please enter your personal contact information. Do NOT enter contact information for Supportive Services, Inc. Entering Supportive Services, Inc. information will impact the agency’s ability to confirm you have completed the survey.

Question: How do I know if my survey was received by CDSS?

Answer: Once you complete the survey, you will receive a confirmation email. You will only receive the confirmation email IF you entered YOUR (personal) email address.

Question: I cared for child/ren in an early care and development program in April 2022, but I am no longer caring for the child/ren. I have completed the ARPA survey, will I still receive the one-time, flat-rate stipend for $1442?

Answer: Per Child Care Bulletin 23-08, child care providers are eligible to receive a flat-rate, one-time stipend in the amount of $1,442 per child enrolled IF the following criteria has been met:

  1. The child care provider must have served child/ren enrolled in a state-subsidized early care and development program in the month of April 2022,
  2. The child care provider must have completed the revised American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) survey by August 15, 2023, AND
  3. The child care provider must currently be open and providing care for a child/ren enrolled with Supportive Services, Inc.Note: The ARPA stabilization funds are intended to stabilize the child care field, and the ARPA prohibits distributing funds to child care providers that are no longer providing care and/or are permanently closed.

Question: If a licensed provider completed the April survey but currently are not serving children would they still receive the stipends?

Answer:  Yes. They are technically still open.

Question: If a licensed exempt provider completed the April survey but currently is not providing care would they still receive a stipend?

Answer:    No.

Question: If a licensed exempt provider completed the April survey but they are not permanently closed based on a phone call to the provider can they still receive a stipend?

Answer:   No. Since their not serving a child is not due to a public health, financial hardship or a reason related to COVID-19 they are not eligible.

Question: If I am license-exempt (family, friend or neighbor) provider and I am no longer providing care to the children enrolled in a subsidized care program, am I still eligible for the $1442 stipends?

Answer:  If license-exempt or Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers are no longer providing subsidized care, they are not eligible for stipends.

NOTE: Alternative Payment Programs implement payments of the stipends following rules developed by the California Department of Social Services. Concerns with any of the information above should be emailed to CCPB@dss.ca.gov.

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Providers

Revised ARPA Survey – CLOSED 8/15/2023

May 9, 2023By

 – SURVEY CLOSED 8/15/2023 –

ATTENTION CHILD CHAIR PROVIDERS 

REVISED American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Survey

REQUIREMENT

 

Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 179 signed by the Governor on September 6, 2022, all subsidized child
care providers are eligible to receive a flat-rate, one-time stipend in the amount of $1,442 per child
enrolled during the service month of April 2022. To be eligible to receive this stipend, providers must
have completed the revised American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) survey. NOTE: Child care providers
must complete the revised ARPA Survey even if they have already completed the previous version of
the survey in 2021.

Use the link below to Read More…

AB 179 ARPA Notice_3-1-23

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Parents & Providers

Upcoming Policy Changes Effective July 1, 2023

May 5, 2023By

Dear Parents and Child Care Providers

Supportive Services, Inc. has received Child Care Bulletin 23-09 from the California Department of Social Services outlining many of the COVID-19 flexibilities we have participated in are set to expire on June 30, 2023.

Use the link below to review information that outlines the subsidized childcare policies scheduled to expire on June 30, 2023, as well as those policies which will take effect on July 1, 2023.

On behalf of the Staff of Supportive Services, Inc., we are here to support you however we can as we all return to pre-COVID-19 policies and procedures. Please feel free to reach out to our office if you have any questions at (559) 230-2030.

Download Notice Link

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Parents

Parent’s Assessment 2023

April 18, 2023By

Dear Parents

It’s time once again to ask for your help in completing the Parent’s Assessment of Supportive Services, Inc. Survey’s have been sent out and you should see yours in the mail soon.

We appreciated your responses to last year’s survey questions. The responses you shared with us were instrumental in helping us gather the information that we needed to modify our existing policies and procedures to address the needs of our families and children.

You will notice that we have added additional questions to the survey. It is our attempt to gather as much information to share with policy makers to clearly demonstrate the benefits of providing a parental choice, child care and development program, designed to meet the unique needs of the families and children residing in Fresno County.

You have the following options to submit your survey:
1. Scan and email to edu@ssifresno.org
2. Fax to (559) 230-2051
3. Drop off by utilizing the agency drop-box
4. Mail to 5090 N West Ave, Fresno CA 93711+

Please complete your survey and return it no later than May 19, 2022.
Download Notice Link

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