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.

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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.

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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.

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