ECD: The Latest
July 7, 2021
5 Things You Need to Know
In this Issue:
- ECD: The Latest Live - Virtual Convening Registration
- Latest Resources
Five Things You Need to Know
President Biden delivers speech on the Build Back Better Plan
Child care providers can now apply for stabilization grants in several states
- HHS Secretary Becerra visits Head Start program in Washington, D.C.
- July is Disability Pride Month
- Child Tax Credit
ECD: The Latest Live - Virtual Convening Registration
Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Please join The Office of Early Childhood Development as they host a monthly webinar series focused on the latest updates from the Biden-Harris Administration on early childhood policy. Hear about how the American Rescue Plan Act is supporting families and the early childhood community, the Administration’s plans to Build Back Better, and how you can support the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 health emergency. Speakers will share strategies, resources and technical assistance and include families and practitioners sharing their expertise and experience. The monthly webinar will be a live forum for ACF and federal agency leadership to share progress on implementation and respond to questions that have been submitted. Participants will be able to submit questions when they register to be answered during the webinar.
In Case You Missed It - June 2021 Event Recording
President Biden delivers speech on the Build Back Better Plan
Today, the President delivered a speech at McHenry Community College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The college includes an on-site child development center for students. Convenient, affordable, and high-quality early learning programs are a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Build Back Better Plan, which provides a long-term vision for investing in early childhood programs. The plan includes $450 billion over 10 years for early childhood programs in mixed delivery settings such as family child care, Head Start, child care centers, and schools.
Child care providers can now apply for stabilization grants in several states
The American Rescue Plan provided $39 billion in child care funds, including $24 billion dedicated to grants that will help child care providers address the financial impact of the pandemic. Several states have posted their applications, and child care providers may apply for funding. The child care stabilization subgrants will provide financial relief to child care providers to help defray costs associated with the pandemic and lost revenue. Importantly, these are grants that do not have to be repaid, as is often the case with loans. Grants are available for family child care providers and centers.
Find out if your state has posted an application and help spread the word! Learn more here:
https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/state-and-territory-child-care-stabilization-grant-applications
HHS Secretary Becerra visits Head Start program in Washington, D.C.
The Office of Head Start announced $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support Head Start programs meet families’ needs during the pandemic and return to full in-person services. On June 30th, the Secretary toured the Martha’s Table Head Start summer program in Washington, D.C. Supported by ARP funding, Martha’s Table is helping children and their families be prepared for school in the fall by hosting a seven-week summer Head Start program. The program will support learning through a curriculum based on children’s interests and needs, field trips and other multisensory opportunities. It will also connect families with access to healthy food and other community engagement programs.
For more information - American Rescue Plan at Work with Martha’s Table Head Start program in Southeast Washington, D.C
July is Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month and the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. During Disability Pride Month, we celebrate people with disabilities of all ages including young children with disabilities. At the Administration for Children and Families, we’re committed to supporting inclusive early childhood settings for children with disabilities. Child care providers are reminded that American Rescue Plan Act grant funds can be used to make minor facilities renovations, including those that make programs physically accessible to children and family members with disabilities. But we also know that inclusive programs go beyond physical upgrades!
Check out this webinar on creating inclusive environments that support all children. For additional information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov. Additional resources are included in the resource section.
Child Tax Credit
Nearly all working families are eligible for monthly payments beginning on July 15th through the end of the year. The American Rescue Plan Act increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children ages 6-17 and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six. Most families will automatically receive the payment through direct deposit. Families that did not file taxes last year will need to sign up on the IRS tool. Visit ww.childtaxcredit.gov to learn more.
Latest Resources
Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool
IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC)
TSA information for families with children with disabilities
COVID-19 pandemic: Helping young children and parents transition back to school | CDC
Inclusion Resources to Boost Professional Development
Separated, But Together: How to Strengthen Collaboration in a Virtual World
Supporting Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities or Suspected Delays
Creating Inclusive Environments That Support All Children
Partnering with Part C Providers
Voices from the Field
Office of Early Childhood Development
ECD acts as a catalyst to create collective impact and support early learning and care of our nation's children and their families. This newsletter is for early childhood field catalysts and our partners in this work.
Email: earlychildhooddevelopment@acf.hhs.gov
Website: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ecd
Twitter: @ecdgov