Monitoring COVID-19 Response

Policy, Guidance and Resources

Up-to-date resources for organizations serving children, youth, and families in the District of Columbia.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

• DC Health - What is COVID-19?

DC COUNCIL,  MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION EMERGENCY LEGISLATION, POLICIES, PROGRAMS

• March 24 - RFA: OST Programs for Essential District Workers During a Public Health Emergency
• Support for Small Businesses - DC Small Business Recovery Grants
• Expanded Unemployment Insurance: Application for Unemployment Benefits (y en español)
• March 18 - Statement from DC Action for Children on COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020
• March 17 - Council Unanimously Passes Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill (full bill). This legislation means that residents who receive SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Alliance, and certain other public benefits do not need to take any action at this time to continue receiving benefits that would otherwise expire - the benefits will be automatically extended.
• March 15 - Modified District Operating Status and Prohibition on Mass Gatherings

DC ACTION FOR CHILDREN AND ADVOCACY COMMUNITY RESPONSE

• April 9 - DC Action Joins National Call to Congress for Support for Home Visiting
• April 2 - Under 3 DC Coalition writes letter to Mayor asking for a child care stabilization package.
• March 24 - DC Alliance of Youth Advocates writes letter to Mayor regarding protections for young people experiencing extreme housing insecurity
• March 24 - Statement from DC Action for Children on OSSE 3-20-20 COVID-19 Guidance
• March 18 - Under 3 DC Coalition Follow Up with OSSE Regarding Provider Attendance and Payment
• March 13 - Broad Coalition Urges DC to Expand Protections for Low-Income Residents During Public Health Emergency 
• March 13 - Under 3 DC Coalition Writes Letter to Mayor and DC Council on Emergency Relief Policies for ECE and Families

GUIDANCE

Deputy Mayor for Education

• April 23 - Questions and Answers - School Year 2019-2020 OST Grants and Year Round 2019-2020 OST Grants
• March 12 - Guidance for OST Providers Receiving Learn 24 Grants

Office of the State Superintendent

• Child Care Recovery Best Practices
• June 4 (updated from April 15) - Guidance for Child Care Providers (that stay open) and Families Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and accompanying optional Enhanced Health and Safety Checklist and Frequently Asked Questions document
• May 15 (updated from April 17) - Guidance - Subsidized Child Care Provider Attendance and Payment / Documento guía para la COVID-19: Asistencia y procesos de pago para los proveedores de servicios de cuidado infantil subsidiados
• May 12 - Guidance - Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP) Closures
• April 27 - Federal Grant Flexibilities for some ESSA-authorized and other grants
• April 20 - Guidance - Early Child Care and Before and After Care Facilities Meal Provision
• April 11 - Strong Start/IDEA Part C Frequently Asked Questions and Strong Start DC EIP Virtual Visit Guidance for Families and Caregivers (April 1)
• April 1 - Guidance - Child Care Licensing and Compliance
• March 30 - Updates - Grants Administration (including Early Head Start Home-Based Program and QIN Expansion)
• March 26 - Guidance - 21st Century Learning Centers
• March 21 - Guidance - Health Guidance for Programs that Remain Open
• March 20 - Guidance: Subsidized Child Care Provider Attendance and Payment
• March 14 - Guidance: Childcare Closures, Meal Provisions, and Public Funding
• March 14 - Guidance: Related to COVID-19: Child Care Provider Closures and Public Funding
• March 14 - Guidance: Early Child Care Meal Provision Guidance
• Reference - District-wide Child Care Disaster Response Plan
• Form - Unusual Incident Report 

DC Health

• Guidance for Pregnant Women During COVID-19 / Orientación para mujeres embarazadas durante COVID-19

FEDERAL RESPONSE

Centers for Disease Control

• Updated April 21 - Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open

  • Guía para los programas de cuidados infantiles que permanecen abiertos (en español)

Department of Health and Human Services Children's Bureau

• March 24 - Guidance: COVID Resources and Guidance on Children Involved in the Child Welfare System

Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights

• March 21 - Fact Sheet: Rights of Students with Disabilities
• March 18 - Guidance: Ensuring Web Accessibility for Students with Disabilities

OTHER DC PROGRAMS PROVIDING SUPPORT

• DC’s Sick and Safe Leave Act
• Health Insurance - DC HealthLink (DC Healthy Families)
• Behavioral health support
  • The COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Guide developed by Children’s National Hospital, Children’s Law Center, and the DC Behavioral Health Association lists the behavioral health resources in DC that accept Medicaid and what types of service they are currently offering.
  • For school based mental health services and/or referrals, contact the person listed for your school here
  • Phone numbers for key services, including a non-emergency "warm line" free for D.C. residents regardless of insurance as well as a line for if your child is in crisis at home, are available on this flyer.
  • Water - DC Water Restores Water Service for Disconnected Residents
• Families in need of shelter can call (202) 399-7093
• Child abuse and neglect hotline: (202) 671-SAFE
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Help Line: 1-800-985-5990
• DC has implemented online application forms for TANF, SNAP (a.k.a. food stamps), and medical assistance programs (e.g. Medicaid, Alliance)

Page last updated October 3, 2020