SAN JOSE, CA - Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) in partnership with county and city leaders, community organizations and agencies throughout Santa Clara County has announced a new online portal to provide essential workers, as defined by the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health, access to childcare during the shelter-in-place order.
Organizations like the YMCA in partnership with the Morgan Hill Unified School District, and the El Camino Hospital in Mountain View and Los Gatos; the SCCOE Emergency Preschool Program; and organizations in partnership with First 5 of Santa Clara, Healthier Kids Foundation, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Clara County Council, and the City of San Jose are working with preschool and childcare programs to serve children of essential personnel. These programs are not open to the general public.
“Just as we have all come together to protect our most vulnerable community members by Sheltering in Place, now many of our local organizations that serve children have joined forces to provide much needed childcare to this public health crisis’ true super heroes – our essential workers,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor and chair of the First 5 of Santa Clara Commission, Susan Ellenberg. “It’s moments like these that truly showcase what our community’s biggest strengths are – collaboration and unity – and I am proud that our County is providing this critical resource to support our healthcare workers while they save lives.”
The SCCOE childcare for essential workers portal features a growing list of childcare providers and resources, as well as eligibility requirements and guidance for how to apply. Childcare centers are listed according to age group and grade level, and include location, hours of operation and contact information for details on how to easily enroll.
Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools at the Santa Clara Office of Education highlights the importance of this timely resource. “This time of challenge and transition has revealed the power of positive action as we respond to the immediate needs of our community in an attentive and focused way. We want to support essential workers with safe options for childcare while they work to make us safe. This online portal provides essential workers in Santa Clara County with quick access to information and resources to help them find childcare, and features information for childcare providers to learn how they can contribute space and resources towards this effort.”
All childcare centers for essential workers in Santa Clara County must follow social distancing, sanitation, and hygiene practices specified by the Department of Public Health Department, the State of California and the Federal Centers for Disease Control.
Information including early learning services, news updates from the County of Santa Clara Department of Public Health and community resource directories can also be found on the portal.
###
About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.