Waivers and modifications
| Date | Title | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2020 (revised December 24, 2020) | OEC Legal Waivers and Modifications (spanish) | Details on legal requirements that have been waived during the state of emergency |
Memos from OEC’s Commissioner
OEC’s Commissioner, Beth Bye, is issuing regular memos that provide essential guidance for child care providers. They cover updates to program policies, funding, resources, and more.
OEC has updated policy memos to ensure consistency and clarity in this ever-changing climate. Note that updates made on November 3, 2020 do not include any new policy changes. They just ensure that earlier versions of memos are consistent with current policies.
| Date | Title | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| December 22, 2020 | Memo #36: Child Care and Youth Camp Resource for Local Directors of Health | Joint memo from OEC and the State Department of Public Health to help local directors of health keep children, child care providers, and families safe and allow child care programs and camps to remain open |
| December 10, 2020 Revised January 15, 2021 | Memo #35: FY 21 Funding for School Readiness, Child Day Care and Smart Start | Funding structure for School Readiness, Child Day Care and Smart Start through January 2021 |
| November 24, 2020 | Memo #34: Requirements for State-Funded Programs Providing Remote Learning Related document: OEC Remote Learning Guidance | Requirements for programs that receive School Readiness, Child Day Care, and/or Smart Start funding to provide remote learning |
| November 23, 2020 | Memo #33: COVID-19 Response Funds for Smart Start Funded Programs | Details about waiver of the limitation on funding for Smart Start child care programs related to COVID-19 |
| November 23, 2020 | Memo #32: Children Who Attend Child Care Programs and Receive Support Services (English) (Spanish) | Joint memo from OEC and the State Department of Education about coordinating services for children who attend child care programs and receive support services |
| October 7, 2020 | Memo #31: Waivers for School Readiness, Child Day Care, and Smart Start funded programs | Notification of waivers of OEC policies related to the funding of School Readiness, Child Day Care, and Smart Start programs for the SFY 21 funding period Note: This replaces Memo #8, issued March 20, 2020. |
| September 14, 2020 (revised January 15, 2021) | Memo #30: Child Care Provisions for School-Age Children During COVID-19 (English) (Spanish) | Information about children whose in-person attendance at child care is affected by COVID-19 |
| September 14, 2020 (revised October 7, 2020) | Memo #29: Masks and Group Size (English) (Spanish) Related documents: OEC Sample Mask Wearing Policy #1 (English) (Spanish) OEC Sample Mask Wearing Policy #2 (English) (Spanish) | Covers new requirements related to children wearing masks while in care and changes to group size |
| August 6, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #28: Child Care Waivers Status Update Memo #28 (English) Memo #28 (Spanish) | Waivers (for licensing and health and safety) that end on September 9, 2020 and others that may remain in effect |
| July 27, 2020 | Memo #27: Updates Concerning Background Checks Memo #27 (English) Memo #27 (Spanish) | Changes to the background check process during COVID-19, including updates about fingerprint fees and requirements Note: This replaces Memo #9, issued March 20, 2020. |
| July 7, 2020 (revised December 22, 2020) | Memo #26: Child Care Guidance Regarding State of CT Travel Advisories English Spanish | Guidance on establishing policies to comply with out-of-state travel advisories |
| July 6, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #25 Inspections of Licensed Child Care Programs and License-Exempt Programs Memo #25 (English) Memo #25 (Spanish) | Updates on changes to OEC’s inspection of child care programs |
| July 6, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #24: Inspections of Licenses Youth Camps | Update on youth camp inspections, licensing staff precautions during inspections, and compliance with enhanced requirements |
| May 22, 2020 (revised January 7, 2021) | Memo #23 Access to Testing for OEC-Funded Providers Memo #23 (English) Memo #23 (Spanish) Related document: Priority Testing for Child Care and Youth Camp Providers information sheet | Information about drive-up COVID-19 testing for early care and education providers |
| May 8, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #22 Family Child Care School Age Capacity Waiver Memo #22 (English) Memo #22 (Spanish) | Details about the temporary waiver allowing an increase in the capacity for family child care home programs during the emergency |
| April 27, 2020 | Memo #21: Annual Inspection Waiver | Details on the waiver of licensing requirements during the emergency |
| April 27, 2020 | Memo #20: Modification of Definition of Child Care Services | Additional details on the definition of child care for licensing purposes |
| April 24, 2020 | Memo #19: Expanded Definition of Children Eligible for Birth to Three Services | Joint memo from OEC and the Dept. of Education about temporary changes to eligibility for Birth to Three services |
| April 23, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #18: Youth Camp Guidance English Spanish Related document: Youth Camp Informed Consent Form | Requirements and other guidance for youth camps |
| April 6, 2020 | Memo #17: School Readiness Request for Proposal Modification | Modifications for the School Readiness RFP process |
| April 1, 2020 | Memo #16: Extension of Administrative Deadlines and Modification of Hearing Procedures Memo #16 (English) Memo #16 (Spanish) | Extension of administrative deadlines for Care 4 Kids and Child Care Licensing Shift in format for hearings (by telephone or web) and correspondence (by email) |
| March 31, 2020 (Revised June 25, 2020) | Memo #15: Reduced Group Size and Enhanced Health Procedures for Child Care Programs Memo #15 (English) Memo #15 (Spanish) | Limits on group sizes for children Checking children and staff for signs of infection Guidance on enhanced disinfection, cleaning, and other precautions |
| March 29, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #14: Parent Fee Waiver and Extended GAP | Guidance for Birth to Three Early Intervention Service (EIS) Providers Waiving family cost participation fees Extension of General Administration Payments (GAP) |
| March 26, 2020 | Memo #13: Continuation of State Funding | OEC’s commitment to paying providers in publicly-funded programs (Care 4 Kids, Child Day Care, School Readiness, and Smart Start) through June 30, 2020 Update on funding for Even Start and Head Start supplement programs |
March 25, 2020 (revised June 5, 2020) | Memo #12: Child Care Business Support Memo #12 (English) Memo #12 (Spanish) | Impact of COVID-19 on small businesses, including child care programs List of resources for small businesses |
| March 23, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #11: Birth to Three Providers Fiscal and Home Visit Guidance | Guidance for Birth to Three staff working from home using Remote Early Intervention (EI) |
| March 23, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #10: Home Visiting: Virtual and Telehealth | Guidance for home visiting staff about shifting to virtual home visits and using video platforms |
| March 20, 2020 | Memo #9 | Note: Memo #9 has been superseded by Memo #27 Changes to the background check process during COVID-19, including updates about fingerprint fees and requirements |
| March 20, 2020 | Memo #8 | Note: Memo #8 has been superseded by Memo #31: Waivers for School Readiness, Child Day Care, and Smart Start funded programs |
| March 16, 2020 (revised December 17, 2020) | Memo #7: Child Care Waivers Memo #7 (English) Memo #7 (Spanish) Related form: • Health Attestation (English) • Health Attestation (Spanish) | Waivers to licensing requirements during the state of emergency |
| March 16, 2020 (revised December 21, 2020) | Memo #6: Message Regarding Child Care Memo #6 (English) Memo #6 (Spanish) Related document: COVID-19 Contact Tracing Checklist | Guidance for parents who need child care Tips on preventing the spread of respiratory viruses. |
| March 16, 2020 (revised November 3, 2020) | Memo #5: Fiscal and Home Visit Guidance for Birth to Three and Home Visiting Providers | Guidance for Birth to 3 programs Guidance for home visiting programs — including screening questions to ask families about possible COVID-19 exposure and guidance on virtual home visits |
| March 13, 2020 | Memo #4: FCC Cap and Closures Memo #4 (English) Memo #4 (Spanish) | Guidance on closing schools and programs Information about implications of the state’s civil preparedness emergency |
| March 13, 2020 | Memo #3: Funding and Program Closure | Update on funding for state-funded programs Guidance on closing schools and child care programs |
| March 11, 2020 | Memo #2: Supporting the Needs of Young Children and Families Memo #2 (English) Memo #2 (Spanish) | Guidance on reliable information sources, communication, medical care, health, back-up care, and planning |
| March 9, 2020 (Revised July 27, 2020) | Memo for Licensed Providers about COVID-19 Memo for Providers (English) | Education about COVID-19 Following public health practices Reporting cases of COVID-19 |
| February 28, 2020 (Revised June 3, 2020) | Novel Coronavirus Memo (English) Novel Coronavirus Memo (Spanish) | Information about COVID-19 Tips for preventing the spread of viruses Guidance on reporting cases of COVID-19 |
Last updated January 19, 2021