Childcare workers caring for emergency workers' kids

CARTERVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Lori Longueville, director of Child Care Resource and Referral at John A. Logan College, and her staff have been busy.

'œWe have been working nonstop since the governor's shelter-in-place order to be able to assist families with their childcare needs,'ť Longueville said.

The order allowed early learning centers and childcare homes to be licensed as emergency providers of childcare. Emergency providers care for the children of essential workers.

'œSixteen centers in 15 counties are providing emergency care. Forty-three licensed homes are operating as exempt,'ť Longueville said.

Basically, the state of Illinois suspended all childcare licenses as of March 23. Centers had to apply for a special license to offer care to the children of essential workers. Homes had to apply to be exempt homes.

'œThere are specific protocols centers need to follow,'ť Longueville said.

Those protocols include limiting the number of people coming in to the centers, screening staff and children for fevers and staggering drop-off time and pickup times.

Although the CCR&R's office is closed to the public, its staff members are working every day to support working families and the providers that serve them. Longueville said most of the staff is working remotely, but someone is answering the phones from 8 a.m. to noon each day.

A statewide dedicated help line has been created so Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies can help connect essential worker families to emergency childcare. The helpline is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer calls, but callers will be able to leave a message 24 hours a day.

'œIt's amazing to me that in 10 days, all systems were created to help, even though we are in uncharted waters,'ť Longueville said.

CCR&R staff has seen an upswing in requests. Longueville said they have a new clientele - parents needing care for school-aged children. The children were in school and only needed after-school care. Now, they need care all day.

In addition to finding provides, CCR&R can help parents and guardians apply for childcare assistance.

'œOur goal is to be here to help families in whatever way we can,'ť Longueville said.

She stressed that emergency childcare should be a last resort. But, parents who cannot stay home should have safe places for their children.

'œChildcare providers have really stepped up to care for children. I hope everyone remembers how essential they are not only now but every day,'ť Longueville said.

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Source: The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, https://bit.ly/3dZ3QE