Resources for COVID

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• CDC Guidance for ECE dated January 28, 2022
• Information for fully vaccinated persons. At this time (4/27/21) there are NO changes to the DHS/IDPH guidance documents as children in child care are not able to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Recommendations for the consistent implementation of a combination of strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in child care programs, including staying home when sick, wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose, practicing physical distancing, avoiding poorly ventilated indoor spaces, frequently washing your hands, cohorting, and regularly and consistently cleaning and disinfecting facilities
• Updated considerations to support children with special health care needs and disabilities and people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
• Talking with Children about Coronavirus

Child Care Aware of America 

• Considerations for Child Care Closure Due to COVID-19
• Coronavirus FAQs for Child Care Providers & Families
• Coronavirus Webinar Recording: Resources for Child Care and Advice from the Field
• Grab, Adapt and Go! Resources for Child Care Programs
• Tax Credit guide for programs with employees. Does not apply to self-employed individuals.
• Webinars from CCAoA regarding COVID-19 for Early Childhood Programs
• Webinar: Child Care During COVID-19: Guidance & Implementation from Experts - Learn about the latest recommendations for child care providers who remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, recorded 4/13/20.

COVID Recovery Iowa

• Menu for all COVID Recovery Iowa resources
• Free Counseling and Support for all Iowans
• Child and Family Services by COVID Recovery Iowa
• Counseling Flyer

Emotional Support Services

• American Counseling Association of Iowa - A list of mental health providers offering telehealth to help Iowans deal with the stress, anxiety, depression and trauma of the COVID-19 crisis.
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• NAMI Crisis hotlines: Dallas 24/7 1-844-428-3878 or Warren 24/7 1-844-258-8858
• Crisis Text Line 24/7: HOME to 741741 to connect to a counselor
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress helpline 24/7 365 days: 1-800-985-5990
• Mental Health - Your Life Iowa Statewide Crisis Line (855) 581-8111
• Iowa Concern Hotline 800-447-1985
• Iowa Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team
• Mental Health America has some great information and resources
• Christian Century

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Tool for looking up COVID-19 disinfectant products. Providers can browse by EPA number, product name, ingredient and contact (dwell) time! 

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

• Public Disaster Declaration
• Requests for Public Assistance from FEMA through Iowa Homeland and Security
• Help After a Disaster

Harvard Center on the Developing Child

• Resources for Stress and Resilience
• Helping Children Cope with Coronavirus and Uncertainty

Homeland Security and Emergency Management 

• Contact list for Emergency County Managers who are coordinating the State of Iowa’s collaborative response to COVID-19

Iowa Concern Hotline

• Offered by ISU Extension and Outreach, provides confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics. 800-447-1985

Iowa COVID-19 Legal Advice Hotline - 1-800-332-0419

Iowa Department of Human Services

• Letter from Director Garcia 5/14/21
• Child Care Guidance Infection Control in Child Care Settings
• Common Child Illnesses and Exclusion Criteria for Education and Child Care Settings
• COVID-19 DHS Resources
• Find Childcare For Essential Workforce: Map
• Funding Opportunities Available to Child Care Programs, FAQ for Funding Opportunities, Email for Questions, DHS Sustainability Plan

Iowa Department of Public Health

• Leading source for Iowa guidelines, testing and reported COVID-19 case-related information
• COVID-19 vaccine information with IDPH updates on Iowa's vaccine strategy, FAQ's and more
• Common Child Illnesses and Exclusion Criteria for Education and Child Care Settings
• IDPH complete list of child care resources on the HCCI webpage for COVID-19

Iowa Economic Development 

• Iowa Business Recovery Assistance - Due to the economic impact of COVID-19 closures and postponements, Iowa Economic Development is gathering resources and information that may be of use.

Iowa Finance Authority

• COVID-19 Iowa Housing Recovery application and information regarding assistance for rent and mortgage payments.

Iowa Workforce Development/Iowa Works

• Frequently Asked Questions for Employers and Employees in Iowa and how to file for unemployment insurance benefits

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

• Online resources to provide information about COVID-19 from NAEYC

Small Business Development Centers

• Contact list for locations in Iowa and information on business counseling

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

• Small businesses and private non-profits to start applying for disaster relief based on Governor Disaster Declaration
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Relief Options and Additional Resources

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• U.S. Chamber Creates Coronavirus Loan Guide to Help Small Businesses - News Release (March 30, 2020)
• Small Business Guide -  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
• Webinar - Federal Resources for Early Childhood Education - from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, recorded April 6

U.S. Department of Labor 

• Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Tax Credits for Small and Midsize Businesses to Swiftly Recover the Cost of Providing Coronavirus-Related Leave
• Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Flyer for Employee Rights