On March 9, Governor DeSantis declared a State of Emergency in Florida to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Since then, schools have closed, public spaces have emptied, and restaurants have pivoted to take-out and delivery operations only. Families and small businesses are feeling the squeeze.
Many essential personnel are still reporting to work: first responders, health care workers, food service teams, and, crucially, the early learning providers who care for their children.
We have compiled the following list of resources for Floridians navigating a changing society in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. If you are a parent navigating a loss of health insurance or looking for home schooling resources, we have resources below for you. If you are a child care provider looking for the latest guidance from the CDC or the Florida Department of Education, we have linked the best destinations for you below.
The Florida Department of Health also has a COVID-19 Call Center Available 24/7 at +1 (866) 779–6121 or you can email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment: All Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients’ benefit amounts will be increased to the maximum monthly allotment based on household size.
SNAP and TANF Work Requirements Waived: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) will waive work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Online Purchasing Pilot for SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can purchase groceries online with the use of an EBT card. SNAP participants are automatically eligible to participate in this program and do not need to apply.
From The Wall Street Journal: “By some estimates, some 40% of U.S. day cares are closed. Many of those that are open have half the number of children they did in February, or less.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From Child Care Aware of America: “As long as there were strong preventative measures in place, providing care to infants, toddlers and preschoolers didn’t seem to pose additional risk to child care workers.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From Today: “Coronavirus job losses are hitting women harder than men and leading to impossible dilemmas for many mothers and caregivers.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From TIME Magazine: “Families are stressed about childcare and having to go back to work.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.
From The New York Times: “Development is a lifelong process. There’s not a skill or domain in which children can’t get better or work at.” Read the full article here. View more articles here.