On Saturday, April 4, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-45-20 and sent out a press release to expand child care access to essential workers. Specifically, the order ensures guidance to prioritize enrollment for children of essential workers, suspend restrictions to access state-subsidized child care programs and take advantage of the new federal flexibility to provide SNAP benefits for children to reduce food insecurity.

The order requests the Department of Education along with the Department of Social Services to develop and issues guidance by tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. The focus will be on the prioritization of enrollment, including children who are recipients of child protective services or are at risk of being abused or neglected. The order also requests guidance on group size, physical distance, food safety and other healthy practices.

The order also, among other things, suspends regulations related to the After School Education and Safety Program, waives any of the licensing, contractual, and payment requirements specified in Education Code section 8351 and any accompanying regulations and other written policies or procedures related to assessment of fees for families using preschool and child care and development services for 60 days.

Virtual Townhall

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 3:00 p.m., the California Department of Education will host a virtual townhall via facebook live to discuss the latest updates in public schools. Here is the link to view: https://www.facebook.com/CAEducation/

FEMA Funding

The deadline for local educational agencies (LEA) to file an online Request for Public Assistance (RPA) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is Friday, April 17, 2020. Any LEA that has incurred, is incurring, or may incur costs categorized as “emergency protective measures” related to the COVID-19 response should file an RPA in order to be eligible for reimbursement. These examples are provided in FEMA’s fact sheet which includes, but is not limited to, “disinfection of public facilities.” CDE encourages all LEAs to file an RPA by the deadline.

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has information and training for local governments (including LEAs) on the RPA application process and federal procurement rules on their COVID-19 recovery web page: https://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/recovery/covid-19.

Questions about FEMA Public Assistance and the RPA deadline can be directed to Cal OES at PAProcurement@caloes.ca.gov.

Upcoming Webinars

    • “Distance Learning: Instructional Strategies and English Learner Support” on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. to highlight the work of Glendale Unified School District, Natomas Unified School District, and introduce CDE’s English Learner Support Division resources.
    • “Distance Learning Innovations in Special Education—Engaging Parents” on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 3 p.m.
    • “Supporting You Supporting Students: Providing Tools for the Challenging Times”, a three-part webinar series hosted by CDE in partnership with Wellness Together School Mental Health. It will feature an ongoing discussion to highlight practices, programs, and policies to strengthen student supports in the midst of school closures. This series will address some of the adjustments necessary to ensure students are receiving mental health support in the midst of the recent challenges. Dates: Thursdays—April 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 1 to 2:30 p.m. To register for this three part webinar, click here.
    • “COVID-19 California Financial Planning Forum”, on Friday, April 10, 2020 from 10:00am-11:00am. Forecast5 Analytics hosts a presentation around the financial challenges and decisions that school districts are facing as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The presentation will be broken down into three distinct topics and timeframes. Register here.

In Case You Missed It

Last Thursday, CDE hosted a Special Education Distance Learning webinar. Watch the webinar here and review the key takeaways from best practices here.

Read CDE’s March 2020 Newsletter, which includes a news brief, resources and a model for distance learning, here.

Grading/Graduation Guidance Released April 1

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/gradegraduationfaq.asp

Labor Management Framework Released April 1
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/collaborationframework.asp

SB 117 Funding Released April 1
https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r14/sb11719apptltr1.asp

Joint Statement with Higher Education Released April 2
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/documents/jointk12highereducation.pdf

 

CASBO NewsBreaks and Advocacy tools are posted on our website. For more information, contact CASBO’s Governmental Relations staff: Sara Bachez, Chief Governmental Relations Officer or Elizabeth Esquivel, Senior Director of Policy and Governance. Remember that the most effective and convenient way to become involved is by joining CASBO Advocacy Network.

 

California Association of School Business Officials

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